Board

The FSA board of directors is an elected governing body that exists to: execute legal and fiduciary duties; establish the strategic direction, budget, and policies of the FSA; employ a staff team to implement the strategic direction, budget, and policies of the FSA; and monitor and evaluate outcomes towards advancing the vision and mission and constitutional purposes.

FSA Elections

FSA elections take place in the spring each year and voting is done electronically. FSA board members are elected by the FSA membership as follows:

• President & Vice President in even years (e.g. 2024)
• Treasurer, Directors, and Directors, Associate Members in odd years (e.g. 2025)

Thinking of running for the FSA Board of Directors?

• We encourage members who are considering running for the board to review the FSA’s constitution, by-laws, and governance policies
• Review the FSA’s Board Governance Manual
• Board members are expected to be available for board meetings as well as general membership meetings – dates can be found here.
• Reach out to the FSA President or another board member if you have any questions.

Current Board Members

Please note that if you have a general workplace concern, we ask that you first contact the FSA office via our online contact form or by email.

• 

  Trish Albino

  Treasurer (2023-25)

  Trish Albino

  Trish (she/her/hers) joined BCIT in 2016 as an instructor in the financial management diploma program. Soon after, she also began teaching accounting courses in part-time studies. She is a graduate from the BCIT Bachelor of Technology in Accounting program and a Chartered Professional Accountant.

  Prior to joining BCIT, she was an Audit Manager at one of Canada’s largest public accounting firms. This background has allowed her to be a member of the FSA’s Audit Committee for the last two years.

  She was also the Faculty Coach for the accounting teams participating in the JDC West case competition between 2016 and 2020 and spent several years as the Faculty Advisor for the Accounting Association, one of the Student Association’s clubs.

  Trish’s goal is to help the FSA improve the pay and benefits for its members, particularly for part-time studies instructors.

  What’s your favourite thing about working at BCIT?

  Building relationships with students and watching how their career progresses even after they leave BCIT.

  If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

  I have always been fascinated with playing the drums.  I’ve played around on a drum kit once or twice, but I’d love to be able to actually play.

  • Email
    fsa@bcit.ca
• 

  Sandra Amador

  Director, Associate Members (2023-25)

  Sandra Amador

  Sandra Amador (she/her/hers), BSc Chemical engineering, ASQ CQA has over 25 years’ experience in the quality assurance management field; paired with project management of compliance/improvement teams in the manufacturing, pharmaceutical, food, chemical, and automotive industries.

  Various roles throughout the years have provided opportunities to apply quality tools and lean principles to get organizations ISO certified and to promote continuous improvement. As a coach and leader she assists companies in creating and effective management system that aligns with the business objectives and provides value to the internal teams and customers.

  Sandra was the Voice of the Customer chair for the ASQ Vancouver chapter and a long-time member of the ASQ organization.

  Sandra has been a part time instructor at BCIT since March 2019 at the School of business and media, teaching Quality and operations management courses. For Sandra, ensuring the teaching environment and culture are positive for faculty and students is the main objective of her role participating as a board member in the FSA.

  What’s your favourite thing about working at BCIT?

  I really like those moments when you can see the lightbulb coming on for students the moment a concept becomes so clear, their eyes light up. I like bein a contributor to that.

  If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

  I would like to learn – auto mechanics, I love being hands on and repairing “things”; often times I am not left with extra parts! So, car repairs would be a great hobby.

  • Email
    fsa@bcit.ca
• 

  Michelle Beauchamp

  Director (2023-25)

  Michelle Beauchamp

  Michelle (she/her/hers) joined BCIT in 2001 as an assistant instructor in the Medical Radiography program. After achieving her M.Ed in curriculum and design she continued her teaching career in the same program, now as a faculty instructor. Fun fact: Michelle graduated from the BCIT Medical Radiography program herself in 1989.

  Her educational philosophy revolves around constructionism. We cannot put the information in our students’ brains, we have to provide them resources for them to do so.

  Michelle has been an FSA Tech Rep for her program since 2011 and is looking forward to serving on the board and contributing to the wellbeing of all FSA members and ensure the FSA remains a strong voice for them.

  What’s your favourite thing about working at BCIT?

  I love the energy on campus when classes are in session. I love working with my students and seeing their “a-ha” moments.

  If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

  I learned how to play piano as a child, however it was limited to classical works. I would love how to play jazz piano!

  • Email
    fsa@bcit.ca
• 

  Joe Boyd

  Director (2023-25)

  Joe Boyd

  What motivates you to be involved with the FSA?

  I want to ensure the needs of researchers at BCIT are being met, and that specialized faculty are well represented. More broadly, I want to help build community.

