Staff

Paul became the ED of BCCA in February, 2021. He has an extensive background in leading social and economic innovation and has a long history of co-operative development – both in Canada and abroad. Before his appointment, Paul was with Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada and has worked as a consultant, researcher, entrepreneur, and leader going back to 1988. He sits on several co-operative boards and committees, providing him with the connections to push the co-operative movement forward.

Born in the prairies, raised on the west coast and married to an Albertan – makes Corinne the perfect person to fill a position that places her feet on both sides of the Rockies. Corinne is leading the development of ACCESS, a shared services platform providing a collective of fractional staff aligned with nonprofit and co-op’s unique organizational structure and operational efficiencies. A natural advocate and storyteller – she’s passionate about the co-op movement and is quick to share its more salient points with friends, family and even strangers she meets along the way.

Elvezio (aka “Elvy”) has served as the Director for Co-operative & Government Relations with BCCA since January 2022. He works to build partnerships with governments, allied trade unions, post-secondary institutions and other civil society organizations to realize a strong enabling environment for the development and growth of cooperative enterprises. Elvy has almost twenty years’ experience in the cooperative sector as a consultant, co-op developer, and as Vancity Credit Union’s Cooperative Portfolio Manager, where he led numerous study tours exploring the cooperative economy of the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy.

Iva coordinates the Co-operative Education Program, stewarding the fifth co-operative principle of “education, training, and information” through developing educational resources. One of Iva’s favorite ongoing projects is developing online learning tools and supports for newcomers to Canada, inspiring them to learn about and start co-operatives that meet their social, economic and cultural needs. Iva is also completing a Masters of Management specializing in Co-operatives and Credit Unions out of Saint Mary’s University, and is a co-founder of BuddyUp.coop and Free Riders E-Bike Co-operative.

John is excited to serve members, celebrate the achievements of the sector, educate the wider public, and advance the co-operative model through his role as Communications Coordinator. He has an extensive communications background, having served in a variety of communications positions including Sage Seniors Association, the Provincial Archives of Alberta, and the Alberta Museums Association. John also has a background in non-profits and governance through his education and volunteer commitments.

Rioja is based out of Whistler and originally from the UK. She graduated with a Law Degree in 2014 from Manchester, the birthplace of Co-operatives. She has worked both in local government and the private sector for many years and is currently studying to become qualified as a lawyer in Canada. Her administrative and legal skills will be an asset in supporting the Governance operations with BCCA and the co-operative movement. In her free time (when she is not studying), Rioja enjoys skiing, hiking, paddleboarding and all things outdoors.

Winnie has been with BCCA since August 2022. She enjoys working with people with diverse cultural backgrounds, respects cultural differences, and values teamwork. Winnie is passionate about learning new things. In her spare time, she likes reading, hiking and traveling around. She is also a concert and art gallery goer.

Madelyn began volunteering with BCCA 2019 and was thrilled to join the BCCA team as Co-op Education Coordinator in March 2022. As someone who has directly benefitted from co-op education programs, Madelyn is passionate about bringing co-op education to the masses so that everyone can appreciate the benefits of co-operatives in their communities. When she’s not working for BCCA, Madelyn can be found performing and organizing arts and culture events across Vancouver.

Marla is the Co-op Development Case Manager at BCCA, providing assistance and resources for groups wanting to start a co-op or existing co-ops looking for further support. Based in Vancouver, Marla is passionate about co-operative development and building strong, resilient, diverse, and sustainable co-operatives across the province to transform local economies and communities. She is passionate about the co-operative model – a model that is value-driven and prioritizes the needs of members while also maintaining profitability.

Danielle currently resides in Vernon, BC; she is a Saskatchewan girl at heart, previously working at a small-town Credit Union.  Additionally, she volunteered at multiple summer camps including the SK Cooperative Youth Camp as a mentor.  She has two sons, a cat and a dog, and many after-work activities to keep her busy. Loaded with Operations and Customer Service skills, experience, and ideas, Dani has jumped in and is supporting the efforts to fine-tune ACCESS’s business practices and ACCA/BCCA member services.  Dani is passionate about community and empowered by collaboration among co-ops.

Michelle is of Norwegian, Swedish, English, French, and Japanese ancestry. She currently lives rurally in Secwepemculecw, close to what is dominantly known as the Village of Chase. After a career in body-centred trauma counselling. MIchelle returned to Syilx territory where her father grew up, fell in love with organic farming and got more deeply involved in community organizing. Michelle is passionately curious about organizational culture, shared leadership, and facilitating processes that support principled practice in service to organizational diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racist ways of being.

Associates

Zoë Creighton​​

Elliot Bridgewater

Bill Oemichen

Mario Cimet