Our Team

Our Board of Directors Our Staff Our Volunteers

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.

Dr. Michelle LaFlamme

Director

As a young woman, Michelle worked with the Western Canada Wilderness Committee and Greenpeace and she is honored to be a part of the BTCEA circle at this stage in her life. Michelle is a BIPOC educator/activist, environmentalist and heart-centered communicator committed to principles of social justice. Michelle has a PhD. from UBC and is an Associate Professor at the University of the Fraser Valley where she teaches Canadian literature and Drama. Michelle has also taught at The Justice Institute of BC, UBC, SFU, the University of Stuttgart, the University of Silesia and the University of Amsterdam. Michelle is grateful to have grown up in the traditional and unceded shared territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. She has been informed by Indigenous ways of knowing and ceremony and she brings her understandings of Indigenization in education to the board.

She also rides horses, visits her grandchildren and plays music in her spare time.
See: soundwater.ca

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.

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.

Hillary Graham

Secretary

Hillary (she/her) is a community-minded events and marketing professional with a deep commitment to fostering meaningful connection to the Earth and to one another. Her experience across private and nonprofit sectors includes leading and supporting purpose-driven gatherings and initiatives designed to engage audiences and strengthen community.

As Secretary of the Board, Hillary brings strong organizational leadership, clear communication, and thoughtful stewardship to Be the Change Earth Alliance. She is inspired by BTCEA’s dedication to climate education and youth empowerment and is proud to support the organization’s governance and continued growth.

Hillary lives in Coe Hill, Ontario, on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe peoples.

Faye Ilsley

Executive Director

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Faye Ilsley

Summer Sharma

Operations and Program Coordinator

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Summer Sharma

Vanessa Leibel

Programs & Outreach Coordinator

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Vanessa Leibel

Daphne Chalmers

Education and Grants Coordinator

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Daphne Chalmers

Gabriella Ruben

Program Assistant

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Gabriella Ruben

Stephanie Tamkee

Program Assistant

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Stephanie Tamkee

Amanda Tummonds

Program Assistant

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Amanda Tummonds

Faye Ilsley

Executive Director

Faye spent her childhood between the UK and the traditional ancestral territories of the Coast Salish peoples along BC's west coast, sparking a lifelong interest in environmental protection. Through her Bachelor of Arts in Languages & Political Science from the University of British Columbia and her Master's of Science in International Development from the University of Edinburgh, she fostered a deep interest in the inextricable links between the world's social and environmental issues, and the holistic approaches necessary to face them.

With a professional background spanning teaching, youth work, higher education, and operations, Faye is excited to bring her passion for fostering just and sustainable mindsets amongst future generations to the work of Be the Change Earth Alliance.

Beyond her work, Faye can almost always be found outside and enjoys hiking, camping, running, paddleboarding, and anything else that lets her explore BC's beautiful mountains and coastlines.

Summer Sharma

Operations and Program Coordinator

Summer grew up in London, England, and Kelowna, on the traditional, unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan people, where she first became involved in youth climate and civic action. With a strong interest in human geography and systems thinking, she completed a BA in Environment & Sustainability with a minor in Geographic Information Systems from the University of British Columbia.

She is passionate about environmental justice, sustainable urban planning, and supporting communities on the frontlines of environmental challenges. Knowing that future generations are part of these communities, Summer is excited to help Be the Change Earth Alliance educate and engage young change-makers.

Outside of her work, Summer enjoys cooking, climbing and exploring the outdoors.

Vanessa Leibel

Programs & Outreach Coordinator

Vanessa grew up in Calgary, Alberta and Victoria, BC, on the traditional ancestral territories of the Tsuut’ina Nation and Songhees Nation, respectively. Her family’s farming background sparked her passion for sustainable food systems and resource management, leading her to pursue her B.Sc. in Global Resource Systems with a minor in B.A. Spanish Studies from the University of British Columbia.

Vanessa is enthusiastic about fostering climate literacy, food security, and resilient community networks. She is excited to work with Be the Change Earth Alliance to help youth and educators connect with their environmental and social environments and inspire collective action.

Outside of work, Vanessa loves baking, gardening, doing crossword puzzles, and going to as many farmer’s markets as possible!

Daphne Chalmers

Education and Grants Coordinator

Daphne grew up outside of Seattle, Washington, on the traditional territory of the dxʷdəwʔabš (Duwamish) and sdukʷalbixʷ (Snoqualmie) Nations. She fostered a deep love for the land and nature’s interconnections while playing alongside her siblings in the forest of her grandparent’s backyard in so-called Vancouver, BC. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of British Columbia and a Master of Arts in Education and Society from McGill University, where her research explored how hope in environmental education can empower students to become changemakers and counter climate anxiety.

