Stephanie Smith is the first woman elected president of the BC Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU), representing 73,000 members at 550 different employers and B.C. government ministries.
Stephanie was elected BCGEU president at the union's convention in May 2014, and was re-elected for her second term in June 2017. She is from the non-government sector, reflecting the diversity of BCGEU’s membership base. Stephanie has already made her mark on the union, meeting with members around the province and being consultative and connected with the union's elected officials, members and staff.
Prior to being elected BCGEU president, Stephanie served three years as BCGEU treasurer.
An early childhood educator by training, Stephanie began her involvement with the labour movement in 1981 – first in New Zealand, and then in British Columbia with the Children's Services Employees' Union, which merged with BCGEU in 1995/96.
Stephanie comes from the community social services sector (CSS), which represents community living services, youth-at-risk, child care, women services, Aboriginal services and many other members working with B.C.’s most vulnerable.
Stephanie served as first vice chair of BCGEU’s community social services component for six years and has sat on the BCGEU provincial executive – the governing body of the union between conventions – since 2008.
A tireless advocate for worker rights, young workers, and equity groups, Stephanie has spoken at provincial, national and international conferences on behalf of BCGEU members.
Stephanie is the very proud mother of two young adults, and resides in Richmond, B.C.
Email: president@bcgeu.ca