
Harinder Parmar, Chair
Brentwood North Zone
she/her
Harinder is a passionate advocate for children because she knows making our world a better place starts with kids. When we support and meet the needs of students, they become healthy, caring, thriving adults, who do good things. She has been working to make PAC/DPACs kind, inclusive, transparent, and collaborative communities for many years.
“It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” – Frederick Douglass (~1850)
Trinity Bissett, Vice Chair
Cariboo Lougheed Zone
she/her
Trinity was on her PAC for 8 years and became DPAC rep at her daughter’s high school last year. She’s passionate about safety for all students and staff, supporting LGBQT2S+ students, and assisting Indigenous students be as successful as other students in Burnaby.
Hisham Mansour, Treasurer
Cariboo Lougheed Zone
he/him
Mr. Mansour began his involvement in schools in 2019, coaching robotics and programming. Collaborating with secondary school science teachers and students, he dedicated countless hours to building and programming robots in classrooms, buses, hotel rooms, and school labs. Their efforts led them to represent Canada in both international and local robotics tournaments, where they earned numerous awards and trophies. When his daughter was in grade 1, Mr. Mansour became deeply engaged in every PAC meeting and played a crucial role in revitalizing the PAC at his school. He spearheaded initiatives to boost school awareness, organized fundraising and BBQ events, and worked tirelessly to help build a full team of dedicated parents. Currently, Mr. Mansour directs his efforts toward the District PAC, striving to improve the environment for all children in Burnaby and BC. He remains actively involved in his school’s PAC as the district representative and is well-known for his excellent pizza delivery times , gifts shopping skills, stickers and purchasing outdoor field toys for school events and fundraisers—gestures that are greatly appreciated by the kids.
Lauren Couture, Secretary
Central West Zone
she/her
Lauren has been with her school PAC for a number of years, and is devoted to promote inclusion and belongingness in our schools. As an academic/ sociologist, she teaches and advocates about social justice in her professional career and in her volunteerism. She is a passionate community coach, official, and sport volunteer.
Yingzi Feng, Member at Large
Kingsway South Zone
she/her
Professionally, Yingzi is an adept corporate financial planner who adores hands-on problem solving. Raising a child resembles cultivating a young startup where providing the right conditions is instrumental to the success of the child. Yingzi believes that students and their parents, as the end consumers of the services provided by our education system, shall have a strong voice in providing feedback on how effectively and efficiently the system is run. Serving on the DPAC allows her to amplify the voice of parents and students and foster collaboration with concerned parties.
As a woman working in STEM and Business, Yingzi is well aware of gender imbalance in those fields and she aspires to inspire all students to fiercely pursue what they are passionate about. Similarly, she is devoted to advocacy for underrepresented and underprivileged groups such as students with disabilities and special needs. Raising awareness, assessing strengths and challenges, providing support and encouraging individual achievements are all necessary steps to ensure equal access to education. Yingzi is dedicated to making a positive impact on her community through her involvement in PAC and DPAC.
Vivien Gomes, Member at Large
Brentwood North Zone
she/her
Born in Hong Kong, my family and I moved to Burnaby in the early 90’s. I graduated from BCIT in Marketing and International Trade and followed up with a Certified International Trade Professional designation. I enjoyed the work immensely but eventually decided to start a family. The youngest of my three kids is in grade 10 at Alpha.
I was drawn to further personal challenges with community service. I volunteered and worked for various nonprofit organizations; in fundraising and administration. I embraced the art of life; where I had traveled around the world to teach yoga and write children books. Vivien serves as a member for the Alpha Expansion Committee and is a member of DPAC constitution & bylaw committee.
Gaby Maioli, Member at Large
Kingsway South Zone
she/her
As an immigrant to Canada and a mother of three, my family and I have been fortunate to experience the incredible support of this community during our transition to a new country. The kindness and understanding extended to us during those early days inspired me to get involved and give back in any way I could.
Being part of the DPAC allows me to contribute to the school community that has nurtured my children and helped them flourish through their transitions. I’m passionate about building connections, fostering inclusivity, and supporting other families, especially those who, like mine, are navigating the challenges of being newcomers. I believe in the power of community, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to play a role in making our school a welcoming and supportive environment for all.