FASS Dean's Undergraduate Fellowship

Jen is the CEO of Alzheimer Society of B.C. and has considerable experience and knowledge in the non-profit, health and continuing care sectors. She is the former CEO of SafeCare BC and prior to that, she spent time as a community-based rehabilitation specialist for older adults and research assistant with a focus on the impact of care home environments on the behaviour of staff and people living with dementia. She holds a master’s degree in health administration, education she first put into action as Director of Operations for Total Therapy, a multi-disciplinary rehabilitation clinic with several clinics under its umbrella.

Jen’s long-held belief that people affected by dementia should be enabled to live fulfilling, meaningful lives in supportive and stigma-free environments – alongside her more recent personal and professional experiences of COVID-19 – are what inspire her to lead Alzheimer Society of B.C. Jen’s commitment to support families affected by dementia is underscored by a personal connection to dementia. While supporting health-care workers and families professionally during the pandemic, a member of her own family on the dementia journey transitioned into long-term care, so she is familiar with the experience of having a family member living in long-term care.

When she’s not at work, Jen, a mother of two, is happiest hiking the B.C. backcountry and spending time with her family.

Kasari Govender took office as B.C.’s first independent Human Rights Commissioner on September 3, 2019. Her role is to lead the promotion and protection of human rights in British Columbia through the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner.

Govender has devoted her life to promoting human rights, with a focus on the rights of those most marginalized. She is passionate about using her skills as a lawyer and community builder to create a more equal and just province. She has worked closely with organizations and communities promoting gender equality, Indigenous rights, children’s rights, the rights of people with disabilities and the rights of immigrant communities.

From 2008 until 2019, Govender held leadership positions at West Coast LEAF and was appointed Executive Director in 2011. She has co-authored key reports and articles and speaks widely on crucial social issues such as hate speech, access to justice, gender based violence and systemic racism. Her earlier work includes a pivotal role in establishing the Rise Women’s Legal Centre, a non-profit legal clinic in British Columbia.

Govender earned her law degree from the University of Victoria and her Master’s degree in International Human Rights Law from the University of Oxford, UK. She has served on the board of directors for the University of Victoria, Pivot Legal Society, the Coalition for Public Legal Services, and the Society for Children and Youth. Govender has taught as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of British Columbia and as an instructor at Simon Fraser University. Her work was recognized by the Women Lawyer’s Forum which honoured her with their Award of Excellence. 

In addition to her role as Human Rights Commissioner, Govender is a mother, an aunt, a daughter and a sister.

The Honourable Terry Beech was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Burnaby North-Seymour in 2015. He has previously served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (B.C.), as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, and as Parliamentary Secretary for Science.

Minister Beech is an accomplished and experienced entrepreneur, educator, and advocate. He entered public service in 1999 when he was elected as a city councillor in Nanaimo, British Columbia.

As an adjunct professor at Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia, Minister Beech was co-author of The In-Credibility Factor, which highlights Canada’s ability to be a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship. He founded the tech company HiretheWorld.com, an international community of professional web and graphic designers, and was a co-founder of Twinbro, a non-profit organization that has helped over 25,000 students obtain millions of dollars in scholarships and financial aid, with a particular focus on disadvantaged students.

Minister Beech studied public administration at Capilano University. He holds a Bachelor’s degree with a joint major in Business and Economics from Simon Fraser University, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Oxford. He was named one of Maclean’s Top 30 Under 30 in 2004, one of Business in Vancouver’s Top 40 under 40 in 2013, and a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. He was also selected as an Action Canada Fellow, a program for emerging leaders in public policy. 

Minister Beech is currently raising his family in Burnaby North-Seymour with his wife.

Jonathan Coté is a passionate urbanist who has dedicated his career to building better cities. Jonathan is currently working at Metro Vancouver as the Deputy General Manager of Regional Planning and Housing Development.

In addition to his work at Metro Vancouver, Jonathan is also serving as an adjunct professor at SFU in the Urban Studies Program and is a on the Board of Directors for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.

Prior to these roles Jonathan served two terms as the Mayor of New Westminster and was the Chair of the Mayors Council for regional transportation at TransLink. Jonathan holds a Master’s Degree in Urban Studies from Simon Fraser University.