The UFV Student Union Board of Directors is composed of up to fourteen elected student representatives, four of which are paid executive positions, in addition to an appointed Board Chair and an optional Ex-Officio. The collective body acts as an oversight group for the Executives and Executive Director, and oversees the high-level direction of the Society. They meet once a month to review reports, and discuss and direct the long term plans that impact students.
ASHLEY MCDOUGALL
PRESIDENT
+ Read ASHLEY's Bio
What is your favourite thing about your role and the work you do for SUS?
That’s a great question. My favourite part about my work at SUS is honestly the ability to represent students at UFV. That sounds cheesy I know, but it’s true. Whether it’s working towards planning Kickback or other events, I want to plan more Abbotsford Canucks events, or whether it’s doing advocacy – obviously starting as VPE that was a big part of my role and really motivates me to continue my work. We had the meeting with the minister the other day which was amazing. Just representing students through advocacy as well as hosting fun events students want to see.
Is there anything that your colleagues would be surprised to know about you?
Honestly that’s hard to answer because I’m an open book. I don’t hide anything, so to me it’s a hard question. I’m musical, I play piano.
Who or what has been the biggest influence in your life?
I’m going to have to say my family. They’ve instilled a lot of the values that I uphold in my life today, so probably my family.
What was your first job?
I worked at McDonalds for five years. That was my first job and the only job I had before working at SUS. I was a manager there. Started off as your classic crew member, then I was a crew trainer, then I was a manager.
If you could do anything in the world, what would it be?
In terms of like a job? I would be the Prime Minister of Canada.
What is the most useful advice you would give to other students from your own experience?
That’s such a great question. I would say, just get involved on campus. That is the biggest piece of advice I would give to any student here. Especially at UFV, which is a commuter campus, it can be easy to just go to class and go home and that’s what I did for my first bit of time at UFV, but I found that once you put yourself out there – whether it’s showing up to an event or running for a position on the SUS Board or even the UFV Board – that’s something that will really add a lot to your education and your experience and help you to meet new people, make new friends, and new connections.
GABRIELLA WERTHEIMER CINQUE
Vice President Students
+ READ Gabriella's Bio
What is your favourite thing about your role and the work you do for SUS?
Getting to know people. Being able to understand and connect with all the different parts of our community here. That’s definitely my favourite part.
Is there anything that your colleagues would be surprised to know about you?
I’ve travelled to sixteen countries.
Who or what has been the biggest influence in your life?
My mom and my sister. They both were really big role models, my mom especially, of hard work and that you can achieve anything if you put your mind and work into it.
What was your first job?
An English teacher for kids! I taught English to kids in Brazil from three years old to seven years old. They were my babies I miss them.
If you could do anything in the world, what would it be?
I would be the secretary general of the United Nations.
What is the most useful advice you would give to other students from your own experience?
Put yourself out there. Go to events, join clubs and associations. Don’t be afraid to talk to people to ask questions. Literally just put yourself out there and you’re going to have fun.
JAYDEN
HOVEY
Vice President External
+ Read Jayden's Bio!
What is your favourite thing about your role and the work you do for SUS?
Definitely the advocacy. The ability for me to take what students are feeling, what the pressing issues for students are, and bring that as a representative on their behalf, to the decision makers, the policy makers, the people with the authority to make changes. To be able to say these are the pressing issues for students, students are important for these reasons, you should listen to us, to be a voice for students.
Is there anything that your colleagues would be surprised to know about you?
I can solve a rubix cube in less than thirty seconds.
Who or what has been the biggest influence in your life?
My mom probably. Yeah, my mom.
What was your first job?
I had a paper route. I delivered newspapers when I was twelve.
If you could do anything in the world, what would it be?
Premier.
What is the most useful advice you would give to other students from your own experience?
Buy used textbooks. Go to class. Get involved.
Shanna Anderson
Indigenous Representative
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Shanna's bio will be available soon!
Naman Tachilote
student-representative-at-large
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Naman's bio will be available soon!
MEHMET ERCAN
student-representative-at-large
ARMAAN GILL
student-representative-at-large
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Mehmet's bio will be available soon!
+ Read Armaan's Bio
Armaan's bio will be available soon!
BALKARN GILL
student-representative-at-large
+ Read Balkarn's Bio
Balkarn's bio will be available soon!
NICHAELA JACOB
student-representative-at-large
+ Read Nichaela's Bio
Nichaela's bio will be available soon!
CHANCE PADGHAM
student-representative-at-large
+ Read Chance's Bio
Chance's bio will be available soon!
JASKIRAT SINGH PARMAR
student-representative-at-large
+ Read Jaskirat's Bio
Jaskirat's bio will be available soon!
LEVI PENNER
student-representative-at-large
+ Read Levi's Bio
Levi's bio will be available soon!
OLIVIA LAKE DE MEZA
Executive Director
+ Read Olivia's Bio
What is your favourite thing about your role and the work you do for SUS?
One of the best things about working at SUS (there are many) is our team. There is a wealth of knowledge, experience and a variety of backgrounds that make being part of SUS dynamic and meaningful.
Is there anything that your colleagues would be surprised to know about you?
I am a huge Formula 1 motor-racing fan. I grew up watching the sport with my father in England and now enjoy watching every race with my husband and my young son, who is actually named after a famous F1 driver.
Who or what has been the biggest influence in your life?
I lived and volunteered in the North End of Winnipeg 2001/02. It was a particularly cold winter with many days hitting -45C after windchill. I had very little money, no phone, TV or vehicle and the work was very challenging at times. I met some life-long friends and found much beauty in unexpected places. While it was an intense character-building experience, Winnipeg will always hold a special place in my heart.
What was your first job?
My first full-time job was as a Travel Agent booking ski vacations in Europe. I continued working as a Specialist Travel Consultant for several years before attending University as a mature student.
If you could do anything in the world, what would it be?
I’m a fairly ambitious person so it is tough for me to narrow it down to one thing but I would really like to take my son to watch a live F1 race in Hanoi, Vietnam when he is a bit older.
What is the most useful advice you would give to other students from your own experience?
Tap into community. Whether it is through extra-curricular activities, joining a club, or through part-time work, a community can help you through the intensity of studying and keeps you connected to people and the world.
Vlad gavrilov
Board chair
+ Read Vlad's Bio
Vlad's bio will be available soon!
Board meeting dates are posted in our Events Calendar
To view the most recent agenda and minutes visit our Minutes and Reports page
To learn more about how to become a SUS Board member take a look at our election pages