Teresa is Giovanni and Rosina's first grandchild. Teresa and her sister, Diana, are the only Bastone grandchildren to have known their grandfather before his passing in 1988. While they were growing up, Teresa and Diana came to understand that their grandfather had an unparalleled zest for life, a huge heart, and a special place in that heart for them and all children.

Teresa has been teaching at West Point Grey Academy since completing her Bachelor degree in Education in 1998. Teresa received her Master's degree in Education in September 2004.

Teresa has been an active member of her community since 1993. While attending university, Teresa was a Youth Development worker at the Dunbar Community Centre. She's been a part-time Program Assistant at Carnarvon Community School since 1996 and has coached the West Point Grey basketball, soccer and volleyball teams.

Teresa and Deb co-founded the GBF to honour her grandfather, and raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research.

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Deb is the Principal Consultant of Nicols & Dymes Consulting Inc., a Human Resources consulting firm focused on the needs of high-growth companies. Her clients have included Rocket Gaming Systems, AirG, QLT Inc., the Sauder School of Business and Infowave Software.

Prior to launching Nicols & Dymes, Deb gained her HR management experience at Business Objects, Raytheon Systems and MPR Teltech. She received her Certified Human Resources Professional designation in 1997.

A Dale Carnegie graduate, Deb has designed and delivered a number of HR workshops and has spoken to a wide variety of audiences about childhood cancer research and Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland.

In March 2000, Deb was matched as a volunteer Big Sister to her Little Sister, Maryam. In October 2001, Deb was appointed to the Big Sisters' Board of Directors, served as Vice President from July 2003 to April 2006, and is currently the President of the Board.

Deb founded the Giovanni Bastone Foundation with Teresa Vaccaro in September 2003. In January 2004, Deb was appointed President of the GBF. Inspired by Giovanni's love for children and his own battle with lung cancer, Deb and Teresa launched the GBF to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research.

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Don holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University. Don is currently a staff accountant with BDO Dunwoody LLP in Vancouver where he works with both not for profit organizations and privately owned companies.

Aside from his work with the Giovanni Bastone Foundation Don is a board member of the Vancouver Vikings swim club, a not for profit summer swim club for children in Vancouver.

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Alex Nixon
Secretary
Email: Alex@bastonefoundation.org

Alex has over 5 years of not-for-profit experience in a variety of roles across Canada.

While studying at Mount Allison University, Alex served as president for the Sackville Movie Project, an organization dedicated to encouraging and promoting filmmaking at Mount Allison. He also was a consultant for Conduct Becoming:
Voices Against Cancer, an organization that uses music to raise funds and awareness for the Canadian Cancer Foundation.

Since returning to BC, Alex served as chairperson of the Semiahmoo Secondary Alumni Association. Currently Alex is the Coordinator of Volunteers for Gateway Theatre, where he manages Gateway's 120+ volunteers. Alex was the GBF's previous Volunteer Coordinator.

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Nat Bastone
Sponsorship Committee Chair
Email: Nat@bastonefoundation.org

Not long after being by his father's side, every day, throughout his painful battle with lung cancer, Nat, Giovanni & Rosina's second son, decided to make a long-time dream he'd had come true. He decided to establish Nat's New York Pizzeria with his cousin, Franco. The pizzeria has enjoyed critical acclaim, as well as a loyal clientele, since opening its doors in April 1992 on West Broadway. The cousins opened a second store on Denman Street in January 2000 and have long-term plans to franchise the operation.

Nat and Franco operate their business in the community in which they grew up and have made corporate social responsibility a pillar of their operating principles. Focused on enhancing the lives of youth, Nat's has partnered with the Vancouver Canucks, BC Lions and Vancouver Canadians to provide tickets to underprivileged children since 2000. Nat's has been a member of the Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland's Patrons Circle since 2001 and was recognized with their Big Heart Award in April 2004 for their ongoing support of the mission of Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland. Nat's has been nominated for an Ethics-in-Action Award 4 times, and has been a finalist twice.

As the Chair of the Sponsorship Committee, Nat is focused on attracting sponsor partners to the GBF.