Our Team

Meet the dedicated members of our team.

About us

The BC Schizophrenia Society is governed by a volunteer board of directors and supported by a medical advisory committee.

BCSS frontline staff (Regional Managers and Educators) are located throughout the province, supporting families in their local communities. Our provincial office is in Vancouver, BC.

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BC Schizophrenia Society Board
BC Schizophrenia Society Foundation
Medical Advisory Committee
Provincial Office Staff
Program Staff
Youth Staff

BC Schizophrenia Society Board

Cynthia Petrie

President

About Cynthia Petrie

President

Cynthia Petrie is the Vice President, External at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), where she leads government relations, Indigenous partnerships, fundraising, alumni relations, and marketing and communications. With executive-level experience across public, post-secondary, and non-profit sectors, she is recognized for advancing advocacy priorities, strengthening partnerships, and securing transformational funding.

Cynthia also brings lived experience as a mother of four, including a child diagnosed with schizoaffective and bipolar disorder. This perspective fuels her commitment to education, advocacy, and family-centred care—values she brings to the BC Schizophrenia Society in support of its mission and vision.
Jack Middleton

Past President

About Jack Middleton

Past President

Jack grew up in the foothills of Southern Alberta and moved to Vancouver in 2015. He is a public affairs and government relations professional with expertise in the Energy sector. Jack is a passionate advocate for people and families living with serious mental illness across all parts of British Columbia. Jack joined the BCSS board of directors in 2020 and has been the president of the board since 2022.
Rebecca Joncas

Vice President

About Rebecca Joncas

Vice President

Rebecca is the SVP & CHRO for Pacific Blue Cross. She is focused on advancing Pacific Blue Cross’s priorities by creating a collaborative environment and building strong relationships across the entire organization. Rebecca is passionate about developing others and mentors HR students and professionals in BC.

Rebecca’s career in Human Resources spans over 30 years with tenured experience in both unionized and non-unionized environments.

She is on the board of the BC Schizophrenia Society and is an advocate for the mental health of youth within our communities.

Rebecca holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of the Fraser Valley, a certificate in Labour Relations from Queens IRC and is certified in Strategic Workforce Planning. She is a member with the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources for BC & Yukon.

Rebecca resides in Surrey, BC with her husband, three children and their 95 pound Bernedoodle!
Joanne Leung

Treasurer

About Joanne Leung

Treasurer

Prior to becoming a family caregiver, Joanne was a Certified Public Accountant and worked as Director of Finance at an international high-tech product design and manufacturing company in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2015, she moved to BC to provide full-time care and support for her aging parents and her sister with schizophrenia. As an inexperienced caregiver, Joanne received much-needed support from community mental health organizations, including the BC Schizophrenia Society.

Joanne is passionate about increasing awareness about serious mental illnesses and improving the mental health literacy of the general population.
Brenda Sawatzky-Girling

Secretary

About Brenda Sawatzky-Girling

Secretary

Dr. Brenda Sawatzky-Girling joined the BCSS Board of Directors in 2022. She understands healthcare from her lived and learned experiences; her roles include consultant, research ethics board member, researcher, family member, citizen, ally, and sometimes patient. She is a seasoned healthcare management and policy consultant with a PhD in ethics and healthcare system improvement.

Brenda is grateful to the BCSS educators and other participants she has interacted with through Family Support Groups and the Strengthening Families Together program. She aims to contribute a unique, values-added perspective to improving mental health services, education, research, and policy.
Kevin Black

Director

About Kevin Black

Director

Kevin is a finance executive with 35 years of leadership experience in the oil and gas, and financial services industries, including Chevron Canada, ConocoPhillips, and Deloitte.

Passionate about improving organizational effectiveness through the power of people, process, data and technology, Kevin is a strategic thinker and collaborator who values diversity of thinking.
Dr. John Gray

Director

About Dr. John Gray

Director

No bio at this time. Please check back later!
Paul Bhushan

Director

About Paul Bhushan

Director

Paul Bhushan holds a B.Sc. in Management and Systems Science from SFU (1988) and a diploma in Accounting from Kwantlen University (2011). Having personal experience with mental illness, he also earned a Mental Health Work certificate from Douglas College in 2002. Paul, a BCSS Board member since 2001, passionately advocates for those with schizophrenia through his time with BCSS and the mentorship groups he runs. He commends BCSS staff for their dedication to “alleviate the suffering from schizophrenia”, as being an advocate for schizophrenia is not always easy. Paul has been married for 28 years and has two adult children; Paul’s daughter works in healthcare management for the provincial government, while his son is in 4th year at UBC.
Colleen Crossley

Director

About Colleen Crossley

Director

Colleen Crossley has been a Registered Nurse for 50 years, but most recently worked as a clinician for the Mental Health and Addiction Services in Williams Lake. It is in that capacity that she learned of the BCSS support team and became a presenter for BCSS’ Strengthening Families Together programs in the Cariboo, including the then-new First Nations edition. She has been involved with BCSS since 2016, and we appreciate her ongoing support.
Gerrit van der Leer

Director

About Gerrit van der Leer

Director

No bio at this time. Please check back later!
Jasdeep Dhaliwal

Director

About Jasdeep Dhaliwal

Director

Jasdeep Dhaliwal combines professional expertise with a passion for mental health advocacy. With extensive experience in the public sector, she focuses on building safe, supportive, and inclusive work environments through strategic HR initiatives that enhance workplace culture.

