Tuesday, April 7, 2026 (Pre-Conference)
Clive Lunn, Risk Management and Business Continuity Consultant, Acredo Consulting Inc.
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Clive Lunn is the president and owner of Acredo Consulting Inc. specializing in enterprise resilience consulting. Clive has worked in business continuity and IT disaster recovery since 1996, and enterprise risk management since 2006.
He was certified as a Member of the Business Continuity Institute in September 2000 and awarded his Fellowship in January 2003; he obtained his Canadian Risk Manager certification in January 2010.
Clive has provided business continuity and risk management consulting services to clients in 5 countries, since 2013 this has included over 20 Canadian organizations. His experience includes the financial services, utilities, logistics, non-profit, healthcare, manufacturing, and mining sectors, as well as various levels of government.
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Lynda dos Santos, Insurance Services Representative & Broker, MIABC
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Lynda joined the MIABC’s Insurance Services department in 2024 after relocating to British Columbia from Ontario. In her role as an Insurance Services Administrator, she is passionate about supporting her colleagues and engaging directly with MIABC members, ensuring they receive the assistance they need.
Before joining MIABC, Lynda gained extensive experience in commercial insurance, specializing in real estate and franchise programs. As a former commercial broker, she earned her Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker (CAIB) and Canadian Risk Management (CRM) designations. She is also working toward her Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation, continuing her commitment to professional development in the field.
Lynda finds the learning opportunities within the insurance industry rewarding, particularly in her interactions with the diverse range of members across the province. She is proud to use her knowledge and expertise to help local governments in BC effectively serve their communities.
Josh Brocklebank, Program Specialist & Broker, MIABC
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After close to 10 years of working primarily with larger insurance brokerages, specializing as a broker working with clients ranging, among other things, from large construction projects, Indigenous Community insurance programs, and large property programs, both residential and commercial. He wanted to be able to combine his passion for local community with his work experience, having grown up in Northern BC, where he was fortunate to witness the impact of local government
Josh values the work MIABC does as a member owned reciprocal. Helping shape risk and insurance solutions that will work hand in hand with our members and the work they continue to do for the communities they serve.
He looks forward to his role with MIABC, connecting with our members and the continuous learning it will bring!
Marvin Washington, Dean Beedie School of Business, SFU
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Dr. Marvin Washington is most known as a Pracademic (practicing academic). Dr. Washington has written three books focused on leadership, strategy, and organizational change. His most recent book is, Lead Self First Before Leading Others with Stephen Hacker at Business Expert Press.
Over the past 25 years, Dr. Washington has worked with a wide array of organizations, including, Parkland Fuels, Syncrude, SportChek, the Country of Botswana, the state of Oregon, AHS, and the Government of Alberta on topics of leadership, organizational change, and diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice.Since October 1, 2025 Dr. Washington is dean of the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University. Prior to that he had senior roles at the University of Alberta and Portland State University with additional academic stops at the University of Iowa and Texas Tech University
On a personal note, Dr. Washington is married and has 3 sons. When not at work, Dr. Washington is an avid basketball fan having coached boys’ and girls’ basketball teams for almost 30 years.Mariana Brussoni, PhD, UBC
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Dr. Mariana Brussoni is a Professor at the University of British Columbia, in the Faculty of Medicine. She is director of the Human Early Learning Partnership at UBC, and a scientist with BC Children’s Hospital, where she leads the Outside Play Lab. Internationally recognized for her ground-breaking research on children’s outdoor play, risk, and wellbeing, Mariana’s award-winning work challenges prevailing notions of safety and advocates for environments that foster children’s health, resilience, and independence. Her research has informed policy, design, and practice across sectors—helping communities create equitable, engaging, and developmentally supportive outdoor spaces. An engaging communicator, she frequently collaborates with governments, educators, and design professionals to reimagine how play can be integrated into everyday life to help all children thrive.
Aron Bookman, Partner, Carfra Lawton LLPImage
Aron Bookman’s insurance defence practice covers a diverse range of claims that often involve multiple parties facing potential liability and insurers seeking advice on challenging insurance coverage issues. Insurers, municipalities, regulatory bodies and institutional clients all turn to him for claims involving construction, subrogation, fraud, municipal liability, personal injury, employment law, human rights, insurance coverage and unique situations that trigger insurance coverage.
