Leadership Team

As Chief Risk Officer at the City of Vancouver, I lead a diverse team of risk professionals who integrate risk management practices into the City’s planning, policy development and daily decision-making processes. I am guided by curiosity, empathy and passion to learn. I enjoy nature through various activities such as trail running, hiking, paddle boarding and skiing. The Finnish word “sisu” meaning grit, perseverance and resilience describes me to the core.

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 a British settler via the Canadian and Australian colonies, I was born and continue to reside as a guest on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish families – Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, Tsawassen, Kwantlen, and the surrounding Sto:lo Nations. 

While I held a Chartered Professional Accountant designation, my professional career was split between various roles in finance, global executive program leadership, and executive coaching. Supporting others to take creative actions to be more aware of who they are and make better decisions honouring their core values brings me joy. 

I am passionate about creating space for each of us to be authentically and perfectly ourselves. Recently retired, my wife and I enjoy being amongst the trees, playing in and on the water, sharing stories and meals with friends, and helping our community thrive.

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.

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.

Hardy is a third-generation real estate developer and Chief Financial Officer for Triumph Pacific Properties Inc. A progressive real estate development, construction, and property management firm that takes pride in providing premium and affordable rental apartment suites within the lower mainland.

I, am honoured to be a member on the PCRS Board and am committed to improve the communities we all call home. I along with my wife and three children are lifelong residents of Abbotsford, BC. My family and I enjoy travelling, skiing, hiking and playing basketball.

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.

Cerise is passionate about ethical leadership and the administration of equitable resources for marginalized individuals and communities. With private, public, and non-profit experience working in the fields of public housing, youth justice, and community services, Cerise plays an active role through analyzing policy and procedures to remove barriers and promote genuine inclusion. Cerise is known as a motivational speaker and describes herself as an authentic-servant leader. Cerise is happy to serve and contribute as a Community Board Director by brining her professional and lived experiences to help PCRS fulfill its Mission and Vision for youth and families.

I was born and raised in Vancouver and graduated from SFU with a degree in Criminology. Early on in my life, I developed a passion working with youth, as I was inspired by the role models during my adolescence. Since I was twelve years old, I have been volunteering at elementary schools, community centres, and places of worship where I planned events and engaged with a diverse community. I continued volunteering for non-profits such as UGM and the YWCA, where most noticeably, I had spent time at three different schools, mentoring youth by discussing various topics such as values, empowerment, self-image, and well-being.

I continued working with youth in various circumstances, such as with those in incarceration, and through a restorative justice approach with the North Shore Restorative Justice Society. Here, at PCRS, I am an outreach worker on the IRAYL team. I am at and around the SkyTrain stations in different communities, collaborating with Directions/DTES outreach, Access Youth Services/Tricities, Purpose/New Westminster Youth Hub, Burnaby South Central Youth Centre and more. With the youth we meet in community, we aim to connect individuals to resources in their locality ranging from housing, food, employment, counselling, and addiction management services. Our team also sits on various youth council meetings across the Lower Mainland to discuss the emerging trends and needs of youth.  

I have 15 years history working in Mental Health and Substance use with youth, families, and community. This work has been in the public, private and not for profit sectors.  I am a volunteer in Vancouver at non- profit and have also been a director on a board of bed-based treatment centre for the last 8 years.  I have been employed by PCRS for the last 4 years, first as Manager of Surrey Youth Services in Newton and currently as Manger Foundry Surrey.

In all aspects of my work history, I bring a Trauma informed lens. I am excited to be a member of the PCRS board to take a different role in the leadership and bring my experiences as a PCRS Manger to the board. I believe based on my experience and knowledge my lens is valuable and a positive addition to the PCRS board.  I am looking forward to having a voice as the board continues to move the agency forward.

Sarjeet is a Family Counsellor for the Immediate Response Program with PCRS for 17+ years, working in programs dedicated to South Asian Families and their vulnerable youth. She established two programs the South Asian Parents Together Program which encourages improved relationships with their youth and Club Utopia, a program specifically focused on South Asian youth.

Sarjeet is involved with Surrey’s Anti-Gang Task Force and the SAFE-Team Family Empowerment Programs to support parents and youth with their possible gang involvement.  Currently was established the South Asian Girls Strengthening Program.  Sarjeet was recognized in the Mehfil Magazine as the Unsung Hero, nominated for the prestigious YWCA Vancouver Women of Distinction Award, and received the BC Community Achievement Award.  Sarjeet has solidified her status as a pillar in her community she inspires with leadership and relationship-building skills. She supports families to strengthen bonds between family members and their vulnerable youth.

I am currently the Supervisor of the Broadway Youth Resource Center Resource Room as well as Youth Engagement. I have been an employee of PCRS for 2 years and have valued and developed throughout my time here. I began my PCRS career as a Stop Exploiting Youth Worker and transitioned into a supervisor role in early 2023. Prior to PCRS, I was employed as the Mental Health Case Manager Team Lead with the private telemedicine organization, Dialogue Health Technologies. Throughout my 3 years with Dialogue, I developed my understanding of private and public health care services on a pan-Canadian scale. Additionally, I utilized project management skills and connected with individuals at every level of the mental health care spectrum.