Research and Communications Coordinator
Ankita Goyal (she/her), with a background in journalism and public relations, is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy and Global Affairs at the University of British Columbia. Her academic focus is grounded in data analysis and innovative frameworks to critically examine and address systemic inequities. She aligns with Stuart Hall’s argument that understanding culture as a site where power and ideology intersect is crucial to challenging and transforming structural hierarchies.
Advisory Council
Tariq Tyab is a renowned non-profit leader and philanthropist with 25 years’ experience championing interfaith collaboration and empowering IBPOC communities. Co-founder of British Columbia’s Foundation for a Path Forward, Tariq focuses on breaking down barriers and promoting equality. His accomplishments include co-founding the Muslim Food Bank, Muslim Care Centre, and Islam Unravelled.
A former BC Muslim Association executive, Tariq’s expertise and passion have left a lasting impact in the non-profit sector.
Advisory Council
Susan Kim grew up on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples prior to moving to Lekwungen Traditional Territory in 2013.
She currently serves as City Councillor for the City of Victoria after having had opportunities to foster her leadership skills in government, healthcare, and non-profit settings. She is a proponent of equity-based decision making and grounds her work in supporting her communities. In her free time, she enjoys long distance running, kickboxing, playing the viola and spending time with her family and friends – especially her rescue dog Vafa!
Her academic background is in both biology and political science, and she brings experience in governance from her time serving on the Board of the Sierra Club of BC, Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness, and Greater Victoria Public Library.
Senior Program Officer
Isabella has been with the Columbia Institute since 2021, starting out as an Event Coordinator and Associate, and is now the Senior Program Officer. She holds a Master of Science in Environmental Sustainability from the University of Ottawa, and has previously worked in the Environmental Division at Global Affairs Canada, Ocean Wise, and the Council on International Educational Exchange.
Judy Phipps (pronouns She/Her), comes to us as a member of Component 7 (Local 703) and a BCGEU member for over two decades. She was elected to her first term as Executive Vice-President at the 2021 Constitutional Convention. While serving as EVP, Judy’s priority will be assisting the membership, and encourages you to reach out to her. Open door policy!
Prior to becoming an EVP, Judy’s 40 year work history has encompassed working within a variety of marginalized environments. Most recently, Judy worked as Support Staff in the Broadcast and Media Communications department at BCIT’s Burnaby Campus where she served as a Steward, fervently advocating for her co-workers. She was also a member of BCIT’s Anti-Racism Working Group, assembled to create change and policy at BCIT, which ensures education, raising awareness and ensuring an inclusive learning environment for all.
Judy is deeply passionate about equity, human rights, anti-racism and the treatment of people. This motivated her to produce the video “Moving Forward: Let’s Talk Anti-Racism”, which featured two high profile BCIT Alumni sharing their unique lived experiences as IBPOC folks. For her years of service and dedication in this regard, she received the BCIT Inclusivity Award.
Judy is also a member of the BCGEU’s Roundtable for Workers of Colour, and resides on the unceded traditional territories of Qayqayt First Nation (New Westminster).
Board Chair
Hermender Singh Kailley was elected BCFED Secretary Treasurer in 2022. Hermender’s first involvement with the labour movement began when he helped organize his fellow Vancouver Fringe Festival workers with IATSE Local 118. After a career change in 2004, he became a member of ILWU Local 502, joining the executive board in 2018 and becoming secretary-treasurer in 2019. A first-generation Canadian born to Punjabi parents, Hermender also serves on the executive board of the New Westminster and District Labour Council.
Advisory Council
Ela Esra Gunad is a long-time advocate for social justice and human rights. She created award-winning education programs and has run advocacy campaigns that transformed government policies and practices and informed institutional changes on issues relating to human rights, women’s empowerment, minorities, migrant justice, and democratic governance. Recently, Ela started the #LostVotes Campaign with young leaders advocating for permanent residents to vote in municipal elections in BC. She is the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Officer at Hospital Employees’ Union. Ela studied international relations, global advocacy, public relations and holds a Master’s degree in Human Rights Law.
Advisory Council
Dave (he/him) is grateful to live, work, play and raise his family in Lekwungen Territory – home of the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations.
He serves as a Councillor with the City of Victoria, and a Director on the Boards of the Capital Regional District and the Capital Regional Housing Corporation.
He has worked in the public, non-profit, and for-profit sectors. He practiced law in Ontario and BC, and co-founded a firm that works for and with Indigenous Communities facing industrial development on their territories. He and his partner are co-owners of Policylink Research and Consulting.
Executive Director
Kevin works as the Executive Director of the BC Libraries Cooperative where he is developing a project to support libraries engagement in helping tackle the climate crisis. He also works on a climate leadership program in Alberta. He co-founded Check Your Head and Next Up, has served as an elected Vancouver School Board (VSB) Trustee and subsequently worked for the VSB as their first Sustainability Coordinator. He serves on the boards of the BC Civil Liberties Association, the Wilderness Committee, and Upstream.net.
Advisory Council
Ken Melamed is a former mayor of Whistler in BC. He is a businessman, conservationist and former Green Party of Canada candidate in West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country. Ken Melamed was first elected to the Whistler council in 1996, serving as a councillor until 2005. He was elected as mayor in 2005 and served in that position until 2011.
Advisory Council
Seth is the BC Director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, a public policy research institute committed to social and economic justice. Seth holds a BA in international relations and a B.Ed from the University of Toronto, and an MA in political science from Simon Fraser University. He has been a social activist for over twenty-five years.
A former teacher, Seth is co-chair of the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition, a board member of the Canada Without Poverty Advocacy Network, and an advisor and instructor for Next Up, a leadership program for young people committed to social and environmental justice. He is a frequent media commentator and public speaker on public policy issues. He lives with his wife and daughter in East Vancouver.