The Team
Get to know the faces (and hearts) behind ShEvalesco.
Alison McKenzie
Executive director
Alison (she/her) holds a BSc. in Life Sciences from Queen’s University and an MSc. in Occupational and Environmental Health from the University of British Columbia. Alison gained professional experience in industrial hygiene and occupational cancer surveillance before moving on to software professional services consulting for a global EH&S software leader. Mentorship, training and empowerment of youth has always played a major role in Alison’s workplace and volunteer endeavours. In 2017, Alison took this passion and turned it into a mechanism for change through the inception of ShEvalesco. If Alison could give a nugget of advice to her younger self, she would say: trust your gut. Always.
Veryna Schwuchow
Operations & Marketing Manager
Veryna (she/her) holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Diploma in Digital Design & Development. She is also a graphic and web designer who enjoys bringing creative ideas to life and helping businesses grow in the digital realm.
Veryna believes in the importance of creating spaces where youth feel supported and empowered to navigate life’s challenges, and never wants young people to feel alone in their struggles. Outside of her work, Veryna enjoys hiking, listening to music, catching sunrises, and savouring cups of herbal tea! She’s an avid reader of murder mysteries and romantasy novels and loves connecting with others through meaningful conversations. If she could give her younger self a piece of advice, it would be to trust that growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone.
Ash dela Cruz Yip
Mental Health Consultant & Program Facilitator
Ash (they/them) is a Filipinx/Chinese, queer, non-binary settler living on the traditional territories of the Musqueam and Squamish first nations also known as ‘North Vancouver’. They are a pre-licensed clinical counsellor, with a Masters of Counselling Psychology degree concentrating on youth and emerging adults. Ash centres their life around the concepts of community care and community joy. They relish any opportunity to connect and work with youth in generative and collaborative ways. They enjoy spending their down time with their loved ones include their three black cats – Bean, Bubba, and Tinker (BBT for short). Some advice they would give to young Ash would be to be as gentle with themselves as they are with their community and to always lean into joy.
Emma Kiss
Mental Health Consultant & Program Facilitator
Emma (she/her) is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, with a Master of Counselling Psychology and a Bachelor in Biology and Psychology, dedicated to supporting youth-aged individuals to successfully navigate their transition to working, adulthood, and all the challenges they may face. Having grown up in North Vancouver, Emma spends much of her time outside of work outdoors, or throwing pottery. If she could give her younger self advice, Emma would share a Mary Oliver quote; “The most regretful people on earth are those who felt the call to creative work, who felt their own creative power restive and uprising, and gave to it neither power nor time.”
Abby Rizzolo
Mental Health Consultant & Program Facilitator
Abby grew up on the traditional and stolen territories of the Anishnaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak, and Attawandaron. Abby’s father is from Italy and mother from Niagara Falls. Abby thinks of themselves as a lifelong learner and is happiest in nature, surrounded by loved ones, listening to music, and playing soccer. Nothing feels more meaningful to them than supporting people and community. Abby relishes in feeling connected to others and the natural world. They have a deep passion for mental health and social justice and equity, which lead them to degrees in International Development and Psychology at the University of Guelph. Abby now lives on the traditional and stolen territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh, where they have many fulfilling roles, including the privilege of working as a counsellor with previously incarcerated individuals and those recovering from substance use disorders. Abby admires young people and finds great joy in being able to work with them through ShEvalesco. When Abby is older, they hope to stay playful, inspire transformative justice, and continue making meaningful connections. If Abby could tell their younger self one thing, it would be “it’s okay to fail, you’re doing great!”
Tara Lalehparvar
Financial Literacy Facilitator & Curriculum Development Specialist
Tara (she/her) is a licensed dealing representative and Co-Ceo of Skyward Financial alongside her partner, a financial planning company taking an education-based approach to financial services and a focus on younger/Gen Z clients. She is a graduate of the University of British Columbia with a major in Economics and Political Science, and is currently completing her professional Certified Financial Planner designation. The trajectory of her career, and the decision to start Skyward Financial, stems from a genuine passion for dispelling the confusion and anxieties around finance, and the hope to help individuals feel more confident about their place in the financial world, regardless of ‘wealth’ or anything of the like. If she could give her younger self a piece of advice, it would be to give yourself the grace and compassion you give to others.
Carissa Konesky
E-Learning Program Coordinator
Carissa (she/her) is a graduate of Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Gender Studies and Psychology. She works as a fundraiser and loves learning about the non-profit sector and how it works. Her greatest passion is working with female-identified and non-binary youth, and volunteers extensively with several youth organizations. She has organized and facilitated workshops for hundreds of youth from across Canada on topics such as mental health, body image, and self-care. If she could give some advice to her younger self, it would be to not be afraid to pursue the opportunities that you want to.
Laura Bevan
Laura is lawyer, and a partner at Lawson Lundell LLP in Vancouver, British Columbia. Originally from Ontario, Laura obtained her Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) degree from Queen’s University in 2005, and graduated from the Common Law program at the University of Ottawa in 2008. She and her husband moved to Vancouver in 2008, and are now raising two young children in East Vancouver.
