Board
of Directors

As vice president at Starbucks, I work to bring a sense of community and belonging into our stores across Canada by connecting over a cup of coffee. My purpose is to live life fully, be meaningful to the world while using my gifts to inspire others to be more than they thought they could be. I believe it’s important for all of us to give back and I couldn’t be more proud to be on the PCRS board. On a personal note, my husband and I love to travel and we’re always thinking about our next adventures. When we aren’t doing that you can find us ballroom dancing or hosting our friends and family at our home with our rescue animals.

As Director, Strategy and Donor Relations Process Excellence at Canadian Blood Services, I have a diverse and exciting portfolio. I have an opportunity to work with people who practice important values on a daily basis: Integrity, Collaboration, Adaptability, Respect, and Excellence. The people I work with on the board of the Pacific Community Resources Society are outstanding, and I am privileged to have an opportunity to contribute to a wonderful organization. I am a diehard Vancouver Canucks fan, and I am convinced I will see the team win the Stanley Cup in my lifetime!

I am a lawyer with Harper Grey in Vancouver working in the areas of health law and insurance law. I pride myself on bringing elements of practicality, collegiality, and efficiency to my work, and I do my best to bring these into my work with the PCRS board, as well. I enjoy being a mentor to younger women in what can be a challenging industry. I have a young family who I adore, and unrivaled knowledge of the lyrics to all of The Wiggles’ songs.

Caryna Jiwani is an associate at Harper Grey working primarily with the Commercial Litigation, Environmental, and Construction Groups. Her varied practice allows her to interact with a broad range of clients, which informs the diverse perspective she brings to each file. Passionate about improving the community in which she lives and works, Caryna has a genuine desire to make a positive and sustainable impact on the lives of others and does so through her involvement with various organizations. She also proudly volunteers her time as a guest blogger and speaker for Life in Law, a resource available across Canada helping to stem the exodus of women from the legal profession by providing them with opportunities to raise issues they face in a confidential environment.

As a creative founder and Director at Kinexions Health Inc. and Trisura Health Institute, I am a firm proponent of creating healthy and sustainable communities. Through applications of innovative techniques that are standardized and researched based, I implement strategies that work towards functional progressions of health and wellness. I am a lifelong learner and strive to create a better version of myself each day. Away from work, you will find me hiking, river rafting, and traveling.

As Manager, Accounting Services at Capilano University, I bring my analytical skills and attention to detail to our financial storytelling. My goal is to find my own sense of peace and belonging while helping others do the same. When I am not working, I am doing yoga, hiking with my rescue dog, or off on a tropical adventure with my husband.

As the Senior Director for Enterprise Risk and Resilience at Simon Fraser University, I collaborate with the university leadership to identify and manage strategic risks, and design frameworks that build organizational resilience. I take great pride in mentoring people and helping others to see the potential that they have. I enjoy nature through various activities such as trail running, hiking, snowshoeing, paddle boarding, and skiing. Finnish word “sisu” meaning grit, perseverance, and resilience describes me to the core.

I recently retired as the Vice President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer at the BC Institute of Technology (BCIT).  As a Chartered Professional Accountant with board and governance experience, I previously held executive positions at the Coquitlam School District and Riverview Hospital.

Retirement has been a very active time, spending more time with my four grandsons and volunteering with the CPABC Financial Literacy Program.  I enjoy cycling, hiking, and cross-country skiing.  I look forward to serving on the PCRS Board and giving back to our community.

As a strong Indigenous Matriarch from the Kainai – Blood Tribe of the Blackfoot Nation. I acknowledge I am a guest residence on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish families – Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, Tsawassen, Kwantlen, and the surrounding Sto:lo Nations.

I’ve been in the helping profession for many years; I am compassionate and dedicated to collaborating empowering services for youth, families, and the community where they are supported and acknowledged for their strengths and resiliency. I love to spend time on the land and being a creative artisan. Family, healing, and well-being is my strength. Participating as a change-maker is very important to me; honoring the work with the ancestors and the Indigenous Ways of Knowing. Thank you for this opportunity to contribute as PCRS community board member. In Community Spirit.

As an executive and entrepreneurial coach, and former global program leader at SAP, I help others take creative actions to be more aware of who they are and make better decisions honouring their core values. My mission is to create space for each of us to be authentically and perfectly ourselves. My wife and I enjoy hiking and kayaking within our beautiful province, cheffing it up in our kitchen and sipping cocktails with friends.

Wayne is the Vice President and Chief Auditor for Coast Capital Savings. Wayne joined Coast in 2014 after a 15-year career in public practice, working for PricewaterhouseCoopers and Ernst & Young where he held leadership positions in their Risk and Advisory Practice. He is a Chartered Accountant by profession and has worked with many boards over his professional career and through his extensive volunteer work with the not-for-profit sector in British Columbia. Wayne, his wife, and two kids are proud residents of Port Moody.  In his spare time, he enjoys golfing, listening to music, and long walks with his family.

As the Human Resource Manager at PCRS I provide leadership, guidance, and support to all PCRS staff. I am motivated to make sure our staff are provided with the tools and resources to ensure they are happy, successful, and productive in their roles. I feel blessed to work with staff who have made it their life’s work to give back to others and to work with an organization such as PCRS that is focused on improving the lives of people in our communities. Outside of work you will often find me either exercising in the gym or experimenting in my kitchen with a new recipe.

As of February 2021, I am in my 30^th year of working for PCRS. I have worked in several service streams and worked in 4 different communities. Several of my career moves have involved starting new programs and several more involved being asked by senior management to help out in new or challenging programs. I have worked in group homes, 2 different substance use programs, Astra and Ashnola, 4 different employment programs, in New Westminster, Vancouver, and Surrey, and in 2 different housing programs in Vancouver, Kwayatsut and Thompson Court/Annex.  I look forward to providing some staff perspective to the board meetings.

I started my career in Employment services several years ago in the U.K., where I worked as a Career Adviser and Outreach Worker with youth at risk. I completed my undergraduate degree in Psychology and Law and my Career Developer Practitioner Diploma in the U.K. I moved to Canada in 2007. I started working for PCRS as a Case Manager with the new WorkBC Employment Program in 2013. During this time, I worked in the Whalley area assisting participants with multiple barriers to employment. I moved into a Coordinator position and now work at the North Surrey Guildford WorkBC location as an Assistant Manager.

My role here is to support and supervise the staff to ensure our participants obtain meaningful employment in line with our program objectives. I bring my leadership, diversity, creativity, confidence, and a social personality to the board. Outside of work, I am usually taking my kids to soccer, basketball, and boxing practices. I enjoy being outdoors in the garden relaxing, walking, or cycling. I also like going back to the U.K. and Europe to visit family and friends and eat the best fish and chips!

I currently work as support to our Facilities and IT Departments.  I believe in working and playing hard and also having fun while doing it.  I have been with Pacific Community Resources for 17 years and have worked in different programs and roles and other special projects over the years.   Working at PCRS fits in well with my personal values and my desire and willingness to help others.  In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and when we are allowed to be able to travel intentionally!