OUR TEAM

Rise is run by a team of dedicated staff, board of directors, and volunteers, who share in Rise’s vision of our clients in BC have access to a just and equal legal system. 

Meet the staff

Meet the board

Our annual reports

Staff members

Administration Team

  • Vicky joined Rise in 2017 where she conceptualised and implemented the Virtual Legal Clinic. Vicky was the supervising lawyer for the Virtual Legal Clinic before becoming Rise’s executive director.

    Vicky has worked in the fields of immigration law and family law for women experiencing intimate partner violence. In her career as a legal advocate and a lawyer, she has supported many women and families in navigating their immigration status in Canada, and the complexity of the family law system.

    Vicky obtained her Juris Doctor (Honours) from the University of Saskatchewan and has built a legal career in BC where she passionately advocates for women’s rights.

    Vicky is a gifted pianist, regular sourdough baker, and a beginner at knitting!

  • Ellie has over 25 years of administrative and office management experience in a broad range of sectors including corporate special events, television production, law, and consulting. She thrives in a role that enables her to support business teams and their clients, and is passionate about Rise’s work to improve access to justice in BC.

    Ellie is also a visual artist, has been painting for over a decade and graduated from Langara’s full time Professional Photography program in 2010. Since then, she has been photographing events, portraits, worldwide travel, and doing project work in her personal time.

  • Sarah joined Rise in 2023. New to British Columbia, she is excited and honoured to work and live on the unceded, ancestral and traditional lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Her background is in sociology and global studies, with a Masters in Sociology that focused on gender and sexuality. Sarah has spent much of her time in university volunteering and organizing with LGBTQ+ and women’s groups and is passionate about supporting women, workers, gender diverse people, and other marginalized groups. As Office Coordinator, Sarah helps out with Rise’s Student Clinic and works with the admin team to offer support to others in the office. She’s thrilled to be able to work with others who align so closely to her values.

    In her free time, Sarah loves to read, talk about books, write, run, and spend time outdoors.

  • Dennis is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in non-profit administration and financial management, advocating for social change and justice. He co-founded three charities focused on serving homeless individuals and refugees. He supports International Justice Mission (IJM) Canada in protecting vulnerable populations globally.

    Leveraging more than a decade of experience in justice and public administration, Dennis offers a wealth of expertise in business leadership and innovative service strategies. He holds certifications as a management accountant and a business analysis professional, in addition to an MBA. As one of the founding members of Legal Aid BC's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council, he passionately champions inclusivity and equity. Dennis is unwavering in his dedication to driving positive transformations within communities and providing support to individuals facing adversity.

  • Clay is a white settler who was raised on Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe territory (colonially known as Kingston, Ontario) before completing their degrees in English literature and Earth and Ocean Sciences at the University of British Columbia.

    Clay’s community advocacy work in food and housing justice led them to Rise, as they developed a stronger analysis of the social and economic barriers faced by women and gender diverse people in BC, including how these barriers intersect with other lines of marginalization. They are thrilled to be a part of a team with shared commitments to social justice. In their role, they assist with bookkeeping and administration.

    Clay loves learning new fiddle tunes, writing, and working with textiles of all kinds.

  • Born in England, Kate moved to Canada 10 years ago to attend the University of British Columbia and has been here ever since! Kate feels privileged to live and work on the unceded homelands of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Kate is passionate about creating a more equitable world and building strong, resilient communities. She feels fortunate to help make things happen through fundraising. She also feels honoured to work at an organisation that does so much good for women across British Columbia. When she’s not at work you can find Kate walking her two dogs, writing short stories, and enjoying this beautiful province.

  • Melanie is passionate about advancing gender equity through their work in the non-profit sector. With foundation in Political Science (Hons), and Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice from the University of British Columbia, they have worked for not-for-profit organizations in Kenya (their home), South Africa, the US, and Canada.

    They are now grateful to live and work on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

    Melanie believes in the power of strategic fundraising and efficient systems, and hopes to create sustainable impact for women and gender-diverse individuals across BC at Rise. As Fund Development Coordinator, they help manage donor relationships, database systems, grant writing, and various communications initiatives. When they aren’t working on fundraising initiatives or fine-tuning a database, you can find Melanie covered in clay at the pottery studio, or going out to support local live music and art.

