Executive Leadership Team

Olga Stachova (She, Her)

Chief Executive Officer

Olga Stachova is the CEO of MOSAIC. She joined MOSAIC after a long career as Chief Operating Officer at Mitacs, a national non-profit organization delivering research and training programs to graduate and postgraduate students in Canada through partnerships with the private sector and the federal and provincial governments. Olga brings 20 years of experience managing a fast-growing, distributing, non-profit organization, as well as operational expertise in program design, delivery, and evaluation, and a proven track record of building strategic partnerships among diverse stakeholder groups.

Olga has a Master’s Degree in English and Philosophy from the University of Constantine the Philosopher in Nitra, Slovakia. Prior to immigrating to Canada, she was a Senior Project Manager at Management Partners, the leading HR consulting company in the Slovak market. She was highly successful in her role of recruiting personnel for international organizations opening subsidiaries in Slovakia.

Olga is the recipient of the 2009 Business in Vancouver Top Forty Under 40 Award, as well as the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Sharon Butler (She, Her)

Director of Strategic Engagement & Partnerships

Sharon Butler joined MOSAIC in September 2019. In her role as Director of Strategic Engagement & Partnerships, she is responsible for driving revenue growth in corporate partnerships, corporate philanthropy, annual giving, major gifts, grant writing and community giving to increase fundraising revenue for MOSAIC.

As a seasoned fundraiser, Sharon has experience cultivating gifts through philanthropic, cause marketing and sponsorship channels with Canada’s largest corporations as well as driving revenue growth in the community, partnership and signature events portfolio for both philanthropic and commercial roles. Prior to joining MOSAIC, Sharon had leadership roles with the Surrey Hospital Foundation, Vancouver Aquarium, CFL Grey Cup and the Vancouver Canucks.

Sharon graduated from the University of Victoria with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree in Marketing and International Business.

In her spare time, Sharon enjoys travelling, coaching and playing basketball, skiing, all water sports and reading, but her greatest joy comes from spending time with her two daughters, husband and their dog.

Sherman Chan, MSc. RSW (He, Him)

Director of Family & Settlement Services

Sherman Chan is the Director of Family and Settlement Services at MOSAIC. He has a Master of Science in Applied Social Studies Degree from the United Kingdom, and is a registered social worker. He has worked in the field of social service for more than thirty years in Canada, Hong Kong, USA and Britain. Sherman takes a leadership role with immigration matters in Canada. He is currently Co-chair of Corrections Canada Pacific Region Ethnocultural Advisory Committee, a member of the Transit Police Chief’s Community Council. He was a member of the Executive and Treasurer of the Canadian Council for Refugees, a member of the National Settlement Council, and served as a Director of the Board of the Pro Bono Law BC and Board of AMSSA.

Sherman has done a number of collaborative studies with research institutions and participated in social justice advocacy with community groups. He presented three times in front of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration on ‘Best Settlement Services’, ‘Promoting Economic Prosperity through Settlement Services’, and ‘Resettlement of Syrian Refugees to Canada’.

Sherman is the recipient of the City of Vancouver 2006 Cultural Harmony Award, recognizing his outstanding contribution to the promotion of cultural harmony in the City of Vancouver, and a Canadian Delegate to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Annual Tripartite Consultations on Resettlement, Geneva, Switzerland in 2013.

Kumar Lal (He, Him)

Director of Business Technology & Operations

Kumar has 20 plus years of experience in Information Technology.  A graduate of BCIT in Mechanical Engineering and Information Systems, Kumar has gained his IT leadership tenures in gaming, the food and beverage industries,
hospitality, and most recently in the distribution and logistics industries.

Kumar is very familiar with managing IT in a distributed environment like MOSAIC, where users are working from multiple sites. And with Covid bringing in the ‘work from home’ culture, Kumar has organized IT systems to allow users to work from anywhere with data security in mind.

A big believer in standards and project management, Kumar has completed infrastructure, application and several cloud migration projects, as well as facilities projects such as data centre and office moves, and building and maintaining office locations.

