Pat Thompson joined Atkinson in 2014, after fifteen years as a  consultant to nonprofit boards, chief executive officers, and senior management teams. From 1988 to 2000, Pat served YMCA Canada and the YMCA of Greater Vancouver in senior management roles related to strategic communications, government relations, and the delivery of education, employment, and international development programs. She began her career on Parliament Hill in the 80s where she worked first for her hometown MP and later two cabinet ministers.