Our Team

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core to the culture and values of PIRS. They are the foundation of our strength as an organization. We are committed to inclusive leadership, equal opportunities, and creating a supportive and adaptable work environment that honors unique perspectives and contributions while reducing barriers. 

We are proud that many of our program graduates went on to become leaders within PIRS and beyond. Our diverse staff members, program participants and volunteers are the backbone of PIRS.

Meet our Leadership Team

PIRS’ leadership team is a diverse and experienced group of leaders who are committed to the organization’s mandates of building a society that honours the strengths of diverse women and empowers their contributions. This team provides organization-wide direction and oversight in advancing our vision, mission and strategic goals.

Mariam Bouchoutrouch, Executive Director

Mariam volunteered with PIRS in the 90’s and returned as Executive Director in 2014. She has more than 30 years of experience working in the community, with immigrant and refugee women and children. Starting her career as a frontline worker within women’s shelters and neighbourhood houses, Mariam founded two programs for families with young children in Vancouver.

Mariam is fascinated with language and culture and how they intersect in our world. She believes that diversity is a strength that can lead to growth and a better world. A graduate of the Leadership Fellows led by Steve Patty, Mariam is working on building a deliberately developmental organization that encourages the potential of immigrant women to grow into their leadership potential.

Valerie Lai, Program Manager, Outreach, Family and Children Programs

Valerie is a certified Early Childhood Educator, as well as a family program facilitator for Parent-Child Mother Goose, Nobody’s Perfect, My Tween and Me and Healthy Together. As a Program Manager, Valerie works with her team to make sure that the programs support the needs of newcomer women. As an immigrant and mother of two herself, Valerie loves working with families with young children and she can relate to the needs of the family. 

Mahdieh (Mah) Fallahnejad, Program Manager, Employment and Training Programs

At the core of Mah’s professional ethos lies a commitment to driving impact and empowering individuals. With over a decade of leadership experience in human and social services, she has consistently surpassed goals by prioritizing relationship-building, fostering openness, and maintaining integrity. In addition to her project management experience, she spent many years as a social reporter, collaborating with her mom, a radio/TV producer.

Mah is a lifelong learner who has navigated a dynamic educational journey, earning a bachelor’s in planning & system analysis in Iran, a master’s in Project Management in Malaysia, and an MBA focusing on equality in organizations in Canada. A keen observer, Mah thrives in diverse environments and enjoys traveling to connect with people for mutual learning and sharing. Mah walks the talk and actively gives back to the community through volunteering and advocacy, drawing on her lived experience as a first-generation immigrant and a member of a visible minority.