Our Team

Karla brings a rights-based, person-centered approach to her leadership at Inclusion BC. She joined in 2006, holding various positions before becoming the Executive Director in 2018. She strives to be a connection point between people experiencing barriers to inclusion and those with decision-making power within our systems of support. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (University of Alberta) and Certificate in Dialogue and Civic Engagement (Simon Fraser University).

Frank Peng joined Inclusion BC in 2009. Frank is a Chartered Professional Accountant with a Bachelor of Science (Southern Illinois University). He previously worked for the Richmond Youth Service Agency and Crush Hospitality. In his spare time, Frank likes to compose music, make videos and travel.

Erika brings a collaborative, solutions-based approach to her work. Erika has a Ph.D. in Law (University of British Columbia), Master’s Degree in Administration, Finance and Corporate Law (Universidad Humanitas – México) and a Law Degree (Tecnologico de Monterrey – México). She loves spending time with her family, and running marathons.

With more than 15 years of experience working in fundraising and the non-profit sector in Canada and abroad, Renee leads Inclusion BC’s work to build relationships and secure funding that support the organization’s mission, vision, and goals. She helps connect with partners and supporters so the organization can continue its work for inclusion and systems change. She holds a Master of Science in International Politics and Human Rights from the University of Glasgow and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of British Columbia. Her background in human rights and public policy supports her commitment to fairness, equity, and systems change. Renee enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the local wilderness, and finding ways to connect with nature.

Jillian is Inclusion BC’s Director of Employment Initiatives, and brings her strategic mind, savvy business sense, and passion for inclusion and social justice to our team. Jillian works out of Youbou, B.C., where she lives on an acreage with her family and a herd of elk.

Semanthi is a master organizer who keeps the office running smoothly. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration (University of Hertfordshire – UK). Semanthi loves spending her free time with her three children and husband, and travelling.

Tina is one of the talented members of the MentorAbility team. Before entering the non-profit sector, she worked in corporate advertising, sales, and customer service. These vastly different professional experiences help Tina connect Mentees to Mentors.

Kerridan is passionate about advocating for enduring and meaningful change within the systems that serve our communities. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Simon Fraser University with a major in Political Science. As both a wife and mother of three adult children, Kerridan brings compassion, lived experience, and a strong commitment to supporting families and building inclusive communities. She enjoys spending time with her family, walking, entertaining, and being outdoors.

Lisa joined the team at Inclusion BC in 2024 as a Policy Analyst. She is passionate about social justice and brings an intersectional and anti-oppressive approach to the role. Her background includes harm reduction, advocacy, and community building. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree (Vancouver Island University) and a Professional Writing Certificate in Marketing and Public Relations (University of Calgary). Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and spending time in nature with her dog.

Sonya has extensive experience supporting seniors, and fostering inclusion and holistic wellness in community organizations. She has a Bachelor Degree in Therapeutic Recreation. She loves spending time with her husband and cat, playing board games, practicing yoga, and walking by the beach.

Ella joined Inclusion BC in 2023, after working with us as a summer student. She has a certificate in Medical Office Administration (Douglas College). She also works as a barista at a local coffee shop and loves going to concerts, crafting, and spending time with friends, family, and pets.

Lowena is a talented and skilled office administrator whose behind-the-scenes work helps make our organization run smoothly. She’s also a talented seamstress, and recently started her own business making and selling felted creatures.

Tamara lives in the Qathet region on the upper Sunshine Coast (known to most as Powell River). She is a proud mother and grandmother. Now retired from a career in the inclusion sector which initially focused on advocacy and then taking that experience and perspective to contribute to government policy and program development in the area of disability policy, supports and services. She began her advocacy journey in 1989 as a parent navigating autism and disability services. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree which included a focus on First Nations studies and disability studies. She is a member of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.

Hilary is a lawyer and administrative tribunal member with experience in employment and human rights law, and commercial litigation. She’s a mother of four, one of whom has cerebral palsy. Hilary is passionate about improving access to educational and recreational opportunities for children and youth with disabilities, and eliminating all barriers that prevent full inclusion in school and play.

Bob was the Family Support Coordinator at the Family Support Institute, journeying alongside many families as they support inclusive pathways. He brings extensive financial experience to the Board. Bob’s heart for the inclusion movement centres around his love for his family, particularly his daughter with a disability, and whose determination and spirit of generosity has touched so many lives.

Chelsea is a resident of Kitimat BC and happy to say she is the Northwest delegate for the BC Self Advocate Leadership Network (BCSALN) and the co-founder of TALK Northwest. She is proud of the advocacy work she is involved with. She enjoys meeting new people and networking on important issues. She is excited to learn and grow more with every new connection.

Dan’s career in community living spans more than 45 years and across several provinces. Most notably, Dan was the CEO of the Inclusion Langley Society for 34 years. The Society grew to support more than 2000 children, youth and adults with developmental delays and intellectual disabilities. In addition to his work building the organization’s services, Dan was actively engaged in community development and advocacy activities, including chairing the advisory boards of the Canadian Institute for Inclusion and Citizenship & Resilient Communities Canada, operating the BC Centre for Social Enterprise. Dan served six years as a Director on the Board of the BC CEO Network and the Langley Chamber of Commerce. Dan co-founded the BC Employment Network and, for several years, co-chaired the RCI Employment Table with CLBC. Dan and his wife were foster parents and home share providers for 18 years, and credit this experience as foundational to their commitment to supporting people to experience full citizenship. Dan, his family and personal network include many children and adults with disabilities.