Aron’s successful approach to claims begins the moment he receives a file. Dedicating time at the outset to thoroughly assess the details of the claim allows Aron to take control of the case and develop the strategy needed to effectively manage each stage of the file. Combining the communication skills needed to work with multiple parties with his thorough preparation, Aron actively seeks out opportunities to resolve disputes quickly. He has built a reputation amongst insurers as a highly practical lawyer who will fight to have unjust claims against his client dismissed outright instead of negotiating any form of settlement. He also has extensive trial experience when the need for trial arises.
Aron is a native Californian who began his career in corporate civil litigation with Fulbright & Jaworski (now Norton Rose Fulbright), an international full service firm. There, he practiced in various areas of corporate civil litigation, appearing regularly before the Superior Court of the State of California and the United States District Court in Los Angeles. Since 2008, Aron has been the President and on the Board of Directors of Congregation Emanu-El - Canada’s oldest continuously operating Synagogue - located in Victoria, BC. Currently, Aron is a board member of the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada.
Jeremy Poole, Partner, Alexander Holburn Beaudin and Lang
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Jeremy is the leader of the Local Government Liability practice at Alexander Holburn LLP and has been defending British Columbia municipalities in civil actions for over 25 years in both the BC Supreme Court and the BC Court of Appeal. He has been involved in cases involving all aspects of municipal operations and he is currently representing a British Columbia local government that is a defendant in a class action lawsuit relating to the alleged migration of PFAS contaminated groundwater.
Steven Haakonson, Partner, Twining, Short and Haakonson Barristers
Steve Haakonson has twenty-five years experience as counsel, joined Twining, Short & Haakonson in late 2010, and joined the partnership in 2012.
Steve has a broad background in litigation, having run a varied sole practice for ten years in many areas of litigation including criminal defence work.
Steve’s area of practice is in insurance defence, particularly for design professionals and local governments. He also represents clients in construction disputes, complex multi-party litigation cases, personal injury cases and foreclosures.
Prior to becoming a lawyer, Steve worked in the oil industry and as a musician.
Scott Twining, Partner, Twining, Short and Haakonson Barristers
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Scott Twining focuses on three primary areas of insurance litigation: professional liability (errors and omissions) defence, subrogation and coverage disputes. Scott has represented clients at all levels of the British Columbia courts and in disciplinary proceedings before the Real Estate Council and the Certified General Accountants Association of British Columbia Ethic Committee. As a supplement to this practice, Scott is a regular contributor to the B.C. Real Estate Association Legal Update and has presented on topics such as bad faith avoidance and subrogation to insurance industry clients.
Megan Chorlton, Chief Executive Officer, MIABC
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After specializing in municipal and insurance defence litigation while working at a large regional law firm for seven years, Megan joined the MIABC as a staff lawyer in 2013. She was immediately struck by the cooperative spirit of the MIABC’s staff, board, and members. In 2014 she was appointed as the Director of Member Services tasked with building out the MIABC’s risk management and member services program. In 2018 Megan became the MIABC’s General Counsel, responsible for overseeing the MIABC’s litigated claims, Legal Department, corporate commercial matters, and external counsel and in 2022 Megan was appointed as the MIABC's Chief Executive Officer.
Megan loves working with the MIABC team that is passionate, creative and thinks outside the box about how we can best support our members to build healthy, safe, and thriving communities in B.C.
Thomas Cook, VP – Professional Services, Wildfire Defence Systems
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Mr. Cook serves as Chief Administrative Officer for Wildfire Defence Systems Canada (WDS Canada), a subsidiary of Wildfire Defense Systems (WDS), providing executive-level leadership, strategic planning, and oversight of operations and client service for wildfire intervention programs for the Canadian insurance industry. He also serves as Vice President of Professional Services at WDS, overseeing a team of client relations and project delivery teams and wildfire loss intervention services across 22 states and 4 provinces for over 35 insurer clients.
He has over 25 years of experience in consulting and program management focusing on large-scale environmental remediation projects including emergency response and wildfire incidents.