  How do you build community?

  Well, sitting on a lot of committees helps. 😊 Institute committees, supporting and providing funding for faculty initiatives: research, teaching & learning, international travel, microcredentials. And volunteering, with the Green Team, Guichon Creek Day, Convocation. Mostly helping others meet their goals.

  What’s the most important thing for faculty researchers to know?

  That it’s not impossible. There are supports like the Applied Research Liaison Office (ARLO) and School Research Committees to help researchers find funding and time for their projects, and probably others at BCIT interested in collaborating with them. Please reach out to me directly and I’ll see what I can do to help you, and connect you to what you need.

  What’s your favourite part of campus?

  My favourite outside space is the big planter area below Tim Horton’s and the Breezeway. Inside it’s Mi Chap Tukw, the Indigenous Gathering Place, “a comfortable, welcoming and safe space for students, families and staff”, and for me, very calming.

  What outside interests do you have?

  I cycle a lot, road bike, and have started kayaking. I’m also part of the Still Moon Arts Society, an organization that brings together art, environment and community in the Still Creek and Renfrew-Collingwood area of Vancouver. I’ve become involved with some of their community art projects, messy projects: cob shed building, living willow sculpture weaving, which exercises very different parts of my brain, and body.
• 

  Terry Gordon

  Director (2023-25)

  Terry Gordon

  • Treasurer
  • Terry (he/him/his) has been an instructor in the Financial Management Department of BCIT’s School of Business since 1998. He is currently one of the first year program heads for the Accounting, Finance and Financial Planning diploma programs, and teaches various accounting and finance related courses. Terry’s involvement with the FSA dates back to 2006 when he was first elected to the FSA Board of Directors. After serving as FSA Treasurer for two years, Terry was elected as Vice President and was Acting President for 10 months while Amy Fell was on maternity leave. Terry has served on the FSA Collective Agreement and Bargaining Committees for the past several rounds of collective bargaining. He has a BA in Political Science from the University of Florida and a Diploma of Technology in Financial Management from BCIT. Terry is a CPA, CA, and a Chartered Business Valuator.

  What is your favourite thing about working at BCIT?

  My students! They keep me focused on what matters most at BCIT – helping young people launch meaningful and rewarding careers.

  If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

  Take my guitar playing to the next level so that I can fulfill my destiny of rock stardom.

  • Phone
    604.432.8786
  
  
  • Email
    fsa@bcit.ca
• 

  Colin Jones

  President (2022-24) / Chief Negotiator

  Colin Jones

  • President and Chief Negotiator
  
  
  • Colin has served on the FSA’s bargaining team for the last three rounds, most recently acting as Chief Negotiator. He has previously been an FSA Board Director and was elected back onto the board in November 2019, becoming President in December of the same year. Colin sits on a variety of committees on behalf of FSA, including Institute Placement Committee, senior management selection committees, Employee Engagement Committee, and member professional development committees. Colin is released from his position in Information Technology Services (ITS) at BCIT to serve as our President. With more than two decades of solutions-based work, Colin’s background in process improvement, strategic analysis, and project management is extremely valuable. Colin enjoys finding innovatively simple ways to solve thorny problems and frustrations. We are thrilled that he is taking on this leadership role with our organization at this critical time.

  What’s your favourite thing about working at BCIT?

  I take such pride in working at an institution, and being part of a community, that is so well regarded. Everyone has a parent or a cousin or a sibling that has attended BCIT – and 99% of the time it was a positive (albeit exhausting!) experience on the way to new employment.

  If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

  Fly. Is fly an option? Birds seem to peaceful as they float through the air – and it would make commuting much more enjoyable.

  • Phone
    604.456.8020
  
  
  • Email
    fsa@bcit.ca

   
• 

  Zaa Joseph

  Director (2023-25)

  Zaa Joseph

  Zaa Derik Gammel Joseph is a member of the Tl’azt’en Nation. He holds a BA from Capilano University and completed his Master of Arts in Professional Communication at Royal Roads University. Zaa has been an Advisor in the BCIT Indigenous Initiatives (formerly Indigenous Services) Department since 2008. He was a committee member of BCIT’s Indigenous Advisory Council responsible for the first Aboriginal Strategic Plan (2010-2013), was previously a Director-at-Large for BCIT’s Faculty and Staff Association (2013-2019) and sits on the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) Equity Committee and Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education Working Group (2018-present). Zaa was seconded to participate with Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships to build the BCIT Indigenous Vision (2018-2019). Zaa is the co-founder of Diversity Circles at BCIT. He organizes and facilitates workshops, continuing to build internal and external relationships.
• 