David Lee (He, Him)

Director of Employment, Language & Social Enterprise

Over the last 15 years, David has worked with numerous non-profit organizations, both as a consultant and in leadership roles, with a focus on the social services, local employment and non-profit housing sectors.

His work has involved engaging people and organizations across the 3 levels of government, local businesses, and non-profit sectors, and the individuals being served and supported.  He has facilitated a wide range of consultations and planning sessions, and guided the development of strategic plans and social enterprise business plans.

In addition to having a Master of Business Administration from the UBC Sauder School of Business, David is an Accredited Partnership Broker and an Authorized Practitioner-Trainer with the Partnership Brokers Association.

Sue Trevor (She, Her)

Director of Finance & Administration

Sue Trevor, a Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant, began her career at the former Touche Ross & Co in Toronto, where she was part of the external audit team for a variety of organizations, including non-profits. Sue continued her involvement in the non-profit and charitable sector through volunteering, and soon began offering services to charities and non-profits through her own practice. Volunteering led to becoming the founding Executive Director of the Depressive and Manic Depressive Association of Ontario, where she enjoyed building the organization over five years. She then served as Controller of the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club, a non-profit recreational facility with over 4,000 members. In 2001, after more than five-and-a-half years at the Club, Sue moved to British Columbia with her family.

Sue has been a member of the executive team of MOSAIC since 2002, and past accomplishments have included leading the human resources team for many years, culminating in MOSAIC being named to the Great Place to Work lists of Best Workplaces in Canada, and helping to ensure that MOSAIC’s head office space at 5575 Boundary Road was designed to meet the organization’s needs for years to come. After 20 years overseeing IT and facilities management in addition to finance and risk, a 2023 restructuring has allowed Sue to focus fully on financial and risk management and direction of the Finance and Administration Department.

Senior Managers

Joy Abasta (She, Her)

Senior Manager of Community Health and Specialized Programs

Joy (she/her) is an immigrant whose experience brought her to work with MOSAIC to serve migrants, refugees, and newcomers. In 2014, she started her Canadian work experience as a Care Aide and slowly moved her way forward to leadership positions in various organizations in British Columbia.

Her work started in the Philippines as a Registered Nurse specializing in community health, health promotion, and disaster and risk management. She worked as a travel nurse in remote and poverty-stricken areas in the country. In 2010, she served as a Board Member in a youth organization that helped the Reproductive Health Bill become law despite the various objections from a few sectors. In 2012, it officially became the Reproductive Health Law which affords youth and women accessibility to family planning and strengthens their body autonomy. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Joy decided to come home to serve her fellow Filipinos through the World Health Organization’s global Solidarity Vaccine Trial. This initiative aimed to provide education in reducing vaccine hesitancy, as well as provide the capacity in building immunity in communities. 

Joy’s vision for Community Health and Specialized Programs is anchored in the hopes that (a) each newcomer, refugee, and migrant in Canada will be empowered to make informed and culturally-safe choices about their health & safety by bridging the knowledge and service gaps in our healthcare system; and (b) use Indigenous, inclusivity, and equity lens in the programs we offer.

When Joy is not working, she and her husband are lifelong learners including decolonization and the responsibility of living in the unceded Coast Salish Territory; the traditional lands of kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem)xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam)Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish)Stó:lō (Sto:lo), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. 

Adrienne Bale (She, Her)

Senior Manager Settlement & Integration Programs

Adrienne began her career as a language teacher abroad teaching in Iraq, Indonesia and Turkey for over 10 years.  It was during this experience that she realised the unearned privilege holding a Canadian passport gave her and her passion for working with immigrants and refugees. Back in Canada, she began frontline work as a coordinator at the YMCA, then moved into manager roles there and at DIVERSEcity.

She is passionate about supporting staff to be able to best serve their communities. She is an EDI focused leader with over 7 years managing diverse portfolios – proven in operational excellence, budget and contract management, conflict resolution, strategic planning, building and leading successful staff and volunteer teams.