Mr. Cook holds BS and MS degrees in Environmental Science from the University of Tennessee and an MBA from the University of Colorado. He also served as a wildland firefighter and board trustee for a rural fire service area in Lincoln County, Montana.
Marina Sen-Partridge, Manager of Member Engagement, MIABC
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Marina is the Manager of Member Engagement at the MIABC. Since joining the organization in 2008, she has held multiple roles and has played a key role in the creation and evolution of the MIABC’s Property Insurance Program and brokerage arm, Civic Risk Insurance Solutions (CRIS).
As a insurance broker, Marina is responsible for all aspects of insurance placement for MIABC members. She believes her work goes far beyond the placement of an insurance policy. She is passionate about connecting members with the tools they need to meet their ever-changing needs so that they focus on what is most important to them – serving their communities.
Marina’s role as the Manager of Member Engagement makes this holistic approach possible. She ensures that MIABC members are aware of, are engaged with and have access to the MIABC’s full suite of insurance products, tools, services and education so that they are set up to make the best risk-informed decisions.
Marina holds a General Insurance Agent Level 3 License and has achieved the Chartered Insurance Professional, Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker and Canadian Risk Management designations.
James Yardley, Partner, Lidstone and Company
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James’ practice mainly involves litigation and dispute resolution, although he also provides advice on a broad variety of local government matters. James has practised law involving local governments since his call to the Bar in 1991.
Born and raised in Prince George, James has a law degree from the University of Toronto, and a Masters degree in Community and Regional Planning from UBC. James has appeared in numerous trials, appeals, petitions, mediations and arbitrations on matters that involve administrative law, judicial review, construction disputes, planning law, expropriation and injurious affection claims, bylaw challenges, bylaw enforcement, constitutional law, claims alleging misfeasance in public office and bad faith, environmental law disputes and prosecutions, contract disputes, insurance coverage disputes, election challenges, human rights complaints, property taxation disputes, and claims involving police forces.
James has been involved in proceedings before tribunals that include the B.C. Utilities Commission, the National Energy Board, the Environmental Appeal Board of British Columbia, the Property Assessment Appeal Board of British Columbia, the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal, the B.C. Comptroller of Water Rights and the former Expropriation Compensation Board.Tom Zworski, Senior Counsel, Lidstone and Company
Tom has spent his entire legal career representing local governments as well as individual elected officials, municipal staff, and police officers. He has appeared on behalf of municipalities before the Supreme Court of Canada and all levels of BC courts, as well as before numerous administrative boards and tribunals.
For the last fifteen years, Tom was the City Solicitor at the City of Victoria. Before that, Tom articled and practiced at the City of Vancouver’s law department. As a municipal in-house lawyer, Tom provided advice on a broad range of legal issues involving municipalities, including constitutional law, relationships with First Nations, construction projects and complex procurement, elections, governance, conflicts of interest, freedom of information and privacy, contract negotiation and drafting, bylaw enforcement, property taxation, policing, civil liability claims, as well as land-use matters and agreements. In addition, as an adjunct professor at the University of Victoria, Tom teaches municipal law and sustainability at UVic’s Faculty of Law.
At Lidstone & Company, Tom will focus on judicial reviews, chambers applications, appeals, and administrative tribunal hearings, as well as providing legal opinions on governance, conflicts of interests, and other matters, and mentoring junior lawyers.
When not practicing law, Tom is an avid sailor, amateur wildlife photographer, and a scuba diver.
Sandra Mayo, Manager of Risk Management Services, MIABC
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Sandra joined the MIABC in March 2020 bringing experience in local government from her previous risk management roles with a large B.C. city and well-established non-profit association. Sandra has several professional designations including the Canadian Risk Management (CRM) and the RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) designations along with Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) designation.
Sandra uses her skills to assist members with a variety of risk management, education, and loss control challenges. She also provides our members with specialized support in the areas of business continuity.
“I enjoy working with so many different members and being able to help with the varied questions and challenges they have, always with a focus on how they can support their communities better. We really do assist our members both equally and uniquely.”
