For Michelle Mollineaux, the Conservative Party of BC candidate for the Richmond-Steveston riding, family has always been the key driver in her career, and now political, ambitions.
Growing up in London, England, Mollineaux looked up to her mother, a single parent, who returned to school to support her two girls. Her mother became a successful teacher, even landing a radio program on the BBC, before moving her family to Trinidad. After attending high school in the Caribbean, Mollineaux moved to Canada in 1983, and now resides in South Vancouver, with her husband and son.
"It was watching my mom succeed in life, her strong perseverance that gave me the tools to believe nothing is impossible, and I can attain anything, no matter the odds," reveals Mollineaux.
She used this fortitude and carved out a successful career in the high-tech sector, where she is currently the Director of Marketing and Channel Partnerships at Richmond-based ZEMA Global Data (formally ZE PowerGroup Inc.)
Prior, Mollineaux thrived in higher education as an administrator for various departments at Simon Fraser University, including the International Center for Crime and Punishment (a collaboration with the United Nations and UBC), Department of Linguistics and The Community Economic Development Center.
Mollineaux's distinguished and wide-ranging career avenues serve her well to address a multitude of platforms. In fact, she launched into politics in 2005, when crime and education issues were at the forefront, and even ran for Vancouver school board trustee.
Although Mollineaux resides in Vancouver, she has deep roots in Richmond and has contributed to the community for over 20 years, including her long-time membership with the Richmond Chamber of Commerce. "I may not have a bed in Richmond, but I'm pretty much embedded because I do so much in Richmond-Steveston."
On a social responsibility level, Mollineaux's passion is finding and implementing real solutions for affordability and livability, growing and building community economic development, supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs, and supporting children and youth at risk, to name a few.
Local business advocate, active in education
Mollineaux is working tirelessly for her constituents, where she is committed to improving the school capacity and quality of education, while championing local businesses and addressing public safety in Richmond-Steveston.
She's devoted to supporting local schools: "We need to improve the infrastructure, ensure we have safe schools, and get back to high standards of education so our children have a solid path to their future."
Since 2017, she has been mentoring grade 12 students from Richmond's McMath Secondary School, teaching skills in social media, market research, and marketing. "What I've done at McMath, mentoring those students to have a successful career, and teach life skills, is very important to me."
Also important to Mollineaux, is the state of local businesses, where she feels they're not getting the support they need to grow and expand business opportunities or innovation. "We need to bring in more innovative people who have entrepreneurial spirit. I'm committed to an active role in supporting local businesses so that we can create more jobs and community economic growth."
Community highlight: supporting youth at risk
Mollineaux has dedicated years to her youth at risk programs, and believes thinking beyond harm reduction and focusing more on prevention is what's most necessary. "We need to have proper detox, so when somebody says they want help, we can take them immediately into a detox centre, and then into a recovery program. We also need to get them into a rehabilitation program, job training and a crime prevention program."
Mollineaux believes in connecting with the community as a pathway to engagement. "I'm a very approachable person, I'm right there at the rallies and I also organize a lot of town hall meetings. I love being engaged with people and trying to get results out of those conversations."
"I'm going to do the best that I can to make a positive change in bringing back common sense. That comes from listening to the people and being that voice in the legislature."
For more information, visit MichelleMollineaux.com
