Regional Advisory Councils
CPHR BC & Yukon is divided into eight geographical regions to maximize our ability to address the needs of our membership and to create an efficient and effective model to offer services and networking opportunities.
Each region is represented by an Advisory Council, who works closely with a Member Relations Manager, and is committed to the delivery of member services as identified through the strategic and operational goals of the association.
For regional breakdowns, please refer to Regional Breakdown By Community.
Central Interior Advisory Council
The Central Interior Advisory Council handles the planning and implementation of local CPHR BC & Yukon activities and is made up of members representing a broad range of HR experience levels and areas of practice.
Chelsea Tuyttens, CPHR Candidate
Chair & Roundtables
Chelsea is a Senior Specialist, Organization Development at the British Columbia Lotteries Corporation. This is her first year as AC Chair and fourth third year on the council.Christine Carlson, CPHR
Membership & Communications
Christine is the Director, HR Strategic Partnerships at Thompson Rivers University and is in her fourth year on the council.Connie Georget, CPHR
Membership & Communications
Connie operates CCSN Services and works in the Office of EDI and Anti‑Racism at TRU. Having been on the advisory council previously, she is currently in the fifth year of her current term in the Central Interior.Jamie Noakes
Vice Chair & Post-Secondary
Jamie is Tourism Co-op Coordinator at Thompson Rivers University. She is immediate past Chair and in her sixth year on the council.Shirley Nguyen, CPHR Candidate
Administration & Post-Secondary
Shirley is on the council for the fifth year in 2024. She is Director of Human Resources at Axis Family Resources.Tim Read
Member Relations Manager
Please contact Tim Read for more information regarding the Central Interior Advisory Council.Please contact Tim Read for more information regarding the Central Interior Advisory Council.
Coastal Vancouver Advisory Council
The Coastal Vancouver Advisory Council handles the planning and implementation of local CPHR BC & Yukon activities and is made up of members representing a broad range of HR experience levels and areas of practice.
Isabelle Godsy, CPHR
Volunteering
Isabelle is a Human Resources and Organization Development Consultant. This will be Isabelle’s third year on the advisory council supporting the volunteering portfolio.Lorelei Russell, CPHR
Chair/Networking
Lorelei Russell is the Director, People Services with Vancouver School District 39. This will be her third year on council and her first year as advisory council chair.Quinne Davey
Member Relations Manager
Please contact Quinne Davey for more information regarding the Coastal Vancouver Advisory Council.Vivienne Ho, CPHR
Membership
Vivienne Ho is a People Operations Specialist at PayByPhone . This is her first year on the council as lead for the membership portfolio but her third year volunteering with the membership committee.Please contact Quinne Davey for more information regarding the Coastal Vancouver Advisory Council.
Greater Vancouver Advisory Council
Greater Vancouver Advisory Council handles the planning and implementation of local CPHR BC & Yukon activities and is made up of members representing a broad range of HR experience levels and areas of practice.
Crystal Pitt, CPHR
Membership
Crystal Pitt is the Director of People and Talent in GolfBC Group. This is Crystal’s third year on council leading the membership portfolio.Devin Sharma, CPHR Candidate
Networking
Devin Sharma is the Manager of Human Resources for the Musqueam Indian Band. This will be Devin’s second year on council leading the networking portfolio.Dimpy D’Souza, CPHR
Post-Secondary
Dimpy is currently the Director of HR & Admin with Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre. This is her second year on council leading the post-secondary portfolio.Heidi Cheung, CPHR
Mentoring
Heidi is a Senior Clinical Project Manager at Vancouver Coastal Health. This will be Heidi’s third year on council supporting the mentoring portfolio.Laetitia Lim, CPHR
Volunteers
Laetitia is currently an HR Analyst at BC Hydro. This will be Laetitia’s first year leading the volunteer portfolio.Liana Chang, CPHR
Chair
Liana is HR Director at CloudMD Software & Services Inc. This is her third year on the advisory council and her second year as advisory council chair.Quinne Davey
Member Relations Manager
Please contact Quinne Davey for more information regarding the Greater Vancouver Advisory Council.Please contact Quinne Davey for more information regarding the Greater Vancouver Advisory Council.
