Staff Bios

Renee Gillett

Program Manager
604-864-5770 ext 315
renee.gillett@success.bc.ca

As Manager of the Fraser Valley Self Employment Program for SUCCESS, Renee follows her passion for helping people achieve their dreams.

Renee worked for 7 years in the North Fraser Self Employment Program where she assisted more than 200 entrepreneurs as they developed their businesses in the Fraser Valley. She has owned 3 successful businesses in Richmond and Langley and has had management roles in 4 others. Renee has studied business management, sales and marketing, as well as tax planning for small business. An active member of Valley Women’s Network for over 12 years, she values the bonds that people create when they care about the community they do business in. She is active in many community projects and groups in Langley where she lives with her husband and 2 daughters.

Jihyun Lee

Program Assistant
604-864-5770 ext 313
Jihyun.lee@success.bc.ca

Jihyun came to Canada in 2006 as an immigrant, after finishing her 3rd year in Business Administration in Korea. She graduated with a BA in Economics with minor in Business from Simon Fraser University in 2009. With her Korean background, she started her career at S.U.C.C.E.S.S. with the Gateway To Asia project at the Business and Economic Development office in Vancouver. There she assisted Korean immigrants with business registration, business-related licenses, and market research. Along with her strong interest in economic development, she is passionate about helping immigrants start and extend their businesses using her good understanding of Asian culture and strong knowledge in business. Besides her degree, she holds a Job Club Facilitator Certification, giving her understanding of job market and employment services in Canada. She looks forward to helping clients with inquiries and providing support to Self Employment Program of Fraser Valley.

Stan Tam

Multicultural Business Advisor
604-864-5770 ext 312
stan.tam@success.bc.ca

Stan was the Financial Controller for a manufacturing company in Abbotsford for 24 years. He has extensive experience in finance, accounting, and operations of a growing business. Prior to moving to Abbotsford, Stan held positions as Senior Staff Accountant in a forest product manufacturing operation and as Accounting Manager in a construction company in Alberta. In addition, he owned and operated a successful retail business in Abbotsford. Stan holds 2 degrees from the University of British Columbia - Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and Licentiate in Accounting (Lic.Acct.). He is a member of the Certified General Accountants Association (C.G.A.). Stan looks forward to helping clients establish and grow their businesses in the community. He and his wife, Shirley, have been living in Abbotsford for over 26 years.

Valerie O'Connal

Business Advisor  |  Aboriginal
604-793-4334
valerie.oconnal@success.bc.ca

Valerie O’Connal, Aboriginal Business Advisor, belongs to the Beaver Clan of the Nak’azdli Carrier (Dakelh) First Nation. She brings over 24 years of experience working with First Nation communities, national organizations and the federal government in the areas of management and accountability, programming, governance, negotiation, finance, housing, administration and economic development. Valerie is also a talented artisan and owns and operates her own home-based business selling her works. She is the mother of five and grandmother of four and lives at Cultus Lake with her youngest daughter Kimberly. She loves to spend time with her other children who are all grown and now living on their own. Valerie is very passionate about working with people and assisting them in discovering that the potential for greatness is already within them.