Al Etmanski is an author, advocate and social entrepreneur.  A specialist in innovative, multi-sector solutions to complex social challenges, he is known for his longstanding work to secure a good life for people with disabilities and their families.

Al’s lifelong commitment to social change led him to advocate for initiatives such as the Representation Agreement and the Registered Disability Savings Program, which contributes to the financial well being of Canadians with disabilities. There are more than $2 billion in RDSP accounts. He is co-founder with his wife Vickie Cammack, of Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN), a social enterprise working with families to ensure the security and well-being of persons with disabilities when their parents die. PLAN’s model has spread around the world.

Through his work with the BC Partners for Social Impact, Al continues to lead and inspire people to work together to find new ways to address society’s most complex and pervasive social problems. He is particularly interested in addressing social isolation and supporting natural caregivers.

His commitment is much more than his formal role with any one organization or committee. He consistently finds ways to connect networks of passionate amateurs, promote new ideas and approaches to financing and foster major initiatives in British Columbia and beyond. He is a Member of the Order of Canada.