Adrienne has a background in Health Sciences with a degree in Physical Activity Studies from the University of Regina. She believes strongly in addressing settlement services holistically, focusing on the social determinates of health.

Adrienne is committed to continued learning of decolonization, anti-racism and anti-oppressive practices and the intersection in the settlement sector. She is humbled and honored to be a leader in the sector working with diverse teams.

She currently lives in the unceded lands of the Musqeum, Squamish and Tsleil-waututh nations with her daughter and partner.

Gini Bonner (She, Her)

Senior Manager Refugee Resettlement and Integration

Gini joined MOSAIC after more than a decade as the Executive Director of Mount Pleasant Family Centre Society, a small NPO in Vancouver providing refugee families with children under 6 years of age specialized settlement services, information and referrals as well as parenting support.

Gini brings over 25 years of experience in the not for profit sector including program design, delivery, and evaluation, as well as a proven track record of building strategic partnerships among diverse stakeholder groups. As a life-long learner, Gini embraces change and strives to align her values with her actions. Gini has a passion for developing individual capacity, building community, and creating welcoming environments where individuals can thrive.

Gini has a Bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies and English Literature from Simon Fraser University, as well as a diploma in Early Childhood Education and Nursing”

During Gini’s time with MOSAIC she hopes to make a meaningful contribution to the Senior Leadership Team by sharing her unique ideas and perspective and by supporting the good intentions of all. Gini aspires to a model of leadership that respects individual contributions and values effective communication and collaboration.

Larry Chan (He, Him)

Senior Manager of Employment Programs

Larry Chan began his career in 1990 as a Career Counsellor working with the Severely Employment Disadvantaged. Since then he has managed programs for youth, older workers, multi-barriered clients, professionals and immigrants. As the manager of the Vancouver North East WorkBC Centre, Larry worked with community partners to serve all British Columbians. Most recently, Larry oversees a variety of provincial/federal projects and works collaboratively with Immigrant Serving Organizations across Canada to further MOSAIC’s vision and mission.

Larry attended the University of British Columbia where he earned both, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Diploma of Education in Guidance Counselling. Larry has combined his education with 30 years of experience in the Employment Service field to assist individuals of all backgrounds towards training and labour market attachment.

Anna Du Vent (She, Her)

Senior Manager, Performance & Data Analysis

Anna has a long-standing interest in working with immigrants and refugees. She began her career as a frontline worker, focused on employment and youth services, at the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society, before studying and practicing immigration and refugee law. After realizing that her professional identity rested in the not-for-profit sector, she spent seven years working in the international development sector, leading programming, research, and evaluation teams focused on ending violence against women and girls, promoting women’s economic empowerment, and ensuring legal and policy reform.

Anna is a data enthusiast committed to applying an intersectional approach to assessing and learning from programs in a way that challenges how organizations think about knowledge and power. Through her work, she is committed to opening opportunities for people from traditionally lesser-heard communities to showcase their voices and become strong community actors.

Anna has a Master of Arts degree in International Development Studies and a Law Degree, focusing on immigration and refugee law as well as the legal structures governing charities and not-for-profit organizations.

Anna is a life-long learner, who feeds this intention through travel and meeting people from around the world. When she is not working, she loves to spend time in the forest, run, and bake. Anna was born in the interior of British Columbia and is thankful to again be living near the mountains, currently on the traditional, unceded lands of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

Ariela Friedmann (She, Her)

Senior Manager of Marketing & Communications

Ariela is proud to lead the Marketing & Communications Team at MOSAIC. This small but mighty team is responsible for a suite of functions to help share MOSAIC’s vision and mission, and increase awareness and engagement. Ariela holds a High Honours Bachelor of Journalism and English degree from Carleton University in Ottawa. She is an award-winning communicator (IABC – Silver Leaf, publicity campaign) and journalist (OCNA – best news story in Ontario). Starting her career as a newspaper reporter and editor, Ariela then moved into the non-profit world. She has led the marketing & communications function at the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, Alzheimer Society, and the non-profit BC Safety Authority, among others. As an immigrant to Canada, she is now honoured to be giving her all to MOSAIC.

