Nycki is presently working at Ghani Law Corp. She has a law enforcement background where she spent several years working in the DTES on the Missing Women Task Force and the subsequent inquiry. She also worked as an Outreach and Support Worker for victims of domestic violence with Options Community Services and North Shore Crisis Services. She holds degrees in Communication and Law; has extensive experience working on large projects at the local, national and international levels; and has advocated for and been successful in creating policy changes for investigations involving the most vulnerable victims, namely women and children. She has volunteered for many organizations over the years, which has included the SFU Crisis line, Rotary and University of Alberta Student Legal Services. Presently she is a member of the Vancouver Independent Order of Odd Fellows, where she helps raise funds for various organizations.

Grace holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of British Columbia, where her research focused on intersectionality in media, gendered labour and the destigmatization and legitimization of sex work. This research led her to WISH and she has been a supporter ever since. As an academic journal editor and teaching assistant, supporting the education of others has always been a way for Grace to connect with her community and widen her own perspectives. She is certified in teaching methods that advocate for inclusivity, equity, accessibility and wellness. A second-generation immigrant of Chinese descent, Grace will be the first in her family to attend Law School in the fall of 2023 and is eager to bring her values into this new field, as well as find more ways to meaningfully contribute to the vision of WISH.

Lauren comes to the land colonially known as Vancouver from Haida Gwaii, which is the home of her Nuni’s (grandmother’s) people. Lauren is a registered member of the Skidegate Band, of the Haida Nation. Her family’s crest is the Hummingbird, of the Juus Clan, on her father’s side. She is the great-great-granddaughter of Chief Skidegate (Edward Collinson), and Emma Young. On her mother’s side she is of Cree Métis heritage from the Red River Valley, through southern Alberta. Lauren’s traditional name is llaanaay, given to her by her Nuni, which means Beloved Friend in Haida, specifically the X̱aayda Kil dialect from the southern part of the island. Lauren calls the land of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ her second home, as an uninvited guest. It is with great care that she walks gently on the land of her cousins’ ancestors, knowing the responsibility her role as a guest carries.

Lauren attended the University of British Columbia, prior to working in the areas of health governance, public relations, and education. She specialized in Issues Management for several organizations, most significantly for two years as Issues Manager with the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Lauren has been involved in the MMIWG2S movement from a very young age, including advocacy, activism and support work in the downtown eastside of Vancouver. Lauren’s previous roles at UBC include Manager, Indigenous Initiatives at the Sauder School of Business and Indigenous Support Specialist and Educator at the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO). Currently, Lauren is an Educational Consultant: Anti-Racist and Indigenous Initiatives with the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology, Indigenous Initiatives team, at UBC.

Her commitment to serving Indigenous peoples locally, in BC, and across Turtle Island is what led Lauren to the work she has done for more than 10 years. It is the Grandmothers, the Elders, and the Knowledge Keepers in communities across this land that Lauren credits with educating her to better understand Indigenous history, culture and ways of knowing. This sacred knowledge is what guides Lauren in her work every day.

Lisa Gibson is a transformative coach, facilitator and systems change consultant. With 25 years’ experience in local and international work, she specializes in working with individuals, organizations and communities to embed systemic change, transform belief systems, and construct alliances across diversity. Through her work with non-profits, government, and foundations, Lisa focuses on facilitation of complex multi-stakeholder processes, diversity and equity, coaching, leadership development, curriculum design, and mindfulness for changemakers.
As the Director of Living in Community for 14 years, Lisa supported the development of an innovative multi-stakeholder methodology to create health, equity and safety around sex work issues, centering the lived expertise of sex workers, while transforming the roots cause that create vulnerability. She is also founder and instructor of the Social Innovation Certificate at Simon Fraser University, and teaches systems change in a variety of settings.
As a woman of Irish, Polish and English decent, she is based in Vancouver, BC on the unceded Coast Salish lands and waters of the əsəlil̓wətaʔɬ, Xʷməθkwəy̓əm, & Sḵwx̱wú7meshsi Nations with her two children, two stepchildren and partner.

Marnie has spent over 25 years working in the not-for-profit sector. Equipped with a legal education, Marnie has held roles in HR, organizational development, and program development and management and has worked as a consultant to, and served on, many charitable boards. She leads programs for youth who are precariously housed or homeless, victims of power-based crimes, women with histories of physical, emotional and sexual trauma, families with intergenerational trauma, people with mental health and substance use challenges, and community members that live in poverty.

Marnie works to live in a community that provides opportunity and safety for everyone. She gratefully resides in East Vancouver, on the unceded lands, and by the waters of, the Coast Salish peoples. She enjoys time with her wife, kids, dog, and friends around the dinner table, by the ocean and in the mountains.

Alessandra is a Financial Planning & Analysis Associate with over 9 years in running complex models & budgeting processes in both the commercial and not-for-profit sectors. She is a fully qualified CMA and London School of Economics alumnus with a background in Economics. Alessandra has volunteered in the Drop-In centre and on the Finance Committee since moving to Vancouver from London (England) in 2018. Prior to moving she was a trainer with Good Night Out Campaign London, who are working to help nightlife spaces and organizations better understand, respond to, and prevent sexual harassment and assault.