With a deep connection to BCSS’s mission, Jasdeep is committed to advocating for mental health resources and strengthening community support networks. Her HR expertise and dedication to BCSS help advance the organization’s approach to supporting individuals and families affected by schizophrenia.
Peter Andreasen

Director

About Peter Andreasen

Director

Peter grew up in Calgary, Alberta and moved to Vancouver in 2016. He has over fifteen years experience of public affairs and government relations experience across many economic sectors.
David Halikowski

Director

About David Halikowski

Director

David Halikowski has served on the BCSS board in many different aspects over the past 25+ years. He is dedicated to supporting families, caregivers and people living with mental illness. David has expertise/ lived experience as a family member as well as bringing his many years of experience in the private sector to add valuable perspectives.

In his home community of Prince George, David is the current President of the BC Schizophrenia Society Prince George Branch Board, sits on the Research Ethics Board for the University of British Columbia, and represents the PG Branch on the local Mental Health and Addictions Advisory committee. Provincially he also serves on the current board of Board Voices.
Michele Way

Director

About Michele Way

Director

Michele Way, RN, is a seasoned Registered Nurse and mental health advocate who joins the BC Schizophrenia Society Board of Directors with a passion for systemic change.

Combining her professional nursing experience with her own lived experience as a family member supporting a loved one. Michele provides an invaluable perspective on the intersecting worlds of healthcare delivery and mental health recovery.

Michele works to challenge societal misconceptions, and to ensure that the voices of those with persistent mental illness and the people that love them are heard. Michele looks forward to collaborating with the BCSS team to expand regional education, strengthen family support programs, and foster hopeful pathways for recovery throughout the province. Michele is dedicated to advocating for progressive mental health policies and to support BCSS’s mission across British Columbia.
Brady Jepsen

Director

About Brady Jepsen

Director

Brady Jepsen is an award-winning executive with over 25 years of experience in building highly engaged teams and driving organizational growth. He has a strong background in financial services, having held senior leadership roles at institutions such as CIBC and The Co-operators. Brady is a graduate of Dalhousie University, where he earned his MBA in 2010. He holds several professional certifications, including the Certified General Accountant designation and the Certified Financial Planner certification.

In addition to his professional achievements, Brady is actively involved in his community, serving as a board member and treasurer for Langley Christian School and as a director for the British Columbia Schizophrenia Society.

BC Schizophrenia Society Foundation

Renato Zane

Chair

About Renato Zane

Chair

Renato is the BCSS Foundation Chair. He is also a leadership consultant and podcast host. He works with clients interested in performance coaching and communications. Previously, he was a newsroom director and general manager at Rogers Sports and Media. His career at OMNI Television and CityTV spanned 32 years in three provinces.

He was drawn to the BC Schizophrenia Society Foundation by its goal of helping families through fundraising for BCSS programs and stewardship of designated research donations.
Matthew Langlois

Vice Chair

About Matthew Langlois

Vice Chair

No bio at this time. Please check back later!
Joanne Leung

Treasurer

About Joanne Leung

Treasurer

Prior to becoming a family caregiver, Joanne was a Certified Public Accountant and worked as Director of Finance at an international high-tech product design and manufacturing company in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2015, she moved to BC to provide full-time care and support for her aging parents and her sister with schizophrenia. As an inexperienced caregiver, Joanne received much-needed support from community mental health organizations, including the BC Schizophrenia Society.

Joanne is passionate about increasing awareness about serious mental illnesses and improving the mental health literacy of the general population.
Donna Motzer

Secretary

About Donna Motzer

Secretary

Donna Motzer is a dedicated member of our BCSS Board. She has a MA in Education and taught elementary, secondary, and adult education courses for 30 years. Donna first became aware of BCSS when she took a family education course through BCSS’ Sunshine Coast Branch so that she could better support a close family member struggling with a serious mental illness. She saw firsthand how life-changing these courses can be for families, which inspired her to join our organization as a volunteer.

Donna has experience facilitating both NAMI’s Family to Family course and the Strengthening Families Together course. In 2016 she joined the BCSS Board of Directors so that she could further contribute to supporting families affected by serious mental illness in BC.
Sylvia LeRoy

Director

About Sylvia LeRoy

Director

Sylvia oversees the education portfolio and grant management practices of the Lotte & John Hecht Memorial Foundation. She began her career in public policy at the Fraser Institute, before joining the National Research Council in various communication and leadership roles. As a consultant and volunteer, she enjoys helping organizations define strategy and navigate change.

