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.

Renee makes sure Inclusion BC has the resources we need to further our mission, vision, and goals. Renee holds a Master of Science degree in International Politics and Human Rights (University of Glasgow) and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (University of British Columbia). She likes exploring the local wilderness with her family.

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.

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.

Janice is responsible for preparing all of Inclusion BC’s financial reports. She graduated from BCIT in Accounting, and is currently enrolled in the Certified General Accountants program, the last step towards becoming a Chartered Professional Accountant. When she’s not busy keeping our finances in order, Janice likes travelling and hiking.

Sebastian has been with Inclusion BC since 2015 in various roles throughout the organization. He is currently our Communications Specialist where he manages our website, brand identity, newsletter, and design. Sebastian has a Bachelor of Science degree from Simon Fraser University in Interactive Systems and Business.

Trauma-informed and person-centred, Ariel holds kindness and community connection at the forefront of all she does. She competes as an adult amateur in the sport of dressage, and loves dog walking, and picking through thrift stores. She has one daughter, who she’s raising to be an includer, not an excluder.

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 advocates for enduring and meaningful change to the systems that serve our community. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree (Simon Fraser University) with a focus on Political Science. Kerridan lives with her husband and three children. She loves spending time with her family, volunteering, camping, walking, and yoga.

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.

Jatinder (Jay) is usually the first voice people hear when they call the Advocacy Line. She works as the Intake Coordinator in the advocacy program. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, travelling and cooking.

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.

Sheldon has mastered his valuable communication skills over many years working with people on the margins. He has a Bachelor of Social Work degree and is an Associate Leadership Coach. He likes to kizomba dance, and has restored a vintage fiberglass camper trailer.

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.

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.

Kate believes in strong, quiet, and kind advocacy for inclusion for everyone. She’s passionate about bringing awareness to the gifts that people with diverse abilities bring to our communities, and the world. The first adaptive skier with Panorama Adaptive Snow Sports, she is an athlete in the Special Olympics program in Invermere.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

Cyndi’s a parent of three young men. Two of her sons have autism. She started her advocacy journey in 2001, forming the parent group Moms on the Move. Cyndi believes each person needs to be respected for who they are, and advocates for more mental health supports for people with developmental disabilities.

Heather is mom to two boys, Jakob, and Kyle – a unique and loving kid with autism. She has extensive experience in the Northern Health Authority in the Child and Youth Health program, and Mental Health and Substance Use program. Her professional and lived experience inspires her to advocate, educate and drive awareness to accessible inclusion resources and services.

Julie Unger is the Executive Director of Chilliwack Society for Community Living. She has a Master of Arts (Royal Roads University) and decades of experience in Community Living.

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.

Tamara is a proud mother and grandmother. Now retired, she began her advocacy career 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 from the Snuneymuxw First Nation and has lived experience as a child adopted during the 60’s scoop.