Kara is a mother of a son with a disability. She has lived in BC for over 10 years. She is passionate about self-advocacy work. Kara is the Secretary for Empowering Self-Advocates to Take Action and has given presentations at the Regional Community Living BC Staff Meetings. She helps facilitate the Welcome Workshops for CLBC. She is an alumni of the Self-Advocates of Nanaimo. She developed and also was part of a film called Fun, Food, and Advocacy, which was presented at the Inclusion BC conference in Victoria in 2019. She was also in the Inclusion BC film Gender Matters. She sits on the Provincial Advisory Committee to the CLBC Board. In 2022, Kara helped facilitate a keynote at the Inclusion BC Conference. Kara is a certified People Planning Together Trainer with The Learning Community for Person Centred Practices.

Kim Lyster has had an extensive and successful career holding key leadership roles in the community social services sector for 40 years, including being Executive Director of two organizations in the South Okanagan region of BC. She has provided leadership in community development, training, and advocacy initiatives in the community living movement, where she remains active as both a writer and consultant. Kim previously conducted multiple service quality reviews on behalf of CLBC and also provided consultation support on key initiatives for them, including home share, aging, service delivery standards, and personal support networks. In addition, she provides her expertise in the areas of advocacy, self-advocacy, safeguards planning, and organizational capacity and development for the social services sector. Kim has a Bachelor of Education from Simon Fraser University and holds a Masters degree from the University of Victoria in the Studies in Policy and Practice program. She is an Honorary Member of the Federation of Community Social Services of BC and an accreditation surveyor with The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

Marina has worked at Quesnel Community Living Association (QCLA) since 1996. She is now the Chief Executive Officer at QCLA. Some of the big successes that QCLA has had were re-creating Quesnel’s Self Advocates and being awarded the Diverse and Inclusive Award from the Chamber of Commerce under her leadership. She has also worked with Northern Health in Dementia Care doing recreation care. She has been living in Quesnel for the past 48 years. She was raised in the same home as her uncle who has developmental disabilities. She is Indigenous and believes the way she was raised is typical for urban indigenous families. Growing up, her family was very fearful of Institutions and Social Services as her grandparents both went to residential school. She has 2 children. Her daughter is 24 and she also works in this sector as a support worker and has recently got married. Her son is 22 and is an Initial Attack Firefighter with BC Wildfires. Marina volunteer at several organizations. She is the Vice President for Dakelh and Quesnel Community Housing, a Director for the Quesnel Tillicum Society (Friendship Center) and a Director for Greenhope Society (an organization that rescues groceries and repurposes them back into the community). She also likes to read, go for walks, play baseball, travel, and visit with friends. She loves spending time with her family and her 2 dogs.

“I’m Cree-Metis, I’m disabled, a mother of 4 and a Kokum (grandmother)” Sandra is a survivor of the 60’s Scoop, a period in Canadian history in which a large number of Indigenous children were taken from their families and placed into the child welfare system. From persevering through the challenges of a traumatic childhood, to confronting ableism and advocating for Indigenous women and people with disabilities, Sandra’s story is a testament to the power of self-advocacy and community support. She has been an activist for inclusive education in the school system, supported women experiencing poverty and homelessness as a support worker in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, and she sits on boards for multiple social justice organizations. Sandra is an artist, performer, intersectional feminist advocate, and a winner of the Disabled Women’s Network (DAWN) Canada’s National Hummingbird Award.

Tim Stainton is Emeritus Professor at the School of Social Work and Co-Director of the Canadian Institute for Inclusion and Citizenship, University of British Columbia. He holds a PhD from the London School of Economics on disability rights and social policy. Prior to his academic career he worked on deinstitutionalization of people with disabilities in British Columbia and as head of Policy and Programs for the then Ontario Association for Community Living. He is a past Board member of Inclusion Canada and past Vice Chair of Inclusion BC. He has consulted nationally and internationally on issues of system change. He has published widely on disability rights, individualized funding, and self-directed supports, service delivery, history, and ethics. He is a Fellow of International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disability. He is active in advocacy on a range of issues including Medical Assistance in Dying, poverty and disability, and disability rights. Tim was appointed as one of two consultants to draft a Human Rights Remedy related to the Nova Scotia Disability Rights Coalition vs. The Province of Nova Scotia which was accepted by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Board of Inquiry on June 28, 2023. He continues to advise the province on implementation of the remedy. He lives in Tsawwassen and is the father of four, one of whom lives with intellectual disability.

Jean comes to us from Christina Lake, the traditional unceded territories of the Boundary, and the chosen home of the Boundary Metis Community Association. Jean is Elder co-chair on the Indigenous Advisory Council for Family Support Institute BC and served as a provincial Elder on the Minister’s Advisory Council for Children and Youth with Support Needs (CYSN MAC) from 2022-2025. Proud Mother of two sons, seven grandchildren, four step grandchildren and our great grandchildren. Jean appreciates the gifts in everyone and is honoured to have a grandchild with Down syndrome, as well as an adopted grandchild with complex support needs, and great grandchildren on the autism spectrum. For a time of her life, Jean was unaware of her Indigenous roots. Her contribution as a respected Elder are representative of her commitment to learning her culture, and engaging in her community, in 2021, Metis Nations British Columbia (MNBC) awarded Jean with the Volunteer Recognition Award for her continued community engagement, noting her mobilization efforts during the pandemic. As an Elder, Jean is honoured for her wealth of experience, wisdom, and deep compassion she shows for people. Jean worked on a UBC project on the benefits of outdoor play in a number of childcare centers in the province; believing Creator’s natural world playground is the way to healthy, happy people.