Members

Jeffrey Yu is the principal owner of REL Technology Inc, a company that empowers people to live an independent and healthy lifestyle. As a former Assistant Operations Manager for Five Star Building Maintenance, and as an Integrated Service Manager and numerous Management roles in the Long Term Care Industry, Mr. Yu has extensive management and leadership experience.  Mr. Yu is also experienced in real estate development and master site planning.

Active in his community, he is a member of Premier’s Chinese Canadian Community Advisory Committee, Trustee Chair for the New Vista Society and the Board Chair of Trustees for the Burnaby Library. He is a Nutrition Manager of the Canadian Society of Nutrition Managers and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Simon Fraser University.

Ajay Patel was confirmed as president of Vancouver Community College on January 24, 2020. He first joined VCC in May 2019 as Vice-President, Enterprise and International Development.  Ajay has over 20 years of post-secondary experience, and has consistently distinguished himself for his strategic leadership and for his inspiration and support for students, employees, and the whole community.

Ajay’s ongoing commitment to International Education across the post-secondary sector was recognized in 2019 with the BC Council for International Education Distinguished Leadership Award.  Other awards include the City of Vancouver Parks and Recreation’s Volunteer of the Year, the Sport BC President’s Award, and the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant award in 2021. 

At VCC, one of Ajay’s priorities is to lead the college into a promising future by implementing the Strategic Innovation Plan, including a Campus Master Plan designed to guide VCC’s development over the next 10 years.

Natasha Mandryk is the current Chair of Education Council (EdCo) at VCC. Natasha has worked at VCC as a mathematics instructor since 2013, and is the current Department Head of Mathematics. Natasha has been a member of EdCo since 2018, serving on the EdCo executive, Education Policy Committee, and Curriculum Committee. Natasha has a Master of Science in Mathematics and Statistics from Acadia University, and a Bachelor of Science from UBC.

Dr. Chi Lo is Principal Lawyer, Barrister & Solicitor at CML Law Corporation. Previously, he was Census Enumerator at Statistics Canada. Active in his community, Dr. Lo is an Advising Lawyer with Access Pro Bono, and Honourary Legal Advisor for The Natives of Toi Shan Benevolent Society. Dr. Lo holds a Juris Doctor in English and Hong Kong Common Law, and a Doctor of Philosophy from Chinese University of Hong Kong; a Master of Applied Science from the University of British Columbia; a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) from Imperial College, University of London; a Chartered Financial Analyst from CFA Institute; advanced (postgraduate) diploma courses from the British Columbia Institute of Technology; and, certificates from the Federation of Law Societies of Canada and Harvard University Online.

Christie Sparklingeyes is an Indigenous Recruiter for Vancity. Previously, Ms. Sparklingeyes was a Talent Acquisition Specialist for Vancity. Active in her community, she is the Chair of the Indigenous
Employee Resource Group (ERG) for Vancity and the Co-Lead Financial Literacy Facilitator for Vancity. Ms. Sparklingeyes holds an MTI Community College Child & Youth Care Diploma.

Libby Davies is a former Member of the Canadian Parliament, where she served from 1997-2015. Prior to her role in Parliament, she worked as a HR Coordinator with the Hospital Employees, as an elected Councillor with the Vancouver City Council for 5 terns, and as an elected Parks Commissioner with the Vancouver Parks Board. 

Ms. Davies was President of the Downtown Eastside Residents Association. Active in her Community, she is a former Director of the Portland Hotel Society, former Director of the BC Transit Board, Vancouver Library Board and Greater Vancouver Regional District. Ms. Davies received the Order of Canada in 2016 and the City of Vancouver Civic Merit award in 2018, and YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in 2022. 

Ms. Davies is the author of “Outside In: A Political Memoir, 2019.  

sXalusat is a proud Elder of the Musqueam Band.
 
Michele has worked with First Nations for over 30 years. Ms. Guerin holds a Bachelor of Law from the University of British Columbia and was called to the Bar of BC in 2007. She practiced Aboriginal law as an Associate with Ratcliffe and Company LLP. Ms. Guerin was the Director of Research at the National Centre for First Nations Governance until starting her own consulting firm, Guerin Tetreault & Associates specializing in Indigenous governance advisory and Nation-building work, along with community consultation and engagement. 
 
Ms. Guerin is a past Governor of the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology and served as a Director on the Board for Ecojustice and previously sat as a Musqueam Band Councillor. Ms Guerin’s educational journey began when she obtained her GED certificate as a single mother at VCC.

Ms. Oh is an experienced advisor for local business owners and managers and is currently the sole proprietor of Seung Oh Ltd. chartered accounting firm in Burnaby. She is an experienced director and CFO for Canadian public companies and a seminar speaker for the Korean Canadian Business Community on business and tax related matters.

Dilraj Singh Sandhu, is a Business Management student at VCC, with a bachelor's degree in Computer Science Engineering, and an MBA in Marketing Management. Before becoming a VCC student, Dilraj was in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods industry for 3 years, leading a team and managing sales-related strategic initiatives and market analysis.  Dilraj is currently Chair, Student Union of VCC (SUVCC).  This position allows him to participate in the community and build on his leadership skills.

Harleen Kaur is a second-year student in the Business and Project Management program at Vancouver Community College (VCC). With over seven years of experience in public relations, communications, and human resources, she combines her professional expertise with a passion for making a positive impact on campus.
As a former Board Director for the Student Union of Vancouver Community College (SUVCC), Harleen has gained valuable insights into the challenges faced by students on campus and across the province. She is dedicated to enhancing campus life and advocating for improved student services while keeping the overall college’s interests in mind. Harleen strives to support a thriving community where students and the institution can grow together.

Jennifer Cummins was elected by the faculty group in October 2023. Jennifer has been a VCC employee of since 2010. She is currently a faculty member in the English as an Additional Language Department and proud to work with immigrants, refugees and Canadian citizens on improving their English language skills. She holds a Masters of Education in Educational Psychology from Simon Fraser University. She has sat on two board of directors prior to joining the Board of Governors at VCC. She was the Board Secretary and Membership Chair of The Association of British Columbia Teachers of English as an Additional Language (BC TEAL) from 2021 - 2023. She is also a current board member for the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks (CCLB). From 2022, she has been the representative for the VCCFA on the Women and Gender Equity Committee of the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators. 

Dr. Paul Yeung was elected to the Board as Support Staff Representative in 2020 and for a second term in October 2023.  Dr. Yeung has been working as a VCC support staff since 2011. He has held various positions in academia, government and the not for profit sector. In academia, he has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses at UBC, SFU, and Brock University and is currently treasurer of the BC Chapter of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), as well as a board member for the Private Practitioner Chapter. In government, Dr. Yeung was a researcher to the Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control (CCDPC) for the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Dr. Yeung has authored articles in refereed journals and presented at conferences in Canada and abroad.