Fraser Valley Advisory Council
The Fraser Valley Advisory Council handles the planning and implementation of local CPHR BC & Yukon activities and is made up of members representing a broad range of HR experience levels and areas of practice.
Christine Palak, CPHR
Chair
Christine Palak is an Instructor for Kwantlen Polytechnic University and a Strategic HR Business Partner for Simon Fraser University. This will be Christine’s third year on the Fraser Valley Advisory Council and her second year as advisory council chair.Margaret Tam, CPHR
Post-Secondary
Margaret is Vice President, Operations at Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation. This is her second year with the council as lead for the post-secondary portfolio.Pardeep Brar, CPHR
Awards
Pardeep currently holds a Human Resources management position within the local government. This is her second year on the advisory council and third year supporting the awards portfolio.Quinne Davey
Member Relations Manager
Please contact Quinne Davey for more information regarding the Fraser Valley Advisory Council.Stacey Pittakidis, CPHR
Membership
Stacey is the Assistant HR Advisor with the Township of Langley. This is Stacey’s second year leading the membership portfolio.Tanya Tortorella, CPHR
Volunteers
Tanya Tortorella is currently the Human resources Manager for Penfolds Roofing and Solar. This is Tanya’s third year leading the volunteer portfolio.Please contact Quinne Davey for more information regarding the Fraser Valley Advisory Council.
Northern Advisory Council
The Northern Advisory Council handles the planning and implementation of local CPHR BC & Yukon activities and is made up of members representing a broad range of HR experience levels and areas of practice.
Andrea Born, CPHR
Chair
Andrea is Director of Human Resources at School District #57 . She is in her last year as Chair and fifth year on the council.Binny Johal, CPHR
Networking
Binny is a Human Resources Specialist at Carrier Sekani Family Services and is in her fifth year on the council.Renata Hammond, CPHR
Vice Chair & Membership
Renata operates R.Hammond Consulting and is an HR consultant & leadership coach. She is in her third year as a member of the advisory council.Sherri Lamothe, CPHR Candidate
Membership
Sherri is the Human Resources/Safety Manger at TW Industrial Group and is in her second year on the advisory council.Sherrie Little, CPHR
Communications
Sherrie operates the HR consulting firm Bear Human Resource Services and is based in Kitimat. She is in her sixth year on the council.Taylor Leslie, CPHR
Post Secondary
Taylor is an Interim Human Resources Manager at Integris Credit Union and joins the council for the first time this year.Tim Read
Member Relations Manager
Please contact Tim Read for more information regarding the Northern Advisory Council.Please contact Tim Read for more information regarding the Northern Advisory Council.
Southern Interior Advisory Council
The Southern Interior Advisory Council handles the planning and implementation of local CPHR BC & Yukon activities and is made up of members representing a broad range of HR experience levels and areas of practice.
Adrianna Stange, CPHR Candidate
Chair & Post Secondary
Adrianna is a Managing Consultant for TMG Search Canada. Having been on the council previously, this is her second year of her current term, and her first year as Chair.Darren Gillespie
Post Secondary
Darren is HR Coordinator, Talent at Tolko Industries’ Vernon Office. He has joined the council for the first time this year.Dominique Fellhauer, CPHR Candidate
Networking
Dominique is a Recruiter for Interior Health Authority and is in her fourth year on the advisory council.Heather Walker, CPHR
Communications & Networking
Heather is Director of HR & Operations at Dolden Wallace Folick LLP. This is her second year on the council.Karen Lawrence, CPHR
Membership
Karen is Director of KLawrence HR Inc. Having been on the council previously, Karen has rejoined this year.Tim Read
Member Relations Manager
Please contact Tim Read for more information regarding the Southern Interior Advisory Council.Tricia Deere, CPHR
Vice Chair, Networking
Tricia is Owner of Pick of the Crop Consulting Ltd.. Having been on the advisory council previously, she is in her fourth year of her current term on the council.Please contact Tim Read for more information regarding the Southern Interior Advisory Council.
