Board of Directors
Rob Bittner (President) Board Member since 2019
Rob (PhD) is an educator and literary consultant, working with LGBTQ2S+ literature for young people. Along with teaching courses, giving talks, and writing educator guides, Rob enjoys working within the local community to find ways of supporting LGBTQ2S+ youth and families, including through engagement with the Youth Hub and other local groups and initiatives. You can find out more about him and his work at docrob.ca.
Rob (PhD) is an educator and literary consultant, working with LGBTQ2S+ literature for young people. Along with teaching courses, giving talks, and writing educator guides, Rob enjoys working within the local community to find ways of supporting LGBTQ2S+ youth and families, including through engagement with the Youth Hub and other local groups and initiatives. You can find out more about him and his work at docrob.ca.
Vivian A. Smith (Vice President) Board Member since 2021
Vivian's flexibility, insight and more than 30 years of experience has led her to become one of the most respected and sought-after consultants in western Canada. Vivian has served charities and not-for-profits throughout British Columbia, has held the position of executive director for two Hospital Foundations, and currently leads her own consulting firm. A true believer in giving back, Vivian also lends her energy and expertise as a volunteer, trainer and mentor in the charitable sector.
Vivian's flexibility, insight and more than 30 years of experience has led her to become one of the most respected and sought-after consultants in western Canada. Vivian has served charities and not-for-profits throughout British Columbia, has held the position of executive director for two Hospital Foundations, and currently leads her own consulting firm. A true believer in giving back, Vivian also lends her energy and expertise as a volunteer, trainer and mentor in the charitable sector.
Lindsay Kaminsky (Treasurer) Board Member since 2021
Lindsay currently works at Rise CPA as a Senior Manager. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds a BBA from Simon Fraser University. She is a mental health advocate and community supporter and has been a volunteer for multiple organizations throughout the lower mainland.
Lindsay currently works at Rise CPA as a Senior Manager. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds a BBA from Simon Fraser University. She is a mental health advocate and community supporter and has been a volunteer for multiple organizations throughout the lower mainland.
Mike Pue (Secretary) Board Member since 2021
In 2001, Mike started his teaching career in Langley and made the decision to live here as well. Mike currently resides in the Walnut Grove area with his wife and their daughter. As a long-time employee of the Langley School District, Mike has worked as a teacher and school-based administrator in a number of neighbourhoods throughout the Langley area. Currently, Mike is the District Principal of Aboriginal Education.
In 2001, Mike started his teaching career in Langley and made the decision to live here as well. Mike currently resides in the Walnut Grove area with his wife and their daughter. As a long-time employee of the Langley School District, Mike has worked as a teacher and school-based administrator in a number of neighbourhoods throughout the Langley area. Currently, Mike is the District Principal of Aboriginal Education.
Douglas Baldry (Director) Board Member since 2021
Douglas currently works as an Assistant Branch Manager at the Vancity Savings, Langley Community Branch leading a team of account managers who specialize in mortgage and personal lending. Outside of the branch, Douglas facilitates financial literacy seminars covering topics like budgeting, saving and managing debt. When Douglas is not working, his time is usually spent with his husband and two dogs, relaxing at home on a small hobby farm in rural Langley.
Douglas currently works as an Assistant Branch Manager at the Vancity Savings, Langley Community Branch leading a team of account managers who specialize in mortgage and personal lending. Outside of the branch, Douglas facilitates financial literacy seminars covering topics like budgeting, saving and managing debt. When Douglas is not working, his time is usually spent with his husband and two dogs, relaxing at home on a small hobby farm in rural Langley.
Heidi Schwartz (Director) Board Member since 2021
Heidi has over 15 years of leadership experience with RBC where she currently works. She holds her Financial Planning designation from Canadian Securities Institute and is passionate about financial literacy for everyone. She is known for being an authentic coach and mentor, as well as being an advocate for women and youth in the Langley community.
Heidi has over 15 years of leadership experience with RBC where she currently works. She holds her Financial Planning designation from Canadian Securities Institute and is passionate about financial literacy for everyone. She is known for being an authentic coach and mentor, as well as being an advocate for women and youth in the Langley community.
