About Me
Overview
Youth Facilitator
I am passionate about creating genuine opportunities for youth engagement that goes beyond tokenism. Through my work, I try to create spaces for youth to be heard and empower them to have their ideas translated into real world action.
Geographer
I am a geographer by training focusing on global environmental systems and urban issues. My skills in geographic information systems (GIS) allows me to research my interests in urban issues including sea level rise, local schools, and mapping urban assets.
Advocate
It is a privilege to work in this community of local, young changemakers. I care deeply about robust climate policies at local to global levels, a strong, well-funded public education system, and better access to mental health services for youth. To me, being a good advocate involves not only using my privilege to advocate on behalf of others, but to also open spaces for others to advocate for issues that they care about. It is up to all of us to help amplify the work of others and to open doors.
Policy Wonk
My passion is municipal policy and politics focusing on local school board related issues, youth engagement, transportation and housing. I have experience in working with local government and multiple stakeholder groups as the Chair of the City of Vancouver’s largest Advisory Committee for children youth and families.
How I Work
Ideate
Collaborate
Delegate
Review & Revise
Celebrate Others
Repeat
Resume
Work Experience
February 2021 to Current
Constituency Support Manager
New Democrat BC Government Caucus
- Support the operations of 57 constituency offices province-wide
- Provide advice and direct assistance to MLAs on constituency office operations, including
financial and human resources management - Provide direct, on-the-ground support to new MLAs in implementing information management
systems to ensure a smooth flow of case work, correspondence, and outreach - Update training materials to support the evolving needs of constituency operations
March 2019 to February 2021
Constituency Assistant
Hon. George Chow, MLA for Vancouver-Fraserview
- Conducted casework with relevant government ministries on behalf of constituents
- Responsible for the Transit Advocacy file which resulted in new bus service in Vancouver-Fraserview
- Staff and facilitate meetings between MLA Chow and Vancouver City Councillors
- Brieffed MLA Chow on in-riding issues
- Coordinated media coverage for MLA Chow’s advocacy with Caucus Communications
- Managed the Constituency Office relationships between TransLink, community partners and elected officials at the City of Vancouver
- Monitored and supported the MLA’s digital presence
May 2019 to September 2019
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Spatial Analysis and Modelling Lab | Simon Fraser University
- Conducted research under Dr. Suzana Dragicevic with a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Award
- Implemented an agent-based model using Netlogo on multiple urban areas
- Processed vector and raster data and spatial analysis in ArcGIS
March 2016 to December 2018
Youth Leadership Facilitator
Metro Vancouver Youth4Action
- Developed a sustainability leadership camp for students in Grades 10-12
- Responsible for camp logistics and mentoring students
- Coordinated and delivered a Community Partners Day and managed multiple stakeholders
Policy and Political Experience
April 2018-October 2018
Vancouver School Board Candidate
Vision Vancouver
April 2015 to October 2018
Chair (March 2016-October 2018), Vice-Chair (April 2015-March 2016) and Member
City of Vancouver Children, Youth and Families Advisory Committee
- Advise City Council, Parks and Recreation, and School Board on matters that impact children, youth and families
- Responsible for Committee Agendas, coordination with City Staff and elected officials, and overseeing Committee Projects
- Directed a public education advocacy project and met with Vancouver MLAs along with current students to discuss issues facing children in the public education system
March 2017- September 2017
Advisory Committee Member
Vancouver Coastal Health, Child and Youth Mental Health and Substance Use
- Worked with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) staff and practitioners to develop ideas that could improve access to services and identify barriers for their new strategy
- Encouraged VCH to engage with youth in an authentic manner that fosters their participation and genuine engagement
- Recommended that staff use schools and the connections between teachers, counsellors, and students to support service delivery
September 2016-May 2017
Fellow
Vision Vancouver
Non-Profit Experience
January 2017 to Present
Organization Advisor, Board Member (January 2018-Present)
Be the Change Earth Alliance
- Advise the organization on changes to their environmental sustainability curriculum
- Identify areas of potential partnership and emerging opportunities for new topics
- Examine draft programming through the lens of youth engagement and participation
April 2013 to June 2015
Co-Founder (2013), Conference Chair (2014), Advisor (2015)
Vancouver School Board Sustainability Conference
- Co-wrote the proposal for the initial conference
- Formalized conference framework with Planning Committee
- Coordinated 20+ delegations with schools and Youth Head Delegates
- Assisted with the registration of 200+ people
- Oversaw the development of a district-wide conference for over 200 attendees that included students, teachers and district staff
- Managed Planning Committee of 10 people performing a variety of tasks
Education
September 2015 to June 2020
Bachelor of Environment (BEnv) with Distrinction, Global Environmental Systems
Simon Fraser University
- An interdisciplinary program consisting of both physical and human geography classes, and resource and environmental management