Devin Baker, Manager Business Development, Suncorp Valuations
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Devin Baker is the Manager of Business Development for Suncorp Valuations. He works with a team of approximately 100 staff across Canada and the US specializing in appraisals for the purpose of Insurance, Financing, Tangible Asset Reporting, Purchase Price Allocation, Capital Asset Planning, Depreciation Reports, and Reserve Fund Studies.
Prior to his employment with Suncorp Valuations, Devin worked several years with a large Credit Union specializing in Asset-Based Financing and Business Development. Devin earned his B. Comm. through the University of Saskatchewan and the Edwards School of Business specializing in finance and economics.
In his free time, Devin plays basketball, volleyball, is an avid Saskatchewan Roughrider fan, and spends what time he has working on his conflict-mediation skills with his very active 12 and 10 year old boys.
Lynda dos Santos, Insurance Services Representative & Broker, MIABC
ImageLynda joined the MIABC’s Insurance Services department in 2024 after relocating to British Columbia from Ontario. In her role as an Insurance Services Administrator, she is passionate about supporting her colleagues and engaging directly with MIABC members, ensuring they receive the assistance they need.
Before joining MIABC, Lynda gained extensive experience in commercial insurance, specializing in real estate and franchise programs. As a former commercial broker, she earned her Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker (CAIB) and Canadian Risk Management (CRM) designations. She is also working toward her Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation, continuing her commitment to professional development in the field.
Lynda finds the learning opportunities within the insurance industry rewarding, particularly in her interactions with the diverse range of members across the province. She is proud to use her knowledge and expertise to help local governments in BC effectively serve their communities.
Samantha Boyce, Manager of People, Operations, and Strategic Innovation, MIABC
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Samantha joined the MIABC in 2015, after completing her articles at a large regional law firm. For several years she worked on the MIABC’s internal legal team defending local governments on a wide variety of claims in the B.C. Provincial, Supreme, and Appeal Courts.
As the Manager of People, Operations, and Strategic Innovation, Samantha leads the MIABC’s people and operations functions and helps drive strategic innovation across the organization. As part of our leadership team, she works closely with the CEO to align day‑to‑day operations with the organization's long‑term goals, strengthen a high‑performance, people‑centred culture, and support effective board governance and education. By championing innovation and enterprise initiatives, Samantha strives to ensures the MIABC’s operations stay steady and efficient, so our team can keep supporting B.C.’s local governments with confidence.
Samantha loves working on the MIABC team because it means she gets to collaborate with the wonderful people that make up the organization’s board, staff and membership.
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Lynda dos Santos, Insurance Services Representative & Broker, MIABC
ImageLynda joined the MIABC’s Insurance Services department in 2024 after relocating to British Columbia from Ontario. In her role as an Insurance Services Administrator, she is passionate about supporting her colleagues and engaging directly with MIABC members, ensuring they receive the assistance they need.
Before joining MIABC, Lynda gained extensive experience in commercial insurance, specializing in real estate and franchise programs. As a former commercial broker, she earned her Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker (CAIB) and Canadian Risk Management (CRM) designations. She is also working toward her Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation, continuing her commitment to professional development in the field.
Lynda finds the learning opportunities within the insurance industry rewarding, particularly in her interactions with the diverse range of members across the province. She is proud to use her knowledge and expertise to help local governments in BC effectively serve their communities.
Josh Brocklebank, Program Specialist & Broker, MIABC
ImageAfter close to 10 years of working primarily with larger insurance brokerages, specializing as a broker working with clients ranging, among other things, from large construction projects, Indigenous Community insurance programs, and large property programs, both residential and commercial. He wanted to be able to combine his passion for local community with his work experience, having grown up in Northern BC, where he was fortunate to witness the impact of local government
Josh values the work MIABC does as a member owned reciprocal. Helping shape risk and insurance solutions that will work hand in hand with our members and the work they continue to do for the communities they serve.
He looks forward to his role with MIABC, connecting with our members and the continuous learning it will bring!
Josh Brocklebank, Program Specialist & Broker, MIABC
ImageAfter close to 10 years of working primarily with larger insurance brokerages, specializing as a broker working with clients ranging, among other things, from large construction projects, Indigenous Community insurance programs, and large property programs, both residential and commercial. He wanted to be able to combine his passion for local community with his work experience, having grown up in Northern BC, where he was fortunate to witness the impact of local government
Josh values the work MIABC does as a member owned reciprocal. Helping shape risk and insurance solutions that will work hand in hand with our members and the work they continue to do for the communities they serve.
