Burnaby Family Life Leadership

At Burnaby Family Life, our leaders are dedicated to fostering a supportive, innovative, and community-focused environment. Each contributing their unique perspective and expertise to drive our mission forward.

Board of Directors

Are you inspired to make a difference and be a part of our dynamic team of board members?

Reflective of the values and beliefs of the organization, BFL’s board is composed of a diverse range of leaders that are reflective of the community we serve which allows for diversity of viewpoints that come from different life experiences and cultural backgrounds that strengthen board deliberations and decision-making.

Officers

Jerry Chen, Chair

Principal HR Consultant

  • Jerry Chen is a seasoned HR professional with extensive experience in developing and implementing strategic HR initiatives that align with organizational goals. As the Principal Consultant at M-Power People Consulting Services, Jerry has been instrumental in supporting small businesses through comprehensive HR solutions, including HR Foundations, HR Strategies, and HR Coaching.

    Previously, Jerry served as the Associate Vice President of Human Resources at the University of British Columbia, where he led critical HR portfolios across Talent Development, Total Rewards, Health and Wellbeing, and Talent Acquisition, overseeing a team of 65 HR professionals. His focus on enhancing UBC’s learning and development offerings and refining its talent acquisition processes underscored his commitment to creating a supportive and efficient HR environment.

    Jerry also held the role of Director of Human Resources at Pacific Blue Cross, where he contributed to the organization’s strategic growth through his expertise in talent acquisition, employee relations, labour relations, ability management, and HR systems and data analysis. His initiatives were aligned with Pacific Blue Cross' organizational strategy, driving improvements in talent management, total rewards, disability management, and leading the HR Workday implementation.

    In the international arena, Jerry has gained valuable HR experience working with companies like Ritchie Bros. and Kit & Ace, where he supported leaders across Canada, the U.S., Mexico, China, Japan, and Australia. His global responsibilities included performance management, leadership coaching, and fostering employee relations in diverse cultural settings. He has also served in labour relations roles where he successfully managed employee relations, employer-union relationships, and collective bargaining.

    As the current Board Chair for Burnaby Family Life, Jerry has demonstrated his leadership and dedication to community well-being, extending his HR expertise to organizational governance and development. His diverse background and commitment to strategic HR solutions make him a trusted advisor and a skilled leader in the HR field.

Adriana Watkins, Treasurer

Senior Manager, Audit and Assurance, BC Financial Services Authority

  • Adriana Watkins is an experienced accounting and audit professional with over 15 years of leadership experience in the financial services and regulatory sectors. She currently serves as the Senior Manager of Real Estate Audit & Assurance at BC Financial Services Authority, where she is responsible for overseeing the province-wide Risk-Based Real Estate Audit Program.

    Throughout her career, Adriana has demonstrated a strong ability to develop and modernize organizational functions with a strategic approach. She has successfully led the modernization of her departments, making them risk-based, forward-looking, and in line with industry best practices. Notably, she adapted her audit approach to address the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    In her current role, Adriana has been instrumental in revamping and modernizing all audit processes and procedures through the implementation of audit software, resulting in increased organizational efficiency. She has also been proactive in building alliances with senior leaders to improve risk-assessing processes and assess participants in the financial services industry in British Columbia.

    Adriana is known for her exceptional leadership skills, shaping positive work cultures through collaborative teamwork and minimizing silos. She has hired and mentored a diverse team of audit professionals, including CPAs, doctoral-level professionals, and risk analysts.

    Adriana holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with an Advanced Diploma in Accounting from Capilano University. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), and a Certified Risk Management Professional (CRMA).

Jacqueline Chan, Secretary

Associate Director, Major Gifts BC Children’s Hospital Foundation

Directors

Alex Lu, Director

Branch Manager TD Canada Trust

  • As a dedicated professional with over 10 years of experience at TD, I have proudly served as the Branch Manager for the flagship Burnaby Metrotown branch. With a strong foundation from my studies at UBC Sauder School of Business and an MBA from Queens in 2019, I've honed my business acumen to contribute effectively.

