Pain BC Staff

Maria joined Pain BC in June 2010 as the inaugural Executive Director. With two decades of experience in community development and systems change, Maria has worked to bring Pain BC from concept to reality. Her work has involved mobilizing communities, engaging patients in organizational decision making, and advancing progressive agendas through policy change and program development. She is one of 15 Principal Investigators in the CIHR-funded Chronic Pain Network, the first national pain research network in Canada, and is the co-lead for patient engagement in the Network.

Maria co-chaired Health Canada's Canadian Pain Task Force, which was formed in March of 2019 to assess the current state of pain in Canada and to recommend an improved approach to addressing pain in our country. Its final report, An Action Plan for Pain in Canada, lays out specific and targeted actions necessary to improve outcomes for people living with chronic pain and to reduce its impact on families, communities, and society.  Her leadership drove the creation of Pain Canada in 2022, a multi-stakeholder, national initiative made up of the leading pain organizations across Canada.

Helena leads Pain BC’s educational initiatives. She has more than two decades of experience as an educator and researcher in Brazil and Canada. Helena holds a PhD in Toxicology from Simon Fraser University and has supported health care improvement through research and education for nearly 15 years. Helena is passionate about building capacity among patients, their support network, and health care providers to ensure people receive high-quality care and experience the best quality of life possible. She is honored to be part of the Pain BC team.

Kat leads Pain BC’s communications initiatives. She brings more than a decade of experience in communicating for progressive non-profits, with a particular focus on marginalized communities including those living with HIV, poverty, substance use, and mental health conditions. She has worked as a journalist, writing for local and international publications, and has contributed to guidebooks on food and travel. She is proud to support Pain BC's significant efforts to transform the way pain is understood and treated in BC.

Melanie is Pain BC’s Director of Support Services. She has a master's degree in social work with a background working in direct practice, leadership, and clinical supervision in a variety of settings including oncology, hospice, and community care. She has a passion for supporting program development and leading diverse teams to deliver high quality and trauma-informed services. She is an Adjunct Professor (Research) at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Social Work. She is honoured to be part of the Pain BC team.

Alexis plans, organizes, and contributes to the development, delivery, and evaluation of educational programs and resources. He graduated in curriculum studies from the University of British Columbia and began a research career in education. He has more than a decade of teaching experience, having worked as an instructor and curriculum developer in schools and universities. Alexis is excited to apply his passion for education towards Pain BC's important work.

Carmelle supports the delivery, development, and evaluation of Pain BC's Support Services programs. She is a registered social worker who brings years of experience working with the Vancouver Downtown Eastside community, primarily in mental health and substance use. She utilizes a strength-based, anti-oppressive lens when interacting with clients, with an emphasis on empowerment. She is excited to be part of the Pain BC team to explore innovative ways of supporting the well-being of people living with pain.

Danielle supports the development, delivery and evaluation of Pain BC's Pain Support Line program. She is a registered social worker and brings years of experience working in non-profits, health organizations and disaster relief, with a focus on supporting people with disabilities, mental illnesses, substance use and trauma. Danielle works from a trauma-informed and client-centred approach with an emphasis on holistic care. Danielle’s professional and personal experiences have shaped her passion and interest in supporting people living with chronic pain and she is proud to contribute to Pain BC's mission. 

Divya is an interdisciplinary researcher with expertise in public health, patient engagement, and knowledge translation. She supports Pain BC’s work in the Chronic Pain Network (CPN) as Engagement Lead in knowledge mobilization and implementation science. A post-doctoral fellow from the University of Ottawa and a PhD in public health from India, Divya has eight years of health services research experience in India and Canada. Her goals are to co-create knowledge mobilization resources to support the CPN and improve the health and well-being of people living with pain.

Gregg plans, leads, and coordinates all aspects of multi-stakeholder, provincial, local, and internal projects for Pain BC. With more than 15 years experience in managing interdisciplinary health projects aimed at health systems improvement in Canada and the US, he shepherds projects from start-up through completion to help attain Pain BC’s organizational goals. His background spans systems theory and methods, primary care, inter-professional collaboration, tobacco control, integrative medicine, and substance use.