He looks forward to his role with MIABC, connecting with our members and the continuous learning it will bring!
Tristan James, Legal Counsel, MIABC
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Tristan joined the MIABC after completing his articles at a large regional full-service law firm, where he predominately worked in civil litigation. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 2016 from the University of Victoria and his Juris Doctorate degree in 2022 from the University of Calgary.
Tristan practices predominately in the areas of personal injury, property damage and occupier’s liability claims. He takes a forthright and conscientious approach to litigation that is grounded in the MIABC’s principled approach.
Tristan is passionate about BC communities, whether that be in defending claims for the MIABC, sitting as a board member for his local community centre association, or exploring BC mountains and waterways.
Satvinder Kaur Sekhon, Insurance Services Representative and Broker, MIABC
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Satvinder joined MIABC’s Insurance Services Department in August 2022 as an Insurance Services Administrator and was appointed to the role of Insurance Services Representative & Broker in October 2024.
Satvinder has worked with members of all sizes to manage their property insurance and ancillary portfolios and plays a key role in ensuring that MIABC’s members receive efficient and valuable insurance services and support. She is proud to be part of an organization dedicated to making a positive difference for its members.
Satvinder holds a Bachelor o Management Studies from the University of Mumbai, a Global Business Management Certificate from Humber College, and a General Insurance Agent Level 2 license. She is also working toward her Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation.
Janet Kwong, Assistant General Counsel and Manager of Claims, MIABC
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Janet is the Assistant General Counsel and Manager of Claims at the MIABC. She plays a leadership role within the Claims and Legal Department and works with a dedicated team of claims examiners and in-house lawyers to ensure members are well supported throughout the claims process.
Janet joined MIABC in 2024 as Legal Counsel, bringing more than a decade of experience in civil litigation and administrative law, and where she represented clients before all levels of court in British Columbia, as well as provincial and federal tribunals. She has defended claims on behalf of MIABC members involving occupiers’ liability, personal injury, construction, building and permitting processes and professional negligence.
Appointed to her current role in 2026, Janet helps ensure claims are managed thoughtfully and consistently, in alignment with MIABC’s principled, member-focused claims management philosophy. She collaborates with members, internal teams and external counsel to achieve fair outcomes and support strong, resilient communities.
Jon Peters, Legal Counsel, MIABC
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Jon joined the MIABC’s Legal Department in February of 2025 after working at a large regional law firm as both an articled student and associate. Jon received his Juris Doctorate degree in 2022 from the University of Calgary, graduating on the Dean’s List and receiving the Honourable Jim Prentis, QC Memorial Prize in Aboriginal Law. Jon was called to the British Columbia Bar in 2023.
Jon takes pride in his compassionate and principled approach to litigation. He has experience appearing before courts and tribunals in several provinces, including the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal, Alberta Human Rights Commission, and the Provincial and Supreme Courts of British Columbia.
Jon values the opportunity that the MIABC provides to work with diverse local communities throughout the province.
Elizabeth Wong, Legal Counsel, MIABC
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Elizabeth joined MIABC in 2023, and in her role as in-house counsel handles a wide variety of municipal defence, personal injury, insurance defence, and property damage cases on behalf of MIABC members.
Prior to joining MIABC, Elizabeth practiced for over five years at a foreclosure litigation boutique, where she was named Team Lead of the lawyer division. Before that, Elizabeth practiced at a family boutique specializing in high-conflict family litigation. Elizabeth has conducted hearings at the BC Supreme Court, BC Provincial Court, BC Court of Appeal, Residential Tenancy Tribunal, and the Downtown Community Court.
A longtime Vancouverite, Elizabeth completed both her undergraduate studies and her J.D. at the University of British Columbia, and was called to the British Columbia bar in 2017. Elizabeth appreciates the opportunity to give back to her home province in a tangible way through her work at MIABC.
Lachlan MacLean, Product Manager, icInfrastructure
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Lachlan MacLean is the Product Manager at icInfrastructure. He has 15 years of experience in Asset Management from both private and public sectors, including two years as Manager of Asset Management & GIS for the City of Yellowknife.