    Beyond my career, I am deeply committed to community welfare. As a first-generation immigrant, I understand the challenges faced by those seeking to establish themselves in a new country. This insight fuels my passion to contribute positively to the community. My involvement in various local groups reflects this commitment, and now as a Board Member of Burnaby Family Life, I aim to further elevate community support.

    Beyond the boardroom, I'm an avid outdoor enthusiast. Whether it's hitting the slopes for snowboarding, cruising the waters for paddle boarding, exploring trails through hiking, or embracing the challenge of kickboxing, I thrive on active endeavors that energize both body and mind.

Paul Know, Director

Finance Manager, UBC

  • Raised in Burnaby, I am excited for the opportunity to join BFL and engage with our community. I grew up in Burnaby with all the privileges of an immigrant Korean-Canadian. After college, I tried a few different careers before finding my home at UBC. During the pandemic, I had the opportunity to slow down and re-prioritize my life. The best part of this new balance has been the time and space to hang out with my wife and daughter.

Swapna Anthony, Director

Canadian Red Cross, Grant Officer

  • Swapna is both a generalist who has worked across sectors, domains and countries, and a specialist in the social determinants of health and justice. The range of experiences that she has cultivated through her life and work in the nonprofit, for-profit and government sectors in Canada, UK, Denmark and India has shaped her to be an entrepreneur, a strategic problem-solver, and a social justice advocate.

    Swana’s nonprofit professional experience includes working with the Canadian Red Cross; Department of Children & Families, UK; Danish International Development Assistance; Child Rights & You, India; and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India.

    Swapna has also been an active community volunteer. Currently, she sits on the Social Planning Committee of the City of Burnaby, the board finance committee of MOSAIC BC and on the Immigrant Advisory Council of Burnaby Intercultural Planning Table.

    Swapna is a Registered Social Worker with the BC College of Social Work. She was awarded the Leela Wadia prize while specializing in mental health as part of her Masters in Social Work program for her community work, mental health research and academic achievement. She has dual certifications in Project Management and Program Design from the United Nations. She also has a certificate in Entrepreneurship and Global Innovation from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

    Swapna’s life and work is rooted in her eclectic and natural spirituality, and she lives with her family in Burnaby.

Jacey Saulog Director

BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, Associate Director, Principal Gifts

  • Jacey Saulog brings over 10 years of philanthropy experience to the Board, with a strong focus on fundraising and digital marketing. Originally from the Philippines and now residing in Burnaby, she has a heartfelt commitment to making a difference for families and communities in our city.

    In her role as Associate Director at BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, Jacey drives meaningful fundraising through building authentic relationships with individuals and families looking to make a significant impact in the community. She also works as a Digital Marketing Specialist for Jeremy Hunka Media Group, helping non-profits attract new audiences and inspire current supporters to increase their giving. Her passion for the charitable sector continues – you will often find her volunteering regularly at Union Gospel Mission’s special holiday meals.

    Outside of work, Jacey enjoys visiting the local library, trying new restaurants, and spending quality time with family and her two cats. Jacey is excited to bring her experience and enthusiasm to Burnaby Family Life, helping to make Burnaby an inclusive, welcoming and safe community for all.

Nevin Lau, Director

Chief Financial Officer, Bluestone Resources Inc

  • Nevin Lau has been with Bluestone Resources since 2017. He has over 15 years of accounting and finance experience, mostly in the mining industry. Prior to joining Bluestone, Nevin was at SSR Mining Inc. and Ernst & Young. Nevin is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CA) and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Simon Fraser University.

Executive Leadership Team

At Burnaby Family Life we have a highly committed, passionate and skilled Executive Leadership Team that meet regularly to monitor the organization’s performance, share their collective wisdom and provide one another with practical support that keeps BFL focused on reaching its goals.

Navreen Gill, Executive Director

Liliana Hernandez, Director of Operations

Constantine McQuade, Director of Finance and Administration

Mark Seneviratne, Director of Human Resources