Spencer was appointed Director, Business Development for Southern Railway of British Columbia (SRY), Blue Water Rail Services (BWRS), and Southern Railway of Vancouver Island (SVI) in October 2024. In this role, he oversees the commercial and customer service functions, industrial land development, interline relations with the Class I railways, and strategic initiatives across all three railroads. Spencer joined SRY in August 2015 as a Mechanical Shop Helper and progressed through several roles in the Engineering and Business Development departments before becoming Business Development Manager for SRY Rail Link and Blue Water Rail Services in August 2018. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Capilano University (2018) and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Guelph (2023).
Tamara has more than 35 years’ experience in financial services and a proven track record of creating and leading high performing teams and maximizing member value using Agile and Lean methodology through collaboration and leadership.
Active in the community, Tamara is a champion of Envision Financial’s signature cause, The Full Cupboard, and is passionate about supporting women’s and children’s charities in the communities that Envision serves. For nearly a decade, Tamara has also been a director on the board of Run for Water Foundation, which is dedicated to raising awareness around community health and raising funds for clean water projects in Ethiopia. She currently serves on the finance committee of Run for Water’s board.
Anthony Housefather was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Mount Royal in 2015. He serves as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience. He previously served as Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour. He also served as Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on Jewish Community Issues and Antisemitism and is co-chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Task Force on Online Antisemitism.
From 2016 to 2019, Anthony served as Chair of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. He serves and has served on multiple other parliamentary committees, groups, and associations.
Prior to his election to the House of Commons, Anthony worked at Dialogic Corporation, a multinational technology company, where he rose through the ranks to become Executive Vice-President of Corporate Affairs and General Counsel.
Anthony also served as a city councillor and then as Mayor of the City of Cote Saint-Luc for 10 years prior to being elected federally.
Anthony is active in his community, having served as a volunteer for many years with a number of community organizations. He is also a member of the local swim team. His performance in swimming earned him seven medals at the 2013 Maccabiah Games and five medals at the 2017 Maccabiah Games. The Maccabiah Games is an international multi-sport competition held every four years in Israel.
Anthony holds a Bachelor of Civil Law and a Bachelor of Laws from McGill University, and a Master of Business Administration from Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business.
Ramona Brar is a Fraser Valley business leader, entrepreneur, and Managing Director House of Sher. Drawing from a diverse career that began in healthcare as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Ramona brings resilience, adaptability, and a people-first approach to leadership. Today, she oversees operations across sales, marketing, production, and strategic growth for her family’s expanding manufacturing and distribution business. Ramona is passionate about mentorship, women in leadership, Canadian-made manufacturing, and building strong systems that support sustainable business growth both regionally and nationally.
With over 25 years of diverse experience in government, politics and the private sector, Alex McMillan is known for providing sage strategic counsel and support for communications, government relations, policy development and advocacy advice to his clients.
Alex began his career as a senior political staffer and later as a civil servant in various provincial ministries over 11 years in Victoria. After leaving government, he spent the next five years delivering high quality consulting services to a broad range of clients at one of the country’s largest public relations firms. He then moved “in-house” with an integrated forestry company, responsible for the designing and execution of their government relations strategies targeting the provincial government and over a dozen local municipalities where the company operated.
Most recently, Alex served as the CEO (Interim) of the British Columbia Chamber of Commerce, the largest and most broad-based business association in the province. In February, Alex returned to his own consultancy practice, which he started in 2020, full-time.
With first-hand experience across many sectors and policy areas, Alex understands the needs of business and what is required to get things done. In his work with clients, he has routinely demonstrated how to effectively balance an organization’s commercial and public relations interests within the complex matrix of government and stakeholder relationships, doing so with a deft and diplomatic touch.
He and his wife live in Vancouver and are navigating the joys of raising two teenage daughters. When not driving his children to their activities, Alex spends as much time on his bicycle as weather and work commitments will allow.
For more than 35 years Stuart McNish has been involved in video journalism and storytelling.
Stu is the host of Conversations Live, a “Public Affairs Dialogue” platform carried ‘Live’ on The Vancouver Sun.
In April of 2026, he launched a new television show and online series, “The Entrpreneurs: I Built This!” profiling the women and men who are the heroes of the Canadian economy.
Stu is also the host of Conversations That Matter, a weekly television show, YouTube channel, a podcast and a radio program that can be seen and heard on The Vancouver Sun, CHEKNews and Bell Media outlets in British Columbia.
He is also the founder and President of Oh Boy Productions, an independent video and television production studio in Vancouver. The company produces Carole Taylor’s Journal, BC Legends with Carole Taylor, Donnie & Dhali: The Team, Vancolour and Now You Know.
In March of 2025, Stu was awarded the King’s Coronation Medal by Lt. Gov. Wendy Cocchia.
Dr. James Mandigo began his tenure as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Fraser Valley on July 1, 2025. He brings 25 years of experience in post-secondary education, with a focus on student-centred learning, international engagement, and building strong community partnerships.
