POLICE BOARD BIOS

BOARD CHAIR

Damineh Akhavan

BOARD MEMBER

Yang Wang

BOARD MEMBER

Christine Cassidy

BOARD MEMBER

Mavis Boucher

BOARD MEMBER

Mr. Mehran Kiai

BOARD MEMBER

Graham McIsaac

 

Damineh is a Professional Engineer from West Vancouver, BC, with over 19 years of experience in the aerospace industry. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering, a Bachelor of Science in Physics, and an MBA in International Business. Damineh is passionate about the advancement of women and other underrepresented groups in STEM fields, and involvement of children and youth in STEM subjects. She has been an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion for women in STEM and a champion for women in Engineering serving the local (University of Victoria), provincial (Engineers and Geoscientists BC), national (Engineers Canada, Canada Beijing +25 Network, Institute for Change Leaders, Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology, Engineers Without Borders), and global (NGO CSW/NY) communities for the past 20 years. Damineh is a Founder of Global Women in STEM Inc. promoting equality for women and other equity-deserving groups in STEM and transforming the status quo through action, advocacy, and education.

 

Yang Wang specializes in real estate finance, development, and asset management across British Columbia and Ontario. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Management from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the University of Southern California.

Yang currently serves as Chair of Impact North Shore (formerly the North Shore Multicultural Society), Treasurer of the British Columbia Association of Police Boards, and a Board Director for both the West Vancouver Police Board and Enhance West Van (formerly the West Vancouver Community Centres Services Society). He is also the longtime organizer of West Vancouver’s Lunar New Year celebrations. Previously, he served on the boards of the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation and the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and held various roles with the West Vancouver Foundation.

Yang has received several honours, including the King Charles III Coronation Medal, the District of West Vancouver’s Community Award, and the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce’s Young Entrepreneur Award. In his free time, he is an active USPA polo player and has been named Grand Champion of the Masters Cup West Coast Classic.

Christine was re-elected as a West Vancouver District councillor in 2022, having previously served in this role from 2014-2018.


A long-term West Vancouver resident, Christine graduated from West Vancouver Secondary School. She pursued a B.A. in International Relations at U.B.C. and a M.Sc.(Econ.) from the University of Wales, Cardiff College.


After an initial career in the criminal justice system, Christine had a 40-year career in the investment/brokerage industry both in Vancouver and New York.


Christine has been an active fundraiser and board member for many charities. She has sat on the boards of Ballet B.C., the West Vancouver Library Board and the Foundation and the Ambleside and Dundarave Residents’ Association(ADRA). As a district councillor, in addition to the police board, Christine is a member of  Metro Vancouver’s Liquid Waste Committee, the North Shore Substance Use Committee and the North Shore Disability Committee.

A brief introduction of myself, I am Coast Salish from Ladysmith on my
mom’s side and Cree from Saskatchewan on my dad’s side.

I have been a resident for the past 8 years on the traditional territory of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation. I am the Lead Consultant for Boucher IJ (Indigenous Justice) Strategies with over 19 years involvement with the criminal justice system and over 8 years of frontline service provision to hard-target / at-risk street entrenched Indigenous youth who were either in Ministry care or aging out of Ministry care and vulnerable adults of the Downtown Eastside. My firm takes on a variety of projects that are often justice related.

Mehran Kiai is the Principle of Strategic Management Associates, a group of privately held companies that actively acquire, develop and manage commercial properties throughout the metropolitan Vancouver area. Previously, he was the Dean of Lifelong Learning at BCIT and the Director of Enrolment Service at Simon Fraser University. His extensive experience in teaching engineering and higher education leadership spans over 25 years.

A long-time resident of West Vancouver, he has actively served in numerous community-based boards and organizations.


Mehran’s educational background includes degrees in Bachelor and Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Doctor of Education in Management and Change from Fielding Graduate University and Executive Development from Queens University.

Graham is a long-time resident of West Vancouver. Graham and his wife moved to B.C.  from Scotland in 1982 and their two daughters attended school in West Vancouver.

Graham earned a degree from Strathclyde University in Glasgow and subsequently qualified as a Chartered Account (FCPA). He has over 30 years of experience in the Financial Services Industry in Canada laterally as CFO of HSBC Bank Canada. During his career, Graham gained extensive experience in Finance, Risk Management and Audit Committee and Board Governance.

Graham has volunteered on the Boards of various local and B.C. based organizations, including B.C. Heart & Stroke Foundation, Family Services of the North Shore, Capilano Golf & Country Club, West Vancouver United Church, Vancouver School of Theology Foundation, and Ambleside & Dundarave Residents Association.

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Ancestral name is Sxwíxwtn (sway-oh-k-tin), from the Squamish Nation. Wilson was born and raised in North and West Vancouver and is currently serving his third term as an elected Councilor with the Squamish Nation. He is very honoured to continue to learn, practice and carry-forward the traditional identity of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation Community). Incorporating the wisdom passed down by his ancestors and proudly flourishing and practicing the cultural teachings and integrating it into his everyday life both professionally and personally. He plans to continue to passionately pass down these sacred teachings, history and identity of the Squamish Nation people’s to the younger generations and neighboring communities.

Professionally, Wilson comes from a communications, management and sport & recreation background. Currently, his versatility allows him to carry a full portfolio as an elected official. This includes numerous Board of Director and Chairperson Positions, Council lead and involvement with Community Safety, Economic Development & Partnerships, Education, Employment & Training, Rights and Title, Language & Cultural, Sport & Recreation and Social Development. Other formal external Board of Director positions include: President, North Shore Indians Lacrosse Club Society; Co-Chair, Squamish Nation Youth Society.

ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION

· Valid Canadian Driver’s Licence
· Valid BC Identification Card (with photo)
· Valid BC Services Card
· Valid Passport – Canadian or Foreign
· Valid Canadian Permanent Residency Card
· Current Canadian Student ID Card (for youth applicants ages 12-17) *secondary Gov’t issued ID required
· Canadian Birth Certificate
· Valid Canadian Citizenship Card
· Valid Canadian Certificate of Native Status Card
· Valid Nexus Card
· Employee Identification Card issued by the Federal, Provincial or Territorial Government (with photo)
· Old Age Security Identification Card
· Valid Firearms Licence
· Municipal or RCMP Police Identification (with photo only)