Julie Linkletter
Julie has two daughters who attended Collingwood Neighbourhood House's (CNH) child care programs. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UBC and a Certificate in Fundraising Management from BCIT. She works at UBC as a Fundraising Researcher. Julie enjoys spending time with her family and volunteering in her community as a Board member of CNH. She is proud to be part of this community, where she and her family have lived since 2004.
Patricio Ibarra
Patricio moved to Collingwood with his wife in 1998 and since then has participated in programs and services out of CNH. Presently his child attends the Collingwood Neighbourhood School and enjoys activities that take place at CNH. Patricio has extensive experience participating in Boards of non-profit societies and has volunteered with several community organizations. Patricio is a Program Advisor with the Economic Immigration Program of the BC government and has 23 years of experience in the provision of social and immigrant services, strategic planning, program design and evaluation and community development. Patricio looks forward to continuing with his volunteer work in CNH’s Board (he has sat on the Board for the past seven years) to improve the quality of life for Renfrew-Collingwood residents.
Oscar Allueva
Oscar has lived in Collingwood since 1995. Oscar is a lawyer practicing in the area of labour and employment. Oscar currently holds the position of Manager of Labour Relations for BC Rapid, a Transit Company. He previously worked as Counsel, Labour Relations with Transit Police and before that practiced law with the firm of Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy in Vancouver. Oscar has also worked at Worksafe BC in the Review Division. Oscar is a former Social Worker and a former Staff Director and Co-Executive Director of CNH, having worked at CNH for 11 years before becoming a lawyer. Oscar has been involved in volunteer work for many years. He also enjoys woodworking and sports, and has an interest in old houses.
Joshua Hergesheimer
Joshua holds a Bachelors degree in Philosophy from UBC, a Masters degree in Human Rights from the University of Sussex, and a Master of Science in Nationalism and Ethnicity from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Though he has had many jobs – ranging from ESL teaching to tour guiding, writing to sheep farming – he would describe himself as a freelance journalist and photographer. He is interested in exploring how Renfrew-Collingwood’s ethnic, religious and cultural diversity can be channeled towards creating sustainable, vibrant and welcoming public spaces in the midst of Vancouver’s rush to urbanize and develop.
Jean Kavanagh
Jean has lived in Renfrew-Collingwood for nine years and loves living across from the Renfrew Ravine and occasionally walking the labyrinth. She was delighted to have the opportunity to join the CNH Board and learn more about the community. Jean has worked in communications and journalism, holding senior communications positions in the government and non-profit sectors and was a reporter in Vancouver, Toronto and Central America.
Rico Wen
Rico Wen is an Engineering student at UBC. At Windermere Secondary School, he was a consistent honour roll student and received many certificates of recognition and distinction for academic achievement, social responsibility and participation in different contests. Rico was a member of the Windermere Badminton Team that won the 2008 Vancouver City Championships. He became part of CNH’s Board of Directors to comprehend how the structure of a community works and gain great work experience. He wishes to continue to do so to further his experiences with being on a board and help provide more contributions and thoughts in the process.
Rafael RJ Aquino
RJ co-founded an organization that reintroduces young Filipino-Canadians to their culture, heritage and language. Wanting to plant firm roots in the city of Vancouver he has become more involved in municipal matters and ran for City Council in 2011. He is a commissioner for the Vancouver City Planning Commission, the BCNDP Regional Representative for Vancouver and North Shore, a Board Member for Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society and the External Chair for the Coalition of Progressive Electors. When he’s not managing projects for his day job or organizing workshops and conferences or nerding out over productivity tools, he gets a workout trying to keep up with his two young children and his wife.
Cassandra Ly
Cassandra Ly is currently a student at UBC and is an avid volunteer around the Renfrew-Collingwood neighbourhood. She has volunteered for a variety of initiatives and groups, such as the Peer Prevention Education Program, the Renfrew-Collingwood Food Security Institute, and Collingwood's Intercultural Program. With a strong passion in community work and volunteering, you can often see her around the neighbourhood, ready to get the job done! She always looks forward to working collaboratively with community members to positively enrich CNH and the lives of all staff, youth, adults, and seniors. Cassandra is grateful for every opportunity and is encouraged by the community's spirit to continue volunteering in Renfrew-Collingwood for many years to come.
Paula Lindner
Paula Lindner is the Development Officer with St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation. She has been involved with fund development for over 12 years and has held positions at the Alzheimer’s Society of BC, BCIT Foundation, McGill University and the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. Paula is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and has participated as a committee member for the professional development arm of this organization. She completed her Masters in Philanthropy and Development at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and graduated with a BA in Psychology and Philosophy from SFU. Paula has also worked as a journalist for the English section of Radio Praha and the Prague Post. When she is not working Paula chases after her very active three-year-old daughter who attends the Collingwood Early Learning and Care Centre. She also enjoys knitting and playing field hockey, albeit not at the same time.
Abigail Pelaez
Abigail is an arts student at Langara College. She has worked as a Voting Officer for Elections BC and co-started a group called Vancouver-Kingsway Votes, whose aim was to increase voter turnout in the Vancouver-Kingsway riding for the 2013 provincial election. She often jogs around the Joyce-Collingwood area where she's happily lived for 12 years.
(Muriel) Ann Rivard
Ann was born in Vancouver, BC and has lived here all of her life. She has lived in the Collingwood Tower Seniors’ Building for the last 15 years. After reading a sign in her building’s lobby she joined a CNH-led group teaching English to Collingwood Tower residents. She was quickly recruited as an English-speaking helper. When she learned about the seniors’ Monday morning Walking Club at CNH, Ann joined the 20 or more people that come each week, enjoying a walk and coffee and treats afterwards. She really enjoys the days when the weather is too challenging and the seniors dance! Ann is also a member of the CNH Seniors’ Advisory Group. She said she has enjoyed serving on the CNH Board of Directors for the past year.
Daniel Louie
Daniel Louie is a native Metro Vancouverite along with his wife Karen and their three children. He is the pastor of Urban Village Church, a diverse congregation that has been a part of the Collingwood neighbourhood since 2008. Before going into Christian ministry, Daniel was in the financial services field with the CIBC at Kingsway and Joyce. Daniel's ongoing hope is to see people of diverse backgrounds mobilize for the betterment of their neighbourhoods through their gifts and talents, whether as a resident, a volunteer, business, or community group. When not meeting people in the community, Daniel enjoys a variety of sports, playing music, and being the daddy cheerleader at his kids’ activities.
Natasha Dickson
Natasha Dickson is the Vice President of Operations for Vancouver Film Studios and Pacific Backlot Services – Canada’s largest film and television studio complex. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) from the University of British Columbia and a post-graduate diploma in Human Resources Management from BCIT. Natasha’s areas of expertise include multi-site operations management, strategic planning, customer service, change management, equipment knowledge and client service.
Anysia Pereira
Anysia immigrated to Canada in 1975 from Bombay, India. She was a primary school teacher who taught in various schools in Bombay and other parts of India before coming to Vancouver, BC. She worked as an Office Administrative Assistant in Vancouver at Metro Laboratories, MSA (now Pacific Blue Cross), UBC Bookstore and the Liquor Distribution Branch. Anysia has been living in the Collingwood area since July 2000 and likes the quiet area. Now that Anysia has more free time, she now joined the CNH Walking Club and exercise programs. She enjoys walking, reading and sewing.
