Board of Directors

DR. BRUCE GRANVILLE MILLER: Chair

Bruce is a professor emeritus of anthropology at the University of British Columbia. He received a BA from Brown University and a PhD from Arizona State University. He's the author of twelve books on Indigenous law and society and served as editor of Culture, the journal of the Canadian Anthropology Society. His long-term fieldwork is with the Coast Salish peoples of British Columbia and Washington State. He has written about the use of oral histories of Indigenous peoples in the courts of Canada, the US, and Brazil and has served as an expert witness in Canadian and US Indigenous litigation. Bruce is a Fellow of the Society for Applied Anthropology and the Canadian Anthropology Society and was a Jacob Javits Fellow. He and his wife live in Kitsilano and two adult sons are also Vancouver residents.

Gloria Shu: Vice Chair

Gloria is the Director of Legal Services at Cadillac Fairview where she provides legal and management advice in respect of commercial real estate assets located in Western Canada.  Gloria grew up in Richmond, B.C.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Simon Fraser University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Windsor Faculty of Law, where she was the recipient of the Cassels Brock & Blackwell Centennial Prize in Practice Skills. Gloria is dedicated to social advocacy across a wide breadth of areas, from increasing access to justice in marginalized groups and vulnerable communities across Canada, to working in Beijing with UNICEF to participate in advocacy for legislative reform on economic and social issues facing youths in Asia-Pacific.  Gloria is a member of the Young Lawyers Advisory Committee at the Canadian Bar Association, advocating for improvement in the legal profession on behalf of young lawyers.  In her spare time, Gloria enjoys live theatre and exploring the Lower Mainland's culinary scene.

Arnold Singh: Treasurer

Arnold is a Partner with KPMG LLP, specializing in providing audit, accounting and advisory services to clients primarily in the financial services, technology and FinTech industries. Arnold has more than 20 years of experience with KPMG LLP, working in Vancouver, Toronto and London, England.  Arnold is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University. Arnold is currently is a Board Member with the KPMG Foundation, and is a member of the Campaign Cabinet of the United Way of the Lower Mainland.

LEONA SPARROW

Leona is the director of Treaty, Lands and Resources for the Musqueam Indian Band. Ms. Sparrow has served on the UBC President’s Advisory Committee on Aboriginal Affairs for the past several years and from 1993 to 2003 was an appointed member of the UBC Senate. She has also served on advisory boards for the Peter A. Allard School of Law and the Museum of Anthropology (MOA). 

CHIEF JANICE GEORGE/CHEPXIMIYA SIYAM

Chief Janice George/ Chepximiya Siyam is a master weaver and teaching artist from the Squamish Nation. She co-founded L’hen Awtxw Weaving House to share the teachings and practice of traditional Coast Salish wool weaving. Chief Janice George graduated from Capilano University, North Vancouver BC, and the Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, NM, USA.  She is a hereditary chief, trained museum curator and educator. George also co-organized the 1st Canada Northwest Coast Weavers Gathering, with other Squamish Nation Weavers. She is the co-author of Salish Blankets: Robes of Protection and Transformation, Symbols of Wealth.

Brenda Van Engelen

Brenda is a Strategic Development Consultant, specializing in organizational readiness, growth, strategic revenue generation and entrepreneurial leadership. Her experience was gained over two decades in a variety of health, literacy and community non-profits. Brenda lived in Europe, worked internationally in the fashion industry while studying psychology, political science and French. She works closely both professionally and personally with a variety of key stakeholders including community partners, government agencies, donors, sponsors, prospects, volunteer Board members, staff, and community members. Brenda values people, community and having a positive impact in the world.

Cameron Burke

Cam is a Partner at Fort Capital Partners, a boutique investment bank based in Vancouver. Cam is an experienced entrepreneur, investor, operator, and advisor. He is versatile operator with a strong track record in accelerating growth and scaling companies from concept to exit. Over the past 20 years Cam has co-founded, and exited two tech companies and scaled another to IPO. In his role at Fort Capital Cam leads the technology and innovation banking strategy and works alongside some of Canada’s most successful innovators and investors.  While technology and data are his career Cam’s real passion is BC history. Cam graduated from the University of Victoria

Cam was Vice Chairman & Treasurer of BC Tech from 2018 to October 2021. He is also a board director at the Seedlings Foundation.