- Covers topics related to biophysical systems, socio-economic systems, and data acquisition, analysis, and modelling
January 2017 to June 2020
Minor in Political Science
Simon Fraser University
- Completed Introduction to Public Policy, Introduction to Canadian Public Administration, Science, Policy, and Innovation, Intro to Politics and Government, Comparative Metropolitan Governance Urban Public Policy
- Interests include Urban Policy, Local Democracy and Governance, and Youth Engagement in Policy Formulation and Decision-Making
January 2017 to June 2020
Urban Studies Certificate
Simon Fraser University
- Completed Intro to Urban Geography, Local Democracy and Governance, and Geography of Urban Built Environments, Comparative Metropolitan Governance, Urban Public Policy
- Interests include Urban Policy, Stakeholder Engagement and Youth Participation in Planning
January 2017 to June 2020
Spatial Information Systems Certificate
Simon Fraser University
- Completed Geographic Information Systems, Introduction to Remote Sensing, Quantitative Geography, Multimedia Cartography, Spatial Analysis, and Geographic Information Systems II, Advanced Remote Sensing
- Excelled in SIS capstone class in Spatial Modelling implementing a Cellular Automata model on flooding in Metro Vancouver
- Proficient in ArcGIS, ArcGIS Online, Terrset, and manipulating vector and raster data
Awards
2015 Top 25 Under 25 Environmentalist | The Starfish Canada
2016 Top 30 Under 30 Environmentalist | Corporate Knights
Scholarships
SFU Open Scholarship (Multiple Semesters)
SFU BOMA Scholarship for Urban Studies (Spring 2018 and Spring 2019)
SFU Dean’s Excellence Scholarship- Environment
James Edmonds Memorial Scholarship
Aric Hayes Memorial Scholarship
MLA Suzanne Anton QC Scholarship
District Scholarship- Independent Studies
Killarney Band- Leadership and Community Building Award
Killarney Environment Club Scholarship
Software
Word
PowerPoint
Excel
WordPress
GIS
ArcGIS
ArcGIS Online
Terrset/IDRISI
Portfolio
- All
- Awards
- City Advisory Committee
- Education Advocacy
- Environment & Sustainability
- GIS
- Housing
- Mental Health
Op-Ed | A Rigged Game: School Closures in Vancouver | The Tyee
I wrote an Op-Ed for The Tyee on the Vancouver School Board's flawed Long-Range Facilities Plan.
2019 Long Range Facilities Plan Committee Submission
I spoke at the March 6th Committee II Meeting on the VSB Long Range Facilities Plan. Take a look at my submission to the Committee.
Sea Level Rise in Vancouver | GEOG 355 Geographic Information Systems II Final Project
My final project for GIS II focused on modelling Sea Level Rise in Vancouver with Terrset's Climate Change Adaptation Modelling tool.
School board and city council hopefuls want affordable housing built on Vancouver school grounds | The Star Metro Vancouver
With Tanya Paz, Vision Vancouver 2018 Council Candidate, we proposed to build affordable housing for teachers and staff on Vancouver School Board owned land.
Letter to the VSB regarding Public Education Advocacy and Seismic Upgrades
The City of Vancouver Children, Youth and Families Advisory Committee writes to the VSB regarding Public Education Advocacy.
“Patti Bacchus: Listen to the kids, VSB – they’re all right” – The Georgia Straight, November 30, 2017
Patti Bacchus, Education Columnist for the Georgia Straight, comments on the public education advocacy work of the City of Vancouver, Children, Youth and Families Advisory Committee.
2018 Budget Submission for the Select Standing Committee for Finance and Government Services
The City of Vancouver Children, Youth and Families Advisory Committee wrote a submission to the Provincial Government's Select Standing Committee for Finance and Government Services for its 2018 Budget Consultation.
Letter to the Minister of Education regarding a By-Election for the Vancouver School Board
The City of Vancouver Children, Youth and Families Advisory Committee wrote to the Minister of Education to express its support for a by-election for the Vancouver School Board.
Vancouver Coastal Health Child and Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Strategy
I participated in the consultations and Steering Committee for the VCH Child and Youth Mental Health Strategy. I advocated for more services in local schools and streamlining the intake process.
Opposing the Sale of Vancouver Public Schools and VSB Land
The City of Vancouver Children, Youth and Families Advisory Committee opposes the sale of public VSB lands including Kingsgate Mall.
Supporting a Democratically-Elected School Board
The City of Vancouver Children, Youth and Families Advisory Committee advocated for the restoration of democratic governance at the Vancouver School Board.
Response to the Peter Milburn Forensic Audit
The City of Vancouver Children, Youth and Families Advisory Committee responded to the Peter Milburn Forensic Audit.
Supporting the Indefinite Suspension of School Closures
In November 2016, the City of Vancouver Children, Youth and Families Advisory Committee supported the Vancouver Board of Education's decision to suspend the school closure processes after the Province removed the 95% utilization ratio for schools to receive seismic upgrades.
2016 Top 30 Under 30 in Sustainability- Corporate Knights
In 2016, I placed on the list of Top 30 Under 30 in Sustainability published by Corporate Knights, a quarterly "magazine for clean capitalism".
Letter to the Provincial Government regarding the VSB Long Range Facilities Plan (LRFP)
The City of Vancouver Children, Youth and Families Advisory Committee wrote to all Vancouver MLAs and the Minister of Education to express our concerns regarding the Vancouver School Board's Long Range Facilities Plan.
2015 Top 25 Under 25 Environmentalists – The Starfish Canada
In 2015, I placed on The Starfish Canada's list of Top 25 Under 25 Environmentalists in Canada for my work in environmental education and youth leadership.