Sylvia’s experience with schizophrenia began when her sister was diagnosed shortly after graduating high school. She appreciates the BC Schizophrenia Society’s family-centered approach to ending fear and isolation associated with the illness, and the hope offered by its policy, research, and education work.

Medical Advisory Committee

Dr. William Honer

About Dr. William Honer

Dr. William Honer earned his MD in 1984 at Queen’s University in Ontario. After completing his residency at the New York State Psychiatric Institute/Columbia University, he pursued a research fellowship at Columbia University and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. In 1991, Dr. Honer moved to Vancouver, where he is a Professor and the Jack Bell Chair in Schizophrenia in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia. He also serves as a Consultant Psychiatrist to the BC Psychosis Program.

Throughout the years, he’s earned notable awards from institutions like the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canadian Psychiatric Association. With 450+ publications, his research explores neuropsychiatric mechanisms, aging-related cognitive impairment, risk factors, and clinical trials. His pioneering work, featured in top medical journals like the New England Journal of Medicine, has shaped the field significantly.
Dr. Bill MacEwan

About Dr. Bill MacEwan

No bio at this time. Please check back later!
Dr. Anthony Phillips

About Dr. Anthony Phillips

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Dr. Randall F. White

About Dr. Randall F. White

No bio at this time. Please check back later!
Dr. Diane McIntosh

About Dr. Diane McIntosh

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Dr. Debbie Thompson

About Dr. Debbie Thompson

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Dr. Tom Ehmann

About Dr. Tom Ehmann

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Provincial Office Staff

Faydra Aldridge

Chief Executive Officer

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About Faydra Aldridge

Chief Executive Officer

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Faydra’s career has spanned over twenty years in the fields of communications, stakeholder relations and project management in both the private and public sectors. Before joining the BC Schizophrenia Society (BCSS) as the Chief Executive Officer in 2019, Faydra held a leadership role with one of the largest health research institutes in Canada where she oversaw the Stakeholder Relations portfolio. She has experience as a CBC Morning Show Producer and has held executive positions with national and international community health organizations. Faydra draws on this experience in her role as a host of the BCSS podcast “Look Again: Mental Illness Re-Examined.” She is honoured to work with such a dedicated team devoted to increasing awareness about serious mental illness and supporting families across BC.
Andrew Stewart

Director of Operations & Programs

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About Andrew Stewart

Director of Operations & Programs

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Andrew Stewart joined the BCSS team in 2016 and is the Director of Operations and Programs. He plays an integral part in developing the organization’s strategic plan, and managing the day-to-day operations. He chose BCSS because of his personal experience of seeing how schizophrenia affects families, and he believes strongly in our core values of supporting loved ones, education, and advocacy within the mental health field.

Andrew has a diploma from Lambton College and is a Certified Association Executive. With previous experience in program and community development, he works alongside the other BCSS leadership team members to create a positive and safe work environment and culture.

Andrew is a huge hockey fan and in his free time he enjoys music, running, and spending time with his family. His favourite TV show is “X-Files”.
Suneeta Bangar

Director of Finance

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About Suneeta Bangar

Director of Finance

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Suneeta Bangar brings over fifteen years of experience in finance and accounting to our team. She joined BCSS in 2020, and as the Director of Finance, she manages accounting, financial reporting, financial analysis, and our annual audit. Suneeta most enjoys working with BCSS as it allows her to be a part of a close-knit and collaborative team. In her spare time, she enjoys strength training, baking, and spending time with her family.
Marsha MacMurchy

Director of Development

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About Marsha MacMurchy

Director of Development

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Marsha MacMurchy is the BCSS Director of Development and joined the BCSS team in 2022. Marsha earned her BCOMM from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 2001 and has more than 20 years of experience in events and fundraising. She has previously worked at the BCPSPCA, CNIB and Victoria Chamber of Commerce in managerial event and community fundraising roles.

Marsha is a proud Newfoundlander who moved to the West Coast in 2006. She works remotely from Shawnigan Lake on Vancouver Island, where she lives with her husband, son, and German Shepard. When she’s not working, Marsha is at the curling rink enjoying the sport she loves!
Jaling Kersen

Director of Policy & Community Engagement

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About Jaling Kersen

Director of Policy & Community Engagement

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Jaling Kersen brings experience in public policy, stakeholder relations, community engagement, and health research to her role as Director, Policy and Community Engagement. She previously served as Regional Manager, Health Services Integration Division with the Ministry of Health of BC, overseeing 25+ primary care initiatives across the province, including 15 First Nations-led Primary Care Centres and 10+ Primary Care Networks, Community Health Centres and Urgent and Primary Care Centres.

Jaling has built trusted partnerships with communities, health authorities and Indigenous governments. She served as lead consultant and primary writer for the Ulkatcho First Nation Health and Wellness Plan, a community-endorsed strategy shaped by direct engagement with Chief and Council, Elders, and health providers. She holds an MSc from the University of Calgary and has authored multiple publications in peer-reviewed journals including Frontiers, Head and Neck and BMC Cancer.

In her free time, Jaling loves to cook, travel, enjoy the outdoors, and spend time with loved ones and dogs.