Dr. Penny Ballem
Dr. Penny Ballem is a practicing physician with more than 30 years’ experience that spans clinical, government, health administration and academic sectors. In 1992 Dr. Ballem created the institution now known as BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre; in 1997 Dr. Ballem was the principal investigator for the BC Centre of Excellence in Women’s Health. In 2001 Dr. Ballem was appointed Deputy Minister of Health for the Province of BC. From 2008-2015, Dr. Ballem served as the City Manager of the City of Vancouver. Since leaving the City in 2015, Dr. Ballem has continued to provide strategic advice to governments at the provincial and local level in both the health and municipal sector. Dr. Ballem continues as a Clinical Professor of Medicine at UBC and has recently been appointed as a Senior Fellow in the Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Ballem has served on a number of boards including the Canadian Institute for Health Information, Canada Health Infoway, E-Comm (BC), the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, VANOC, Canada Line, the Street to Home Foundation, the Vancouver Board of Trade, Bentall Kennedy, and currently serves on the national Board of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and Tennis Canada.
Dr. Preveena Dharmaraj
Preveena is an attending physician in Vancouver working in family practice. She completed her family medicine residency at St. Paul’s Hospital. Preveena graduated from McMaster University with a Honours Bachelor of Science, and worked in mood and eating disorders research at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto before completing medical school at Queen’s University. She has a special interest in women’s health and obstetrics.
Ann Dinnert
Ann is a retired lawyer, having practiced in Ontario for many years as a partner in a law firm in downtown Toronto, and in later years as Senior Legal Counsel with a large regional municipality on the outskirts of Toronto. In both cases, she specialized in commercial litigation and dispute resolution of a wide variety. In addition to her work with ShEvalesco, Ann also volunteers with Kelowna Community Resources Immigrant Settlement Services, and Project Literacy Kelowna. She also served on the board of the Alzheimer’s Society of Ontario.
Ivy Liao
Ivy (she/her) joined ShEvalesco in 2020, starting as one of the HerStory Project managers and then stepping into the role of the United for YOUth Program Manager in 2023. She is a BCom graduate from the University of British Columbia, where she specialized in Accounting and Business Law. She is also a member of the Canadian National Table Tennis Team, loves being active, and enjoys playing musical instruments in her spare time.
Ivy knows that much of her journey so far would not have been possible without the incredible support from her community, which has inspired her passion for giving back. If given the chance to speak to her younger self, Ivy would say to pause and reflect often, as there are many invaluable lessons that come from seemingly insignificant situations.
Jasleen Bahia
Jasleen (she/her) joined ShEvalesco in 2020 as a Program Manager for the HerStory Project. She is a student at Western University pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Organizational Studies with a Minor in Philosophy. She is passionate about community service, mental wellness, sustainability, and supporting youth living in poverty. In her free time, Jasleen enjoys doing all things active from hiking to running marathons to playing basketball. Jasleen values her community highly and strives to give back whenever she can. She would tell her younger self to continuously express gratitude to members of the community that support her and to take advantage of every opportunity that comes her way.
Keilah Abello
Keilah (she/her) became involved with ShEvalesco in 2020, initially hired as a summer project intern. As ShEvalesco grew, Keilah took the role first of Business Growth and Marketing Strategist, and then most recently, Social Enterprise Project Coordinator. She is a recent graduate of the University of British Columbia, finishing her studies with an undergraduate sociology degree and a minor in psychology. She is deeply passionate about social justice, and loves volunteering with various demographics. Outside of her work and studies, Keilah enjoys reading, painting and spending time with her friends and family. If she could tell her younger self one thing, she would encourage herself to be more confident in her passions and to never be afraid to stand up for herself.
Saige Bakken
Saige (she/her) is a student at Simon Fraser University pursuing a bachelor in health science and a minor in English. She was involved with ShEvalesco as a summer student with the role of Community Engagement Coordinator. After participating in a field school in Greece studying History and Hellenic’s, she chose to take a semester in Copenhagen and is currently studying Theology there. Saige is passionate about attaining a multidisciplinary education, she has interests in writing, personal health within communities, bio-ethics and European sociology. She hopes to find a career that focuses on people, where she can put the different aspects of her education into action.
If given the chance to talk to her younger self, she would say: everything happens for a reason, so accept life as it comes and don’t be afraid to take your time to enjoy the ride (:
Priya Sian
Priya (she/her) majored in Food, Nutrition and Health, BSc. at the University of British Columbia. She was involved with ShEvalesco as a Business Development Intern. She is deeply passionate about public health, and she enjoys exploring this passion through various volunteering opportunities. In her free time, Priya likes to go on walks with her dog, she likes to go to the gym, and she enjoys hanging out with family and friends. If she could tell her younger self one thing, she would say to live in the moment and appreciate the little things in life.
Julianna Lee
Julianna connected with Shevalesco through the Master of Counselling Program at Adler University. Her dream is to become a registered clinical counsellor and provide help and support to others. Julianna’s role at ShEvalesco included: making and compiling research into bite-sized fact sheets and workbooks, in addition to contributing to the HerStory Project. If there was something Julianna would tell her younger self, it would be to be brave and trust your gut.
Luana Teixeira
Luana (she/her) is a Web Designer and Developer with a Business Management background. Luana joined ShEvalesco in 2021, during her Digital Design and Development Practicum. She was responsible for the redesign and development of ShEvalesco’s new website. Luana is a feminist who wants to empower women in the tech industry. If she could tell her younger self one thing, she would say: Never change who you are just to please others.
Kiran Sangha
Kiran is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (R.C.C.) and is working on her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Adler University. She has supported marginalized populations with their emotional and mental well-being through therapy since 2011 and looks forward to providing continuous support through assessment and treatment after graduation. Kiran joined ShEvalesco in 2020 as part of a social justice practicum where she created and presented workshops on brain health and mental well-being. Her passion for working with female-identified youth is all-too-real as she knows the struggles of navigating post-secondary while working, parenting, and striving for life balance. If Kiran could have a wee chat with her child-self, she would remind her that: success is learning and improving, not just winning.