Board of Directors

PIRS is constituted under the Societies Act of the Province of British Columbia (Societies Act BC). The Board acts in a position of trust for the community and represents the interests of the community serving as a link between the community and the Society.

The PIRS volunteer Board of Directors (Board) is responsible for making high-level leadership decisions based on PIRS’ vision, mission, values, strategic direction, and the best interest of the Society.

The Board of Directors is elected by the PIRS membership at the Annual General Meeting. We welcome community members to consider joining the PIRS Board.

Interested in joining the Board? Please email info@pirs.bc.ca.

Meet our Board of Directors

Fatima Ahmed

Chair

Fatima is a lifelong learner who seeks to understand the interplay between individuals and systems and how this can be harnessed, harmonized and leveraged to bring about positive, impactful change in an increasingly globalized world. She has nearly two decades of experience spanning multiple countries and blending academia, the biotech industry and NGOs, and has built an interdisciplinary career in support of improving human health. She is passionate about finding ways to build equity in healthcare through technology, supporting marginalized communities, and seeking out ways to be an instrument of change. Currently, she is a co-founder and director at LHS Labs, a boutique health systems consultancy working with governments and health authorities to transform healthcare delivery through innovation.

Ella Laure Hipolito

Vice Chair

Named one of BC Business’ Top 30 under 30 for her leadership in equitable recruitment, Ella is an executive search professional specializing in the social impact sector. With expertise in not-for-profit healthcare, higher education, and HR practices, she helps organizations secure exceptional leadership and build inclusive workplaces that advance equity and reconciliation. A second-generation Filipino-Canadian, Ella draws inspiration from her parents’ resilience as immigrants and is passionate about fostering community and supporting others through change and challenges.

Sonam Swarup

Treasurer

Sonam (she/her), Community & Member Specialist at Vancity Community Foundation, has over a decade of experience with social impact organizations, including 312 Main, The Wellbeing Project, The Discourse, and The Urban Worker Project. She co-founded a social venture supporting immigrant women transitioning to the Canadian workforce through cultural cooking classes. With a BA from Simon Fraser University and international studies at Maastricht University, Sonam is passionate about community economic development, equitable design, and storytelling. Recognized for her work, she has received awards such as HSBC Women Leader of Tomorrow for Western Canada and AMEX Emerging Innovator.

Nene Azu

Secretary

Nene Azu is a senior product leader specializing in applied artificial intelligence, financial services, and large-scale technology platforms. He currently serves as a Senior Lead Product Manager at RBC Borealis, where he leads AI-driven initiatives across credit risk, fraud, and enterprise machine learning systems used by millions of clients across North America. His work focuses on translating advanced research into production-grade platforms that meet regulatory, security, and ethical standards. Nene brings experience working at the intersection of technology, policy, and inclusion, and has spoken on responsible and inclusive AI at industry forums and professional organizations across Canada. He holds a strong interest in economic mobility, newcomer integration, and the ethical deployment of technology in public-facing systems. He is proud to serve on the Board of Directors of Pacific Immigration Resource Society, supporting its mission to advance equitable access to immigration information, services, and advocacy.

Jessica Forman

Member

Jessica, originally from Southern California, practiced as a commercial litigator before relocating to Richmond, B.C., over a decade ago with her husband and three children. Now focusing on employment law, she leads Forte Workplace Law’s investigations practice group, specializing in workplace investigations, environmental scans, and assessments for public, private, and Indigenous organizations. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys watching her children play soccer, traveling around B.C., especially to Vancouver Island, and giving back through roles with the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver and Mamas for Mamas.

Michael Mutiso

Member

Michael is a finance and governance professional with extensive experience supporting Indigenous governments, economic development organizations, and nonprofits across Western Canada. In his work, he helps organizations strengthen their financial systems, build effective processes, and align operations with long-term strategic goals. He brings experience in public sector financial management, organizational development, and board governance to his role with PIRS. He has served on finance and audit committees for First Nations, contributing to oversight, policy development, and long-term planning. Michael holds an MBA, as well as Chartered Professional Accountant and Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager designations. He is interested in how strategy, governance, and strong financial practices enable organizations make a tangible difference in people’s lives. He looks forward to contributing to PIRS’ mission.

Phyllis Lai

Member

Phyllis Lai, CFRE, is a visionary leader dedicated to advancing positive change through inclusive engagement. As the Associate Director of Fundraising Events at VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, she has been responsible for a multi-million dollar events portfolio, successfully raising over $35M in her career. Phyllis brings a strategic mindset and a proven track record of strategic leadership in fundraising events, community partnerships, and corporate philanthropy. Her prior experience has emphasized diverse outreach and community development, notably leading the Asian Giving program for the Canadian Cancer Society and contributing to programming at South Burnaby Neighbourhood House. As an immigrant to Canada, she is personally eager to apply this expertise to a mission as vital as PIRS, directly advancing the organization’s goals to support and empower fellow newcomers. Her commitment is further demonstrated by active service with organizations like Hogan’s Alley Society, Vancouver Startup Week, and the First Nations Health Foundation. Phyllis inspires high-performing teams through empathetic leadership, ensuring her strategic vision will strengthen PIRS’s mission.

Renuka Seru

Member

Renu, a PhD in Educational Psychology and certified in therapy modalities such as EMDR, DBT, and EQ-i, is a dedicated counselor and educator with decades of experience in the post-secondary environment. As an immigrant from India, Renu faced significant challenges integrating into Canadian society, giving her firsthand insight into the struggles immigrant women face. Passionate about supporting immigrant women and youth in their mental health, wellness, and personal growth, Renu draws on her extensive expertise in leadership, problem-solving, and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Having gained confidence through the Building Bridges program of PIRS in the 1990s, she is now committed to giving back to society.

Sladjana Borovcanin

Member

Sladjana Borovcanin, Director of Facilities Management at Vancouver Community College, is a leader in facilities management and sustainability. With a master’s in Design and Environment from the University of London and a bachelor’s in Interior Design from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, she brings a holistic approach to her work. A refugee from Bosnia, Sladjana draws on her family’s resilience, volunteers within her community, and serves on the board of McGregor Child Care Centre. A proud mother of two, she is dedicated to fostering learning, growth, and connection.

Yannick Hilaricus

Member

With over a decade of experience in marketing, communications, and leadership, Yannick brings a proven track record of driving impactful initiatives across corporate and nonprofit sectors in multiple countries. She has led diverse teams and impactful campaigns, shaped organizational strategies, and championed inclusive practices in the workplace. Yannick’s commitment to community building is reflected in her work with organizations like the Ligue contre le cancer and Zétwal an Syel, where she raised awareness on critical health and social issues. A skilled communicator and strategic thinker, Yannick is passionate about fostering equity, innovation, and sustainable growth in all her endeavors.