Aaron is an Associate at Mandell Pinder LLP and a member of the Musqueam Indian Band. His legal practice includes research, litigation, and strategic advice related to a wide variety of Aboriginal rights, title, and governance issues. Aaron joined the YVRAF board in 2019.
Alana Lawrence is the Advisor to the CEO at Vancouver Airport Authority driving the organization’s overall strategic objectives. She joined YVR in 2008 and has held various roles leading the Communications, Public Affairs, Indigenous Relations and Government Relations teams. Alana plays an integral role in upholding and delivering upon the historic Musqueam-YVR Sustainability & Friendship Agreement. Alana joined the YVRAF Board in 2020.
Bio coming soon.
Hannah Turner is an Assistant Professor in the School of Information, at UBC where she researches the connection between cultural heritage and technology. She examines systems of classification and categorization in museum ethnographic collections, and experiments with how emerging technologies can be used to represent cultural heritage in order to facilitate repatriation. Hannah joined the YVRAF Board in 2020.
Personal Website: http://hannahtrnr.com
Roger is a Partner at Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP and Co-Chair of the Corporate Commercial Group, which he has helped build during his two decades with the firm. Outside of the firm, Roger spends his time with his wife and twins, volunteering on four not-for-profit boards, performing hits from the 1990s with his rock band, and staying fit on his bike and at the gym. Roger joined the YVRAF Board in 2016 and served as President from 2018-2021.
Bio coming soon.
Ts̱ēmā is an interdisciplinary artist and member of the Tahltan Nation. She uses Potlatch methodology to create conceptual artwork and teachings influenced by her mentorship in Northwest Coast Formline Design at K’saan, her studies in visual culture, and time in the mountains. Tsēmā holds a BFA from Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECUAD) and an MFA from OCAD University. She is a three-time YVR Art Foundation award recipient, received the Emily Award for outstanding ECUAD alumni in 2018, and is a 2020 Sobey Art Award winner. Ts̱ēmā joined the YVRAF Board in 2022.
Connie Watts is the Associate Director, Aboriginal Programs at Emily Carr University of Art + Design. She is an interdisciplinary artist, writer, curator, educator and designer of Nuu-chah-nulth, Gitxsan and Kwakwaka’wakw ancestry. Born and raised in Campbell River, Connie has a Bachelor of Interior Design from the University of Manitoba, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Emily Carr.
Her award-winning work is often rooted in forms and knowledge drawn from First Nations cultures, while her sculptural objects incorporate modern fabrication and design techniques. She has shown nationally and internationally. Connie’s Interior Design and Management projects include the interior of the Songhees Wellness Centre and managing the Vancouver 2010 winter Olympics’ Aboriginal Art Program. Connie has been affiliated with Emily Carr Board of Governors, the British Columbia Arts Council, the First Peoples Cultural Council, the Vancouver Foundation and the Contemporary Art Gallery, among other institutions. Connie joined the YVR Art Foundation Board of Directors in 2020.
Troy Abromaitis is a member of Lytton First Nation, one of the communities of the Nlaka’ parnux Nation. He currently works as the Director of Development with the Bucci Group of Companies.
Mr. Abromaitis’ portfolio of work includes successfully managing over 30 development projects throughout Western Canada. He has over a decade of community service with his commitment to charitable causes, volunteerism and preserving local heritage. He currently sits on the Canadian Home Builder’s Association of BC Fraser Valley and the National indigenous Affordable Housing Corp.
Mr. Abromaitis is also the Past President of the Rotary Club of West Vancouver and the is on the West Point Grey Community Centre Association and the Sto:lo Business Association.
Daniel Nguyen is a designer with Stantec Architecture who is continually inspired by art and design. He is passionate about designing spaces that enhance the quality of experiences people have in the built environment and will always take the opportunity to advocate for more inclusive design strategies and the integration of public art in his projects. His work includes architectural design, engineering coordination, project management, and user group facilitation at a wide range of scales and building types. Prior to obtaining his Master of Architecture at the University of British Columbia, Daniel earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Calgary where he majored in painting.
Elisabeth joined the YVR Art Foundation in 2022 as its second Executive Director. She brings decades of expertise and experience in arts and culture and not-for-profit administration in BC, including leadership roles with the Provincial Language Service (PHSA), the VGH + UBC Hospital Foundation, Ballet BC, and the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art. A life-long British Columbian, she is privileged to further the mandate of the YVR Art Foundation to develop and advance BC and Yukon First Nations visual art and artists. She holds a Bachelor of General Studies and Business Administration (2009) and a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (2015) from Simon Fraser University.