Vancouver Island Advisory Council
The Vancouver Island Advisory Council handles the planning and implementation of local CPHR BC & Yukon activities and is made up of members representing a broad range of HR experience levels and areas of practice.
Bryan Webber, CPHR
Advisor
Bryan is Assistant Dean of Business at the Vancouver Island University and has been on the Vancouver Island Advisory Council since 2017.Carolyne Taylor
Member Relations Manager
Please contact Carolyne Taylor for more information regarding the Vancouver Island Advisory Council.Crystal Wood, CPHR Candidate
School Liaison
Crystal has been a member of CPHR BC & Yukon since 2012 and on the VI Advisory Council since 2017.Dale Samsanoff, CPHR
Advisor
Dale is the Chair of the Management and Human Resources Department at Camosun College and has been on the Vancouver Island Advisory Council since 2020.Ilka Bene, CPHR
Awards
Ilka is a seasoned HR Pro holding her CPHR since 2002, and was recognized as the HR Professional of the Year in 2017. She has been on the Vancouver Island Advisory Council since 2019.Jocelin Caldwell
Mentoring
Jocelin is an HR Consultant, Workplace Facilitator and Career Coach with Reimagine Work. She has been on the Advisory Council since 2018.Megan Bailey, CPHR
Advisor + Nanaimo Liaison
Megan is an HR Advisor with Vancouver Island University (VIU) and has been on the Vancouver Island Advisory Council since 2020.Sharde Long, CPHR
Volunteering
Sharde is the Head of People Operations at Power to Be Adventure Therapy. She has been on the VI Advisory Council since 2019.Tammy Khanna, CPHR
Chair + Membership
Tammy is the Executive Director at the Independent Living Housing Society in Victoria, BC. She has been on the Vancouver Island Advisory Council since 2019. Member Profile.Please contact Carolyne Taylor for further information regarding the Vancouver Island Advisory Council.
Yukon Advisory Council
The Yukon Advisory Council handles the planning and implementation of local CPHR BC & Yukon activities and is made up of members representing a broad range of HR experience levels and areas of practice.
Brittni Dieno, CPHR Candidate
Jillian Hardie
Kirk Malach, CPHR
Lisa Beck, CPHR
Rita Koeller, CPHR
Member Relations Manager
Please contact Rita Koeller, CPHR for more information regarding the Yukon Advisory Council.Roxane Larouche, CPHR
Chair
Roxane was one of the first Yukoners to get her CPHR designation and has over 25 years of experience in the Human Resources field in both private and public sectors. She retired as Director, Human Resources at Yukon Hospital Corporation in 2017 and is currently the President of RJ People Consulting, a human resources consulting company in Whitehorse, Yukon. Roxane is also the Co-chair of the Recruitment & Employee Retention Committee. She also serves as an adjudicator for the Yukon Human Rights Commission Panel of Adjudicators.Sasha Sywulsky, CPHR
Silvia Richards
Uche Okpalugo, CPHR
Please contact Rita Koeller for more information regarding the Yukon Advisory Council.
Advisory Council Background & Volunteer Requirements
The purpose of an Advisory Council is to combine the skills and talents of CPHR BC & Yukon members and staff to:
- Align regional initiatives with the overall strategic direction of the provincial Association.
- Identify and meet the needs of local members by ensuring Association services are tailored to meet any regional needs, while striving to achieve a provincially consistent member experience.
- Act as a conduit of information between the members and the Association to consistently deliver effective member services.
- Enhance the growth of the CPHR BC & Yukon and the membership within the geographic regions.
- Interface with business and local community to increase the profile of both the Association and the human resources profession.
Each Advisory Council is comprised of an executive and a number of portfolios.
Executive Committee
- Chair – leads the regional Advisory Council to fulfill the mandate of CPHR BC & Yukon. Plays a key role in planning, implementing and evaluating initiatives in their region.
