Our Board

Erin Arnold has worked for various government ministries since 1998.  Erin holds a graduate certificate in complex trauma and child sexual abuse intervention, an undergraduate degree in Child and Youth Care Counselling, completed graduate work in Leadership, and has over 27 years of facilitation. Erin has managed multi-year government contracts, organized and executed large public events, and assisted in drafting public policy on various progressive issues.

Erin is passionate about volunteering in her community and has done so in a variety of capacities. Key areas of interest are women’s rights, maternal mental health, trauma-informed programs, and refugee services. Erin holds various board positions on subjects ranging from public education, mental health, addressing family poverty, and more. Erin is a mother, leader, survivor, social justice advocate, and change-maker. Erin hopes to continue to bring compassion and empowerment to her role with the Centre for Family Equity. 

Andrea Bryson is a settler born in Alberta with a background in social work. She has provided family law advocacy and legal advocacy for family violence survivors from 2006 to the present. Andrea currently provides training and mentorship to front-line workers supporting low-income folks navigating BC's family law system. Andrea is best known for her work with women with precarious status and women experiencing complex litigation and for her knowledge of BC’s legal aid system. She is a seasoned speaker and presenter on family law, intimate partner violence, and helping the legal systems to better support survivors of family violence.

Andrea's professional experiences have provided her with great insights into making systems better for survivors. However, Andrea's true expertise comes from her lived experience. As a formerly homeless youth and youth in care, she has lived experience of BC’s birth alert and child welfare system, income assistance, and used a variety of social programs to move her life forward. She went to Douglas College as a mature student and eventually to UVic to get her bachelor of social work. She is now completing her master's of social work at UBC. Andrea was a founding member of the Jane Doe Network which ran from 2009-2017 which was a loosely organized grassroots community of anti-violence workers organizing around improving access to justice. Andrea works at Rise Women’s Legal Centre as the Family Advocate Educator.

Mai Eagle Speaker is Vietnamese and First Nations Blackfoot, Her father is from southern Vietnam and her mother is from Kainai (the Blood Tribe) in southern Alberta. Her Blackfoot name is Naato Sipitaki 'Holy owl woman'.

Mai has faced many adversities growing up. She has experienced and witnessed the deep impacts of intergenerational trauma, child welfare, abuse, racism, discrimination, loss, and grief. Despite all that Mai continues to heal and strive. over the past 10 years of her career, she has excelled in leadership and supportive roles with, YWCA’s Crabtree Corner, MCFD Maples Adolescent Center, and Fraser Valley Aboriginal and Child and Family Services Society Xyolhemeylh. In her personal and professional experience, she has developed a strong understanding of the challenges facing those with FASD, other cognitive disabilities, and mental health challenges. Mai is passionate about advocating and supporting Indigenous and other marginalized populations. Today Mai is a mother of five, and a student studying at the University of Lethbridge with her most recent past role at FVACFSS Xyolhemeylh as a Family Cultural Connections Worker. 

Her goal in life is to bring awareness to Indigenous health and environmental disparities and inequities caused by the historical and current impacts of colonial policies like residential schools implemented and enforced by the Canadian government.

Josephine’s professional experience includes over twenty years working for the federal government in various human resources roles, including employee relations, conflict resolution, disability management, and performance management. She has insight into the diligence involved in providing tangible advice and service. Josephine has a strong perspective and an appreciation for ongoing support when dealing with sensitive and confidential situations.

Josephine has a Bachelor of Administration (Human Resources and Industrial Relations) from Athabasca University, a Conflict Management and Mediation Certificate from Conrad Grebel University College, affiliated with the University of Waterloo, and Business Administration Diploma and Human Resources Management Certificate from Humber College. When not working, Josephine is a one-caregiver busy caring for her three children, who are active in multiple activities. Josephine is the CFE's federal liaison.

Katherine Jarman is a passionate advocate for children, families, and educators, deeply committed to social justice and equity. As a devoted single mother, she navigates the joys and challenges of parenthood firsthand, an experience that fuels her dedication to creating a more supportive and inclusive society for families like hers.

With a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Care and Education, Katherine combines lived experience with professional expertise. She currently serves as the Director of Advocacy for the Capilano Students' Union, where she works to remove systemic barriers and amplify the voices of post-secondary students—many of whom, like herself, balance education, caregiving, and financial challenges.

She works closely with student collectives from marginalized communities to ensure institutions and governments prioritize equity. Katherine also serves on the board of ECEBC, supporting governance and advancing the early childhood education profession. She is committed to building a future where families, especially single-parent households, have the resources and policies needed to thrive.

Lloyd Juliane is a Chartered Professional Accountant with over 20 years of experience in financial management, accounting, and compliance. He brings strong skills in financial strategy, risk management, and governance, making him well-equipped to contribute as treasurer for the CFE. With a background in both Canada and the Philippines, Lloyd excels in streamlining processes, ensuring transparency, and driving organizational growth. Through his lived experience of poverty in the Philippines, Lloyd understands the challenges faced by marginalized communities and he is passionate about supporting initiatives that aim to alleviate poverty for families. Outside of work, he is a dedicated family man, married with one child, and has overcome significant challenges as an immigrant.

Brenda Whitecap Logan is an Indigenous lone mother from Treaty 6 Nation, Saskatchewan. Brenda is passionate about helping vulnerable people with multiple barriers like herself overcome the challenges they face and break down the barriers they experience. She values empowering people so they can rise above any challenge in life that comes along. Brenda has been a very engaged peer researcher with the SMA and then the CFE in the past for over four years and contributes a great deal to many CFE projects, campaigns and initiatives on an on-going basis. In Brenda's words: 'I have lived experience of living with multiple barriers on low income and I am raising my autistic son in East Vancouver. The organization has helped me be a part of my community and stand strong with others to use our voices to bring about the change we need now.'

Christiana Onabola is a health equity and policy professional and a newcomer to Canada. She is currently a Health Sciences doctoral candidate at the University of Northern BC, and an immigrant mother of two. Her journey with the Centre for Family Equity began as a Peer Researcher on the Making Mothers Matter (MMM) project, where she brought both her lived experience and professional expertise to research and advocacy focused on amplifying the voices of marginalized women and families. Motivated by her own experiences navigating childcare challenges, Christiana is dedicated to advancing the health and well-being of families facing systemic barriers.

As a former peer researcher and active SMA/CFE member for many years, Christiana has supported the development of interview toolkits that foster trust and facilitate open dialogue with mothers and families in poverty. Her contributions have enhanced the design of research questionnaires, and she has conducted interviews to ensure participants’ perspectives are authentically represented. In addition to her work with the Centre, Christiana serves on the board of the Canadian Evaluation Society BC Chapter, where she leads regional initiatives that connect evaluators in Northern BC with CESBC's essential resources and professional development opportunities. As a board member, Christiana’s background in research, evaluation, and community engagement supports the Centre’s mission to create equitable opportunities and meaningful improvements for families across British Columbia.