Our volunteer Board of Directors are the driving force behind the Foundation. Their love of the regional parks is reflected in their energy, dedication and expertise on the board.

Learn more about the people behind Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Foundation.

Our Leadership

Mark van der Zalm

PRESIDENT

“Our regional parks are the crown jewel for what makes BC a special place to live and visit. Once you have immersed yourself in our wild and natural areas, the spirit of place will resonate.”

Mike Jerowsky

VICE PRESIDENT

Mike Jerowsky is a PhD Candidate and researcher in the UBC Geography Department. He works with local communities and land managers to create open-source environmental education materials using virtual and augmented reality. His MA was also in Geography and focussed on barriers to co-management in the Metro Vancouver Park Partnership Program. His other professional interests are in geographic information systems (GIS), cartography, and political ecology.

In his free time, Mike loves to spend as much time as he can in our regional parks. He is a past-president of the Pacific Spirit Park Society and has been working with local communities to restore urban parkland, organize citizen-lead environmental monitoring, and provide environmental education for youth since 2015.

Sarah Marsh

PAST PRESIDENT

Terri Van Sleuwen

TREASURER

“As a born and raised British Columbian, I cherish the green spaces that we have in our province that are so easily accessible, especially those that are close to the urban areas that some of us live in. I am honoured to be part of the Pacific Parklands Foundation helping to enhance and protect our regional parks into the future.”

Roy Millen

DIRECTOR AT LARGE

People need nature. Nature needs people to value and protect it. Metro Vancouver’s Regional Parks system provides the public with close and accessible access to a variety of quiet, natural spaces. As a Director of the Foundation, Roy wants to support the enhancement and expansion of the Regional Parks system for the benefit of present and future generations of British Columbians, as well as the environment upon which we all depend. 

Board of Directors

Adam Heffey

DIRECTOR

“No one can sing who has smog in their throat.” – the Lorax

Liyang Wan

DIRECTOR

Liyang is an urban planner based in the Lower Mainland. With an interest in ecology, landscapes, and community building, regional parks matter to Liyang because accessing nature, green spaces, and wildlife has made her realize that we are all part of a whole. Our surrounding natural environments take care of us in many ways, and we should do the same in return.

Non-Voting Representatives

John McEwen

REPRESENTATIVE

Mike Redpath

REPRESENTATIVE

Eric Woodward

REPRESENTATIVE

Janet Antonio (she/her)

Executive Director

For over 20-years Janet has been engaged in community building and not for profit leadership. A graduate of Simon Fraser University Janet began her career in Community Economic Development at the Vancity group of companies and with the Vancity Community Foundation. This was followed by raising funds for scholarships, bursaries and research at BCIT and SFU.  As the Director of Development for the BC Region at the Salvation Army Janet worked with a team of fundraisers throughout the province working with donors to plan legacy gifts. Janet was also the Executive Director of Western Canada at Cystic Fibrosis Canada supporting an inspired community of volunteers determined to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.

Inspired by the stories of volunteers and donors, Janet recently returned to school determined to discover how nonprofits can better use technology to tell stories with impact. As a graduate of BCIT’s New Media and Web Development program Janet continues to seek out new ways to inspire positive change.  

Janet has been married to her best friend and college sweetheart since 1990. Together they have raised their son and daughter in Metro Vancouver and have many fond memories of camping, hikes, and picnics in our local regional parks.

Rachelle McBride (she/her)

Marketing & Media Communications Manager

Born and raised in the heart of British Columbia, Rachelle developed an early appreciation for the area’s diverse landscapes. Fond childhood memories are intertwined with the natural wonders of Campbell Valley Regional Park, where she first explored the outdoors with her Oma. It was amidst the tall trees, meandering trails, and the sweet birdsong of chickadee’s that Rachelle developed an enduring love for nature. These cherished memories have become the foundation of her commitment to protecting nature, nurturing wildlife and connecting people with the great outdoors.

Michael Wiebe (he/him)

Director of Development & Philanthropy

Michael Wiebe, a dedicated leader rooted in community development and environmental advocacy, draws from his upbringing on the ancestral lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations to drive meaningful change. As Principal of WELL Strategies and former Vancouver City Councillor, Wiebe champions wellbeing and community cohesion, evident in his groundbreaking initiatives and visionary leadership as a Director on the Board of Metro Vancouver. His extensive involvement across diverse organizations, from the Vancouver Parks Board to the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group, underscores his commitment to diversity, equity, and accessibility.

Recognized for his strategic foresight and entrepreneurial drive, Wiebe’s transformative projects prioritize economic resilience and environmental sustainability. Now as Director of Development and Philanthropy for the Foundation, he aims to elevate the organization’s mission through strategic leadership and community engagement, ensuring the preservation of Metro Vancouver’s natural beauty for generations to come.