Board of Directors
Kristan Ash, Chair
Kristan Ash is the director of operations for Healing Hands Rehabilitation Services Inc. Prior to this role, she was vice president of franchise and business development for Nurse Next Door Home Healthcare. Ms. Ash is active in her community through her involvement with the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Alumni Association, as a member of the You've Gotta Have Friends Initiative steering committee and as the chair of the fundraising committee of Cambridge Elementary Parents Advisory Council. Ms. Ash holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Entrepreneurial Leadership from Kwantlen Polytechnic University and was recently appointed a member of the university's board of governors.
Baltej Dhillon, Past Chair
Baltej Dhillon, a sergeant with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), received his Associate Degree in Criminology from Kwantlen in 1988. That same year, Sgt. Dhillon found himself fighting for his religious right to wear his turban in place of the Stetson. The debate became a national issue but Sgt. Dhillon was victorious and today proudly wears his turban while serving and protecting Canadians. A Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal recipient, he has volunteered as a counsellor and motivational speaker at youth camps for over 10 years. He has also served as a committee member for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Quesnel, as vice president and secretary at the Cariboo Gur Sikh Temple and committee member and co-chair on South Asian Advisory Committee and Consortiums for United Way. Dhillon is a member of the guild of speakers with Passages to Canada and director of 3HO Organization in Vancouver.
Stuart Chase, Vice Chair
Stuart Chase graduated from Kwantlen in 2006 with a Bachelor's degree in journalism with a minor in public relations. Currently employed with the Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) of British Columbia as their communications officer, Stuart oversees the daily internal, stakeholder, public, and media relations activities of the PGT. Prior experience includes PR and communications work for the Workers' Compensation Board of BC, Pace Group Communications, the Ministry of Attorney General, and media relations for the Province during Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. He is thrilled to be contributing to Kwantlen's alumni relations strategies where he'll work to give back to the university that gave so much to him. He hopes that you'll want to stay as connected to the school as he has. Mr. Chase lives in Vancouver with his wife, kids, and their family pooch.
Kelsey Filion, Treasurer
Kelsey Filion graduated from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in 2010 with a Bachelor in Business Administration and Entrepreneurial Leadership and in 2008 with a General Business Diploma. She has been an active member in the community through her involvement in athletics, coaching and volunteering. She has 7 years work experience in the service industry and currently works as a Business Development Manager. She enjoys getting to know new people, being involved in the community and giving back to the community. Kelsey is excited to be part of Kwantlen Polytechnic University Alumni Association's Board of Directors and looks forward to giving back to a great University
Harpreet Bains, Director
Harpreet Bains is a proud Kwantlen graduate. Her two praxes are foremost education, and second, selfless service. Throughout her years of post-secondary, no other institution has had more of an influence in molding her into the woman she is today. Offering the flexibility to experience diverse subject areas, she acquired a well rounded education before choosing to pursue a Bachelors of Arts Degree Majoring in Psychology at Kwantlen. With years of work experience, volunteerism has become a part of the core of her existence as an active participant in her community, as well as her family. Harpreet feels it is an honour to serve as a Director of the Alumni Association in order to mentor her theories into action. She believes it is vital that Alumni forge together and gain strength in number, while maintaining a connection with the institution they came from and the community they will empower.
Marc Bains, Director
Marc Bains is a Financial Consultant at Investors Group Financial Services. Prior to his role at Investors Group, Marc was an Account Manager at West X Business Solutions. Marc is very active in his community and does volunteer work at Sunset Community Center where he is a member of the Board of Directors and at The Ronald Macdonald House Charity; both of which he is very proud to be involved with. Marc holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Entrepreneurial Leadership from Kwantlen Polytechnic University and was recently appointed a member of the Alumni Board.
Sandra Hoffman, Director
Bio Pending
Sarb Lalli, Director
Sarb Lalli is a firefighter with the Surrey Fire Services and proud to be the newest member of the Kwantlen Alumni Board of Directors. Sarb graduated from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in 2003 with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration in Entrepreneurial Leadership. In 2005 he attained his MBA in Global Management from the University of Phoenix. Finally, in 2008, he rounded his education with a Bachelors Degree in Fire and Safety Studies from the JIBC. In addition to being a firefighter, Sarb is the owner of a real estate holding company that has holdings in multiple countries. Sarb believes that it is a privilege and an honour to give back to the school that provided him with a solid foundation and lifelong skills in attaining his accomplishments.
Nicholas Pavlich, Director
Mr. Pavlich is a business-minded strategic thinker who truly believes in the power of targeted and mutually beneficial communications for building a strong brand or managing a corporate or social issue. His expertise in business and corporate communications helps provide organizations with creative solutions that impact the marketplace. Mr. Pavlich graduated from Kwantlen with a Diploma in Public Relations, a Diploma in General Studies and a Certificate in Marketing Management. He also graduated from Royal Roads University with a Bachelors of Commerce focusing in Entrepreneurial Management. Nicholas is excited to be on the Kwantlen University Alumni Board and believes that a strong alumni board will only serve to increase the reputation of Kwantlen within community.
David Shapendonk, Director
David Shapendonk, information systems manager at IMAX Corporation, graduated from Kwantlen's Business Management & Industrial Relations program in 1987. After graduating, Mr. Shapendonk moved to Toronto where he worked first as a systems analyst at Drake International, before joining IMAX Corporation in 1989. He worked for nine years in Toronto before heading to Los Angeles to head up the West Coast I.T. group at IMAX. In addition to being a founding board member of Kwantlen University Alumni Association, Mr. Shapendonk serves on the event planning committee for UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital and volunteers with his wife for both the Tufts University Alumni Association and the Sabra Group of Hadassah of Southern California.
Ayanthi Samarasinghe, Director
Ayanthi attended Kwantlen as an international student and graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurial Leadership. After graduating, Ayanthi returned to Sri Lanka where she continued her banking career at Citibank, before joining HSBC in 2007. With her transfer to Canada in 2011, she works in the capacity of a Business Development Manager at HSBC and she has been in the banking industry for over ten years.
Ayanthi has been active in a number of community and volunteer organizations in Sri Lanka and in Richmond.
She is a past Chairperson of the Finance and Administration Committee advising to the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka and also a past National Council member of the Association. She is a Charter Member of Zonta Club III of Colombo which is dedicated to advance the status of women through service and advocacy. Ayanthi is the founder and past Chairperson of the mentorship program, Zonta Women of Tomorrow.
As an undergraduate, she has volunteered at the Richmond Multicultural Concern Society and at the Richmond Alcohol and Drug Action Team. Currently she is the co-Treasurer of MacNeill Secondary Parents Advisory Council.
Ayanthi looks forward to giving back and serving her University.
Careena Sharma is excited to start her new role as a Director for Kwantlen Polytechnic University Alumni Association. She graduated from Kwantlen with a Bachelor's degree in Criminology, and is currently employed at Macdonald Realty Group Inc. as a Marketing Coordinator. Careena brings over 7 years of work experience to the table, including 2 years of volunteer experience with the Canadian Cancer Society. Careena is delighted to be part of the exciting team of Kwantlen Polytechnic University Alumni Association's Board of Directors and looks forward to serving her University.
