Marie-Noël was called to the Bar in New York State and British Columbia. She started her legal career in Canada at a pro bono organization where she launched and managed programs to represent clients before various tribunals. She was later appointed as an adjudicator for the Mental Health Review Board, then opened her law firm, focusing primarily on Immigration & Refugee Law and Housing Law. She is now honoured to serve older adults in British Columbia along with Seniors First BC’s dedicated team.
Norbert graduated from the UBC Sauder School of business with a degree in Commerce, specializing in accounting. With several years of experience in accounting, finance and human resources in both private industry and public health, Norbert is excited to bring his business background to Seniors First BC. He is proud to be part of an organization that provides support to older adults in need.
Mr. Marshall is the senior counsel at Seniors First BC. A member of the Law Society of British Columbia and the Canadian Bar Association, Mr. Marshall has worked as trial and appellate counsel since being called to the Bar in Manitoba in 1973 and the British Columbia Bar in 1975.
Catharine is a Métis lawyer with a background practicing civil litigation, municipal law, administrative law and public interest law. She spent six years in private practice before returning to the non-profit sector to manage our Advance Planning Clinic Program and work as a staff lawyer. Catharine feels especially honoured to be working with Indigenous communities through the Advance Planning Clinic Program serving Elders and Seniors both on and off Nation/Reserve Lands.
Catharine has been an active member of the legal community and her local community on Vancouver Island, sitting on non-profit boards and volunteering with various organizations, currently with the Saanich Board of Variance, the Metis Nation of Greater Victoria, and the Victoria Native Friendship Centre.
Preetkamal is a Lawyer with a passion for social justice and equity. She studied Law at the University of Birmingham (UK) and obtained her LLM in American Law from Boston University. After being called to the bar, she worked at a nonprofit law clinic practicing administrative law and provided legal guidance and support to those who are vulnerable and marginalized.
Nighat has a law degree and practised law for 15 years in Pakistan. As a Britannia Chevening Scholar, she completed her Master’s degree in International Law from the University of Hull, UK. She also has a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Colorado-Denver. Nighat works in the Legal Advocacy Program, providing information, referral and representation services to older adults.
Zach completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Simon Fraser University, double majoring in Philosophy and Political Science, with a Certificate in Ethics. His previous experience working at a non-profit retirement home led him to Seniors First BC, working alongside a likeminded team assisting and giving back to the seniors community locally and across the province.
Natalija has many years of experience in the areas of wills and estates, litigation, real property and corporate commercial. Prior to joining Seniors First BC Natalija worked at various places, both private and public. While working Natalija also attended courses to update her skills and expertise and gained her paralegal certificate. She is a member of the BC Paralegal Association. When it comes to legal communication Natalija values plain and simple language.
Nataliya enjoyed studying English language and literature at Lviv State University (Ukraine). She completed a diploma in Tourism from the International Air Transport Association (Geneva, Switzerland). She also successfully completed the Legal Assistant Certificate program at Vancouver Community College. She has worked as a Legal Assistant at various law offices specializing in Corporate, Personal Injury and Aboriginal Law.
Lily is a graduate of the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Law and Society. Her focal interests are advocacy for groups that have been marginalized as a result of age, gender, race, ability, poverty, drug use or sex work, as well as intersectional approaches to criminal justice. Lily has worked as a research assistant for the department of Sociology at Acadia University, an editor for UBC’s Gender, Race and Social Justice Journal, and a volunteer for UBC’s Sexual Assault Support Center. She is passionate about accessibility, in the legal world and beyond, and works to foster a welcoming environment at Seniors First BC.
Tina holds a Criminology and Political Science degree and a Legal Studies certificate from Simon Fraser University. Tina began her career by volunteering in the field of intimate partner violence, crisis intervention, and corrections. Her recent experience includes providing critical incident response to victims, their families, and/or witnesses of trauma and/or crime in cases such as sudden deaths, serious accidents, and domestic disputes. Tina’s experience in supporting the vulnerable population has provided her with a belief that individuals are the experts in their own lives and have within them the strength to change and recover.
Queen is a graduate of the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a graduate of the Vancouver Community College Community Counselling Skills Program. She has volunteer and work experience with the Multicultural Family Centre, YWCA, and Battered Women Support Services. Queen also has training in Community and Settlement Services, Crisis Line Intervention, Domestic Violence Intervention, Non-violence Intervention and Mental Health First Aid. She provides support to older adults, victims of a crime and/or elder abuse or neglect.
