Women in Politics: Ladies WHO Lunch® Network

October 3, 2026 | Hosted by Maria Kritikos & Lorraine Lowe | Special Guest: Mayor Ken Sim

On Saturday, October 3, the Ladies WHO Lunch® Network brought together an inspiring group of women at The Arbutus Club for Women in Politics — an afternoon of conversation, connection, community and leadership.

Co-hosted by Maria Kritikos, candidate for Vancouver School Board Trustee, and Lorraine Lowe, candidate for Vancouver City Council, the event created an opportunity for women from across Vancouver to connect, share their experiences and talk about the importance of women stepping forward to lead.

The afternoon also included special guest Mayor Ken Sim, who joined attendees for remarks, lunch, conversation and a group photo.

Bringing Women Together

For Maria, the event represented a return to the original spirit behind the Ladies WHO Lunch® Network, which she founded in 2012 as a community where women could connect, support one another and encourage each other to pursue their goals and dreams.

As Maria shared in her welcome remarks: “Regardless of where leadership happens — in politics, business, education, our families or our communities — I think it’s important that women continue to encourage one another to step forward.” 

Maria also reminded guests that the afternoon was about more than politics: “Today isn’t just about me or Lorraine. It’s really about bringing women together, hearing one another’s stories and creating connections.”

Those ideas were central to the afternoon and to the ongoing mission of Ladies WHO Lunch® Network

Meet the Hosts

Maria Kritikos

Maria Kritikos is running for Vancouver School Board with ABC Vancouver. Maria is an educator, entrepreneur, community leader and mother with deep roots in Vancouver and a lifelong commitment to education, opportunity and service. She began her career as a Vancouver high school teacher, teaching French and Spanish, before becoming an entrepreneur in education and later building a successful real estate career spanning nearly two decades. Maria is the founder of Ladies WHO Lunch®, a network created to connect and empower women, and the author of Girl With A Plan, a practical guide encouraging women to pursue their personal and professional goals.

As a mother who raised her son in Vancouver and a former educator, Maria’s decision to enter public service brings together many of the threads that have shaped her life: education, entrepreneurship, community and service. Her remarks at the event similarly traced her path from teaching to entrepreneurship, real estate and ultimately public service.

Lorraine Lowe

Lorraine Lowe is running for Vancouver City Council with ABC Vancouver. Lorraine has held numerous executive leadership roles throughout her career and, while running for Council, is taking a leave of absence from her roles as Executive Director of the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre and Vice-Chair of the Vancouver Police Board.

Previously, as Executive Director of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Lorraine became a trusted community voice and bridge builder, working with community partners and sponsors to establish a grocery and outreach program for Chinatown seniors and opening the Garden’s doors to the DTES Artist Collective.

A third-generation Vancouverite and mother of two, Lorraine’s career across Vancouver’s arts, culture and science institutions has focused on community service, responsible stewardship and building stronger organizations.

Her commitment to service was shaped early in life through her immigrant parents’ South Vancouver TV and electronics store, a family business that operated for 42 years and served as a community gathering place.

Lorraine continues to volunteer in the community and is committed to helping build a safer, more affordable Vancouver where the next generation can thrive.

An Afternoon of Leadership & Connection

Guests enjoyed a welcome reception, remarks from Maria and Lorraine, a conversation with Mayor Ken Sim, lunch and an opportunity to connect with women from across Vancouver.

But perhaps the most important part of the afternoon was simply creating the space for those conversations to happen. Leadership doesn’t only happen in elected office. It happens in our businesses, classrooms, families, neighbourhoods, non-profit organizations and communities. 

Women in Politics was a celebration of women willing to step forward, use their voices, support one another and lead.

Stay Connected

Ladies WHO Lunch® Network was created to bring women together, build meaningful connections and encourage women to pursue their goals, dreams and leadership opportunities.

Interested in future Ladies WHO Lunch® events?

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