Community Legal Clinic

  • Vandana, one of the first staff members, has worked with Rise since 2016. Vandana has focused her legal career on working to achieve gender equality and empowerment for women. Prior to joining Rise Women’s Legal Centre, Vandana was a sole practitioner and practised primarily in the areas of family law, child protection law (as parent’s counsel) and immigration&refugee law, with a focus on assisting women who had experienced family violence. Vandana also worked previously at an aboriginal law firm, articled in criminal law with Glen Orris. Q.C., and worked as a Mental Health Advocate for CLAS during law school. Vandana has a J.D. from the University of British Columbia, and an M.Sc. from the University of Calgary. Vandana is a strong believer in the power of community and is excited about the potential of Rise to help unite communities working to achieve gender equality. In her spare time, Vandana can be found spending time with dear friends and family, trying to start her own food revolution in her backyard, doing yoga, or escaping to the Sunshine Coast.

  • Simona joined Rise in 2022. Working as a family law advocate since 2018, Simona has been on the ground with self-represented clients navigating family law and related legal systems. Simona has a bachelor’s degree in criminology. She was born in Macedonia and immigrated to Canada with her family in the 7th grade but currently lives on the lands of the Kwikwetlem First Nation. Simona comes to this work to help folks overcome barriers in access to justice and is eager to connect clients to the best resources (and to help resources do their best work). Simona is continuously inspired by her clients every day, and their strength and resiliency keep her motivated to keep doing her best work. When she is not at work, Simona tries to spend time with her family, friends, and her dogs every chance she gets.

  • Hilary joined Rise in 2023. Hilary has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and special education. She has spent most of her career working alongside people and communities who have experienced marginalization. In recent years, Hilary has taken a special interest in studying power literacy and utilizes what she has learned in her advocacy. Hilary began working as a family law advocate in 2018 and has a passion for helping people overcome barriers and advocating for systemic change. Outside of work, Hilary is an artist, writer, and creative. Hilary spends as much of her free time as possible with her family, friends, and pets.

  • Courtney began at Rise as a practicum student for her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of British Columbia. She returned to Rise to become Junior Advocate for our Community Legal Clinic, thanks to generous funding from the Law Foundation. Courtney does client intakes; assists clients with Legal Aid applications, refusal disputes, and general Legal Aid advocacy; provides general legal information and referrals for clients who do not fall within our scope of practice; and does access to justice work wherever possible for clients.

    Courtney has always been passionate about fighting injustice in the legal system, and she feel honoured to work at Rise where she can help to mitigate that experience for clients. Courtney grew up in traditional Treaty 7 Territory, in a town colloquially known as Olds, Alberta. She is honoured to live and work in the unceded homelands of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations .

    When she’s not at Rise, Courtney enjoys long rainy walks and FaceTiming with her slew of nieces and nephews back home. In addition to her work at Rise.

  • Lily Hsueh is a Family Law Advocate who helps clients facing multiple barriers. Originally from Taiwan, Lily has degrees in Comparative Literature and Social Service. She has extensive experience working with clients who have FASDs and survivors of domestic violence.

  • Carmine comes to Rise with a background of community-based non-profit work where she has supported youth, children with special needs, seniors, newcomers, and volunteers through various capacities and programs. As Program Assistant, Carmine supports Rise’s continually growing and adapting programs on the full spectrum of client-facing to administrative tasks. She is very passionate about finding ways to help the Rise deliver services accessibly and effectively to clients and other organizations around BC to better fight systems of inequity and oppression.

    Carmine is a second-generation settler, born on the unceded and traditional lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations (colloquially known as Vancouver) to Cantonese-descent refugees from Vietnam, and was raised on the unceded and traditional lands of the q̓ ícə̓y (Katzie), Semiahmoo, and Qw’?ntl’en (Kwantlen) Nations (colloquially known as Surrey).

    When not learning about new things in her spare time, Carmine also enjoys plant-collecting, singing, photography, art, and travelling.