Dr. Mandigo believes universities play a vital role in supporting the social and economic well-being of the regions they serve, a view that aligns closely with UFV’s mission to engage learners, transform lives, and build community. He has consistently emphasized the importance of collaboration across disciplines and communities to create meaningful educational experiences that help prepare students for an increasingly interconnected world.
Before becoming UFV’s President, Dr. Mandigo served as the university’s Provost and Vice-President, Academic from 2019 to 2025, including a one-year term as Acting President. Prior to joining UFV, he held several senior academic leadership roles at Brock University, including Vice-Provost, Enrolment Management and International; Co-Director, Centre for Healthy Development through Sport and Physical Activity; and Interim Dean, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences. He holds a PhD in Physical Education and Recreation from the University of Alberta, a master’s degree from Laurentian University, and a bachelor’s degree from Wilfrid Laurier University.
An active researcher throughout his career, Dr. Mandigo is internationally recognized for his work in physical literacy, life skills development, and sport for social change. He has collaborated with partners including the International Olympic Committee and Right to Play, with a particular focus on violence prevention through education in Central America.
Dr. Mandigo is the author of one book, ten book chapters, and forty-five peer-reviewed journal articles. He has delivered over 120 invited and refereed conference presentations and received multiple national awards for his contributions to physical and health education, including the Award of Distinction from the Ontario Physical and Health Education Association in 2019, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from Physical and Health Education Canada in 2015.
Rachael Segal is a seasoned political strategist, lawyer, media executive, and public affairs leader with decades of experience advising senior figures across government, media, and the private sector. Based in Vancouver, she serves as Vice President, British Columbia Lead, and General Counsel at Enterprise Canada, where she supports clients navigating government relations, public affairs, and strategic communications.
Rachael’s political experience spans multiple levels of government. She has served in senior policy advisor roles in both provincial and federal offices, including on Parliament Hill and for elected officials across Canada. Her campaign experience includes leadership roles in municipal, provincial, and federal elections, as well as political work in the United Kingdom, where she served as a political aide to one of the country’s few elected mayors.
She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Victoria, a law degree and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Osgoode Hall Law School, and is a member of the Law Societies of British Columbia and Ontario.
Rachael is also a national media commentator, appearing weekly on CBC’s Power & Politics, CBC Vancouver’s The Early Edition, and CKNW's The Mike Smyth Show. Her background includes full‑time on‑air roles with a national television news network and Newstalk 1010 in Toronto.
In 2023, Rachael founded Beyond a Ballot, a multi‑partisan political media company dedicated to increasing women’s participation in Canadian politics through accessible media products, education, and community‑building. Its signature podcast, co‑hosted by Rachael and Amanda Alvaro, has achieved notable success since launch, and the platform now includes a book club, weekly newsletter, and sold‑out live events.
Travis leads Vitalus’ production operations and supply chain, including Abbotsford, Winnipeg, and Red Deer. Travis brings over 20 years operating manager experience in food processing, packaging, supply chain, and agriculture. Travis joined Vitalus in 2022 with a clear mandate to drive efficiency and quality performance. He has implemented continuous improvement processes driven by data to identify opportunities to optimize underutilized or underperforming segments of the business. Travis is leading the operational start-up of Vitalus’ newest facility to open late in 2027.
Mike Heppell is the President of Longboard Architectural Products, where he leads with a clear vision for innovation, sustainable growth, and people first leadership. Under his direction, the company has evolved into a key player in Metro Vancouver’s industrial sector, operating a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Abbotsford that employs close to 200 team members.
Mike has been instrumental in guiding the company’s investment in advanced automation, robotics, and autonomous manufacturing technologies, positioning Longboard at the forefront of modern production while preparing the business for future expansion. With plans for a two-phase facility growth strategy, he continues to drive long-term scalability and operational excellence.
A strong advocate for both economic impact and community development, Mike has overseen the company’s growth into an export driven business, with 80% of products serving the United States market. His leadership supports not only company success but also contributes meaningfully to the regional economy, where industrial innovation plays a vital role in job creation and GDP growth.
Mike is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace culture. Nearly half of Longboard’s workforce is female, well above the industry average, and every employee earns a living wage. His dedication to people and culture helped earn the company recognition as one of Canada’s Top Small and Medium Employers in 2024 and 2025.
With a focus on achieving ambitious growth targets, Mike continues to champion product innovation, client-focused solutions, and sustainable practices. From implementing environmentally responsible manufacturing processes to empowering employees to give back to their communities, his leadership reflects a balanced approach to business success and social responsibility.
Driven by the mission to inspire the design and construction community, Mike Heppell is committed to building a company that not only delivers exceptional architectural products but also creates meaningful impact for its people, partners, and the communities it serves.
Hamish Telford is an associate professor of political science at the University of the Fraser Valley. He is the author of Engaging Canadian Politics, second edition (Northrose, 2026). He is a past president of the BC Political Studies Association, and he twice served on the board of the Canadian Political Science Association. He is a frequent commentator on BC and Canadian politics in the local, national, and international media.