Nerissa Allen

Nerissa Allen is a passionate community leader and entrepreneur committed to enhancing economic prosperity within the African Diaspora. As the Co-Founder and President of the Black Business Association of BC, she actively champions progressive change, empowering Black businesses across BC and Canada. With over 20 years of experience as a federal public servant, Nerissa has played a vital role in organizations like the Barbados Cultural Association of BC and the Vancouver Economic Commission Advisory Board. Her dedication extends to supporting various non-profit organizations, where she leverages her expertise through Nerissa Allen Consulting. Here, she re-imagines the ways organizations engage with their communities by developing innovative hybrid business growth strategies and integrating advanced technology. Nerissa's impactful work has earned her numerous accolades, including the 2021 Surrey Board of Trade Women in Business Social Trail Blazer award and recognition as one of BIVBC’s 500 most influential leaders in 2023. Additionally, she was honored as one of the 100 Most Influential Black Canadians by AfroGlobal TV in both 2022 and 2024, and named one of the 100 Most Accomplished Black Canadian Women in 2024. Her efforts foster a more inclusive and vibrant economic landscape for all, reflecting her deep commitment to community empowerment and collaboration.

Sarbjit Bains

Sarbjit has been a proud member of the Surrey community for the past 43 years and has worked as a Real Estate Professional since 1988. He is married and has two accomplished children who were raised and educated in Surrey. His children are now married, and he has grandchildren who are growing up in the community.

Over the past 40 years, Sarbjit has been deeply involved in various volunteer organizations. His contributions include serving as a member of the South Asian Community Coalition Against Youth Violence, a Commissioner with the Surrey Parks, Recreation & Cultural Commission, and a member of the Surrey Museum and Archives Steering Committee. He has also coordinated the Communities Against Racism and Extremism Rally, served as a member of the Surrey Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees/Directors, and participated in the Premier's Advisory Panel on Literacy and the Surrey YMCA Steering Committee.

Through his extensive work and volunteer experience at the grassroots level, Sarbjit has built strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders in his professional, volunteer, and community endeavors. As he puts it, “The betterment and safety of society have always been my mission.”

James Carwana

James (Jim) Carwana holds his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of Toronto. In 1985, he was called to the Bar of British Columbia and practised labour, employment and administrative law in Vancouver for over 25 years. He has worked with a broad group of clients in both the private and public sectors and has provided advice in many areas including workplace reorganizations, collective bargaining, and legislative changes.   Mr. Carwana has appeared before Committees of the House of Commons and Senate in Ottawa and acted as legal counsel in matters before all levels of court and various administrative bodies. His work has earned him a peer review legal rating of “Distinguished for High Professional Achievement with High Ethical Standing”.  From 2012 to 2018 Mr. Carwana served as Vice Chair at the BC Labour Relations Board, where he adjudicated and mediated many disputes.  He has been involved in the writing of approximately 200 published Labour Board decisions and is the author of over 40 published articles on Risk Management topics.  Active in his community, Mr. Carwana has previously volunteered at the Salvation Army Pro Bono Legal Clinic; been a Director and Past President of the Crescent Beach Swimming Club in Surrey; and is currently a Director of the Beach House Theatre Society in Surrey.

Xwopokton (Harley Chappell)

Harley Chappell was elected as Chief of Semiahmoo First Nation in 2016 and is currently serving his fifth term. As Chief, he has been a strong advocate for reviving the local shellfish population, revitalizing the Semiahmoo language and culture, ensuring good stewardship of oceans, rivers and lands, and improving relationships with municipal and indigenous partners in the region. Harley is a traditional Knowledge Carrier and a trained Circle facilitator with the Qwi:Qwelstom Justice program in Sto:Lo Territory. Harley worked as a child and youth worker with Xyólheméylh (Fraser Valley Aboriginal Children and Family Services), BC’s largest fully delegated Indigenous child welfare agency.

In addition to serving as Chief, Chappell is also the owner and instructor of Pacific Top Team Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Chilliwack. Harley has 4 children and 4 grandchildren. Harley’s traditional Indigenous name, Xwopokton carries the meaning ‘power in the thunder’.

Bilal Cheema

Bilal Cheema was recruited to serve as an advisor to a Federal Minister of the Crown during his last year of University.  While working, he successfully completed his Business Administration degree from Simon Fraser University. Bilal is known as a leader with a diverse and strong background of relationship building, consultation, policy development, communication planning and long term strategy management.  Bilal has significant years of experience spanning bureaucratic, political and corporate environments. He has advised numerous Prime Ministers, served Federal Ministers in senior capacities, including the Minister of Health, Fisheries & Oceans and Immigration, and was a Lead Federal Negotiator for Canada tasked to negotiate complex resource related elements of Treaties and Self Government with First Nations. In recent years, Bilal founded Cheema Strategies Inc., an advocacy and public affairs firm that helps clients understand and engage with governments while also providing business development support.  Bilal is also involved in supporting various community and charitable organizations; both domestically and internationally.  Bilal has served on the South Asian Advisory Committee for the BC Children Hospitals Foundation and is a current board member for House Call for Humanity, the Surrey Hospice and the South Asian Community Hub; organizations supporting the most vulnerable and in need among us.  Bilal and his wife Sana live in Surrey and are proud parents of three beautiful children.