Jane McFadden

Jane is the Executive Director of the Kitsilano West 4th Avenue Business Association. The association represents hundreds of businesses and property owners on the renowned Kitsilano high street of West 4th Avenue. Jane is responsible for the marketing, events, public art, security, public realm and general operations of the neighbourhood. With a passion for small businesses and a history of work in non-profits, Jane advocates for the businesses and community that make Kitsilano so special and unique. Prior to this work, Jane owned and operated several retail locations that were voted Best Store in Vancouver for several years. Jane has served on several Boards in Vancouver and volunteers with community partners regularly. A proud graduate of UBC and mother of three, Jane strives to make a positive impact in both her personal and professional life. 

Deborah Schachter

Dr. Debbie Schachter is the Associate Vice President, Students at Langara College in Vancouver, and participates as a member on community, association, and cooperative boards of directors in B.C. and internationally, and as a member of higher education research ethics boards in the Vancouver region. Debbie continues to research in the field of international library research and has published and edited works on that topic. Debbie has experience working in public libraries, as a senior leader at the Vancouver Public Library, in charitable and non-profit organizations, and in special libraries. Debbie has a Bachelor of Arts (in English and History) and a Master of Library Science from the University of British Columbia, a Master of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University, and a Doctor of Education from the University of Edinburgh.

Hannamari Jalovaara

Hannamari Jalovaara (MFA, M.Phil, DVATI) is a multidisciplinary visual artist, educator and art therapist. With diverse experience in the art and cultural fields as well as in academic school systems, Hannamari has also served on several non-profit society and public art gallery boards and advisory committees. In addition to her own art practice, her involvement includes leading and assisting on many curatorial projects in Canada and in Europe.

Dennis Thomas-Whonoak

Ancestral Name: Whonoak

Dennis Thomas “Whonoak” is a member and an elected Councillor of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (People of the Inlet) in Deep Cove, North Vancouver.  Dennis began working for his community in 2007 as the 2010 Coordinator for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Since then, Dennis pursued business with his Nation and managed several band-owned companies, including Takaya Tours, an internationally recognized Indigenous tourism business. This is where he connected with his cultural roots and now is a cultural ambassador in his community. He strives to embed his Nations's culture in all areas so that the ancestral knowledge is awake and alive. He also led new business ventures, including implementing the largest Solar array project to date in the North Shore, which inspires him to practice and implement green energy.  As a consultant, he was TWN Cultural Liaison for MST Development Corporation, where he ensured Tsleil-Waututh Nations' history and culture are at the forefront and rooted in the building structure, architectural design, and the overall public realm. He holds an MBA from Simon Fraser University specializing in Indigenous Business Leadership. He is also a recipient of Business in Vancouver’s 2021 Top Forty under 40.

Kathleen Reid

Kathleen is the Founder and Chief Communications Officer of Switchboard Public Relations, Vancouver's first public relations and strategic communications firm to focus on supporting Canada's technology companies and the innovation ecosystem. As a business trailblazer, thought leader and parent with low vision, Kathleen's reliance on assistive tech has fuelled a passion for innovation as a tool for positive social and economic change. In addition, the "Forty Under 40" award winner believes in giving back to the community. As a result, switchboard commits to providing in-kind services for the community through the Switchboard Cares program.

Rick Ouellet

Rick works as an Indigenous Planner at the Vancouver Public Library. He received a B.A and M.A from Simon Fraser University and a PhD from the University of British Columbia. His career has focused on the development of opportunities for Indigenous people in Canada. He is a member of the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation in Alberta and a long-standing member of Vancouver’s Urban Indigenous community. Rick has a strong interest in Archeology, Indigenous history and reconciliation.