Our Team
EYA is committed to maintaining a staff team and board of directors who represent the youth who participate in our programs. We centre positionality and lived experiences and are working to nurture an equitable, anti-oppressive, and culturally-safe workplace.
Staff
Carmen Wong
Co-Executive Director, Fundraising & Operations
(They/Them)
Carmen is mixed European and Secwépemc on their mother’s side, and Chinese and Japanese on their father’s side. They were raised and currently live along the river on the agricultural flats of Burnaby on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), sc̓əwaθen (Tsawwassen), Qayqayt, q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Kwantlen, & Stó:lō peoples. Carmen has a B.Sc. in Global Resource Systems from UBC and nearly 10 years of experience working with nonprofits. They enjoy exploring the region on their motorcycle, cooking with friends, and spending summers on the softball diamond.
carmen@eya.ca
236-334-0587
Erica Ellis
Co-Executive Director, Programs & Operations
(She/Her)
Erica is 2nd generation Japanese on her mother’s side and 6th generation mixed European on her father’s side. She grew up as an uninvited guest on the traditional lands of the Skwxwú7mesh Peoples in North Vancouver where she fell in love with nature. An upbringing on these lands inspired Erica to pursue a degree in Natural Resource Conservation, then a Master’s in Education for Sustainability at UBC. Erica can now be found in Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) with her partner Brennan and dog Valley, where she spends her time cooking Japanese food, spending time outside with family, and tending to her garden.
erica@eya.ca
604-318-1272
Aril Yeo
Program Coordinator
(They/Them)
Aril is first-generation Chinese Malaysian, with parents being born close to Kuala Lumpur. They love to connect to their cultural roots through food, community, and conversations. Aril comes from a culinary background and is a recent UBC graduate from the faculty of Forestry. Aril was born and Raised on traditional, unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) first nations. Their focus in this role is to show a fun approach to ecology in a low barrier and trauma informed setting. Aril specializes in fungi and plant ID so if you see them around they would love to chat about it! Outside of work, Aril loves cooking Malaysian food and organising mushroom events around the city.
aril@eya.ca
604-689-4446
Chantelle Marchand
Program Coordinator
(They/She)
Chantelle is French on their Dad’s side and Lebanese on their Mom’s side. They grew up on the traditional and ancestral land of the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Potawatomi Nations, collectively known as the 3 Fires Confederacy, where they developed a love for plants. Today they are grateful to be living on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) land. In community they are passionate and involved in the intersection of arts, land, and community. They enjoy spending time drawing outside, swimming, and playing around with natural pigments/inks like shaggy mane!
chantelle@eya.ca
604-689-4446
Cy Cho
Fundraising & Communications Coordinator
(He/They)
Cy is second generation Taiwanese-Canadian, born and raised in BC on the unceded territories of the Semiahmoo, Katzie, Kwikwetlem, Kwantlen, Qayqayt, and Tsawwassen First Nations. With a deep passion for creative arts and nature & wildlife, Cy pursued a Graphic Design degree in Toronto before moving back to BC and completing a Fish, Wildlife & Recreation program. Cy’s goal is to synthesize the fields of art and science and to use the power of storytelling to make a meaningful difference. In his spare time, Cy is usually playing video games, drawing, walking his dog (Somi), or cuddling his cat (Boki).
cy@eya.ca
604-689-4446
Haneen G.
Manager, Land-Based Education
(They/any)
Haneen is an uninvited guest to the unceded and unsurrendered territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations. They are a second-generation descendant of Palestinian & Lebanese refugees and stem from a long line of farmers, stewards, and land protectors. Much of their work aims to honour their ancestral lines, while holding complex relationships of displacement and settler colonization between Turtle Island to Palestine. Their approach to stewardship is grounded in knowing that all land and water is connected – as is our communities’ healing and justice. In their free time, you can find them in their garden, learning tatreez, or working with plant medicines. Haneen holds a BA (Hons.) in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Victoria, with a deep focus in political ecology, Indigenous geographies, and land-based justice.