Jaling is honoured to bring her expertise to BCSS’s advocacy work and to support families across BC who have a loved one living with mental illness.
Melissa McKenna

Senior Program Manager

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About Melissa McKenna

Senior Program Manager

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Melissa (she/her) has been with the BC Schizophrenia Society since 2021 and currently serves as Senior Program Manager. She began her work at BCSS as a Communications Coordinator supporting youth programs, later leading marketing and communications, and now oversees the development and delivery of programs and services across the organization.

In her role, Melissa draws on both her formal education and her lived experience as a caregiver for a loved one with a severe and persistent mental illness. She is deeply committed to strengthening programs that support individuals and families, improving access to evidence-based resources, and advancing education and awareness around schizophrenia and psychosis.

Outside of work, you can find Melissa making ceramics and mugs at her local ceramic studio, or spending quality time with her family.
Giordanna Cullen

Communications & Marketing Manager

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About Giordanna Cullen

Communications & Marketing Manager

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Giordanna is the Communications & Marketing Manager at BCSS, having previously served as the organization’s Community Engagement Coordinator for over a year. She brings more than a decade of experience in community building, marketing strategy, content development, and program enablement across the non-profit, government, and SaaS tech sectors.

Before joining BCSS, Giordanna led outreach and communications for a BC-based software company, where she built programs to support educators, drive adoption, and strengthen community engagement across North America. She also served as a digital communications coordinator for a regulatory authority in New Zealand, supporting public education initiatives.

She’s proud to support BCSS’s mission to bring education, hope, and advocacy to those affected by serious mental illness. When she’s not working, Giordanna enjoys exploring B.C.’s forests and beaches, cooking, and reading.
Tatyana Boshnakova

Accountant

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About Tatyana Boshnakova

Accountant

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Tatyana joined the Provincial Office as our accountant in 2024. She has a deep interest and passion for mental health because she’s seen firsthand how critical support and awareness can be for individuals and families dealing with mental illness.

Tatyana brings eight years of accounting experience in Canada and an additional four years of experience in Europe to our organization. She also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and a Master’s Degree in International Business.

In her free time, Tatyana likes to travel, cook, and spend time with family and friends.
Armita Shahbaie

Fund Development Officer

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About Armita Shahbaie

Fund Development Officer

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Armita is the BCSS Fund Development Officer. She holds a Master of Public Policy and Administration and has a background in community engagement, program coordination and fundraising. Armita is passionate about building meaningful relationships and connecting people with causes that create lasting impact through thoughtful stewardship and storytelling.

In her free time, she loves travelling, hiking, trying new cafés and spending time with her Yorkshire.
Roselle Dancel

Digital Marketing Specialist

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About Roselle Dancel

Digital Marketing Specialist

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Roselle Jean Dancel is the Digital Marketing Specialist and joined the BCSS team in 2023. Roselle holds a Bachelor of Science in Management, a minor in Philosophy, and a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Digital Marketing, bringing a strong background in digital strategy, brand communications, and multi-industry campaign management.

Combining her multi-industry experience across Canada and the Philippines, Roselle is passionate about using creative storytelling and visual design to strengthen awareness, reduce stigma, and support families affected by mental illness.

When she’s not working or studying French, she enjoys photography, watching documentaries, wandering through bookstores, and going on road trips with her family.

Find support near you, contact your local educator.

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Program Staff

Strengthening Families Together

Robert Brooks | Strengthening Families Together Program Manager

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About Robert Brooks

Strengthening Families Together Program Manager

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Robert came to BCSS with 30 years of governmental experience in the adult and youth forensic psychiatric systems and a Master’s of Social Work. He worked with people with lived experience and their families to ensure clients reach their maximum potential and families are included in all planning and follow-up with their loved ones. Robert brings his passion for helping family members to his roles in BCSS, first as the Interior Regional Manager for five years, and now as the manager of the Strengthening Families Together (SFT) program, where he has assisted in the modification, revamp, and rollout of the new program. For Robert, the most fulfilling thing about his role at BCSS is getting to work with the dedicated and caring staff all across the province.

Interior Region

Bonnie Spence-Vinge | Interior Regional Manager

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About Bonnie Spence-Vinge

Interior Regional Manager

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Bonnie Spence-Vinge is the Interior Regional Manager, leading a team of Regional Educators located across the Interior Health Authority Region who are providing direct family support, education and services to families affected by schizophrenia and other severe and persistent mental illness.

Before Bonnie started working with BCSS in January of 2017, she worked in the B.C. education system for over 30 years as a teacher, school psychologist, counsellor and Assistant Superintendent of Schools. For six of those years, she was the Provincial Coordinator of Child Abuse Prevention and Assistant Director of the Special Education Branch of the B.C. Ministry of Education. Her extensive work in education has also taken her to Nunavut where she served as the Executive Director and Superintendent of Schools.

