Our Board
Board Members - alphabetically by last name
Erin Arnold – Treasurer
Erin Arnold has worked for various ministries since 1998 including the Attorney General, Public Safety and Solicitor General, Children and Family Development, and Public Services Agency of BC. Erin holds a graduate certificate in complex trauma and child sexual abuse intervention, an undergraduate degree in Child and Youth Care Counselling and has over 18 years of facilitation, victim services and trauma-based work experience. 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, global education, various levels of politics etc.
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 - Access to Family Law Community Liaison
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 2024. 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
Mai Eagle Speaker is a mother of four, she is also the caregiver of her niece and nephew. Her father is from southern Vietnam and her mother is Blackfoot from Kainai Nation (the Blood Tribe) in southern Alberta.
Mai has faced many adversities growing up in East Vancouver. Mai is deeply impacted by intergenerational trauma, abuse, neglect discrimination, grief, and loss, and was also a child in care. Despite all that, she has gained valuable employment experience demonstrating a commitment to supporting Indigenous and other marginalized populations over the past seven years of her career, excelling in leadership and supportive roles with MCFD Maples Adolescent Treatment centre, YWCA’s Crabtree Corner, Strive Living Society, and the Aboriginal Mother Centre Society. 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. Mai is a passionate advocate for Indigenous people, justice and social equality. Today Mai is a student with her most recent past role at Xyolhemeylh Fraser Valley Aboriginal Children and Family Services Society as a Family Cultural Connections Worker.
Josephine Gyamfuah-Amonu
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.
Kate Jarman – Secretary
Katherine Jarman is a devoted single mother of one who spends her days and nights loving all the adventures she and her child experience. Katherine is a fearless advocate for the rights of children, families, and educators in her personal and professional life and completed her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Care and Education. Katherine is currently the Director of Advocacy for the Capilano Students' Union.
Katherine fulfills her commitment to social justice as she strives to support post-secondary students navigating the bureaucratic challenges that often get in the way of their goals. She works to ensure their voices are elevated, amplified, and supported on a daily basis, and works closely with the collectives of students from marginalized communities at Capilano University ensuring the Capilano Students’ Union, university, and provincial government do the work necessary to build success. She also holds a board position for ECEBC where she supports the governance of the organization and supporting the work of the tireless staff to elevate the early childhood education profession.
Brenda Whitecap Logan - Indigenous Community Liaison
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.'
Oluwatoyin Christiana Onabola - Northern BC Liaison
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. Christiana continues to lend her skills and insight to initiatives at the Centre for Family Equity, focusing on addressing the systemic roots of family inequities.
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.