Introducing our Interim Executive Director, Franceska Grantzidis

We are delighted to welcome Franceska Grantzidis to the team as Plan Institute’s Interim Executive Director! Franceska will be taking over from Stephanie Debisschop while she is on maternity leave.

Franceska comes to Plan Institute with a wealth of personal and professional experience with disability. She first discovered Plan Institute and PLAN in 2010 while researching what the future held for her Autistic son. Since then, she has held various leadership roles within the disability community, staying connected to Plan Institute in various ways, most recently as a member of our Board.

Franceska is passionate about supporting families to build their capacity, strengthen their disability voice and grow their networks of support. She has a special interest in guiding families through the difficult process of transitioning their child out of high school and into their next phase of life. She is privileged to have been an integral part of key initiatives such as the BC Summer Institute for Inclusive Learning (held bi-annually at UBC) and the Transition Timeline online tool.

Franceska says:

I am thrilled to have come full circle and return to Plan Institute as the Interim Executive Director. I am looking forward to supporting the wonderful work done by the Plan Institute team, collaborating and building relationships with community partners, and drawing from my own experience and skill set to contribute wherever I can.

Outside of work, Franceska enjoys early morning runs, gardening, and discovering new trails to hike with her family.

Stephanie will be returning to her role in Spring 2024. We wish her and her growing family lots of love and happiness over the coming year.

Franceska can be reached by email at fgrantzidis@planinstitute.ca, and by phone on 604.439.9566 ext: 141.