Her personal experience as the mother of two adopted children diagnosed with mental illnesses brought Bonnie to BCSS, where the Strengthening Families Together Program helped Bonnie and her husband cope with their experience and come to terms with mental illness. Bonnie now takes her personal experience into local communities to help families better understand that there are still reasons to hope by finding the means to cope.

In the Cranbrook-Creston area, Bonnie acts as a liaison between families and the mental health system and promotes family inclusion in the daily lives of those living with mental illness. She also organizes education programs for families and community members, including Aboriginal communities.

When she’s not working, Bonnie is busy volunteering in her community. She is the chair for the Cranbrook Hub for Refugees, and the Patient Voices representative on both the East Kootenay Collaborative Services Committee and the East Kootenay Mental Health and Substance Use Wellness Advisory Committee. Bonnie also enjoys running, swimming, snowshoeing, and spending time outdoors camping, biking, hiking and gardening.
Reasha Wolfe | West Kootenay Regional Educator

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About Reasha Wolfe

West Kootenay Regional Educator

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Reasha (she/they) has gratefully lived and worked on the unceded traditional territory of the Sinixt peoples for the last decade, and has worked in human services and advocacy for over 20 years.

Reasha has supported and advocated for migrant farm workers, newcomers, indigenous people, people who’ve experienced violence, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ+ community, and more. After the loss of her stepbrother, who lived with schizophrenia, in 2020, they shifted their focus to mental health.

Reasha is an artist, and seasoned snowboard instructor, and fluent in English, French, and Spanish.
Ankit Mahawadi | Thompson-Nicola Regional Educator

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About Ankit Mahawadi

Thompson-Nicola Regional Educator

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Ankit Mahawadi is the Thompson–Nicola Regional Educator with an academic background in sciences from Thompson Rivers University and a strong interest in advancing education and career in psychology and mental health. He brings over six years of experience in complex care, including roles as a Behavioral Support Worker, Senior’s Care Ambassador, and as a former Director of an organization focused on mental health and substance use.

His work is grounded in extensive training including but not limited to skills such as 911 first response, medication administration, motivational interviewing, addiction care and treatment, suicide awareness, mental health first aid, and trauma-informed approaches including Risking Connection. Having lived in Kamloops since 2018, Ankit is deeply connected to the community and passionate about strengthening front-line practices through education that is practical, compassionate, and evidence-informed.

Outside of work, Ankit enjoys singing, cross-country skiing, painting, freelancing in modelling and acting, and reading books focused on self-help, spirituality, and psychology. He also spends time with rescued budgies, Kavi and Shayar, who bring daily joy to his life.
Rhea Clements | Cariboo Regional Educator

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About Rhea Clements

Cariboo Regional Educator

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Rhea has been happily married to my husband for 39 years, and she has two grown children and a 17-year-old grandson. Their home is kept lively by two ragdoll cats and a Bison Friese dog named Percy.

She holds a Certificate in General Studies from Thompson Rivers University and especially enjoyed courses in anthropology, archaeology, and sociology. She has spent the past 17 years working at TRU, where she truly enjoyed working with and supporting students, but will be retiring from there at the end of this year.

Outside of work, Rhea loves music and creative hobbies. She leads a small accordion group, plays bass clarinet with the Williams Lake Community Band, and enjoys quilting and cross-stitching when she has some quiet time.
Alexis Mintak | Okanagan Regional Educator

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About Alexis Mintak

Okanagan Regional Educator

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Alexis Mintak serves as the Interior Regional Educator for the Okanagan area with the BC Schizophrenia Society. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Alberta and is currently completing her Master of Clinical Social Work at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan.

For Alexis, working with BCSS has been a deeply fulfilling experience, offering her the opportunity to support families navigating complex and often isolating journeys. Witnessing the strength and resilience of the families she serves is among the most meaningful aspects of her work. She was drawn to BCSS by the organization’s shared values: a commitment to education, advocacy, and family-centered support, alongside a dedication to reducing stigma and fostering open, compassionate dialogue about mental illness.

Outside of work, Alexis enjoys an active lifestyle and loves spending time outdoors, whether she is on the ski slopes in winter or the pickleball court in summer. She also has a passion for reading and baking.

Northeast Region

Steffi Thomas | Northeast Regional Manager

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About Steffi Thomas

Northeast Regional Manager

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Steffi Thomas joined BCSS in May 2017 and is the Northeast Regional Manager. Assisting others has been a central passion of hers throughout her professional journey, and she enjoys being able to contribute to the lives of those she serves meaningfully. Working at BCSS allows her the unique opportunity to give back to the community and provide essential support to families in need, making a profound and positive impact on their lives.

Steffi is a new mom, loves travelling and trying out new food spots.

Northern Interior Region

Michelle Ellerton | Prince George Regional Educator

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About Michelle Ellerton

Prince George Regional Educator

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Michelle Ellerton is a BCSS Regional Educator in Prince George and a family peer supporter certified by Peer Support Canada. Michelle joined the BCSS team as a staff member in 2020 after volunteering with the organization since 2018. She began volunteering with BCSS after her husband suffered a psychotic break and was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. As a family member herself, Michelle understands the importance of telling one’s story and helping to break the stigma around mental illness.

