With over 30 years of front-line experience providing housing and supports to women who have experienced intimate partner violence, Lisa Rupert is currently the Vice President of Housing and Violence Prevention for the YWCA Metro Vancouver. She oversees 14 housing communities, including 3 second stage transition houses, as well as the YWCA’s PEACE, Legal Education, and Outreach programs. Throughout her career, Lisa has worked on projects that have influenced policies to support women leaving abusive partners. Through a collaborative approach and ongoing advocacy for the clients she serves, Lisa has created and implemented programs, facilitated workshops, been an active media spokesperson and a dedicated volunteer on housing and violence prevention services across Metro Vancouver.

Keri Guelke is a white, settler, and mother of twins who were born, raised, and currently lives on the stolen territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations in what is known as Vancouver, B.C. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 16. She has had three involuntary hospitalizations and five manic and depressive episodes. Keri worked as an Outreach worker with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) for eleven years. She continues to work with people who struggle with substance misuse. She has also worked with the Overdose Outreach Team. In the past few years, her work has included supporting pregnant birthing parents diagnosed with substance use disorder. She completed a Master of Public Policy and Social Administration: Social Change Leadership. She feels strongly about the need to change Canada’s drug laws. She is the administrator/respite worker for Parents Advocating Collectively for Kin (PACK).

Linoy Alkalay is of middle eastern Jewish decent and an immigrant to the state and an uninvited guest to the unceded stolen lands of the Coast Salish people. Linoy currently works as a Project Coordinator at RainCity Housing working on a project that looks at addressing systemic violence through harm reduction in the family system. Before joining RainCity Housing, Linoy worked in various frontline roles supporting women, youth, and families that are impacted by trauma, substance use, and mental health challenges. She is passionate about community approaches to break down the system and believes in addressing the impact of trauma through building and strengthening connection. Linoy holds a Masters in Leadership from Royal Roads University and a Graduate Certificate in Complex Trauma and Child Sexual Abuse Intervention from the Justice Institute of British Columbia.

Hello my name is Candice, however the spirits recognize me as Eagle Spirit Woman. I am of Dene, Cree, Scottish, and Irish decent. I work proudly in my community as a Dene, Cree cultural facilitator, and cultural research facilitator. Doing openings and Smudging/Brusing in the community to bring in the spirits and welcome our ancestors to gatherings. My goal in life is to re-awaken indigenous people to a connection of healing, through culture and ceremony. To bring indigenous voices culture and Knowledge to the Western world, and incorporate both knowings. To reawaken our DNA to our almost crushed traditions. By healing through our DNA we can safely keep our children out of the Ministry of Children and Family Development, instead foster Indigenous ways of knowing and being to supporting Indigenous mothers with wrap around care so they can safely care for their own children and relearn what was taken away from us as First Nations people.