Adrianna Spyker is a University of British Columbia Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs graduate. She sits on the board of three local non-profits that support community well-being and resource connection across Metro-Vancouver. Adrianna is a university lecturer in Sustainable Development and Global Affairs and works with local non-profits on policy and development. Adrianna currently works for a local health authority as a Community Health Specialist where liaises and collaborates with local non-profits, municipalities, post-secondary institutions, community partners and other agencies to support healthy public policy by building relationships, strengthening connections and promoting cooperative approaches to current and emerging issues.

Aida is an intentional leader skilled at bringing great ideas to life. For seven years, Aida has worked with established and newly emerging initiatives in corporate, non-profit, and higher education settings. Her roles have primarily focused on learning and development, and on program management. Aida is thrilled to join the Afiya Care Collective Advisory Board, as she firmly believes in their vision for integrated, culturally affirming care for Black people in BC.

Aida currently works as a Program Manager in the field of Learning and Development, supporting the launch and evolution of an Onboarding Program. Outside of work, she is a member of the Board of Directors of Solid State Community Industries. She is also a Dialogue Associate with the SFU Morris J. Wosk Center for Dialogue, and an Advisor for CityShift, a YWCA initiative that supports Metro Vancouver cities to be bold in their pursuit of equity.

Firina is known for her authentic strategy and impactful approach as an innovative founder in the Public Relations and Marketing industry. As the founder of Firina Achor Creative, she has shaped captivating narratives for brands in the health, wellness, and lifestyle sectors. Her approach to Public Relations is a blend of collaboration and strategy, crafting communication initiatives that resonate across all platforms and elevate brand presence. Beyond her professional achievements, Firina is dedicated to fostering inclusivity and making meaningful connections. Her personal experiences drive her to create relatable content that resonates with diverse audiences worldwide.

Ilhan Abdullahi is a dedicated community organizer, storyteller, and advocate residing on the unceded traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Committed to addressing health and social inequities, she focuses particularly on Black youth and newcomers. Drawing inspiration from her family's journey as newcomers in Canada, she actively engages in community outreach, research, and organizing efforts to contribute to the collective liberation of the communities she is a part of.

Janell is a Registered Nurse with Vancouver Coastal Health and a MSN Candidate at UBC. She has witnessed first-hand the gaps in our healthcare and social systems that perpetuate poor health outcomes within the Black community. Her research aims to address critical gaps in clinical practice, including medication safety, the integration of trauma-informed care into digital health platform design with an emphasis on equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigeneity principles. Janell is passionate about using her voice to serve her community and advocate for the delivery of high quality care.

Joseph is an Ugandan born immigrant. He has lived in Vancouver Canada since 2015. He completed his undergraduate and graduate studies in Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University. He is a community organizer, researcher and evaluator. His area of research focuses on health systems, policy and patterns of service use and access among immigrant communities. He uses administrative data and publicly available internet data to examine patterns of service use and access particularly relating to primary care. He has worked with various organizations and institutions to shape better access and measurement of access among minority and immigrant communities. He is excited to work with Afiya toward a culturally appropriate and safe healthcare for Black communities in Surrey.

Matt lives in Richmond, BC on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) territory. He is the co-founder and co-director of Solid State Community Industries and has led many other community projects. He teaches with multiple universities, continues to lecture globally and his books and articles have been translated into nineteen languages.

Coming Soon!

Paola Ardiles Gamboa (she/hers) is a practitioner scholar with an interdisciplinary background that includes a Bachelor in Psychology, a Master in Health Sciences (health promotion), a Master of Business Administration and a PhD in Public Health. Paola is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Health Sciences and serves as a Senior Advisor to the Vice-President People, Equity and Inclusion at Simon Fraser University (SFU). In 2022, Paola was awarded SFU’s Warren Gill Award for Community Impact for her community engaged teaching and research. In 2023, she was the recipient of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award recognizing her leadership in advancing health equity for underserved communities in BC.

Travis is a social epidemiologist who works to understand and improve the health of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (2S/LGBTQ) populations. In 2019-2020, he testified for two standing committees of the Canadian House of Commons, to inform federal policy to promote 2S/LGBTQ health equity. This resulted in the passage of Bill C-4, making it a crime to perpetrate anti-2S/LGBTQ practices, otherwise known as “conversion therapy.” Travis directs the REAFFIRM Collaborative, an interdisciplinary team studying effects of 2S/LGBTQ identity (in)validation. He founded MindMapBC.ca, a 2S/LGBTQ-affirming mental health service finder.