When not working, Michelle enjoys spending time outdoors, crafting, and creating things with her hands. She’s been told that no matter how tough life gets, she can always find the positive and make people smile.

Northwest Region

Francis Racy | Northwest Regional Manager

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About Francis Racy

Northwest Regional Manager

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Francis Racy is the Northwest Regional Manager with the BC Schizophrenia Society. She has a background in community administration, education, and health care, including experience as a Health Care Assistant (HCA). Francis values person-centred, practical approaches that support individuals and families navigating mental health challenges across the Northwest region.

She holds a Certificate in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and a Health Care Assistant (HCA) certificate. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Education at the University of British Columbia through the NITEP Indigenous Teacher Education Program. Her professional experience includes education, health care, and community-based administration, with experience in organizational leadership and governance.

In her free time, Francis enjoys spending time with family, working on creative projects, and being outdoors in the Northwest. She values time in community and quiet time to read and reflect. She finds that both creativity and time on the land help her stay grounded and balanced.
Clara Donnelly | Bulkley Valley Regional Educator

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About Clara Donnelly

Bulkley Valley Regional Educator

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Clara Donnelly has been with BCSS since 2014 and has worked as a Bulkley Valley Regional Educator for the last nine years. Clara is originally from Mexico, and before moving here, she worked as a speech pathologist, special needs preschool teacher, university professor, and child psychotherapist; after moving here, she also worked as a behavioural consultant, frontline worker for adults with disabilities, and home share coordinator. She considers all of her diverse work experiences as professional achievements and is proud of all of them equally. The way the brain works fascinates her, and learning how brain functions can impact behaviour is what first interested her in the mental health field.
Stephanie Gardner | Northwest Regional Educator

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About Stephanie Gardner

Northwest Regional Educator

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Stephanie has been a Northwest Regional Educator at BCSS since 2022. Before that, she worked as a practical nurse throughout the province for over a decade and has extensive experience working in the mental health and addictions sphere in Terrace, BC. She has certificates in practical nursing, early childhood education, and medical transcription and is happy to bring her experience and love of helping others to BCSS. She has also achieved Level 9 in piano at the Royal Conservatory of Music.

Stephanie is a mom of three and has two rescue pets. She loves playing piano, travelling, and spending time with family and friends whenever possible.
Reneé Irvine | Prince Rupert Regional Educator

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About Reneé Irvine

Prince Rupert Regional Educator

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Reneé Morven is the Prince Rupert Regional Educator for BCSS in the traditional and unceded Territory of the Ts’msyen people. She has lived experience as a family member to a sibling with schizophrenia and to a non-verbal daughter with complex needs.

Reneé’s work experience involves community outreach, workshop facilitation, engaging with families, and partnership presentations. She knows the value of storytelling and finding common ground. In her experience, interactions work better in the North when you get to know someone better personally and by sitting down to have that cup of tea or coffee. In smaller communities, these kinds of continuous slow and steady positive encounters help build trust in relationships, and she brings this perspective to BCSS to help create a safe space for everyone.

Reneé is passionate about Herbalism and harvests wild medicine and plants that heal. To her, healing means treating a person as a whole, and no two people are alike. With this experience and knowledge, she hopes to help families build their capacity and work with them in their journey of hope with their loved one who lives with a serious mental illness.

Vancouver Coastal Region

Hardeep Thind | Coastal Regional Manager

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About Hardeep Thind

Coastal Regional Manager

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Hardeep has been working for BCSS since 2001 and is currently the regional manager of the Vancouver Coastal region, which encompasses the Vancouver area out to Hope. She has worked in the mental health field since 1999, with most of her work focusing on supporting and providing education to families in the Fraser Health region. Hardeep has been an advocate for her family member with schizoaffective disorder for the past 27 years. As she has experience on both sides of healthcare services, she brings a deep understanding of the importance of family involvement in their loved one’s journey. Hardeep recognizes it is a delicate balance when advocating for a loved one and working with frontline staff. She has helped countless families navigate the healthcare system.

In her free time, you can find Hardeep at the baseball diamond watching her boys play or at home making crafts and gifts.
Jennifer Kastelein | Vancouver Regional Educator

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About Jennifer Kastelein

Vancouver Regional Educator

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Jennifer Kastelein is a Regional Educator for the Vancouver Coastal-Fraser region. She’s very passionate about spreading the message of mental health advocacy and dismantling stigma with education. Helping families by contributing to the Partnership Education Presentations and the Strengthening Families Together programs is one of her most rewarding parts of working at BCSS.

Jennifer has a diploma in marketing and sales management from UBC and has received both the President’s Club Award from Glacier Media in 2016 and the Most Inspirational Leadership Award ACT. She loves hiking, kayaking, and golfing when she’s not working. She’s also a fire walker and glass walker.
Anisha Johal | Fraser South & East Regional Educator

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About Anisha Johal

Fraser South & East Regional Educator

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Anisha is a recent graduate from KPU, with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Counselling. Having a family member with mental illness fueled her passion for de-stigmatizing mental illness and increasing public understanding of its impact on daily life and one’s overall quality of life. As an educator, she is particularly excited about the opportunity to collaborate with a community team to help families access the support they need for their loved ones. Anisha is eager to learn from others at BCSS and expand her skills and resources to better serve the community.