  • Bio coming soon

  • Rosanna joined Rise in 2022. Rosanna has a JD from the University of Victoria and a BA from the University of Toronto. At the end of law school Rosanna did not think she would end up working primarily in family law but has been drawn in by the deep and personal impact family law has on her clients, and the complexity of the problems within our family law system. Prior to working at Rise, she articled with Legal Aid Ontario in Sudbury and with Breakwater Law in Victoria, where she gained a broad base of legal experience with a focus on family and criminal law.

Virtual Legal Clinic

  • Natalie is the supervising lawyer for for the VLC. She supervises a team of 5 incredibly dedicated and skilled VLC staff members, providing virtual legal services to women and gender diverse people who cannot afford lawyers, outside of the Lower Mainland but within the Province of BC.

    Prior to joining Rise Women’s Legal Centre Natalie practiced family law in Langley, Surrey and Vancouver, which included launching a family law firm in Gastown. Throughout her career she has focused on Family Law and has witnessed and supported clients navigating personal and systemic barriers in accessing the Family Justice system in BC. Most recently Natalie worked as a Family Law Advocate with Victoria Women’s Transition House Society, providing front-line family law support, advocacy and education to survivors of intimate partner and family violence.

    Natalie has seen first-hand the empowerment that excellent legal information and advice, combined with support and care and delivered through client-centered wrap around services, can offer clients. She sees joining Rise as her opportunity to contribute to this important work while also identifying systemic issues and advancing systemic change to the Family Justice system in BC.  

    Natalie has a Bachelor of Laws degree from Dalhousie Law School and attended UBC for her undergraduate LLB.

    Natalie is always interested in learning new things (currently: accordion and crochet), while balancing tried and true passions including dog walks on the beach with her husband, morning runs, long-term book club membership and spending time nosing into the interests of her three beautiful children.

    Natalie is honoured to live and work on the ancestral lands of the Lkwungen and SENCOFEN speaking peoples of the WSANEC, Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, commonly known as Victoria, BC.

  • Although Stephanie spent her early career as a chemical engineer, her work and experience over the years has taken her through an interesting path of problem solving and social development. After working as an engineer, she worked in human resources at Revelstoke Mountain Resort and taught classical piano before discovering her passion for justice issues in social sector non-profits.

    Stephanie comes to Rise from a victim services program where she supported folks who had experienced trauma or crisis and walked alongside them through the criminal court system. A common thread in her work has been amplifying the voices of those she supports as well as those she meets in her community volunteer work. Stephanie is a youth soccer coach, a Nordic skier, an active Rotarian, a Roots of Empathy instructor, an avid baker and mother of two boys with her partner, Jeff. Stephanie and Jeff moved to Revelstoke 15 years ago to live in connection with the natural environment and contribute to a close-knit community.

  • Sarah is the legal navigator for the VLC. She provides direct services to clients who are experiencing family violence by helping them to navigate the legal system through the provision of legal information, assessing their eligibility for Rise programs, and making referrals to community organizations.

    Prior to joining Rise, Sarah worked as a Family Law Advocate for 6 years at Campbell River Advocacy. Sarah still works from Campbell River, which is on the unceded territory of the Liǧʷiɫdax̌ʷ First Nation comprised of the We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum, and Kwiakah First Nations. Through her work as an advocate supporting clients dealing with family law issues, Sarah became familiar with Rise both in accessing services for clients, such as obtaining legal advice through the VLC, and the support and education that Rise offers to Family Law Advocates.

    Due to barriers accessing justice and other issues in the legal system, including a lack of recognition of family violence, Sarah found the skill and knowledge of Rise in addressing these issues invaluable. Sarah sees working as part of the VLC team to provide client-centered service as an excellent opportunity to make a positive contribution in family law and hopes to play a role in pushing for systemic change.

    Sarah likes walking her dog, a Schipperke, and doing all sorts of activities with her teenage daughter, including camping, kayaking, travelling, and watching musical theatre or, even better, watching one of her daughter’s performances.