With years of experience in youth programming including nature mentorship in a forest school, educational research and program design, language teaching, and STEAM education, Daphne is passionate about supporting young people to cultivate action, hope, and nature connection through her work with Be the Change Earth Alliance.

Daphne spends her time outside of work wandering the forest and mountains, crafting, reading and practicing yoga.

Gabriella Ruben

Program Assistant

Gabriella grew up in Singapore, where her high school geography classes sparked an early interest in urban sustainability. She is currently completing a BA in Environment and Sustainability alongside a Master’s in Management at the University of British Columbia, located on the traditional, unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people.

She is passionate about helping students understand climate change and the meaningful actions they can take. She looks forward to contributing to Be the Change Earth Alliance through projects that raise awareness and inspire youth-led environmental change.

Outside of work, Gabriella enjoys spin classes, reading, and exploring hiking trails across British Columbia.

Stephanie Tamkee

Program Assistant

Stephanie lives on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh, and Səl̓ilwətaɁɬ peoples where she grew up building a strong connection and passion for the environment. Stephanie is currently working towards a BSc in Environmental Sciences with a Certificate in Climate Studies and Action where she hopes to build connections between climate solutions and social justice.

Volunteering with organizations like the Environmental Youth Alliance and City Hive has inspired Stephanie to support youth engagement and Indigenous rights in climate action through positive education and relationship-building. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys swimming, trying new foods, and crafting!

Amanda Tummonds

Program Assistant

Amanda grew up in Coquitlam, British Columbia, which is located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands. With a passion for community engagement and social justice, she completed a BA in History and a minor in Law and Society from the University of British Columbia.

With a background in non-profit work, Amanda is excited to spend the summer as a Program Assistant with Be the Change Earth Alliance to help empower young changemakers while advocating for social, environmental, and climate justice. She hopes to carry the skills, resources, and resilient mindset of the BTCEA with her as she begins her legal journey in September.

In her spare time, Amanda enjoys baking, crocheting, and exploring the West Coast on a gravel bike.

Valeria Vega

Professional Development Coordinator

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Valeria Vega

Zainab Sayedain

Program Support

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Zainab Sayedain

Gunda Miclaus

Strategic Support

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Gunda Miclaus

Valeria Vega

Professional Development Coordinator

Valeria grew up in El Salvador and now resides in Vancouver, BC, the unceded traditional territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations. Her passion for biology, ecology, and environmental protection led her to pursue her B.Sc. in Applied Animal Biology from the University of British Columbia and her Master of Resource Management (MRM) with a specialization in environmental toxicology from Simon Fraser University. She researched the toxicological effects of Alberta’s oil sands tailings on freshwater organisms and nature-based mitigation methods to reduce impacts on freshwater ecosystems. Valeria has learned how to sustainably manage natural resources in a way that balances human needs and the protection of our ecosystems. Through her volunteer work, Valeria wants to help educators and the youth become more environmentally and socially conscious. In her free time, Valeria enjoys birdwatching with a group of biologists in Stanley Park, Vancouver as well as baking healthy recipes.

Zainab Sayedain

Program Support

Zainab (she/her) grew up on the unceded and ancestral territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations in Vancouver, BC. She currently works as a Community Engagement and Strategic Projects Specialist at UBC Campus + Community Planning, supporting students, staff, and faculty to take climate action on campus.

Through organizing in climate, housing, anti-racist, and gender equity spaces since the age of 14, Zainab has had the honour of learning from, and working with, diverse communities and individuals from across the Lower Mainland. She is excited to educate (and be taught by) children and youth as a volunteer facilitator for BTCEA's programs, and hopes to support program participants to deepen their connections with themselves, the land, and the people around them. Some of her other passions include music, arts and crafts, and the people she loves.

Gunda Miclaus

Strategic Support

Gunda is a People & Culture professional passionate about creating inclusive, empowering workplaces where individuals can thrive. With an MBA and experience working across Germany, China, and Australia, she brings a global perspective to her work and a deep commitment to meaningful organizational impact.

Inspired by the growing impact of climate change on wellbeing—especially within the environmental sector—Gunda is inspired and excited to support BTCEA’s mission to empower youth and educators to take positive action for a sustainable world while fostering resilience, connection, and wellbeing.

Outside of her professional life, Gunda enjoys exploring the beauty of the Pacific Northwest with her two daughters—whether on paddle-boards, hiking local trails, or sharing picnics by the ocean.

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