In her free time, she loves being outdoors, soaking up the sun, spending time at the beach, and practicing meditation and deep breathing exercises.
Noleen Mueller | Vancouver & Richmond Regional Educator

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About Noleen Mueller

Vancouver & Richmond Regional Educator

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Noleen is a Regional Educator for the Vancouver Coastal region. She is passionate about helping make positive changes and volunteering for her community. For her, the most fulfilling thing about working at BCSS is the opportunity to work with a team that supports each other and looks for creative and healthy ways to advocate and educate about mental illness. She enjoys working with families and feels privileged to have family members’ trust, hear their stories and make personal connections.

Noleen has been with BCSS since 2018. She loves the outdoors, the smell of fresh air, meeting new people, and having conversations over a cup of coffee.
Kate Seo | Fraser North Regional Educator

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About Kate Seo

Fraser North Regional Educator

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Kate Seo is the Regional Educator for Fraser North (Vancouver). She has always been passionate about mental health advocacy, with a particular focus on better understanding mental illnesses and reducing the stigma that surrounds them. As a new Educator, she is excited to learn and collaborate with the BCSS team to support families in the local communities. She is grateful for the opportunity to hear people’s stories and looks forward to building meaningful connections through all the conversations!

Kate is currently wrapping up her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience, Public Health, and Physiology at UBC Vancouver. In her free time, Kate likes to write her travel blog, go for a picnic with friends and family, and swim.

Vancouver Island Region

Katie Nickerson | Victoria Educator & Vancouver Island Regional Manager

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About Katie Nickerson

Victoria Educator & Vancouver Island Regional Manager

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Though originally from the East Coast, Katie joins us from North Saanich on Vancouver Island, the land of the W̱SÁNEĆ people. Katie loves spending time camping, exploring the local beaches, and playing board games with her husband and daughter. She is an avid reader, amateur gardener, and so-so cook.

In 2024, Katie supported a loved one through an acute episode of major depressive disorder with anxious tendencies and psychotic features that required hospitalization and intensive treatment. As the temporary substitute decision maker, Katie had to advocate for her loved one and make decisions on treatment plans. This was a journey filled with trauma and despair, but it ended with recovery.

Katie firmly believes in codesign and the importance of patient and family voices in program and policy development. She has a background in mental health not-for-profit management, having worked at the Strongest Families Institute (SFI) for over 12 years. During her time at SFI, she led teams of 50+ employees, developed programs, and supported mental health research. Her formal education includes a BSc with an advanced major in psychology, and she is currently pursuing an MBA.

Katie is an avid community volunteer. She supports pediatric surgical patients and their families at her local hospital, engages the next generation of women as a Girl Guides leader, helps keep dogs with their ‘pawrents’ through ElderDog, and facilitates storytelling for Help Fill a Dream.
Christine Riddell | Central Vancouver Island Regional Educator

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About Christine Riddell

Central Vancouver Island Regional Educator

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Christine started with BCSS in January 2023 after working with Alberta Health Services’ Addiction and Mental Health department for many years. In her previous role, she helped establish new services, facilitated mental health literacy programs and helped reduce stigma within the community. She considers working with other families and caregivers in her role with BCSS a privilege. As a family member to a loved one with a mental illness herself, she knows how important it is for people to come together and provide one another with quality information about resources, support and hope. In her free time, Christine enjoys exploring the beaches and forests of Vancouver Island with family, friends, and her dog, as well as tending to her garden with her cats.
Michelle Gallant | North Vancouver Island Regional Educator

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About Michelle Gallant

North Vancouver Island Regional Educator

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Michelle is dedicated to providing support and resources to families facing mental illness and joined our team in 2021. She comes with firsthand experience as someone who grew up with a family member with very aggressive illnesses. She came to BCSS with the intention of being the advocate families need, knowing it was the thing missing from her own family home.

Michelle’s professional background is in real estate and public relations, and her professional skills help bridge the gap to provide the best possible support for her clients. Her goal is to let others know that they are not alone, that there are resources that can help alleviate the illness, and that with care, guidance, and compassion, things can get better.

One of the most fulfilling things that Michelle shares about working with BCSS has been connecting with families and seeing them gain a better understanding of mental illness, feel more empowered and be able to advocate for their loved ones. She wanted to join the BCSS team to be part of an organization that had boots on the ground for big changes that directly impact our communities.

Michelle enjoys exploring Vancouver Island, hiking and chasing waterfalls with her husband and dogs. She also published her first fiction novel last year, and is currently working on her second.
Payton Kennedy-Cowman | Victoria Westshore Regional Educator

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About Payton Kennedy-Cowman

Victoria Westshore Regional Educator

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Payton comes from a professional background that includes roles like Hospital Liaison Addictions Counsellor and Mental Health Case Manager for CMHA-HPE, and Income Assistance Worker for the Saskatchewan Government. Payton has a wide understanding of how serious mental illnesses impact the person, all of their intersections of life, and their loved ones.

