Previously, she was a Manager, Home Health with the Fraser Health Authority and brought a clinical perspective to the role in an effort to support an understanding how our leadership decisions affect patients. Having worked in a team based environment for many years, she understands the significance of how a team needs to function to meet organizational goals and patient needs. Ava is a past member of the South Burnaby Neighbourhood House where she served on the Board for three years then as Chair for 10 years. She is also a past Board member of the BC Care Providers Association.

She works for a public sector union and is a strong supporter of the role that social programs play in making our society more equal and just. Kay is a strong advocate for women's rights, human rights and the union movement. She brings experience in governance and labour relations.

Over the years she worked with the proprietors to grow the business and eventually divest them. Subsequent to the transition she became the primary caregiver for her children. She was extensively involved as a volunteer in their elementary and high schools as a treasurer and an active member of various sub-committees of the Parent Advisory Council.

Currently, she is the chief accountant at Atiga Investments Inc., a family holding company with extensive investments in private companies and real estate. She is also the primary caregiver to aging parents. Outside of her work, Charu has a passion for travel, biking, golf and skiing. She had been looking for an opportunity to give back to the community and is honoured to be on the Atira Board. She hopes to achieve personal growth while contributing to Atira as it helps to improve the lives of women and children in need.

She retired from kidsLINK (in Ontario) after building the organization into a dynamic, progressive, financially strong and effective not-for-profit business, each year serving over 10,000 children and youth who had or were at risk of significant struggles with mental wellness as well as 2,000 of the professionals who educated and supported them.

She has also held leadership and advisory roles in education and was an advocate for individualized learning approaches. She pioneered bringing a number of new methodologies to the child, youth and family services sector in Ontario and Canada; and continues to donate her time to leaders of charities and nonprofits so they may adopt effective business models, good governance and earned income strategies as means of furthering their missions.

Sonia brings post-graduate training in business leadership, a Masters’ degree in social work, entrepreneurial spirit, strategic thinking, expertise in governance and extensive executive management experience to her professional and volunteer roles. She is passionate about holistic wellness and integrative healthcare, learning, indigenous cultures and encouraging ceremony and ritual into family life. For fun she dances, hikes, goes on kayaking trips and backpacks in New Zealand.

As the Aboriginal Health Executive Director at Vancouver Coastal Health, she provides strategic direction and guidance to the CEO and Senior Executive Team at Vancouver Coastal Health on challenges, priorities, and issues related to improving the health of the Aboriginal population. She leads a team that provides system level support and guidance to the health authority as it advances through transformational change into a more culturally safe organization. The team has developed a new in-person Indigenous Cultural Safety training that in less than a year has been delivered to more than 2000 staff as well as provided many educational resources. Leslie and her team work with leadership and staff to recognize Indigenous healing practices and use them in the treatment of Aboriginal patients.

Previously, she was the Aboriginal Health Director at Fraser Health for 8 years. In this role, she provided leadership within Fraser Health by planning, supporting, and guiding the implementation of initiatives designed to improve the health of Aboriginal people.

Prior to working in health care, Leslie provided business support and consulting services to First Nations communities and organizations in the Fraser Valley, including project management, communications strategies, and policy development. Leslie has extensive expertise in Aboriginal health strategic leadership, policy, primary health care and community based health delivery.

She is a 1965 Arts graduate of McGill University, and was a Probation Officer in B.C. for 36.5 years, 22 as a local manager.

She has been involved in a wide variety of volunteer positions over the years both connected to her work, the Board of YM/YWCA in Victoria and various positions including Presidency of the B.C. Corrections Association; and in the community as a parent and later a general member of the community, often serving in an executive capacity.

Deb has served on Atira's Board since 1995, stepping down and returning three times in compliance with Atira’s bylaws. Since 2005 she has served as the Vice-President of White Rock/Surrey Naturalists and since 2004, as President of Surrey Environmental Partners.

Deb is affiliated with a number of organizations that focus on retired persons and seniors' issues. She is grandmother and brings that perspective to her commitment to contribute to the community.

She is also responsible for promoting education, professional development and industry awareness within the strata segment.  Sandra has been in the Insurance industry for many years contributing her experience and knowledge in various products starting in Jamaica and continued her passion in Canada.

She completed a Supervisory Management certification, holds the Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker and Canadian Risk Management designations and previously a Registered Insurance Broker in Ontario.

Sandra is an Associate Member (Alternate) and volunteer on several committees at PAMA (Professional Association of Managing Agents), offering her expertise and decision-making skills. She is passionate and committed to the insurance industry, education and client service, and to giving back to the community. She is particularly dedicated to Atira’s Mission, Vision and Values, which are close to her heart.

Amy has a Juris Doctor, Law from the University of Calgary and has served on the Executive Committee of the Lower Mainland Section of the Young Lawyers, Canadian Bar Association.