- Vice-Chair – is the Past or Incoming Chair. Assists the Chair. Acts as a Mentor/Coach for first year Advisory Council members.
- CPHR BC & Yukon Member Relations Manager – responsible for the regional delivery of all CPHR BC & Yukon programs and services to the membership and relevant community stakeholders. Works to maximize member value, enhance membership growth and raise the profile of the Association, the CPHR designation and the HR profession.
Portfolios/Committees
- Awards – Support the promotion of the CPHR BC & Yukon provincial awards program by creating awareness of awards program and nomination procedure/information.
- CPHR & Professional Development – Contribute to the identification of member development needs. Assists with the provision of products and services to meet identified needs.
- Membership – Support the execution and development of initiatives to increase membership through the combination of new member recruitment, orientation and member engagement activities.
- Mentoring – Provide on-going support to the program participants in the CPHR BC & Yukon Professional Mentoring Program.
- Networking – Create and work with others in the delivery of opportunities that allow for meaningful connection, information sharing, celebration and recognition.
- School Liaison – Promote the profession of HR to students and encourage students to connect with the HR community.
- Volunteering – Work with AC member to create meaningful volunteer opportunities for members. Recruit place, and retain volunteers to support program and service delivery in the region.
Volunteer Requirements
All Advisory Council volunteers are expected to:
- be a CPHR BC & Yukon member in good standing.
- make a commitment to the council for at least one year.
- attend monthly meetings and a variety of regional events.
actively participate in the Council’s initiatives by leading and supporting a team of volunteers to meet their portfolio requirements.
Expression of Interest – Advisory Council Member
The Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of British Columbia and Yukon (CPHR BC & Yukon) regional Advisory Councils strive to expand and improve services offered to CPHR BC & Yukon members within the association’s regions. In order to represent the broader membership, each Advisory Council aims to have representatives from a variety of industries, organizations and communities.
Expressions of interest to join the volunteer Advisory Council Members are accepted on an ongoing basis, with new roles beginning, for the most part, in January of each calendar year.
Background information
- Our Vision: Recognized as ‘The Place’ for Leading People Practices
- Our Mission: Keep people first in the decisions of leaders
- Mandate: Promote and enhance the profession and advance member value.
Advisory Councils help to support CPHR BC & Yukon in the provision of a variety of professional development opportunities, networking opportunities, and other programs for its members. Events offer peer support, social contact and the opportunities to learn about current human resources issues and legislation.
Advisory Councils typically meet periodically in-person and are active throughout the year via other forms of communication. Council Members act as ambassadors of CPHR BC & Yukon, lead specific tasks and projects pertaining to their skills and interests, and must be current members of the Association.
Members of the Advisory Council are expected to attend a good proportion of events operating in the region. There are several benefits of volunteering for council membership, such as discounts on some events in the region, plus time volunteered contributes to CPD credits. A minimum one-year term is expected with a maximum term of six years.
Please refer to our website for more information about Advisory Council regions or if you are unsure of what region you fall in: https://cphrbc.ca/about-cphrbc/regions/ as well as to familiarize yourself with the different portfolios/roles that the AC supports.
The number and type of opportunities open within each Advisory Council will vary regionally. All candidates will be assessed by the appropriate regional Advisory Council members on requisite knowledge, skills, experience, fit to available portfolios, previous engagement and level of activity/involvement with the association, diversity of council (industry, sector, organization, field and level of practice, geography etc.), and the required levels of credibility and integrity.
Application Process
Please provide a resume and cover letter outlining your relevant work experience, volunteer experience, values, interests, what appeals to you about this volunteering opportunity overall as well as what region you are applying. Please email your application to membership@cphrbc.ca with the subject line: Advisory Council Application – REGION – YOUR NAME
Any information provided to the Advisory Council or CPHR BC & Yukon staff as part of this process will be managed in accordance with the CPHR BC & Yukon’s privacy policy and any associated legislation.