Loading ...Size definitely does not matter when it comes to the Choosing Joy team. We are a group of passionate professionals who are dedicated to making the Choosing Joy mission a reality, and to … well, Choose Joy! We are:
Shira Gold (Principal & Founder) became a caregiver as most people do, by happen-stance. Her three years as a full time caregiver for her mom Melanie provided Shira with valuable experience in medical research and considerable knowledge in the psychology of care.
“It hits you when you least expect it. In my case I was a twenty-two year old fashion designer, passionate about marking out my own path but empty in the career I was leading. The active pursuit of caring for my mom and the resulting experiences shaped my future. They included some of the most brilliant moments I could have ever wished for. I had a choice, to reframe my brain and accept the challenge to honor myself, my truths, my fears, and my love for my mother. I made that choice and moved forward to the best of my ability. Today, it is my hope to help other do the same. Choosing Joy has allowed me to realize my dream of being able to positively affect people’s quality of life as others affected mine when I was in need of support.”
Shira’s experiences, continuing research, and clinical training at the Mind/Body Institute at Harvard have led her to become an advocate for people struggling to accept and understand their own conditions.
Lucas van den Berg (President) has a background in entrepreneurship, operations and finance and holds a degree in psychology. He made the choice to resign from a senior position at a successful internet search engine company to support Shira in her role as primary caregiver. It proved to be a life-altering and very positive decision. Lucas quickly learned the fine art of balancing work, his own life, and being a support system to his wife.
“To support Melanie, my role was to support Shira. Every caregiver needs a support system of their own, a person to off-load to and share in the experience. When a caregiver feels supported, they are not only able to better support those in need of care, they are also in a position to take better care of themselves. For me, organization is a vital part of managing health challenges, no matter who’s involved. Structure makes the mechanics of managing chronic illness more straightforward, leaving more time to emotionally engage in the meaningful things in life, the things that bring you joy.”
Liz Zed (Editor/Copywriter) has an extensive background in sales operations, business administration and analysis, and writing for business. Much of her career has been spent in Vancouver’s high-tech industry, and she continues to work in that industry, freelancing as both a copywriter and business analyst. Her favourite projects have been with socially responsible organizations, such as Choosing Joy and GiveMeaning.com, and she brings her own perspective to Choosing Joy’s mission, having survived a life-threatening health situation not long ago.
Choosing Joy is fortunate to have worked (and continue to work) with many talented groups and individuals on various projects in our early developmental stages:
Next Steps Marketing (Fred Wood & Thea Selby)
“Next Steps Marketing allows you to leverage the experience of our team of marketing professionals whose diverse but complementary expertise creates a complete marketing solution for your business. We ore your partner in every phase of your marketing program, from business development through project execution and results analysis. Our 360° marketing services, combined with over 50 years of proven experience, will support your organization by addressing your immediate needs and long-term goals.”
Debra Langley is an independent consultant in marketing, brand development and international media. She is a co-founder of www.GiveMeaning.com, an online charitable venture, and also a co-founder, with financier and philanthropist Michael Milken, of Miavita (www.miavita.com) where she served as the first Chief Marketing Officer. Miavita is an online business that provides individuals with the knowledge and tools to lead longer, healthier lives. Debra has also worked with some of the world’s most powerful media brands, from The Economist to Cosmopolitan, as VP International for Hearst Magazines, and VP Asia-Pacific for a business unit of the Economist Group.