haneen@eya.ca
604-689-4446
karmella benedito de barros
Manager, Land-Based Education
(They/Them)
karmella is a two-spirit plant lover, gardener, occasional artist and co-founder of the art ecosystem collective. They are of mixed Afro-Brazilian and Mistawasis Nehiyawak (Treaty 6 Cree) decent, and were born and raised in diaspora as an uninvited guest on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations. In their free time, you can find karmella lazing around with their cat bell, wandering around the forest, working with plant medicines, playing with clay and sporadically making art/films with friends. karmella holds a BA in Psychology, Counseling & Human Development from Simon Fraser University, and is passionate about the relationship between land, people and intergenerational healing.
karmella@eya.ca
604-689-4446
Keenan Marchand
Program & Sites Assistant
(They/Them)
Keenan Marchand is of Syilx, Secwepemc and Mixed European heritage and grew up on traditional, ancestral and unceded land of the q’ʷa:n̓ƛ̓’ən̓, q̓ic̓əy̓ and səmyámə peoples as well as summers on Nkmapelqs, Head of the Lake in Syilx territory in the Interior. They are currently living on səl̓ilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) and Stó:lō land. They are a multidisciplinary artist with a deep love of nature and revitalizing Salishan cultures and languages and can often be found compulsively making art, music and writing. They are grateful to be able to learn, create and work on traditional, ancestral and unceded land of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations.
keenan@eya.ca
604-689-4446
Kristian Castaneda
Program Coordinator
(He/Him)
Kristian is Xicanx having grown up on the traditional territory of the Kumeyaay on what is now called San Diego. His grandfather is from the town of Cuauhtemoc in Colima Mexico. Kristian also has setter canadian roots on his mother’s side. Kristian moved to the traditional and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) in 2013 to study and has a Bachelors of Science from UBC, as well as an Associates of Science from Capilano University. Kristian enjoys practicing and teaching the grappling sports. He can be found volunteering at Judo clubs, and with Sumo Sundays.
kristian@eya.ca
604-689-4446
Love Smagh
Program Coordinator
(She/They)
Love is of Punjabi ancestry and was born in Punjab, India before moving to Turtle Island. They grew up on the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7 and now live on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Love’s upbringing inspired them to become curious about fostering community care and to pursue a BA in Psychology, Counseling & Human Development from SFU. Their role focuses on delivering youth programs with a trauma-informed and decolonial lens. In their free time, Love enjoys practicing yoga, hiking, and listening to music.
lovepreet@eya.ca
604-689-4446
Niki Westman
Accountant
(She/Her)
Niki is a 3rd/4th generation settler of western European ancestry. She spent her childhood on unceded Anishinaabe Algonquin territory. Before becoming a Chartered Professional Accountant, Niki wrote a Master’s thesis in English Literature on the pedagogy of Indigenous ecological principles in fiction by First Nations’ authors. Inspired by the teachings of northwest coast Indigenous voices, Niki transplanted herself to Coast Salish territory in 1997 where she enjoys growing beans in the community garden that she founded, as much as she loves counting beans for EYA.
niki@eya.ca
604-872-7745
Savannah
Operations Manager
(Any pronouns)
Savannah is a Jamaican of mixed Guyanese, Scottish, Iberian, and West African descent who has spent most of her life in the diaspora. First in the United Arab Emirates before moving to unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations to pursue a BA in Cultural Anthropology and African Studies at UBC. Driven by a commitment to her ancestors, Savannah believes in the power of art, transformative justice and youth empowerment toward our collective liberation. At heart, Savannah is an island girl who cherishes moments with community, time spent at the beach and fresh ripe tropical fruit.
savannah@eya.ca
604-689-4446
Sayan Ladhani
Jr Manager, Employment Training
(She/Her)
Sayan is a second-generation East Indian and British with parents from England and Uganda. She was born and raised on the traditional lands of the Attawandaron, Ho-de-no-sau-nee-ga (Haudenosaunee) and ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ (Anishinabewaki) peoples and the Treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation in Guelph, Ontario. An avid nature lover, Sayan has a degree in Environmental Sciences and a passion for outdoor education and advocacy. She moved to BC in 2023 with her partner to spend more time exploring the great outdoors and can now be found gratefully living on unceded xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) territory. When not working, Sayan can be found camping, trying out new recipes and in the sun with a good book.
