Our Board of Directors

Abnash Kaur Bassi

Director

Abnash, BASc-EngSci (she/her) has a passion for sustainability and environmental justice and was in Be the Change’s first batch of Climate Fellows, where she learned new approaches and met a community of like-minded youth looking to make change and further their impact in advocacy and action around climate change. Recently graduating from the U.Toronto where she led several sustainability projects, Abnash is focused on the intersection of sustainability and technology as a Hardware System Engineer for an electric vehicle company that developed Amazon’s electric delivery vehicles and the first mass-produced electric pickup truck. As Bassi shares, “I am excited by the goals of BTCEA and the powerful impact of BTCEA’s initiatives focused on climate education, as I both contributed to and benefited greatly from this work.

Abnash grew up on the unceded territories of the scəw̓ aθən (Tsawwassen), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), and other Coast Salish Peoples, otherwise known as Delta, BC

Michael Goodman

Director

As the Chairman of the Tri City Group of Companies, Michael, BFA (he/him) manages the Ruth and Henry Goodman Fund for Social and Ecological Justice which supports progressive Canadian change-makers, including Be the Change Earth Alliance.  Michael leads the Fundraising Advisory for BTCEA.

Maureen Jack-LaCroix

President

With a wild love for the Earth, Maureen, PhD. (she/her) co-founded Be the Change Earth Alliance after completing a Master in Eco-Psychology and Creation Spirituality in 2005. Her dedication to designing and delivering environmental education in community and the schools resulted in the Student Leadership for Change (SLC) learning resources and recently culminated in a PhD in Transformative EcoSocial Education through SFU Faculty of Education. Formerly CEO of Jack of Hearts Productions, Maureen created many cultural events including the Music West Festival, Slam City Jam skateboard championships and the Tears are Not Enough fundraiser.

Maureen is grateful to have grown up and live in the traditional and unceded shared territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Derek LaCroix

Vice-President

A strong advocate for social justice and spiritual well-being, Derek, LLB, KC, PhD Therapeutic Counselling (he/him) brings his life experience as a lawyer and therapeutic counsellor to the board. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Lawyers Assistance Program BC, the President of Haven Foundation, President of Galiano North Firehall Assoc. and is on the board of the UBC Law School Alumni.

Derek is grateful to have grown up and live in the traditional and unceded shared territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Michelle LaFlamme

Director

Michelle, PhD. (she/her) is a local BIPOC educator/activist, plant-based environmentalist and a heart-centered communicator, committed to principles of social justice in education. Michelle has taught at UBC, SFU and currently teaches at University of Fraser Valley. Raised with Indigenous ways of knowing and ceremony, Michelle brings her understanding of critical-race theories and Indigenizing principles in education to the board. She has worked in BC activists communities such as WCWC and Greenpeace for decades and is honoured to be part of the BTCEA circle.

Michelle is grateful to have grown up and live in the traditional and unceded shared territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Sarah Newton

Director

Sarah BA, BEd, Dip. Climate Change Ed. is an avid environmental educator and lover of the wilderness. After teaching for two decades in Revelstoke, she now lives and teaches on Wet'suwet'en territory in Smithers. Sarah was a pioneer with her waste free classroom and inspires students to become forces for good in the world through place-based learning, community activism and fostering their development of pro-social attitudes. Sarah also serves on the BCTF Social Justice Committee for Environmental Action and leads the Education Advisory for BTCEA.

David Pel

Treasurer

David, CGA, CPA (he/him) is very active in community service and an avid cyclist. In addition to being the CEO of Pel and Company accounting firm, who serve over 500 clients annually, David is founder and treasurer of Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Assoc, on the board of Elim Housing Society, treasurer of Burnaby Tennis Club and an active fundraiser for Burnaby Family Life, serving youth at risk.

Irfan Sheikh

Director

Irfan, MBA, Ed.D. (he/him) discovered the work of Be the Change when working in the Vancouver school district as a Vice-Principal and Principal and brings deep understanding of the education system to the board. Since retiring he has assumed the significant work and responsibilities as the Board Chair of Human Concern International based out of Ottawa. He is also Lead Associate of Innovative Leadership & Management, and serves on the Technical Advisory Group on Anti Racism Data Standards, Ottawa.

Robert Stowe

Director

Bob Stowe, MD, FRCPC (Neurology), UCNS (Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry) (he/him) is a behavioural neurologist and neuropsychiatric genetics researcher at UBC, where he is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology, and a member of the Clinical Research Ethics Board. From personal experience as a social justice and environmental student activist, Bob understands the importance of engaging with and empowering youth to become change agents. He was raised as a Quaker by key Greenpeace founders and has participated in nonviolent direct actions. Bob also volunteers with Doctors for Planetary Health–West Coast, CAPE, Frack Free BC, Dogwood, Wilderness Committee, and Greenpeace.

Bob is grateful to have grown up and live in the traditional and unceded shared territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

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