Board of Directors 

2020 / 2021 Board of Directors

PRESIDENT
Director | Helen Rex
Helen has been with the Healthy Babies program since 2014.  Previously she had worked as an Early Childhood Educator for over  20 years, starting her career in England before moving to Canada in  1992. Helen enjoys supporting women through their pregnancies and is a great believer in informed choice. Helen enjoys the variety that her work provides, particularly learning about child rearing from other cultures. Helen runs groups in Maple Ridge and the Tri-Cities area.  She has served on the board since 2017. Helen is a mom to two teenagers and a Cocker Spaniel dog, she enjoys family walks and kayaks.

VICE PRESIDENT
Director | Melissa Shankar
Melissa is a Registered Nurse working in the lower mainland of BC. Since graduating from nursing school in 2009 she has had the opportunity to work with children and families in a variety of settings including pediatrics, neonatal ICU, pediatric emergency and public health. Most recently Melissa teaches nursing within local RN programs and has had the honour of working in Mission at SARA for women as the pregnancy outreach nurse. Working within a pregnancy outreach role has been fulfilling and inspiring. Melissa holds strong values personally and professionally of relational practice and social equity. Melissa is currently pursuing her Masters of Nursing Science degree with a passion for adverse childhood experiences (ACES) research and women’s health. 

SECRETARY/TREASURER
Director | Lena Bullock
Lena Bullock is a senior financial professional with over 20 years of experience in accounting, financial planning and analysis, risk management, strategic planning, and treasury. Lena has served both the public and private sectors and most recently held the position of Chief Financial Officer at Russell Food Equipment. Lena is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia. She looks forward to joining the BCAPOP board to support the organization and its valuable service to the community.

Director | Shonna Bell
Hello, my name is Shonna Bell. I am the Family Program Coordinator at the Fernwood Community Centre (Fernwood NRG) in Victoria, BC. I have been with the organization since 2009. At the time I was hired on as an ECEA and my first role outside of Child Care was the CAPC drop-in. Since then I have completed my ECE, done the Family Resource Program certification, completed a post degree certificate in volunteer and Non-Profit Management, become the coordinator of our Best Babies program and had my own baby. My three year old is my greatest joy, she is fire (a red head and a Gemini). As a single mother I am passionate about supporting and advocating for how hard it can be pregnant and parenting people. I believe in connecting people to community and helping them navigate systems. I also find that everyone that I work with has something to teach me. 

Director | Meaghan Brister
Meaghan has a degree in Psychology from Trinity Western University and an MA in Devising Theatre from London’s Central School of Speech and Drama, followed by a career in social services. Most of her work has involved supporting women along various stages of transition and recovery using many tools, including theatre workshops aimed at empowering oppressed or marginalized communities to advocate for themselves, as well as her qualifications as a yoga therapist and a full spectrum Doula. She has always been passionate about pregnancy and childbirth as a hugely transformational time for women to heal and realize their own strength, something they can take into, and beyond, their role as a mother. Having the blessing of being invited into this journey has inspired her every day as to the resilience and power women have. She considers it the highest honour to come alongside and hold space for these incredible women in their own healing, their families, and within the lives that they are courageously creating. Meaghan is currently on maternity leave from her role as the Support and Education Worker with Burnaby Family Life’s Pregnancy Outreach Program, where she runs educational programs to support informed consent in the birth space and beyond. She works with women facing various barriers and life challenges during pregnancy and with their babes up until six months old, and the majority of this population is made up of new immigrant and refugee women. Meaghan and her family are grateful to live, work, and play on the unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.

Director | Adrienne Johnny
Wéytk Adrienne Johnny ren skwekwst. Hello my name is Adrienne Johnny, I am from the Secwepemc’ulecw Sxwetsmèllp IR #6. I am of Shuswap decent born and raised from Salmon Arm, BC. I have been working with Merritt Moms and Families since 2012 as a frontline worker and now I am the Prenatal Coordinator here at Conayt Friendship Society. I currently sit on the Board of Directors for BCAPOP as the Aboriginal Funded Agency Representative and I look forward to be a part of this wonderful opportunity.

Director | Angela Wu
Angela Wu has many years of experience working in non-profit organizations addressing gender and social inequality by providing direct support and outreach to at-risk youth and women, and advocating for marginalized communities. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work with a specialization in child welfare, as well as a Master of Human Rights Law, where her research focused on the specific barriers faced by migrant sex workers in Canada. After spending a few years abroad, including a year working with the United Nations in New York, Angela has settled back in Vancouver, BC with her husband and two little girls. Since returning home, she has been the Coordinator of Innovative Projects at MOSAIC, an immigrant service organization in the Lower Mainland. Angela is currently on maternity leave and is thrilled to have the opportunity during this time to join the BCAPOP team and contribute to their important work.