In his current role Lachlan oversees strategic product planning, develops new training programs and tools, and continues to coach and advise clients on how to find and take the next steps on their Asset Management journeys.Arnold Schwabe, Executive Director, Asset Management BC
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Arnold Schwabe is the Executive Director of Asset Management BC. With over 30 years of experience in various industries and different levels of government, including 15 years in local government, Arnold brings a wealth of experience to the role. His primary focus is on the daily operations of AMBC and supporting local governments and asset owners in their efforts to be fiscally resilient and deliver services sustainably through improved policy, education, and development of tools and resources.
Jeremy Poole, Partner, Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP
ImageJeremy is the leader of the Local Government Liability practice at Alexander Holburn LLP and has been defending British Columbia municipalities in civil actions for over 25 years in both the BC Supreme Court and the BC Court of Appeal. He has been involved in cases involving all aspects of municipal operations and he is currently representing a British Columbia local government that is a defendant in a class action lawsuit relating to the alleged migration of PFAS contaminated groundwater.
Claudia Chan, Manager of Digital Strategy and Technology, MIABC
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As the Manager of Digital Strategy and Technology, Claudia oversees the organization’s digital strategy, IT operations, and works closely with the team to implement innovative solutions. She also designs and updates many of the MIABC’s publications, including brochures and newsletters.
Claudia holds a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree from Simon Fraser University, where she majored in Interactive Arts & Technology and minored in Communications. She also holds a 2D Design Certificate from Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design.
Claudia enjoys working at the MIABC, where everyone is so friendly and supportive—it truly feels like a family.
Kevin Travis, Claims Examiner, MIABC
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Kevin received a B.Sc. in 1980 and a LL. B. in 1983. He became a member of the Law Society of B.C. in 1984. Kevin did not practice law, but his educational background has been an asset in his career handling insurance claims. Kevin began his career as a licensed independent insurance adjuster in 1984. His focus was on casualty and municipal claims, primarily in the Lower Mainland.
Throughout most of his career, Kevin has provided adjusting services to the MIABC. He was drawn to the unique challenges that arise with municipal and regional district claims. One of the strongest draws to local government claims has been the staff at MIABC with whom Kevin had the privilege to work. The other significant influence was the opportunity to meet and work with staff at various local governments.
Kevin joined MIABC in 2020. He looks forward to developing new relationships with a broader base of members.
Alex Wu, Claims Examiner, MIABC
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Alex has a B.A. in Sociology and Public Administration from the University of Victoria. His previous experience includes customer service, some small stints with local government and, prior to joining Municipal Insurance Association of British Columbia, spent 8 years in the commercial insurance industry in various capacities.
A desire to bring his educational background and work experience together led him to join MIABC as a Claims Examiner. Alex looks forward to working with communities across BC through dependable support and fair claims resolution.
David Hooper, Claims Examiner, MIABC
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David has been part of the MIABC Claims Department since joining the organization in 2009 as a Claims Assistant. As a Claims Examiner, he handles liability and property claims of all sizes and levels of complexity. In addition to handling claims, David participates in the MIABC’s Social Committee and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Anti-Racism Committee, and chairs one of the groups that comprise MIABC’s Enterprise Risk Management program. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and has obtained a CIP designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada.
David appreciates the MIABC’s unique and highly collaborative work environment, and its principled approach to claims handling.
Sonali Pande, Insurance Services Administrator, MIABC
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Sonali has held multiple roles in the insurance industry, beginning as a Business Analyst, where she worked on analyzing business processes, identifying opportunities for improvement, and ensuring that solutions met organizational needs. She then transitioned to a Claims Adjuster, applying her analytical skills to assess and resolve claims, ensuring fair and accurate outcomes for policyholders. Currently, as an Insurance Services Administrator, Sonali supports the Insurance Services team by managing policy documentation, coordinating with members, and ensuring the efficient administration of various insurance services.
With a strong foundation in both the analytical and operational aspects of insurance, Sonali brings a unique blend of expertise to her current role. She is committed to ensuring that the local governments receive the highest quality service and that all insurance processes are handled efficiently and effectively. Her goal is to provide support and enable seamless service delivery and contribute to the overall success of the MIABC and its members.
