OUR TEAM
Binners’ Project includes a core group of binner members, a Steering Committee, and 40 staff members, including 35 binners.
Binners' Project is a project on the MakeWay's Shared Platform.
Binners' Project is a project on the MakeWay's Shared Platform.
CORE STAFF
Sean Miles (he/him) – Director
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Sean comes to Binners’ Project with over 10 years working in social services - both in frontline and leadership roles - with a focus on mental health and addictions. Along the way he has gained valuable insight into running a social enterprise through his work at Starworks Packaging & Assembly and has spent time working in the DTES as the manager of the East Hastings WorkBC office.
Sean is passionate about respectfully supporting the DTES and currently sits as the Co-Chair of the Executive Committee for Exchange Inner City. Sean is a firm believer in working from a trauma-informed lens and is deeply committed to the important work of actualizing truth and reconciliation. Sean completed his BA in Psychology at the University of Victoria and a post-bachelor diploma in Psycho-Social Rehabilitation at Douglas College. |
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Brianne is passionate about social justice and creating healthier environments for our communities to live in. Binners’ Project lives into these passions with its combined efforts in advocating for the legitimization of work for binners in Vancouver, as well as the ecological benefits binning has for the community. Brianne received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and English from the University of Alberta, and received her Master of Public Health in Social Policy from the University of Victoria. |
Brianne De Man (she/her) – Manager, Charitable Programs
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Flora Poole (she/her) – Coordinator, Community Programs
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Originally from England, but raised in New Zealand, Flora now happily identifies Vancouver as home. Flora has spent much of her time engaging with local market communities across Metro Vancouver, and it was this interest along with the focus in community-led programming that drew her to Binners’ Project.
While new to the non-profit world, Flora brings with her various experience in community engagement and interpersonal management. In her role she will be working with binners to help develop community programs that legitimize their work and role in our circular economy. Flora completed her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and History from Quinnipiac University, Connecticut while playing Division I Rugby. Off the rugby field Flora loves to experience the outdoors by hiking and skiing. |
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Kate received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and English from Simon Fraser University and is currently completing her Business Management Certificate. She comes to the Project from Vancouver Coastal Health as a team scheduler and has also held positions in guest relations and human resources. She’s also volunteered at the Downtown Community Health Centre and Big Sisters.
She appreciates the innovative approach Binners’ Project takes towards longstanding issues within Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and will be working closely with the binners to ensure the fee for service operations run smoothly while always putting the needs of the binners front of mind. Kate immigrated from the Philippines in her teens and speaks Tagalog and Bisaya fluently. In her free time, she spends her time hiking the local trails and mountains that BC has to offer, trying out new and different eats around town, and watching sports. Unfortunately, she’s a Bruins fan. |
Kate Regala (she/her) – Coordinator, Social Enterprise Programs
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Nadine Leitch (she/her) - Manager, Social Enterprise Programs
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Nadine enjoys working with people who are continually weaving skills and knowledge: Learning from one another to develop individual and collective strength. Nadine comes to the project with 10 years of operations management experience, most recently working with a land-based non-profit in the DTES. She is dedicated to supporting the growth of transformative community organizing to address the oppressive systems that impact this community. She is excited by the opportunity to build equitable relationships and support the development of skills and knowledge for community members.
In her free time, Nadine enjoys hiking and camping in the mountains and volunteering for other organizations that are socially and environmentally focused. |
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In his role as Community Specialist, Davin helps other binners build their capacity. He enjoys working on healthy economic opportunities for people living on the margin.
Davin moved to Vancouver in 1999 and soon found himself reliant on binning to make ends meet. As he became an expert in navigating the local informal economy, he gained the insight and lived experience needed to work within the community. After working at bottle depot United We Can for six years, Davin joined Binners Project as a binner in 2014, and then became part of the core staff. He sits on the Exchange Inner City board and also consults with Eastside Works, an income generation hub located in the heart of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. |
Davin Boutang (he/him) – Community Specialist
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Ed Hawkey (he/him) – Head Coordinator
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Ed joined Binners' Project's staff team in 2019 as a Team Lead and now joins the core staff team as Head Coordinator.
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LEADERSHIP TEAM
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STEERING COMMITTEE
Binners' Project's Steering Committee consists of:
Scott Fraser, Steve Johnston, Ann Cooper, Alexandra Kenyon, Jessica Borich, and Alona Puehse
Learn more about the Steering Committee.
Scott Fraser, Steve Johnston, Ann Cooper, Alexandra Kenyon, Jessica Borich, and Alona Puehse
Learn more about the Steering Committee.
VOLUNTEERS |
ADVISORS |
CONSULTANTS |
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Volunteers provide key supports in numerous areas of the Binners' Project.
Lani Brunn – Volunteer Photographer Shane Frei – Volunteer Cart Designer Jake Collinge – Volunteer Illustrator |
Advisors provide insight to key areas of development
Shaugn Shwartz – Finance Advisor Shane Frei – Industrial Design Derek Senft – Social Enterprise Advisor Johanna Li – Strategy Advisor David LePage – Strategy Advisor Ken Lyotier – Strategy Advisor |
Consultants are experts who provide unique resources to Binners' Project
David Schwartz - Cart Software Engineer Melanie Kwan – Graphic Designer |