Vanessa Jaggi (Director) Board Member since 2021
Vanessa Jaggi has been an educator in the public school system for 25 years and an administrator in the Langley School District for the past 15 years, currently holding the position of Principal at Topham Elementary. Most of Vanessa’s teaching and admin experience have been in inner city settings, seeing the need and value that agencies like Encompass offer families in need.
Vanessa Jaggi has been an educator in the public school system for 25 years and an administrator in the Langley School District for the past 15 years, currently holding the position of Principal at Topham Elementary. Most of Vanessa’s teaching and admin experience have been in inner city settings, seeing the need and value that agencies like Encompass offer families in need.
Nick Hosseinzadeh (Director) Board Member since 2022
Nick has spent his career in the public sector, working with government and political organizations. Currently, Nick works for Township of Langley Mayor Eric Woodward. Nick has a Bachelor’s in Arts from the University of British Columbia and a Master’s in Public Administration from the London School of Economics.
Nick has spent his career in the public sector, working with government and political organizations. Currently, Nick works for Township of Langley Mayor Eric Woodward. Nick has a Bachelor’s in Arts from the University of British Columbia and a Master’s in Public Administration from the London School of Economics.
Gary Robinson (Director) Board Member since 2023
Gary and his wife, Joanne, have lived in the Langley area for over the past 30 years raising 3 children in the community where they attend school. Gary has worked in Social Services for over 35 years with South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, as a Youth Worker and Program Manager, from 1990 to 2005. Tired of commuting from Langley to Vancouver, Gary started working with Xyolhemeylh in 2005 as a Community Engagement Worker and later on served as an Indigenous Liaison and Program Manager with the Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society (LFVAS) until 2018. Currently, Gary is somewhat retired doing contract work with LFVAS as a Facilitator for "Bringing Tradition Home-Indigenous Parenting Circle". Gary loves and see the importance of agency networking and community engagement.
Gary and his wife, Joanne, have lived in the Langley area for over the past 30 years raising 3 children in the community where they attend school. Gary has worked in Social Services for over 35 years with South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, as a Youth Worker and Program Manager, from 1990 to 2005. Tired of commuting from Langley to Vancouver, Gary started working with Xyolhemeylh in 2005 as a Community Engagement Worker and later on served as an Indigenous Liaison and Program Manager with the Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society (LFVAS) until 2018. Currently, Gary is somewhat retired doing contract work with LFVAS as a Facilitator for "Bringing Tradition Home-Indigenous Parenting Circle". Gary loves and see the importance of agency networking and community engagement.
Monica Rudd (Director) Board Member since 2023
Monica has been practicing exclusively family law in the Langley area since completing her law degree at Thompson Rivers University in 2018. Monica successfully provides legal representation at both the Provincial Court and Supreme Court levels, and achieves positive outcomes for clients in private mediations through skillful, efficient problem-solving and advocacy. Monica was raised in White Rock, B.C., and is now a resident of Langley. She enjoys spending her free time outdoors locally and across the province, walking the family dog, painting landscapes and flora, and practicing yoga.
Monica has been practicing exclusively family law in the Langley area since completing her law degree at Thompson Rivers University in 2018. Monica successfully provides legal representation at both the Provincial Court and Supreme Court levels, and achieves positive outcomes for clients in private mediations through skillful, efficient problem-solving and advocacy. Monica was raised in White Rock, B.C., and is now a resident of Langley. She enjoys spending her free time outdoors locally and across the province, walking the family dog, painting landscapes and flora, and practicing yoga.
Jessica Bain (Director) Board Member since 2023
Jessica has been an educator for 27 years this June, has been a teacher, a counsellor and now a Vice Principal. Jessica is also a huge supporter of 2SLGBTQ+, inclusive education, diversity, and trauma informed practice. Jessica has also recently received an RCC (Registered Clinical Counsellor) designation from BCACC.
Jessica has been an educator for 27 years this June, has been a teacher, a counsellor and now a Vice Principal. Jessica is also a huge supporter of 2SLGBTQ+, inclusive education, diversity, and trauma informed practice. Jessica has also recently received an RCC (Registered Clinical Counsellor) designation from BCACC.
