• I see many opportunities to improve and grow meaningful engagement practices in the Metro Vancouver region and across BC. As we continue to face big challenges as communities and a society, I believe we must seek out ways to foster respectful dialogue, collaborate on solutions, and find ways forward together. IAP2 offers a solid framework (core values and planning process) for approaching this work. Also, I value opportunities to learn, collaborate with others, and share engagement best practices.
• I would like to see the Chapter consider taking a bolder, more focused approach to equity, diversity, Reconciliation, anti-racism, inclusion – both in terms of development opportunities for members, but also in outreach and relationship building with demographic groups that are seldom seen in the field of P2.

• I’m pleased to serve the IAP2 BC/Yukon Board in the role of Vice President.Over the past six years, I’ve lead and supported dozens of public engagement initiatives from small-scale infrastructure projects to large-scale projects in the Central Okanagan and the Lower Mainland. I’ve demonstrated leadership, creativity and innovation to engage residents and stakeholders. I intend to bring these same principles to the IAP2 organization to help achieve the vision and goals set out in the IAP2 BC and Yukon Chapter’s strategic plan.
• My vision is to grow the community of P2 practitioners, create opportunities for professional development in the field and advocate for inclusive practices.
• I look forward to connecting and engaging with you.

• My passion for public participation stems from the desire to advance the standardization of engagement practices that are fully accessible, inclusive, and have a focus on reconciliation. I’m honoured to help lead this shift in focus that IAP2 has been championing, while learning and growing alongside the team. I’m incredibly grateful for the skills I’ve learned, and continue to learn, through IAP2 that have advanced my practice.

• After working in provincial communications for several years, I recently started a position as a communications and engagement specialist. In this role I work primarily with local governments and First Nations to support public engagement processes. Every community is experiencing rapid change and facing what seems to be increasingly complex challenges, from the impacts of climate change to tackling deep-rooted systemic inequities. I believe the role engagement plays in public decision-making and fostering community understanding will just become more and more important. As a relatively new public engagement practitioner.
• I am excited by the prospect of helping connect IAP2 members across BC and the Yukon to learn from each other and with each other to help make the communities we work in more equitable, more accessible, and more connected.

• I am passionate about IAP2 training and implementation of IAP2 planning principles for all engagement projects. Adoption of IAP2 core values and planning principles provides teams across organizations, as well as public with a shared understanding of what engagement actually is, how it is planned and implemented, and what the project team’s commitment is to the public and other stakeholders.
• My vision for the BC and Yukon Chapter is to expand reach:

• • in communicating what IAP2 stands for
  • in explaining the role of IAP2 globally
  • in increasing awareness of what IAP2 principles of planning are
  • in making training more accessible and less centralized
  • in achieving new levels of transparency around how public participation professionals can achieve professional designations
  • and diversifying IAP2 membership

Lead, Indigenous Engagement, Vancouver Coastal Health

I am joining the board to offer my 25 years of experience of Indigenous inclusion and teaching TRC and Indigenous inclusion and conducting 75 First Nation culture camps (land-based learning).

• Since January of this year I have been the Civic Engagement Manager at the City of Coquitlam, with a team of two staff. I am most proud of the recent unanimous adoption of the City’s first-ever Community Engagement Framework. I’m looking forward to participating on this board because I am keen to grow relationships with my local peers in the P2 community. I also want to contribute to growing and shaping this rapidly-evolving practice and the work of the BC/Yukon chapter.

• I have more than twelve years of experience in communications, marketing and community relations for complex projects, primarily with public engagement. I see public engagement as a fast evolving area of specialization with the potential to offer high value to municipalities for better decision making and building public trust. I am excited to be on the board to help guide best practices and identify emerging trends for practitioners.

• I am the Engagement Coordinator, Regional District of Nanaimo and have served, provincially on the Wild Rose and BC YT board. During my time as a member of the BC YT board for six years until 2018 I was a director at large and then president.  I also Co-Chair the 2018 IAP2 NAC in Victoria.
• Listening and connecting with people are both a personal and professionl passion for me. I have been a certified IAP2 practitioner and active member of |IAP2 Canada since 2007 in both Alberta and B.C. I value being part of a professional organization that brings together a diverse audience of like-minded individuals that support transparent and authentic public engagement. By rejoining the IAP2 BC YT Board I would hope to help grow our chapter and bring value to the existing and new members.

Proprietor, O’Rourke Consulting Group

I’m excited to rejoin the IAP2 BC YT Board of Directors to contribute to our community’s growth and practice. I look forward to working with fellow board members to advance the IAP2 mission and make a positive impact.

• Indigenous Engagement and Consultation Specialist, WSP 
• I believe that my background in Indigenous engagement and my commitment to collaborative practices will significantly contribute to the mission of IAP2, ultimately supporting public participation more inclusive and effective for all communities.

• I’m excited to join the Board as a Director-at-Large with this group of dedicated and enthusiastic practitioners. My motivation for joining this year was to not only further my connections and networks in this work, but also to play a part in creating those connections for those of us working throughout BC and the Yukon. I’m passionate about supporting Truth & Reconciliation and sharing and learning from colleagues to further the diversity, equity and inclusion lens to the work we do. I’m looking forward to supporting the board’s strategic leadership, and getting to know P2 folks around the region.