  Shannon Kelly

  Vice President (2022-24)

  Shannon Kelly

  • Vice President
  • Shannon (she/her/hers) joined BCIT in 2002 as an instructor in Communication and became a Program Head for PTS in 2004. Shannon has experience working in industry as well as a doctorate from the University of Waterloo, specializing in technical communication.
    Shannon's first love is teaching and she specifically chose BCIT due to its polytechnic nature. Her passion for teaching is matched by her interest in research. Shannon's areas of research include teaching excellence, technology in the classroom, Humanities in the professions, and Sustainability.
    Shannon is an FSA Co-Tech Rep for her department and has been informally involved with the FSA on many issues over the years. Shannon's focus is for the FSA to keep the priorities and wellbeing of all our members in the forefront at all times and to support our members as effectively and strategically as possible.

  What’s your favourite thing about working at BCIT?

  BCIT students are amazing: their passion and work ethic and intelligence never cease to inspire me (my fellow faculty and colleagues at BCIT are great too).

  If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

  I speak “ok” Italian, but I would love to be more fluent – ah, for some more time to practice, preferably in Roma.

  • Phone
    604.451.7065
  
  
  • Email
    fsa@bcit.ca
• 

  William Oching

  Director (2023-25)

  William Oching

  William started his career at BCIT in 2015 as a Faculty member in the Mining and Mineral Exploration Department and involved in the establishment of the accredited Bachelor of Engineering in Mining and Mineral Resources Program. With strong industry experience, William developed and instructs several mining engineering courses and also serves as the Program Quality Assurance Coordinator.

  William passionately has been an FSA Tech Rep and Returning Officer for four years and represented his department and FSA in various capacities: new hires selection, health and safety and curriculum committees, and anti- racism working group. He volunteers as a board member for community and non- profit organization boards, locally and nationally such as Burnaby Girls Soccer Club, and World University Service of Canada, among others.

  William has a passion for training & developing others and demonstrated remarkably to get tasks done, genuinely enjoys serving the community for the purpose of achieving a common goal. William is humbled and honored to serve FSA as the member of the Board of Directors and strives to advance and protect the interests of FSA members to make work environment at BCIT fair and just for all.

  What’s your favourite thing about working at BCIT?

  I enjoy training and developing others to be successful in life. By working at BCIT, I become an agent of a real positive change in the lives of students, industry and the society at large, through education and economic empowerment.

  If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

  Learn to speak French and Swahili fluently.

  • Email
    fsa@bcit.ca
• 

  Judy Shandler

  Director, Associate Members (2023-25)

  Judy Shandler

  Judy Shandler (she/her/hers) has been working in post-secondary as an instructor for over 30 years and has completed a Doctorate in Education focusing on Educational Leadership from SFU.  Working in post-secondary has been a rewarding career, which has allowed her to expand into areas outside of teaching into the business of these institutions.

  Judy joined Information Technology Services (ITS) at BCIT after completing a diploma program in the High Performance Technology program in 2000.  Today she splits her time between the role of Senior Business Analyst in Enterprise Planning in ITS and that of Performance Development System (PDS) Coordinator for the FSA Faculty,  Specialty Faculty and Tech Staff.  Judy also holds a position as Governor on the BCIT Board of Governors.

  Judy was elected to the FSA board of directors in May 2020.

  What’s your favourite thing about working at BCIT?

  Having had the opportunity of working across so many areas of BCIT from Teaching to ITS to PDS Coordinator, I’ve had the luxury of witnessing first-hand the commitment, passion and brilliance of everyone who works at BCIT. All to support students in their journey to grow and make a difference in the world.

  If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

  That’s a tough one as it seems I’m always taking courses and workshops (which my friends and family will vouch for), however I’d have to say that I could really use some practical knowledge at this time in my life especially in the areas of automotive, plumbing and electrical.

  • Phone
    604.456.8180
  
  
  • Email
    fsa@bcit.ca

• Board

• 

  Trish Albino

  Treasurer (2023-25)
• 

  Sandra Amador

  Director, Associate Members (2023-25)
• 

  Michelle Beauchamp

  Director (2023-25)
• 

  Joe Boyd

  Director (2023-25)
• 

  Terry Gordon

  Director (2023-25)
• 

  Colin Jones

  President (2022-24) / Chief Negotiator
• 

  Zaa Joseph

  Director (2023-25)
• 

  Shannon Kelly

  Vice President (2022-24)
• 

  William Oching

  Director (2023-25)
• 

  Judy Shandler

  Director, Associate Members (2023-25)