  • Samantha (Sammy) began at Rise as a social work practicum student. Sammy started as the Family Law Advocate for the Virtual Legal Clinic in June 2024. Her educational background in sociology and social work has fostered a keen interest in working alongside those pursuing equity and justice.

    Sammy is passionate about providing accessible, individualized support to clients navigating the family law system around the province.

    Before joining Rise, Sammy worked at several community organisations, focusing on healthcare, food security, and family violence.

    In her free time, she enjoys exploring new cafes, walks with friends, and any form of DIY project!

  • Brianne is a second-generation settler of Cantonese descent, currently on the stolen and traditional lands of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.

    At Rise, Brianne connects clients with our community partners, family law advocates, and additional legal resources across the province. She also assists both clients and community partners with accessing Virtual Legal Clinic Programs at Rise.

    Her journey to Rise includes program facilitation, development and coordination in public and private post secondary education, and the non-profit sector, with a focus on decolonization and Indigenization, reducing language barriers, providing crisis intervention, increasing harm reduction and securing access to essential needs.

    Brianne is an aspiring polyglot who enjoys listening to standup comedy, gaming and dancing.

  • Amanda has a Juris Doctor from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Arts from Trent University. She completed her articles with Rise Women's Legal Centre and was called to the bar in September 2023.

    Amanda came to law with a passion for access to justice and family law. During her time in law school, she was an editor for the Canadian Journal of Family Law, a temporary articled student at Rise's student clinic, and she completed a directed research project on improving access to justice for teenage girls affected by family law disputes. She has worked with clients through the Law Students' Legal Advice Program and Pro Bono Students Canada. Amanda was a recipient of the Wayne Robertson K.C. Access to Justice Award (2021) and the Beverley McLachlin Legal Access Award (2022).

    Amanda lives on the unceded traditional lands of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. In her free time, Amanda can be found reading, crafting, and buying too many house plants

  • Kala worked with Rise in a variety of capacities since 2016 and is excited to return full-time to complete her articles. Raised by a family law advocate, Kala appreciates the barriers people face trying to navigate BC’s family law legal system, and cares deeply about reducing those barriers.

    During her time in law school, Kala was involved in various initiatives aimed at promoting access to justice, including The Law Centre and UVic’s Business Law Clinic. She also spearheaded the creation of UVic’s A2J Club and completed co-op terms with the Disability Alliance of BC’s Disability Law Clinic and the BC Office of the Ombudsperson. Kala was also an active member of UVic’s Law Students’ Society and the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice’s National Student Committee.

    Kala was born on the lands of the Syilx, Secwépemc, and Nlaka'pamux peoples, but raised on the lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples. She has a JD from the University of Victoria and a BA (Hons) from the University of British Columbia. Kala has received numerous awards recognizing her commitment to family law and access to justice, including the Christopher P. Kehler Memorial Prize in Family Law, the British Columbia Superior Court Judges Scholarship, and the Lawyers Financial Law School Achievement Award.

     Kala has an identical twin sister (who happens to work a few blocks from Rise’s office), and is an avid needle felter in her free time.

  • Gabrielle joined Rise in 2022. Before joining Rise, Gabrielle was a family lawyer in private practice for six years. She assisted clients at all levels of court in BC, tackling a wide range of complex legal issues, including cases involving family violence. She became well-acquainted with the family court system and the challenges that frequently meet women who interact with it.

    Gabrielle has a JD from the University of Victoria Faculty of Law. She also holds a BA in women’s studies and BFA (Honours) in visual art from the University of Calgary. As a law student, she worked with West Coast LEAF on the Cyber Misogyny project, an initiative looking at legal responses to gendered harassment of women and girls online. Gabrielle is passionate about issues of equality and hopes to help expand access to justice with Rise. In her free time, Gabrielle likes to spend time with family, draw and paint, and enjoy the outdoors.

