STEERING COMMITTEE

The Steering Committee provides oversight and direction to Binners' Project.

​Jessica is the Founder and Principal Strategist of Prism X Strategy. She is an Impact Architect, passionate about social innovation and advocating for diversity, equality, access and inclusion. Jessica has extensive experience working with organizations to clarify their purpose and embed social impact, enabling positive change through authentic community investment. 

Her first exposure to the Binners’ Project was while working at Vancity designing and managing initiatives such as the Zero Waste Events partnership, aiming to create positive social, economic impact. 

​Jessica is also a passionate Climate Reality activist, trained by Vice-President Al Gore. 

Alona is CEO at Open Door Group, a leading BC not-for-profit with a mission to foster well-being for all by opening doors to meaningful and sustainable employment. Alona brings a depth of experience, including business development, stakeholder relations, non-profit management and a demonstrable commitment to empowering individuals through employment. Open Door Group has served the Downtown Eastside since the 1970's and currently serves over 3,000 unique clients each year in the DTES and Vancouver City Centre community.

Alona continues to spearhead pivotal initiatives and partnerships, most recently, the national expansion of a program to support hundreds of Canadian employers in fostering inclusive workplaces. Her background encompasses business development in Canada, Australia, and Germany. As a 40 under 40 winner and a YWCA Women of Distinction nominee, Alona is passionate about accessibility, diversity, inclusion, social justice, and lifelong learning.

Lizzie is a senior non-profit leader working at the intersection of mission, operations, and people, currently Vice-President, People & Operations at BC Parks Foundation. A Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR), she finds her happy place building equitable, inclusive systems, culture, and operational foundations that help mission-driven organizations thrive.

Lizzie first came to know and admire Binners’ Project through her six years on MakeWay’s senior leadership team, where she led the Shared Platform that is home to Binners’ Project and dozens of other community initiatives. Earlier in her career, she built the volunteer engagement strategy for the Vancouver Walk for Reconciliation and co-led the development of SOGI 1 2 3, an inclusive-education program now adopted across BC.

​Outside of work, Lizzie volunteers with Girl Guides of Canada and sits on the board of her son’s daycare — though she’s most commonly spotted hanging out with her kid at playgrounds around the city, usually with a coffee in hand.​

​Lani has a passion for the safety and well-being of vulnerable members of our community, with 20 years of leadership experience in the housing and homelessness services sector. She is currently the Director of Supportive Housing Programs at BC Housing, with a background spanning various sectors from consulting to non-profit. Previously, she was at the City of Vancouver where she oversaw the winter response to homelessness and regulated development as a Housing Planner. She was with CitySpaces Consulting as a social planner after spending 15 years working in the non-profit sector on the Downtown Eastside, across BC and in Saskatchewan. She has her Master of Urban Studies and Certificate in Dialogue and Civic Engagement from SFU. When off the job, she spends time with her partner Noah, her cat Ernie and enjoys cycling, recycling and officiating wedding ceremonies on the weekend.

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​Laura is a brand strategist and client partner. Native to Vancouver, she spent the first 13 years of her career working in London across publishing, art, design, and brand.
 
As former Client Director for the brand writing agency Reed Words, Laura led projects across every sector, including for McKinsey, Formula 1, Disney, Sesame Street, and BBC Studios. Prior to her move into branding, Laura commissioned and edited art and design books, first at the Victoria and Albert Museum, and then the independent publisher, Thames & Hudson.
 
As Director of Communication Design at hcma architecture + design, Laura has the pleasure of supporting communities and clients in solving some of the world’s wicked problems through design and communications.

​Steven joined the Steering Committee in 2022 bringing a wealth of experience in the non-profit and social services sector. With over two decades of experience beginning in direct service care with vulnerable youth and adults, Steve now serves as the CEO of Pacific Community Resources Society (PCRS). His deep commitment to fostering healthy and inclusive communities is exemplified through his compassionate approach to community development. His expertise includes non-profit management,
governance, community development, finance and risk management. Steve is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) also holding an MBA and a BA in Psychology.

​Steve is committed to finding collaborative solutions to complex problems driving innovation and meaningful change.