sayan@eya.ca
604-689-4446
Sophia Nguyen
Manager, Sites & Stewardship
(She/They)
Sophia is second-generation Vietnamese on her father’s side and mixed European on her mother’s side. She was raised on a small farm and continues to gratefully reside on the unceded traditional territories of the Á,LEṈENEȻ ȽTE (W̱SÁNEĆ), Kwantlen, S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, and Semiahmoo First Nations. Sophia studied Global Environmental Systems, Resource & Environmental Management, and Sustainable Community Development at Simon Fraser University. She is passionate about engaging youth and those who experience marginalization in local environmental action. Sophia has eight years of experience working in environmental nonprofits, focusing on environmental education for children, youth, older adults, and immigrants, as well as on ecological restoration, sustainable agriculture, and community outreach. When she isn’t working, you can find Sophia outdoors—whether she’s gardening, camping, snowboarding, or teaching yoga!
sophia@eya.ca
604-689-4446
Trisha Barbarona
Program Coordinator
(Any pronouns)
Trisha is a non-binary immigrant settler from the Philippines. They settled on Musqueam territory (Richmond) in June 2010 and have since called these territories home. Their pedagogy is to have the land and water as our teacher and to always centre community, decolonial practices and Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Their knowledge and experience lies in native plant horticulture, agriculture, food systems and child and youth education. When not working, Trisha takes nature walks with their dog, Tanya, cuddling their cat, Momo, and fiddling about in their balcony garden like a garden fairy.
trisha@eya.ca
604-689-4446
Vivian Cheung
Manager, Fundraising & Communications
(She/Her)
Vivian is a second generation refugee Chinese-Canadian, with ancestors from Guangdong and parents born in Vietnam. Born and raised in East Vancouver on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations, she earned her BSc in Biology at UBC. She discovered her passion for community stewardship through years of working within nonprofit operations, fundraising, and engagement. When she’s not geeking out over spreadsheets and data systems, she is an award-winning filmmaker, passionate about telling underrepresented stories in the Asian diaspora. Vivian also enjoys playing guitar, bass, and cello, and has a hedgehog named Boba.
vivian@eya.ca
604-689-4446
Board of Directors
Amber Grant
At-Large
(They/Them)
Amber Grant is a white, queer, non-binary settler with mixed Ukrainian and Irish ancestry. They grew up on Treaty 20 territory, the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations (includes Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations). Amber is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of British Columbia in the Urban Natures Lab. Their research explores how environmental justice is prioritized and neglected in urban forest planning and practice , as well as the socio-political and institutional conditions that influence community-based urban forest stewardship. You can often find Amber playing basketball, cycling around the city, exploring the outdoors, or dancing to techno with friends.
Dr. Bavisha Kalyan
At-Large
(She/Her)
Dr. Bavisha Kalyan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on building equitable community-academic partnerships to understand contaminant exposure in vulnerable communities. Her previous work measured holistic lead exposure (water, paint, soil, dust) through a community science campaign empowered and uplifted community voices, built workforce development programs, and supported youth. Dr. Kalyan aims to co-create engineering research with students, community members, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders, centered on water, food, energy, and transportation infrastructure to support and advance social and environmental justice.
Madi Bourette-Knowles
Co-Secretary
(She/Her)
Madi is a white queer settler with English and French ancestry entangled in local food on Lək̓ʷəŋən lands where she lives on sxʷeŋxʷəŋ family lands. Her tired, full, silly days in the dirt started as a youth in the juicy berry fields of Ka’tarokwi on Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee lands. These days, Madi works as one of the Co-Executive Directors at Growing Chefs while her two doggos lie at her feet. If she’s not mid-culinary indulgence, catch her biking, jumping into water, or in full lizard-mode soaking up the mid-summer sun.