Student Clinic

  • El Cameron (they/them) completed their B.A. at McGill University, their M.Sc. in Social Studies of Gender at Lund University in Sweden, and their J.D. at the University of British Columbia. Since their call to the bar, El has practiced exclusively in family law. Alongside colleagues, El has published or presented on a variety of family law topics and has taught the family law course at the University of British Columbia as an adjunct professor. El works to create a supportive and engaging learning environment within our Student Clinic program and to increase the availability of family law services in British Columbia that are informed, accessible, and responsive to each client’s unique circumstances. Out of the office, El can most often be found hiking, volunteering, or spending time with their family and their highly opinionated rescue cats.

Family Advocate Support Team

  • Taruna Agrawal is responsible for the Family Advocate Support Line at Rise, assisting advocates across BC in delivering legal services to their clients. Before Rise, Taruna was a sole practitioner in the areas of family and immigration law. She has also been a supervising lawyer at a non-profit organization in BC for the Women Leaving Abusive Relationships program.

    Taruna has an LL.B. from the University of Melbourne and completed her National Accreditation exams in Canada before articling with a boutique family law firm in Vancouver. She is a subject editor on Clicklaw wiki for the chapter entitled “Immigrants and Family Law.”

    Taruna is passionate about access to justice and works daily to ensure that people, especially women leaving abusive relationships, have access to affordable counsel. She is an active volunteer in the community and has worked as an advocate at various non-profit organizations in the Lower Mainland.

  • Profile coming soon

  • Maggie is a staff lawyer at Rise. Maggie’s position is funded by the Law Foundation BC’s (LFBC) Centralized Legal Services program. Through this program, Maggie acts as a supervising lawyer for LFBC funded family law advocates (“FLA”) in (mostly) remote communities, Maggie helps families in small communities to improve their ability to access the justice system.

    In her private practice outside of Rise, Maggie practices primarily in family and she humbly serves as Family Duty Counsel for the Provincial Court on the unsurrendered land of the Heiltsuk Nation, known colonially as Bella Bella.

    Maggie approaches family law with a trauma-informed lens, bringing in a genuine compassion and tact to the lawyer-client relationship that creates a safe and supportive process for her clients.

    When she is not at the office, Maggie is at the ocean with her family and two big dogs, gardening while listening to true crime podcasts, or experimenting with paint or thread.

  • Lucie is a staff lawyer at Rise. Lucie’s position is funded by the Law Foundation BC’s (LFBC) Centralized Legal Services program. Through this program, Lucie acts as a supervising lawyer for LFBC funded family law advocates in the Lower Mainland and remote areas in the province. Lucie has deep appreciation for the important work that family law advocates do and feels lucky to be able to work with them in her role at Rise. She focuses on providing multifaceted support to help family law advocates grow their skills and feel confident in providing the best services to their clients, to help clients achieve the best possible outcomes.

    Lucie articled at Rise and thereafter founded Linden Law in Maple Ridge, where she practiced family and immigration law, taking on legal aid files and providing low bono services to clients with low incomes who were experiencing family violence. Lucie has represented clients in Supreme Court and Provincial Court. She also spent time assisting clients living in precarious conditions to correct and obtain access to their foundational identification documents, such as birth certificates. With a special interest in disability, health, and mental health law, Lucie is also passionate about finding ways to help clients who face high-barriers due to their disability or health-related concerns access compassionate legal support.

    Outside of legal work, Lucie enjoys spending time with her family, unravelling a good mystery, and exploring local nature walks with Oliver, her mischievous terrier.

  • Andrea was born on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta and currently resides on the lands of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.

    Andrea’s background is in social work, and she has been supporting women navigating family law and related legal systems since 2006. Andrea is best known for her work with women with precarious status and women experiencing complex litigation, and for her knowledge of BC’s legal aid system. She is a seasoned speaker and presenter on family law and intimate-partner violence.

  • Born in Ghana, Maayaa is honoured to learn, live, and work on the unceded, ancestral and traditional lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. She comes to Rise with 7 years of people-focused experience, most recently as an HR administrator and manager of a popular East Vancouver Cafe.

    Motivated by issues of equity, diversity, and justice, and by work that serves her community, Maayaa has also volunteered for organizations supporting children and immigrants/newcomers to Canada. Away from work, Maayaa enjoys baking, attempting to make French pastries, writing and cooking for family and friends.

