BCCEREBRALPALSY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- Bookkeeper
- New Member
Arijana is a new member of our team. She has over 10 years of professional experience in providing customer services, administrative support, and completing various clerical tasks in office, eatery, legal service, and non-profit environments with a Bachelor's Degree in Law and a Hospitality Diploma. Her job is to monitor, distribute and input data, and to maintain a professional yet kind relationship with members and other interested parties for cooperation with the organization. She plays a significant role in providing support to the entire team in administrative tasks and financial management. Arijana is fluent in Bosnian, Serbian, Croatian, and is familiar with German and Spanish. Very often, you will find her on long walks by the beach, camping, or helping people in need.
Denzil is a recent addition to the not-for-profit world. In 2017, she graduated with a BA in Anthropology and certificate in not-for-profit studies. She began working for the CPABC in 2018 as her first industry job. Starting as Programs Coordinator and working her way to Director of Operations, Denzil focuses on creating and implementing programs, while keeping in contact with the membership to assess and answer needs.
A true pluviophile at heart, Denzil is happiest when it rains and she enjoys playing ultimate and going for walks in this weather. She enjoys skiing in the winter, golfing and camping in the summer, and going for trivia nights all year round! Going an unconventional route, her family has a turtle and a bearded dragon to keep them on their toes!
Elizabeth has lived experience of cerebral palsy. Growing up across four provinces and territories, she became keenly aware of the beauty and challenges associated with cerebral palsy. With a mother who is a constitutional lawyer, Elizabeth learned to advocate for herself from an early age. She also understood the importance or advocating for others along the way.
With a desire to support the community, Elizabeth has found her home in the non-profit world. After completing her education in human resources, Elizabeth found the perfect balance in volunteer engagement.
CPABC's Executive Director, Elizabeth, has over 30 years in the non profit charitable sector. She has received the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal for her leadership and service, and also recognized as Business Leader of the Year by the Richmond Chamber of Commerce. Elizabeth is past Chair of Volunteer Canada, as well as Managing Director of Volunteer BC. She spent 17 years serving the community of Richmond and prior to that, was engaged with the YMCA of Greater Vancouver.
Elizabeth loves to travel, her most recent journey was to Uganda on a softball mission with her daughter and a group from all over Western Canada. Married and with two teenage girls, she loves gardening and visiting Gabriola Island.
Graham is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) who currently works in the Vancouver office of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as a senior manager in the private company services group. With over 10 years of experience in public practice, Graham is always ready to take on new challenges, support his colleagues, and care for the needs of his clients. He appreciates the opportunity to be on the board of CPABC and will strive to provide the same level of support and care to the organization.
Jeanne has worked with the CPABC since 2012 as a Consultant - a bit of a "Jack of all trades". She cherishes the generosity of our members sharing their lived experiences. She has an extensive history working with people with disabilities, in government, private, and not for profit sectors as a Behavioural Consultant, Manager of Residential & Vocational Resources, Navigator and Advocate.
Born in Newfoundland, Jeanne has been on a perennial westward migration, having lived in most of Canada's regions, eventually settling in Vancouver. With husband Robert, Jeanne has 3 adult children including their daughter in law. Jeanne loves theatre, concerts (almost any genre) and knitting. She can generally be found in the company of one (or more) of the family's critters.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Design and Accessibility Specialist
Karin Pasqua is a Universal Design and Accessibility Specialist with over 20 years of experience working with the disability community. She started her career in adaptive recreation and has since worked for notable not-for-profits in fund development, special events and program management. In recent years, she has taken her experience and professional background and applied it to work with cities and developers to create universally designed spaces, programs and events. Karin likes to say that she is part engineer and part occupational therapist. She has a natural affinity for adapting an environment and turning what some see as complex access problems, into thoughtful barrier-free solutions.
A communications expert with a long history of community involvement, Martin is a recovering journalist who was privileged to work for his hometown of Richmond for 25 years. He founded the non-profit Richmond Sentinel newspaper, where he served as the publisher, managing editor and sales manager. Today, he's the communications director of GOKABU Group, a tech start-up in Richmond working in the ride-hailing space. He's also on the board of RAPS (Regional Animal Protection Society).
Job Titles:
- Director
- Public Sector Lawyer
Kathleen Renaud is a public sector lawyer who previously volunteered for the CPABC's Art Without Limits Program. Her professional background is in anti-discrimination education and advocacy, which she aims to apply towards advancing disability rights. Kathleen is engaged in social justice issues such as reframing accessibility as a collective responsibility, not as a burden placed solely on those requiring it. She is humbled to advocate for the cerebral palsy community as a member of the CPABC Board of Directors.
Peter was born with cerebral palsy. Named "Peter Graham" he was immediately put up for adoption. He spent the first few months of his life in the foster care system. Subsequently the Brown family took him in and ultimately adopted him. Thus, Peter Graham Brown.
The Browns raised Peter and their five children in Richmond and North Vancouver. As occurred in the 1960's, Peter's had delayed access to the public-school system due to his disability and limited support. Despite this, Peter became a dedicated student and an active participant in his community. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from Simon Fraser University, Peter completed his law degree at the University of British Columbia.
Peter practiced law for over 30 years, spending most of his career in Vancouver at the Public Guardian and Trustee, Child and Youth Services. There, Peter worked on behalf of children in care, returning to his roots and allowing his destiny to come full circle.
Now retired, Peter Brown maintains a position on the City of Vancouver's Persons with Disabilities Access Committee. He is a member of the City of Vancouver Accessible Strategy Task Force. Over the years, Peter has played an active role in the Cerebral Palsy Association of BC. He is enthusiastic to join the Board and be able to continue his advocacy for people with disabilities. As someone who has successfully overcome vulnerabilities and marginalization in the face of those saying he could not, Peter hopes to inspire those who also face these barriers. Peter is a true example that anything's possible with hard work, dedication and a good sense of humour.
Peter is married to his wife of 27 years, Michele, an elementary school teacher. He is father to Ashley, who is following her father's path into the legal profession.
Rebecca is a tax lawyer and partner at Scion Law LLP in Vancouver. She advises individuals, private companies, trusts and non-profit entities on navigating the complex Canadian tax system and meeting governance obligations. Rebecca is a frequent speaker and writer on Canadian tax matters and has completed the CPA Canada In Depth Tax Course. Rebecca is passionate about helping people and is delighted to be a member of the board of CPABC.
Thomas Bell has extensive executive business leadership experience as a senior officer and director for public and private companies in the entertainment and hospitality, financial services, mining exploration, renewable energy and fire safety product industries. He has utilized his vast skills in operations, regulatory compliance, corporate finance and media in his volunteer work with youth sports organizations and as a board member of Variety the Children's Charity. A father of two, Thomas' main directive is for all children to have every opportunity to live their lives to the fullest in a safe and caring environment.