Kimberlee coordinates the administrative processes for Pain BC’s Support Services programs. Her unique administrative history includes extensive experience with volunteer support, event organization, and retail management. She is honoured to support Pain BC’s mission to transform the way pain is understood and treated.

Leah supports the development and implementation of Pain BC’s communications initiatives. Originally from Toronto, ON, her communications background spans from work in the film, television and hospitality industries. Her personal and professional experiences have shaped her interest in changing how chronic pain is understood and she is proud to contribute to Pain BC’s mission.

Majd serves as the Education Programs Coordinator. With a background in technology and non-profits, Majd brings knowledge and passion to Pain BC's mission of improving lives through education, empowerment, and innovation. As the Education Programs Coordinator, Majd plays a pivotal role in supporting the development, delivery, and evaluation of Pain BC's education initiatives. With a commitment to service excellence, he enhances the program and event experience for both participants and external facilitators. 

Minnu contributes to the development, delivery, and evaluation of Plan BC’s Education programs and projects. With experience in managing and facilitating meetings, conducting training sessions, and optimizing administrative procedures, Minnu has enjoyed working in a diverse array of non-profit organizations. Dedicated to supporting Pain BC’s mission to improve the well-being of individuals living with pain, Minnu is honoured to contribute her skills and expertise to this critical cause.

Natasha supports the development and implementation of Pain BC’s communications initiatives. Her background in marketing & communications spans a variety of local & international roles working with large and small companies in the corporate sector. She excited to shift her career to non-profit and support Pain BC's effort in providing resources and support to people living with pain.

Océanne supports the development and implementation of Pain BC’s communications initiatives. Originally from Quebec, she has studied communications and acting. Her diverse professional background has led her to work with children, nurses, the francophone community, the LGBTQ2S community and the film industry. Her personal and professional experiences have shaped her interest in raising awareness of chronic pain.

Saeda supports operations processes and assists with program management to help attain Pain BC’s mission. She has extensive experience in operations and administration in the private and public sector. She brings her knowledge, background and lived experience to support Pain BC's effort in providing resources and support to people living with pain.

Tasha is an internationally experienced social worker who has worked in the United States, Jamaica and Canada in various roles serving a cross-section of clients, including women, children, and people living with HIV/AIDS, autism, substance use disorder and mental health conditions. She has extensive experience developing and delivering programs, as well as facilitating support groups. She is adept at addressing clients’ psychosocial needs and uncovering the unique factors that contribute to each individual’s situation. Tasha is excited to use her role on the Pain BC team as an avenue to serve others.

Shirvin is a clinical counsellor who supports Pain BC's Support Services programs. She has a master's degree in counselling psychology with a background in addictions, substance use, anxiety, and trauma. She is passionate about normalizing mental health, particularly with a cultural lens. Her focus is to meet people where they're at and support them at a pace that works for them.

Tiasha leads Pain BC’s operations and evaluation processes and manages its fund development efforts, coordinates internal processes, and assists with project and program management to help attain Pain BC’s mission. Her commitment to patient advocacy is driven by her diverse research and administrative background, as well as her lived experience and interdisciplinary education in political and health sciences. She is proud to take part in the progressive social changes made by Pain BC.

Tristen supports the day-to-day management of Pain BC's Support Services programs for people living with pain and provides leadership to program volunteers. He also provides direct support to clients, conducts program intakes and liaises with community stakeholders. His academic background in psychology and lived experience have informed his years in community services work as an aboriginal peer mentor, counsellor and coordinator.

As a designated accountant, Virginia provides Pain BC with financial leadership and direction and develops effective financial control systems. Having spent the past 15 years in the real estate industry, she brings her knowledge, background and lived experience to support Pain BC in its mission to enhance the well-being of people living with pain.

Yasser is a social justice, equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion practitioner who supports Pain BC’s work in the Partnership for the Engagement of Patients in Pain Research (PEPR) project. A graduate of Brandeis University with a master’s in Conflict Resolution and Coexistence, Yasser has 15+ years in the humanitarian field and non-profit sector in Sudan and Tanzania. He brings his knowledge of community engagement to developing responsive systems for people living with chronic pain.