Payton’s academic background furthers her understanding of serious mental illnesses. Payton has a Bachelor of Arts Major in Medical Anthropology, where she wrote her thesis titled “The Treaters of Schizophrenia: Their Role in the Outcome of People Diagnosed with Schizophrenia”. Payton also holds a Master of Arts in Cultural Studies – Specialization in Medical Anthropology, where she completed her Capstone Final Project on “Gaps in Social Services Regarding Food Insecurity and Addictions and Mental Health”.

In Payton’s free time, she loves to go to spin classes and is quite the book lover. Her favourite book is Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood. Payton is new to the Island and is looking forward to all of the year-round outdoor activities available. Payton’s husband is a helicopter pilot in the Military so she is no stranger to learning about and engaging with new communities.

Payton is looking forward to working with BCSS as the Westshore Regional Educator to help promote mental health awareness and to stop the stigma surrounding serious mental illnesses.
Tiffany Magionas | Cowichan Valley Regional Educator

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About Tiffany Magionas

Cowichan Valley Regional Educator

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Originally from Nova Scotia, Tiffany made Vancouver Island her home more than 20 years ago and has spent the last two years living in the Cowichan Valley on the traditional territories of the Quw’utsun (Cowichan) Tribes. She enjoys camping, gardening, exploring the Island, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Tiffany has spent many years volunteering in her community and has always felt drawn to helping people navigate resources, access support, and advocate for their needs. She is a Canadian Certified Peer Support Specialist (CCPSS) and holds a Community Support Worker diploma with a specialization in Addictions.

Through both personal and family experiences, Tiffany has supported loved ones living with schizophrenia and psychosis. These experiences have given her firsthand insight into the challenges families face while navigating mental health systems, accessing resources, and supporting recovery.

Tiffany believes in the importance of hope, connection, education, and empowerment. As the Cowichan Valley Regional Educator with the British Columbia Schizophrenia Society, she is committed to supporting individuals, families, and caregivers through education, resource navigation, advocacy, and community outreach throughout the Cowichan Valley.

BCSS Youth – Kids & Teens In Control

Mary Beth Hall | BCSS Youth Program Manager

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About Mary Beth Hall

BCSS Youth Program Manager

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Mary Beth Hall is BCSS’ Youth Manager for the Kids in Control (KIC) and Teens in Control (TIC) programs. She joined BCSS because she felt a calling to work in youth mental health and believes we all have a responsibility to raise the next generation as healthy as we can.

Mary Beth has a BA from Memorial University in Newfoundland and a diploma from Thompson Rivers University. Before joining BCSS, she worked with youth as a theatre arts camp instructor and museum school interpreter. She’s also lived or worked in Ghana, India, and every country in Central America. Mary Beth loves to read, be in nature (hiking especially), and dance.
Kayla Arnold | BCSS Youth Program Coordinator

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About Kayla Arnold

BCSS Youth Program Coordinator

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Kayla Arnold joined BCSS in August 2021 and is a Program Coordinator for the BCSS Youth programs. Kayla has spent more than a decade working with children and families with multiple barriers, and is a certified life skills coach with extensive education in mental health and child education. For her, the most fulfilling part of working with BCSS is being able to show youth that they’re not alone in dealing with their family member’s illness. As a former foster child, she’s a tireless advocate for kids and wants to give them a safe place to learn and express their feelings.

Outside of work, Kayla enjoys camping, skating, creating cake art, and spending time with family.

We acknowledge that the lands on which BCSS operates and supports families are the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples. We are honoured and privileged to live and work on this land we all share. We are committed to reconciliation, decolonization, learning from and with Indigenous peoples, and building relationships within our communities.

Our Team

About us

BC Schizophrenia Society Board

Cynthia Petrie

Jack Middleton

Rebecca Joncas

Joanne Leung

Brenda Sawatzky-Girling

Kevin Black

Dr. John Gray

Paul Bhushan

Colleen Crossley

Gerrit van der Leer

Jasdeep Dhaliwal

Peter Andreasen

David Halikowski

Michele Way

Brady Jepsen

BC Schizophrenia Society Foundation

Renato Zane

Matthew Langlois

Joanne Leung

Donna Motzer

Sylvia LeRoy

Medical Advisory Committee

Dr. William Honer

Dr. Bill MacEwan

Dr. Anthony Phillips

Dr. Randall F. White

Dr. Diane McIntosh

Dr. Debbie Thompson

Dr. Tom Ehmann

Provincial Office Staff

Faydra Aldridge

Andrew Stewart

Suneeta Bangar

Marsha MacMurchy

Jaling Kersen

Melissa McKenna

Giordanna Cullen

Tatyana Boshnakova

Armita Shahbaie

Roselle Dancel