  • Kelsey is a family law advocate at Rise. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and English in 2016 and has continued to upgrade her education in mental health, social work, and now the law. She takes a strong stance when it comes to equality and justice for all people and has a history of working with First Nations communities, women, and LGTBQIA+ people. She was nominated during CBC’s Proud to Shine in 2020 in recognition of her contributions to the community in her region. She also has enjoyed presenting on various workshop topics, particularly revolving around safe and healthy relationships, and family law. She enjoys sharing her knowledge with others and is always open to learning more. “Without learning, there is no growth.”

  • Hannah joined Rise to assist the family advocate support team by coordinating client appointments, managing data, and supporting Rise’s relationships with family advocates and anti-violence and legal organizations. Her responsibilities include outreach, scheduling meetings and training sessions, and developing webinars, e-courses, and other training content.

     As a woman and a mother of Asian descent, Hannah understands firsthand the challenges that marginalized communities face. She believes that ensuring access to justice helps create a more equitable society, where individuals can defend their rights, and navigate the legal system with confidence. This commitment not only improves the present but also sets a powerful example for her child and future generations, instilling the importance of fairness and equality.

     When Hannah isn't immersed in work, she's practicing yoga, exploring new places and cuisines, singing while playing her guitar, and cherishing quality moments with her family. She lives on the unceded traditional lands of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. 

Research and Education

  • Harpreet (she/her/hers) joined the Rise Team in 2022. Harpreet has worked in the social justice space for over a decade. She has a Master of Arts in Human Rights with focus on advocating for women’s and children’s rights. She is particularly interested in challenging masculinist and dated paradigms and discourses, which continue to oppress, marginalize and silence large groups of people. A lifelong learner, Harpreet has had the privilege of education and work experience around the globe, which has enriched her lived experiences.

  • Haley is a staff lawyer at Rise Women’s Legal Centre and conducts original research to support Rise’s goal of providing responsive family law services to women and gender diverse people in BC. On behalf of Rise, Haley has led numerous research projects on family violence and its intersection with the family law system. Haley began working at Rise in 2018 and is grateful for the opportunity to work towards systemic change at Rise in her role. In her work she advocates that access to justice for survivors of violence requires everyone working in the legal system to have mandatory and ongoing education on family violence.

    Haley was called to the bar in 2015 and holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Juris Doctorate from the University of Manitoba, and a LL.M from UBC. Outside of Rise she is a PhD Candidate at UBC’s Peter A. Allard School of Law where her research focuses on economic abuse and BC’s child support system.

     

  • Samantha began her time at Rise as a Masters of Social Work practicum student and worked as the Virtual Legal Advocate working with clients around the province who need help with their family law, equality law, and some immigration-related legal matters.

    Samantha is a passionate about creating access to justice and ending violence against women, trans*, and gender diverse folks, especially at the intersection of family law. In her free time, Sam enjoys trying new restaurants and various forms of dance.

Board of Directors

Rise is governed by our volunteer Board of Directors who have a wide range of experience and knowledge. The board is responsible for strategic planning and oversight of the organization.

Board members are elected to their position for a two-year term and can serve for a maximum of four terms. We have ten board members serving on the Rise board.

See our certified copy of bylaws

Board members

  • Laésha joined the Rise Women’s Legal Centre board in October 2023. Laésha is a partner Poulus Ensom Smith LLP where she maintains a dispute resolution practice focused on securities, administrative law and complex commercial litigation.

    Before her own private practice firm, Laésha worked in the public sector as litigation counsel at the BC Securities Commission. Before relocating to BC in 2015, Laésha practiced for 10 years at international law firms in New York and London where her practice focused on commercial litigation as well as a broad range of regulatory and white collar criminal issues.

    Laésha currently sits on the Canadian Bar Association’s Access to Justice Committee and is the co-chair of the CBA’s Women Lawyer’s Forum’s Education Committee. She is also Vice President of the BC Chapter of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers.