Hannah completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at Simon Fraser University with a major in Psychology and a minor in Counselling & Human Development. Her previous experience includes psychology research, crisis intervention, and peer mentorship. She is proud to work alongside the SAIL team to support the resilient older adults of BC. Hannah is especially passionate about ensuring that information about community resources is easily accessible to all.
Sarah works for the Seniors Abuse and Information Line. She has completed training in Emergency Medical Call taking with the British Columbia Ambulance Service and a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of British Columbia. Sarah has experience providing support and advocacy for older adults, in community and emergency settings.
Maggie served as the Seniors First BC office manager for six years and is thrilled to be back as part of the SAIL Team, doing meaningful work and supporting older adults across the province. Prior to this, Maggie worked for the federal government at the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for 29 years as a Citizenship and Immigration Officer and served as the citizenship judge coordinator for the BC-Yukon region. Maggie is fluently trilingual and has a BA from Concordia University in Montreal.
Angela completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of British Columbia with a major in French and a minor in Psychology. She worked for the federal government as a Citizenship and Immigration officer for 30 years and enjoyed helping people from around the world to navigate government resources and processes. She is proud to be serving seniors through the Seniors Abuse and Information Line.
Aneet has successfully graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Minor in Counselling. With hands-on experience in crisis line work, she has provided emotional support to individuals in distress, while also mentoring and coaching new volunteers to ensure their success. Aneet takes great pride in her role within the Seniors First BC community, where she is committed to helping seniors access essential resources and support, enhancing their quality of life and well-being. Her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact and empowering others drives her professional endeavors.
Clarissa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia. Prior to joining Seniors First BC, she gained valuable experience assisting individuals with special needs and serving on a crisis line. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Counselling. Clarissa is dedicated to supporting seniors and enhancing their well-being through her devoted work at Seniors First BC.
Claire holds a BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, as well as a BA- Major in Psychology- minor in counselling, from UBC. Claire is passionate about engaging with and supporting people from all walks of life, and has always been dedicated to giving back to her (various) communities in Toronto, Halifax, and Vancouver. They have lead and trained; creative programs and art class delivery, support group facilitation, and crisis intervention. They have also enjoyed working with community meal initiatives and community garden planning to support vulnerable families. Claire brings with her to Seniors First BC, three years of distress line support work at a crisis centre, 4 years of chronic pain support group facilitation, and an unmatched enthusiasm for organizations that provide low-barrier to support. Claire feels grateful to join the SAIL team, and to have an opportunity to empower and connect with seniors across BC.
Shae completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at Simon Fraser University with a major in Sociology. They are passionate about disability justice, sexuality and aging, promoting healthy relationships, and improving access for communities facing systemic barriers. With a focus on empowering others through support, education, and advocacy, Shae brings experience in education and crisis line work. She is dedicated to fostering inclusive spaces where older adults feel valued and supported. Shae is excited to contribute to Seniors First BC alongside a compassionate team.
Justin has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia (UBC), majoring in Philosophy. He has volunteered as a Clinic Assistant for Access Pro Bono, a kitchen leader for a local soup kitchen that serves Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, a Grant Writer for Shelter Movers Vancouver, a Resource Navigator for the BC Association of Neighbourhood Houses, and a Writer for the Source Newspaper. He started as a volunteer for Seniors First BC, transitioned to the role of Workshop & Outreach Coordinator, and later worked as the Communications Coordinator before his current role. He is passionate about providing information to the public about issues that affect seniors across the province of British Columbia.
Linda brings a background in education, social work, and gerontology to the SFBC team. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and an Inter-professional Diploma in Gerontology. Her wide range of experience includes teaching English as a Second Language to adults in Vancouver and Latin America, volunteering with community organizations, and supporting residents with dementia and complex care needs as a Recreation Therapy Assistant in a long-term care facility. Linda believes in sharing information to build awareness of issues, options and resources, and after starting as a volunteer with SFBC, Linda is excited to be contributing to the Public Education and Outreach Program.
Seniors First BC is a charitable, non-profit society that provides information, advocacy, and support to seniors across BC who are dealing with issues affecting their well-being.