Max Kittner
Co-Chair
(He/Him)
Max is a third-generation settler of Ashkenazi Jewish and German/Irish heritage. Prior to settling in Coast Salish territory for school at UBC, he was raised and grew up in Piscataway territory (so-called Washington, DC). Since graduating from university in Geography and Urban Studies, Max now works at a local First Nations administration as a research assistant analyzing land rights. In his free time, he camps on summer weekends, and occasionally DJs at CITR. At home, Max can be found planning his next getaway or drawing fictional maps while watching TV and eating M&Ms on his couch.
Monique Stanley-Davy
Co-Treasurer
They/Them
Monique is of Jamaican and Vincentian descent. They grew up as an uninvited guest on the traditional and treaty territories of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg (Nations covered under the Williams Treaties). Monique moved to the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations to pursue writing poetry. They have since found a passion for urban agriculture and has started a small business advocating for sustainable food systems. In their spare time Monique enjoys trying new dinner recipes and spending time with their partner Taigan and two cats.
Paula Hay
At-Large
(She/Her)
Paula is a 12th generation settler with European ancestry, grateful to be living and working in the territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ Nations. She currently lives on Nexwlélexwm (also known as Bowen Island) in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh territory. Paula has lived in several countries, including South Africa where she explored her interest in community-driven solutions to climate change. She loves her current work as a community planner with Indigenous communities and she is passionate about engaging Indigenous youth in planning. Paula spends much of her free time supporting various environmental initiatives and also loves hiking and dancing.
Pravallikha Samuthirarajan
Co-Chair
(She/Her)
Pravallikha is a third culture kid from Chidambaram, India. Her social confidence and ability to thrive alongside people convinced her to pursue MBM in Aotearoa. Her passion for creating a fair and equitable world led her to become a policy advisor, helping with economic recovery efforts from the pandemic in NZ. Now, she works as a senior policy analyst in BC. On top of her involvement in environmental and climate justice initiatives globally, she promotes low impact living through her social enterprise. She is often found snorkeling, swimming, diving, or dreaming about her next backpacking adventure.
Sahar Zandieh
Co-Secretary
(She/Her)
Sahar is a second-generation settler with ancestry from Iran; joining the EYA Board is an extension of her eagerness to learn how to live well on these lands. As an uninvited guest on the unceded territories of the Tsawwassen, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, her training and work are continually shaped by the remarkable landscape and complex history of these territories. With a background in Sustainable Agriculture, Sahar’s work has ranged from farming to ecological restoration, and teaching students from K-12 and beyond. Currently, she is the Instructional Associate for the Department of Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Sahar loves sharing meals around a table, and being in nature—especially the ocean.
Shambhavi Arora
At-Large, Legal Specialist
(She/Her)
Shambhavi Arora is a fourth-year student at the University of British Columbia. Born and raised in India, she hails from a small village with a farming family, fostering a deep connection to the land of her upbringing. Shambhavi is pursuing a degree in Political Science and Law, with a strong focus on environmental advocacy. Her academic journey is complemented by her active involvement in activism and technological research, aiming to create sustainable solutions for environmental challenges. When she’s not immersed in her studies of environmental law, Shambhavi enjoys exploring dierent parks and beaches, and indulging in the diverse culinary delights the city has to oer. She feels a deep sense of gratitude to live and work on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəyəm (Musqueam), Sḵwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations.
Valentina
At-Large
(Any pronouns)
Valentina is a first-generation settler from Italy, grateful to live in the traditional and unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations. As a Finance Analyst at Creative BC, a public non-profit supporting BC’s creative industries, they are passionate about applying their financial knowledge to support initiatives serving their local community and the land they reside in. They hold an Accounting Diploma from BCIT, and are pursuing a Bachelor of Accounting and a CPA designation. Outside of work, Valentina can be found writing or drawing with their cat in their lap, identifying local plant life, and planning dinner parties.
Youth Advisory Circle
EYA’s Youth Advisory Circle consists of 8-10 youth who have previously participated in our programs. Youth Advisory Circle members meet four times each year, and offer their skills, knowledge, and lived experiences to advise EYA on various aspects of our operations and programming.