Board of Directors
HUDA AL-SAEDY, CO-CHAIR
Huda (she/her) is a purposeful non-profit leader and champion for social progress, dedicated to building more inclusive communities.
Her non-profit career began 20 years ago working for a national children’s charity in the UK. Following this she made a significant impact at the United Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Jordan. After relocating to Canada, Huda joined the Canadian Cancer Society, establishing herself as leader in the sector. She then spent a decade leading growth at Ecojustice, tackling urgent environmental problems before transitioning to Cystic Fibrosis Canada as their Chief Development Officer in 2024. She has also volunteered with a wide range of organizations, such as serving on the board of the Vancouver Association of Survivors of Torture and the BC Centre for Ability.
Huda weaves together the threads of social and environmental justice, compassion, insight, and community engagement to forge a brighter, more sustainable future for all. When she’s not working to create a better world, she enjoys spending time exploring the coastal wilderness in the unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.
DAVID BARBOSA, SECRETARY
David (he/him) immigrated to Canada from the Philippines as a toddler and grew up in Vancouver having fond memories playing in the outdoors. Today with his wife and children, is very thankful to live on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. As a father of five, he cares deeply about future generations and sees protecting Mother Earth as a priority.
David is a CPA, CA and holds a BBA from Simon Fraser University. He began his early career in a multinational accounting firm, then joined a clean tech start-up which further drove his passion for sustainability. Now a consultant, he brings 20+ years of industry experience working with entrepreneurs providing strategic financial and corporate leadership.
During his spare time David is actively involved in his local community and enjoys cooking, going on nature walks, and looks forward to spending time with his family on new outdoor adventures. More recently, he has taken an interest in learning more about the circular economy and how individuals, communities and businesses can use circular economy strategies to protect wildlife and promote biodiversity.
EWELINA KRZYZANOWSKA
Ewelina (she/her) was born in Poland and immigrated along with her family to Canada as a young child.
She grew up in Toronto and Barrie, completing an undergrad in Business in Ottawa. Ewelina spent time
studying abroad in Chile and completed her MBA in Spain. An avid traveller and lover of the outdoors,
she is grateful to reside on and enjoy the beauty of the traditional, ancestral, and unceded stolen
territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh
(Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Ewelina works in the outdoor retail industry, championing folks to enjoy the outdoors in a sustainable
and responsible way. To her role on the board, she brings a wealth of experience in leadership and
management as well as a passion for the preservation of BC’s wild spaces. In her spare time, she enjoys
cycling and camping in the summer or skiing in the local mountains in the winter.
GREGORY MCKINLEY, TREASURER
Greg (he/him) is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and Senior Manager at MNP LLP, a professional services firm, where he provides accounting, consulting and tax advice to businesses and not-for-profit organizations.
Greg has lived most of his life in the District of North Vancouver and respectfully acknowledges the original peoples of these lands and waters, specifically the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) peoples, on whose unceded ancestral lands the District is located. Greg spends most weekends exploring the North Shore mountains and recognizes the importance of protecting wilderness right next to one of Canada’s largest metropolitan areas and throughout British Columbia.
Greg holds a BBA from Simon Fraser University with concentrations in Accounting & Finance.
PAUL SAHOTA
Paul (he/him) lives in New Westminster and respectfully acknowledges the original peoples of these lands and waters, specifically the Halkomelem speaking peoples, on whose unceded ancestral lands New Westminster is located. Paul spends his weekends busy with his young growing family spending as much time outdoors as possible. Paul is a seasoned Human Resources professional and a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) member, demonstrating a strong commitment to excellence and ethical standards in the HR field. With extensive experience in strategic human resource management, Paul has been instrumental in driving organizational success and fostering positive workplace cultures. As the Director of HR at Parq Vancouver, Paul leads a dynamic team in developing and implementing HR strategies that align with the company’s goals. Under Paul’s leadership, Parq Vancouver has enhanced its talent acquisition, employee engagement, and development programs, ensuring a supportive and thriving environment for all employees.
PRADNYA SAWANT, CO-CHAIR
Pradnya (she/her) is an oceanographer by training and an environmentalist by passion. Over the years, she has worked in the fields of Marine Science Research and Policy, Environmental Consultancy, and Education and Outreach. She has carried out research activities in the coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico and those of the Arabian Sea, where she worked with different stakeholders on projects funded by federal governments and the World Bank.
With a keen interest in bridging the gap between science and policy, she has also volunteered her time and expertise for environmental awareness and advocacy, working with several regional, national and international environmental organizations. Along with her scientific knowledge and non-profit leadership experience, she brings her passion and strong commitment to environmental conservation. She is honored to serve to help protect the wilderness, the beautiful parks, mountains, coastline, and the waters of BC and the traditional, ancestral, unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples.
Pradnya Sawant holds a doctoral degree in Marine Science (Oceanography) from The University of Southern Mississippi, USA and a Master’s degree in Zoology (Marine Science) and Bachelor’s in Zoology from the University of Mumbai, India.
CHARLENE SEWARD
SHUBHNEET SINGH
Shubhneet (he/him) is a Coastal & Marine Scientist at DHI Water and Environment, with extensive expertise in data analytics, safety of navigation, flood risk analysis, and environmental consultancy. Experiencing flooding in his hometown inspired Shubhneet’s passion for solving complex water resource problems. He is committed to advancing environmental sustainability and climate change initiatives through comprehensive water environment projects across the United States and Canada. Shubhneet has also worked on international environmental projects in Saudi Arabia, Singapore, New Zealand, and Indonesia. He holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Georgia Tech and a Bachelor’s from National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra. Outside of work, Shubhneet enjoys rock climbing, trail running, and mountain biking.
AMITA VULIMIRI, VICE CHAIR
Amita (she/her) lives in Vancouver, on the unceded lands of the Coast Salish First Nations, including the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh). Amita currently works as a labour and employment lawyer. She previously worked at a non profit legal organization to litigate cases involving human rights and equality, and has also worked on legal issues dealing with environmental and Indigenous rights. Amita has served on the boards of a number of organizations which focus on health and human rights.
KAYAN YU
Kayan (she/her) is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) with over a decade of experience working with government, not-for-profit, and First Nation organizations. She is an assurance partner at BDO Canada LLP.
Kayan grew up in the Lower Mainland and currently lives in Vancouver on the unceded territory of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. An avid traveller, Kayan is grateful to have experienced the natural habitats protected by conservation efforts across the world.
Kayan holds a B.Sc. (Biochemistry) from the University of British Columbia, and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA).
The CPAWS-BC team intends to challenge the belief that all pronouns can be assumed and practices sharing of gender pronouns to create a supportive community for all people. If we fail to respect someone else’s gender identity, it is not only disrespectful and hurtful but also oppressive (1). Learn more about CPAWS-BC commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within every aspect of our work to protect lands, inland waters, and ocean.