Our Board

Board of Directors

BCPIAC's Board of Directors consists of community advocates, service providers and legal professionals who are passionate about anti-poverty and creating systemic legal advances benefiting low and fixed income BC residents.

Photograph of Iglika Ivanova

Iglika Ivanova

Chair

Iglika Ivanova is the Chair of the BCPIAC Board. She is an economist and public interest researcher with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, one of BCPIAC’s partners in the Climate Justice Project. Continue Reading Iglika Ivanova

sam turcott

Sam Turcott

Vice Chair

Sam Turcott is the Treasurer of the BCPIAC Board. He is the Director of the Advocacy Access Program at Disability Alliance BC where he and his team work to support people with disabilities to access a range of different disability support programs.  Continue Reading Sam Turcott

Photograph of Lisa Heddema

Lisa Heddema

Treasurer

Lisa Heddema is the Treasurer of the BCPIAC Board. She is a senior tax lawyer with a background at a national law firm and big 4 accounting firm. Continue Reading Lisa Heddema

Photograph of Matt Granlund

Matt Granlund

Director

Matt is a legal advocate at the Women’s Contact Society in Williams Lake, BC. Matt has degrees in Arts and Laws from the Australian National University. Continue Reading Matt Granlund

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Ela Esra Gunad

Director

Ela is a human rights and social justice advocate. She has worked with a variety of local and international organizations as an educator, campaigner, strategic partnership and fundraising lead. Continue Reading Ela Esra Gunad

Photograph of Rose Henry

Rose Henry

Director

Rose Henry is a First Nations activist and educator who works on social justice issues affecting all communities. Continue Reading Rose Henry

Photograph of Audrey Schwartz

Audrey Schwartz

Director

Audrey Schwartz is an anti-poverty advocate in Prince George, BC. She has been Executive Director of Active Support Against Poverty (ASAP) since 1987. Continue Reading Audrey Schwartz

Photograph of Dianne Phillips

Diane Phillips

Director

Diane Phillips is co-founder of Newton Advocacy Group, past-coordinator of the Surrey Access Network and Peoples Empowerment Program. Continue Reading Diane Phillips

Photograph of John Lawford

John Lawford

Director

John is Executive Director and General Counsel of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) in Ottawa. Continue Reading John Lawford