Archie Johnston

Archie Johnston is a retired Senior Audit Partner, KPMG LLP, where he led the firm’s public sector and not for profit practice in British Columbia (2000 to 2016) and Canada (2010 to 2014).  He was the lead Audit and Engagement Quality Review Partner serving numerous local governments, universities, health authorities, crown corporations, member-based not for profit organizations, and First Nations. Archie’s experience includes assessing risks and financing strategies, providing strategic advice in regards to financial governance matters and communicating the implications of significant matters to management, audit committees and Boards.

Archie has served extensively on Boards including the Surrey School Board audit committee, Office of Audit General (City of Vancouver), Tsawwassen First Nation Economic Development Corporation (Advisory Board member), Surrey City Development Corporation, Gracepoint Community Church, Surrey Housing and Homelessness Society and Sources Community Resources Society and a member of the Surrey Board of Trade Council of Governors.

Christine Mohr

Christine has lived in Surrey for 40 years and has worked in the community for 30 of those years. She holds a Social Work degree with additional training in leadership, strategic planning, governance, human resources, conflict resolution, contract management and negotiation, risk management, fund development, and more. In earlier days, Christine provided direct support services to children, youth and families, as well as counselling with individuals concerned about their substance use. Her career has since then consisted of serving a broad scope of marginalized people through working in leadership roles in both the public and non-profit community-based social services. She has been the CEO of Options Community Services since 2006 with a team of 600+ staff, 270 volunteers, and more that 80 programs. Options provides a broad array of services including employment, mental health, substance use, regional crisis line, homelessness and housing, immigrant integration, information and referral, stopping the violence, counselling and family, children and youth services. Christine has both been on and reported to governance boards for some 25 years. Her responsibilities have been strategic and operational including having charge of strategic planning, human resources/ labor relations, financial oversight, and government relations. It has been her greatest privilege to contribute to and lead several amazing high performing teams that are grounded in valuing diverse perspectives, individual strengths, and talents to provide services that help lift others up. Christine’s greatest strengths are her capacity to collaborate with others in building partnerships that benefit clients and communities and her commitment to the provision of quality services.

Sonia Parmar

Sonia Parmar is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and is a partner at David Pel & Company Inc., a public accounting firm in Surrey which has been in operation in Central City for over 30 years. Sonia is a Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) and enjoys training the next generation of CPAs. Sonia joined her accounting practice 11 years ago and is focused on giving back to the community. In her work, Sonia focuses on business development, develops policies and procedures, delivers training to staff and developed the Estate and Trust Department at her firm.

Sonia sits on a number of boards in Surrey including SurreyCares Community Foundation and DIVERSEcity, Fraser Valley Association of Chartered Professional Accountants, Fraser Valley Estate Planning Council, and Symington Symbiotic Foundation.

When she is not at her practice or volunteering she is reading, exploring and traveling.

Rob Stutt, City Councillor

Rob Stutt was elected to Surrey City council in 2022 and currently chairs and the Surrey Public Safety Committee and Surrey Heritage advisory Commission. He sits on a number of other committees, including the Audit Committee, Finance Committee and the Cloverdale Rodeo Board. He is the city liaison with the Safe Program Leadership Group, and represents Surrey on Metro Vancouver Regional Parks and Water Committees.

Rob brings over 40 years of experience in policing, police oversight, and investigation within the insurance industry, including service with the RCMP in Surrey. He understands the demands of policing in Surrey and has witnessed growth and diversity. As a dedicated member of the community for over three decades, Rob has served on the executive of the Sullivan Community Association and has volunteered at various levels of minor hockey. He is keenly interested in preserving the heritage of Surrey’s communities.

Rob believes that public safety is paramount to the growth and wellbeing of any city. He is committed to ensuring that residents and visitors to Surrey are afforded the best police service possible.

Rob and his wife have lived in Surrey for 36 years and have 2 children and 4 grandchildren.

Melissa Granum, Executive Director

Melissa Granum is the Executive Director for the Surrey Police Board. Prior to this role, Melissa spent 12 years with the Delta Police Department as its Corporate Planning Manager. In that role, she supported Delta’s Police Board and the Chief Constable in a variety of areas. Her work included the administration of the Delta Police Board, intergovernmental relations, internal communications, strategic planning, annual reporting, research, marketing, and public relations. Melissa has a Master’s in Business Administration, a Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) and a Diploma in Broadcast and Media Communications. As a volunteer, Melissa has served as a director on the Delta Chamber of Commerce and Delta Hospice Society Boards and was a member of the Rotary Club of Ladner for over 10 years.