Ariela believes in volunteerism, and donates her time to newcomer mentoring, community advocacy, outdoor leadership, and local theatre. She was recently re-elected to the Board of Directors/Board of Management at Britannia Community Centre and is serving a second two-year term ending in 2025.

An avid adventure traveller, she has backpacked through many countries in far-flung corners of the world, and has successfully summitted many of the world’s highest trekkable mountains including Mt Fuji in Japan, Mt Tiede in Spain, Mt Kinabalu in Malaysia, Mt Rinjani in Indonesia, Kilimanjaro in Africa and Everest Base Camp in Nepal. Weekends will find Ariela somewhere in the local North Shore mountains, feeling blessed and lucky to live in beautiful BC.

Wa’el Hussein (He, Him)

Senior Manager Human Resources

Combining solid business expertise and cultural diversity awareness, Wa’el Hussein has over 10 years of Human Resources experience. His varied work experience crosses many sectors: from a start-up company to an international airline to Canadian non-profits.

Fascinated by how Human Resources can affect organizational competitive advantage, Wa’el has obtained multiple HR certifications including CPHR, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, and Human Resources and Business Management certificates from Simon Fraser University.

Wa’el is a decisive and trusted Human Resources professional with a passion to promote a strong organizational culture, a healthy & engaging work environment, and positive employee experiences.

Laurie Koch (She, Her)

Senior Manager WorkBC Programs

As the Senior Manager of Employment for WorkBC programs, Laurie Koch is fortunate to work with a team of remarkable and engaged leaders across several catchments, including locations where MOSAIC is subcontracted to lead organizations. Laurie loves working with people and mentoring team members to become more self-aware, overcome obstacles, tackle tough challenges, and fulfill their potential.

Laurie also supports contract acquisition through involvement in proposals for funding requests, including brainstorming new and creative projects as well as writing proposals to create the best possible opportunities for community members and the labour market. She has presented at provincial conferences and actively seeks out ways to collaborate with other organizations locally, provincially, and nationally to create opportunities to safeguard the lives of disenfranchised community members. Laurie is passionate about re-thinking how organizations, clients, and employers can work together to create more engaging, sustainable, and well-rounded services.

Laurie is currently completing her Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University with an anticipated graduation date of March 2024.

Mei Lee (She, Her)

Senior Manager of Vancouver Northeast WorkBC & Business Performance/Systems

Mei Lee has worked in the Human Resource and Business Process Improvement sector for over 25 years. Her career in a leading international bank included humanizing mergers and acquisitions, developing human resource and manpower systems, and creating leaders through transformational people initiatives. She became the Vice President of Leadership Development and Talent Management through her ability to innovate, adapt and take on challenges courageously.

In 2010, she took on her greatest challenge moving to Canada, her new home. With a rewarding experience as a MOSAIC client, the organization became her employer of choice and she made a decision to reinvent herself in the non-profit world as a way of paying it forward. Starting as a frontline worker, she used her wealth of experience, her newfound knowledge in Finance, and her passion to support her colleagues, to eventually become a Coordinator at the Employment Centre. Her drive for continuous learning and to improve the workplace led her to the position of Manager, Business Performance and Systems and now Senior Manager, Vancouver Northeast WorkBC and Business Performance.

Mei holds a Bachelor of Science (Hon.) in Microbiology from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. As an immigrant who has lived the story, she wants to be a part of an organization that makes an impact on the lives of newcomers.

“Don’t be afraid of change, because it is leading you to a new beginning” – Joyce Meyer

Matthew Levan (He, Him)

Senior Manager of Language Programs

Matthew has a passion for adult education which started in 2008 teaching English to Mexican migrant workers for Frontier College. Taking this experience and a desire to pursue a career teaching adults, Matthew enrolled in a Masters of Adult Education at the University of New Brunswick completing this in 2012. While pursuing his studies Matthew concurrently began his career within LINC, getting inspiration teaching amazing students from around the world at the Multicultural Association of Fredericton.

