Meet the Board

Chair

Jeanne is a public affairs professional with years of experience in government relations and community development. Equipped with an extensive network of colleagues in the BC public policy and non-profit sector, Jeanne's work focuses on building bridges between government, policy, and community - helping teams and organizations translate front-line insights and lived experience into public systems and decision-making. Currently, she works in a BC-based public affairs firm as a consultant.

Jeanne also brings the lens of her living experience as a queer, naturalized Canadian of Filipino heritage to her work and relationships. She was raised in Manila, Philippines, and immigrated to British Columbia in 2015. She has been based in the Okanagan region since 2019.

During Jeanne's free time, she likes to go on food trips, hikes and muay thai classes, as well as spend quality time with her partner. 

Vice Chair

Jay Aubrey (they/them) has fifteen years of legal experience in the public and private sector focusing on human rights. Jay formerly practised as litigation counsel for a BC non-profit, where they strategically engaged courts, government and media on pressing human rights issues. Jay currently investigates reports of discrimination and sexual violence that often involve young people, and facilitates processes that seek restorative and transformative justice outcomes. 

Jay is proud to support IBPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ young people by cheering for their leadership and innate wisdom. As a member of the queer community, Jay has lived the value of accessible mental health support for processing complex life experiences. Jay delights in witnessing the capacity of humans to repair and flourish, with the knowledge that each person is their own best healer. 

Treasurer

Pratik ("Tiki") Patel has over 17 years of experience overseeing countless companies' financial health with integration and external reporting for all ventures along with third parties.

Previously Mr. Patel came from Very Good Foods (NASDAQ: VGFC) where he helped raise 70 million via IPO and additional offerings and was the CFO. He has also worked at WildBrain (TSE: WILD) and helped integrate Nerd Corps Entertainment and Studio B into WildBrain. While at WildBrain, he was the main person in charge of external reporting to the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval filings (SEDAR). At Bardel Entertainment, he works closely with the executive team to deliver future growth and meet market expectations and projections as Head of Production Finance. Mr. Patel has completed his CPA and has a combined experience of 13 years of growing companies and people with an industry-wide collaboration.

Before joining the media industry, Mr. Patel held a variety of financial leadership positions with such organizations as Radec Development, Allteck Limited - Quanta Services, and TQ Construction. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and Management Information Systems from Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and earned Certified Public Accountant designation with BCCPA.

Secretary

Having moved to Canada from Zimbabwe at the age of two, Malusi has been lucky to call several Canadian cities home; Halifax, Ottawa, Saskatoon, and Kelowna.

As a former member of the award-winning music duo MABALEKA, he has spent 10+ years taking the stage across Canada and Ireland, sharing music and creating unforgettable moments. As Artist Manager and Performer, he successfully planned, coordinated, and executed various live events, including festivals, showcases, conferences, and tours nationally and internationally.

Alongside these artistic pursuits, he’s spent several years working in the Food & Beverage industry, helping create warm and welcoming environments in established and new dining concepts.

With his education in Communications, he’s also been able to serve a variety of entrepreneurs across the country in business development and branding which reaffirms his ultimate love of bringing people together. Having been in the Okanagan for 5 years, he’s thrilled to continue supporting IBPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities while creating spaces for young people to shine and celebrate their uniqueness.

Director of Public Engagement.

Dhorea is a a woman of Colour, Metis and white. Dhorea is also the parent to two boy; a 20 year old son and a Furr baby!

Dhorea have been in the social services field for over 15 years. She moved to Kelowna almost 5 years ago and now is the founder of Holistic sober Living House Inc. This is a for profit intimate 6-8 bed upscale holistic inclusive recovery house for women by women who self-identify as IBPOC and/or queer. This program centers on deep recovery, relapse prevention, traditional 12 step recovery along many unique modalities that are meant to truly heal. This program works from a trauma informed lens, that is led by the client. This program has wraparound services and outreach, women empowering women all located in beautiful/picturesque West Kelowna. ⁠

Dhorea says, “I believe there is no community without unity. I know we are all just trying to find our tribe”.

Director

Tamba an experienced professional in Procurement and Risk Management with a background in the Oil and Gas industry and public sector.

He currently serves as the City of Kelowna's Purchasing Supervisor, demonstrating his commitment to community service.

Tamba is passionate about creating safe spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and is a longstanding volunteer of the Etcetera Youth Group. He combines his expertise with his dedication to giving back.

Director

Taiwo was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and studied in London, England, and eventually, Winnipeg, Manitoba, where they obtained their Bachelor of Kinesiology and Recreation Management from the University of Manitoba.

Taiwo has 7+ years of experience working with equity-deserving folks in post-secondary institutions and nonprofit organizations across Canada. They are dedicated to the holistic well-being of systematically vulnerable individuals using health, wellness, and cultural initiatives as support.

Taiwo looks forward to joining the 'This Space Belongs to You' team of board members. In Taiwo’s spare time, they spend time outside exploring and bingeing anime.