Meet our Board

Organization: Brightside Community Homes Foundation

William is Brightside’s CEO. He ensures operations are resilient, properties are well maintained, residents and staff are happy and healthy, and that they achieve the organization’s goal of doubling the number of affordable homes Brightside provides over the next decade. Prior to joining the Brightside team, William was a long-time executive at Vancity. William sits on the board of the BCNPHA and is former chair of Modo, a car-sharing co-operative and the Vancity Community Foundation.

Organization: M’akola Housing Society

Alita is the Senior Director of Housing Operations for M’akola Housing Society, the largest Indigenous affordable housing provider in British Columbia serving more than 5,000 family members. M’akola manages more than 1,600 homes serving both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Organization: CMHA Kelowna

Mike completed his Bachelor Degree in Psychology and then went on to earn his Masters in Leadership at Royal Roads. Mike started on the front line, working with youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. After that, he moved into program leadership and into senior leadership roles in the non-profit sector.

Organization: Dakelh & Quesnel Community Housing Society

Luanne is the Executive Director of Dakelh & Quesnel Community Housing Society, the largest affordable housing provider in the City of Quesnel. Through compassion and commitment, the Society takes pride in housing people from all walks of life and feels honored to help make housing their home.

Organization: Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society

Lilian is passionate about creating thriving communities where everyone feels they belong and have a safe, secure, and affordable place they can call home. Lilian is the CEO of Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society, one of Canada’s first women-led community housing organizations that began almost 40 years ago with a small group of women who wanted to create affordable housing for other single mothers and their children. Since then, the Society has grown to serve over 1400 women, families, seniors, and people with disabilities across 11 properties in Vancouver, North Vancouver, and Surrey. Lilian is a Registered Professional Planner and a Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners with extensive experience in urban planning, social purpose real estate development, affordable housing funding and financing, non-profit leadership, and public engagement.

Organization: Victoria Cool Aid Society

With over 25 years’ experience in non-profit housing and shelter service provision and 20 years’ senior leadership experience in the homelessness and at-risk serving sector, Don has a deep knowledge of the issues, challenges and opportunities non-profit organizations face today. Don is passionate and committed to building communities that are diverse and inclusive. Joining Cool Aid in 1996, Don began working in the shelter program and now oversees shelter and housing operations across the region, serving the some of the most marginalized members of our community. Under his leadership, Cool Aid’s housing and shelter program has grown to over 650 supportive and affordable homes and three emergency shelters, including the capital region’s only purpose-built shelter and drop-in.

Organization: Ballenas Housing Society

Andrea has been involved in community building and housing for more than 20 years. Andrea leads Ballenas Housing Society, which provides independent housing to a wide variety of tenants from diverse backgrounds with low to moderate incomes –  singles, seniors and families with diverse needs.

Organization: posAbilities

Monique has deep experience in communication, consultation, relationship development and capacity building initiatives. Prior to joining posAbilities in 2012, Monique designed and implemented communication and consultation processes to address social and environmental issues arising from unresolved Aboriginal title, rights and proposed economic development projects. She has contributed to treaty negotiations, land and resource management planning and consulted on community economic development initiatives for government and industry.

Organization: Ksan Society

Amanda Owens has been with Ksan Society since 2007 and Executive Director since 2014. The society has three main areas of focus: anti-violence programming; social housing and emergency shelters; and food security and sustainability. Programming also includes homelessness prevention, harm reduction and support recovery services.

Organization: Katzie First Nation Affordable Housing Development Society & Sacred Waters Development

Graham has been involved with all aspects of real estate, housing and development over his career, including private consulting, the public sector, and the non-profit sector. He currently serves as a board director of the Katzie First Nation Affordable Housing Development Society and the CEO of Sacred Waters, the economic development arm of the Katzie, Kwantlen and Semiahmoo Nations – pursuing sustainable projects and opportunities for the Nations within their shared and unceded traditional territories. Graham holds a BA from SFU, Urban Land Econ from UBC and an MBA from UVic. He resides in the Lower Mainland with his wife and 14-year-old son.  Graham enjoys moonlit nights and long walks on the beach.

Organization: Canadian Mental Health Association – Kamloops Branch

Alfred Achoba has devoted his over ten years professional career to housing advocacy, with impactful focus on mental health in alignment with community. Together with his team at CMHA Kamloops, where he is Executive Director, Alfred has played a pivotal role in the development of housing-centric programs. His vision and leadership resulted in notable projects; including Rosethorn House, which emphasizes skill development; Genesis Place, ensuring cultural safety in housing reintegration; and Moira House, an innovative fusion of shelter and recovery support.

Organization: Capital Regional District/Capital Region Housing Corporation

Don Elliott, who carries his hereditary name Sealth which has been passed down from Chief Seattle, has a rich background in homelessness advocacy and systems transformation. He played a pivotal role in establishing the $120 million Regional Housing First Program, creating over 350 units for the homeless and 1,500 affordable rental units.

Don is dedicated to advancing housing initiatives and believes in the importance of creating inclusive communities with secure and affordable housing. As the Senior Manager, Regional Housing at the Capital Regional District, Don oversees operations for 2,000+ units of affordable rental housing. With a background in homelessness intervention, strategic planning, and government advocacy, Don brings a wealth of experience to the board. His commitment to past successes and diverse skill set make him a valuable addition to the BCNPHA board.