  • Alison is a consultant dedicated to lifting and amplifying BC’s non-profit sector. She has been an Executive Director (West Coast LEAF 1999-2011; 2016) Vantage Point 2018-2021), an Interim Executive Director (VAST, BCCLA, Seniors First, Access Pro Bono etc.), and continues as a non-profit leadership consultant (Many - see alisonbrewin.ca for a full list). She served on the UBC Board of Governors for 6 years, teaches in SFU’s Non-profit Management program, and is working on a book loosely entitled ‘How purpose-driven non-profit management will save the world’. She raised a pack of children with a community of parents in East Van and has recently moved to Pender Island with her wife, Elisabeth.

  • Catherine is a professor at the Allard School of Law at UBC.  She joined the Rise Board in September 2024 as a UBC representative on the Board nominated by the Dean of Law. Catherine’s research and teaching is in the areas of immigration and refugee law, international human rights, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Catherine has published three books in these areas, and has co-authored, edited, and co-edited five additional volumes, as well as almost fifty articles. Catherine has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada and the British Columbia Court of Appeal as pro bono counsel. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and recognized as a KC in the province of British Columbia.  She has served as provost at Simon Fraser University and as dean of law at UBC.

  • Emily joined the Rise Women’s Legal Centre board in September 2024. Emily currently works at the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia as the Public Interest Coordinator. In this role, she promotes public interest law to Allard Law JD and graduate students, and enhances the public interest law career opportunities and resources available to students. 

     

    Emily received her BA from the University of Manitoba and her JD from the University of Victoria. She was admitted to the British Columbia Bar in 2021, and practiced human rights law at a public interest organization in Vancouver prior to joining Allard. She aims to apply an empathetic, feminist, anti-racist, trauma-informed, empowerment-based perspective in all of her work. 

     

  • Jasmine joined the board of Rise Women’s Legal Centre in October 2023.

    Jasmine graduated from the University of Victoria with a BA in gender studies and received her JD from the University of British Columbia. Jasmine was admitted to the British Columbia Bar in 2019 and has worked as a solicitor with the Department of Justice since then.

    Prior to law school, Jasmine worked in the not-for-profit sphere, primarily with organizations focused on food security and environmental conservation.

    During law school Jasmine participated as a student clinician with Rise’s Student Legal Clinic, and later worked as a program evaluator with Rise. Her time as a student clinician and program evaluator with Rise highlighted for her the very important policy and on the ground work that Rise does in the family law sphere, and she is happy to continue championing that essential work as a board member.

  • Shahnaz has over 25 years of combined experience as an educator, an author, counselor, facilitator, provincial coordinator of counseling programs for women and children and as a community liaison. In her current role as the Executive Director at the Surrey Women’s Centre, Shahnaz oversees the overall management of programs and services for women who have experienced domestic violence and sexual assault. Shahnaz’s wonderful mother continues to be her strength and hope for advancing women’s safety and empowerment.

    Awards: Women of the Decade in Community Leadership and Social Change – 2017 Women’s Economic Forum – Surrey BC

    Professional of the Month Award – Yellow Knife – 2003

    Dream Catcher Award – Children’s International Conference 1999 – Vancouver, BC

  • Profile coming soon

  • Bio coming soon

  • Joyce is a seasoned legal professional with extensive experience in organizational accountability and board governance. Born the 10th of 12 children on a family farm in Saskatchewan, her passion for education and community engagement paved the way for a lengthy career in law.

     For over 20 years, Joyce has specialized in regulatory and administrative law, including six years as General Counsel and Deputy Registrar at a health regulator and 15 years at the COMMISSION. Prior to moving in-house, Joyce practiced both criminal and civil litigation at Singleton and then Blakes in Vancouver.

     Beyond legal practice, Joyce is an active board member of Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL), which provides education-based hockey opportunities for athletes across North America. Previously a long-serving board member of Touchstone Theatre Board, Joyce played a pivotal role in bridging the legal and arts communities through the creation of the Annual Lawyer Show, which continues today. Additionally, Joyce has been a key organizer in developing a women’s division for ‘Hockey Helps the Homeless’, a one-day charity event that raises funds for street-level organizations.

     In addition to her legal and governance experience, Joyce holds degrees in Economics, Environmental Studies and Psychology.

Annual Reports