Volunteer spotlight: Isabel Wood and Joy Hsieh

Isabel Wood and Joy Hsieh are proof that even a busy life can make room for giving back. Both longtime Vancouver residents, they balance careers, hobbies and family while volunteering as the new Volunteer Coordinators for the 2026 IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s, presented by Go Auto. 

“It’s being able to let the community know about the disease and help people affected not feel alone,” Joy says. Outside of volunteering, she works as an office assistant and is preparing to move into the HR field, all while finding time for life’s simple pleasures, like exploring local coffee shops. 

Isabel’s path to volunteering is deeply personal. After her father was diagnosed with dementia, she turned to the Alzheimer Society of BC and Yukon for information, webinars and support. “The organization gave me so much, and I felt I needed to give a little more back,” she explains. She also balances a busy career in emergency preparedness education and enjoys art journaling, kayaking and running, including a proud milestone of completing a 10K run at age 50. 

In their roles, Joy and Isabel recruit and coordinate volunteers, host orientation sessions and ensure event day runs smoothly from start to finish, working closely with Alzheimer Society of BC and Yukon staff. They are passionate about helping others find their place in the volunteer team and making each participant feel supported and valued. 

Through their dedication, Joy and Isabel show that volunteering isn’t just about giving time, it’s about building community, raising awareness and making a lasting difference in the lives of people affected by dementia.