Alex Plamondon, Insurance Services Representative and Broker, MIABC
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Alex joined the MIABC’s Insurance Services department, as both an insurance representative, and broker for the MIABC’s wholly owned brokerage arm, Civic Risk Insurance Solutions Inc. He is passionate about helping the communities he works with and looks forward to applying his skills in the assistance of both MIABC members, and his colleagues.
Prior to his employment with us, Alex worked for over 10 years in the insurance and financial services industry, specializing in working with non-profit, co-operative, and member organizations. This background, coupled with his work experience in construction, outreach, and service with the Canadian Forces Reserves brings a unique perspective to our team, and members will benefit from his analytical skills and his easy communication style.
Alex is currently working towards his Canadian Risk Management (CRM) certification to better assist the members of the MIABC and looks forward to assisting the association in its delivery of Risk Management advice and services. He is also looking forward to obtaining his Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation in the future.
Sonia Sahota, LLB, P.Eng (Non-practising), Partner, Civic Legal LLP
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Sonia is a founding partner of Civic Legal LLP, and practises in the areas of procurement, construction and land development, with a particular focus on tendering law, procurement fairness, construction contracting and use of standard form construction contracts. Sonia routinely provides advise on structuring and administering public tenders and competitive RFPs, managing contractor performance and lien issues and securing land tenure.
She practised as a professional engineer for 10 years and worked on civil and geotechnical design and construction projects in British Columbia and abroad. She provides legal advice with practical insight by drawing upon her unique professional understanding of construction and engineering projects.
Sonia keeps a watchful eye on technological disruptions to the construction industry, and how these may impact the traditional relationships between parties, such as with the use of BIM technology and smart contracts.
Sukhbir Manhas, Partner, Young, Anderson
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Sukhbir moved to the lower mainland after graduating from a Vancouver Island high school in 1990 to attend the Faculty of Science at Simon Fraser University. After completing three years of undergraduate studies in chemistry, Sukhbir attended the Faculty of Law at the University of British Columbia, where he attained his Bachelors of Laws degree in 1996.
Sukhbir articled with Young, Anderson. After being called to the bar in May 1997, he practiced with the firm as an associate lawyer until January 1, 2005, when he joined the firm’s partnership. Sukhbir’s law practice at the firm involves advising the firm’s clients on general local government law issues as well as representing them in civil and quasi-criminal proceedings before arbitrators, administrative tribunals, and the courts of this province and the nation. In his practice, Sukhbir frequently draws on his experience in working as a legal research assistant to the clerk of a Vancouver Island district municipality. Sukhbir is currently a member of the Municipal Law and Civil Litigation subsections of the BC Branch of the Canadian Bar Association and frequently speaks, as a guest lecturer, at seminars and courses on local government law and civil litigation issues put on by the Continuing Legal Education Society, the Local Government Management Association, and the Justice Institute of British Columbia.
Sukhbir is an Adjunct Professor at the UBC Faculty of Law, teaching municipal law.
Sukhbir spends most of his free time with his wife and their children. In whatever time is left available to him, Sukhbir pursues his other true loves, making furniture, gardening, and golf.Carolyn MacEachern, Partner, Young, Anderson
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Carolyn MacEachern is a partner with Young Anderson, where she advises clients on all areas of law related to the workplace, including human rights, labour relations and employment law. She also regularly advises clients on freedom of information and protection of privacy matters. Carolyn has represented clients in matters before the courts as well as labour arbitrators, the Labour Relations Board, the Human Rights Tribunal, the Employment Standards Tribunal and the Information and Privacy Commissioner. She strives to find solutions to labour, employment and human rights issues that are cost-effective, avoid unnecessary litigation and conflict, and contribute to a positive workplace culture.
Jeff Locke, Litigation Counsel, Stewart McDannold Stuart
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Jeff Locke has been representing local governments in litigation matters for over 25 years and is regularly retained by the MIABC as external liability defence counsel. A significant portion of Jeff’s current practice involves lawsuits with climate change implications – slope failures, flooding and related issues. Jeff is a regular presenter at local government and other conferences practices with SMS Law in Victoria