Upon moving to the west coast in 2015 Matthew joined MOSAIC and has worked in various capacities within the organization ever since.  Matthew has experience in various programs, most recently as Business Manager for the training and assessment social enterprises of MOSAIC.

He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his role and is proud to work with the professional and caring team in Language Programs. He is committed to ensuring that staff, clients, partners and funding stakeholders all benefit from a client centred, dynamic, and responsive delivery of MOSAIC programming.

When not at work, Matthew is an active member of his housing co-operative and an avid biker along the seawall.

Chantelle MacIsaac (She, Her)

Senior Manager of Interdepartmental and Strategic Initiatives

Chantelle MacIsaac is the Senior Manager of Interdepartmental and Strategic Initiatives. She joined MOSAIC in 2002 and held several positions within the Language and Employment Department including instructor, coordinator and manager. She supported the LINC program with the transition to Portfolio-Based Language Assessment and has been an active member of provincial settlement committees, including the AMSAA BC LINC Guidelines Committee and the BC Settlement Outcomes Working Group.

Chantelle has a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, with a major in International Development and a Bachelor of Education, with a specialization in Teaching English as a Second Language. She draws on her teaching and administration background to implement effective systems that support the continuous improvement of the organization and the optimization of integrated services to clients. Chantelle values and creates space for the voices of all stakeholders in program evaluation and improvement, including the recipients of service, volunteers, front line staff, management and the community.

Romy Senghera (She, Her)

Senior Manager of Children & Family Programs

Romy Senghera began her career as a Youth Worker in 2002 and since then has worked her way up into a variety of management roles. She is a team player who strives to build effective teams while supporting the needs of the community with sustainable programming. Romy brings extensive experience supervising a variety of diverse teams and disciplines. Her strength lies in recognizing and developing individual capacity, building community, and creating safe spaces for individuals to thrive.

Her experience building community partnerships and serving the public encompasses delivering a variety of front-line programs and services for children, youth, adults, and seniors; settlement services, employment services specializing in services for survivors of abuse and violence, literacy, food security and engaging in community development initiatives.

Romy was first exposed to settlement services as a practicum student at Kiwassa Neighbourhood House, providing programming for newcomer youth. Over the years, she has worked with a variety of newcomers including Jarai and Syrian refugees, eventually overseeing the Settlement portfolio, as the Director of Community Programs for Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House.

Romy has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Child and Youth Care and is currently completing a Diploma in Gerontology. She is also a proud cohort member of the 2020 DIA Fellowship in Developmental Leadership.

Romy is a big believer in giving back and is currently volunteering as the Treasurer on the Moresports BC Board of Directors.

“Community is built on the result of opportunities that develop relationships.”

Hugo Velázquez Vázquez (He, Him)

Senior Manager of Community Engagement, Advocacy and Migrant Workers Programs

Hugo is a Human Rights lawyer certified in Mexico, with a Master in Asia Pacific Studies at The Australian National University.

Working as a Mexican diplomat in Vancouver, Hugo was responsible for overviewing the health and well-being of the more than 6,000 migrant workers who come to British Columbia each year. Together, with his team, and in collaboration with many stakeholders, they were able to ensure proper healthcare, housing, and treatment for these workers who play a vital role in the agricultural sector of B.C.

In a previous capacity, he led a team that designed and implemented the National Disability Rights Program in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as part of the National Human Rights Commission (Mexico).

Hugo constantly strives to promote equity, inclusion, and diversity, both within his team and in our community.

Susan Yung (She, Her)

Controller

Susan joined MOSAIC in 1995 after obtaining her degree in Business Administration from Simon Fraser University. Over the years she has taken on many positions in the Finance and Administration Department and is currently responsible for the organization wide financial and accounting processes.

She feels privileged to work in a place filled with dedicated staff and volunteers who are passionate in their work in supporting MOSAIC’s immigrants, refugees and newcomers.