KPU Continuing & Professional Studies and Flexible Learning extend sincere thanks to the members of the Partners Advisory Committee. The committee meets twice a year to provide feedback and advice on KPU’s short-term, reskilling and upskilling opportunities to ensure they remain relevant, high-quality, and responsive to evolving industry needs.
Members bring diverse perspectives from across industries and sectors, contributing valuable insights into emerging trends, workforce demands, and community priorities. Their engagement supports KPUs commitment to responsive and future-focused polytechnic education.
Indra Bhan | Chief Operating Officer | Surrey and White Rock Board of Trade
Indra Bhan is the Chief Operating Officer of the Surrey and White Rock Board of Trade, Surrey’s city-building business organization which supports business and attracts business to Surrey. With more than 39 years of executive experience across corporate and non-profit environments, Indra Bhan is a respected leader in corporate communications and community engagement. She champions strong business sector relationships and advocates for local competitiveness, fostering partnerships that create shared value for employers and community organizations.
Born in Fiji, Indra completed her education in Business Management, and at 19, she began her career in the corporate sector. She spent 15 years in senior management roles before she joined the Surrey and White Rock Board of Trade in 2003. In 2011, she was appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Surrey and White Rock Board of Trade. According to Indra, “My passion revolves around connecting people and creating links. My role is to listen and to create genuine opportunities that add value to businesses.”
Tomoko Cerf | Manager, Youth & Community Employment | Pacific Community Resources Society
Tomoko has worked in the youth employment field for 12 years and currently manages youth and community employment programs at Pacific Community Resources Society. Supporting programs in Vancouver, Surrey, and Chilliwack that are designed to help participants build confidence and develop essential skills, Tomoko is experienced in working with corporate funders and provincial ministries, as well as building partnerships with private businesses and other non-profit agencies. The programs developed focus on providing support through a trauma-informed lens for both participants and staff.
Prior to her career in this field, she worked as an ESL teacher in Japan and Vancouver. Tomoko holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Teaching English as a Second Language Certificate from the University of the Fraser Valley, as well as a Career Development Practitioner Certificate from Simon Fraser University.
Alex Kogay | Human Resources Manager | CPHR BC & Yukon
Alex oversees core HR operations, guides strategic initiatives, and chairs the ESG committee. She has a strong interest in facilitating the development of HR students and emerging professionals, such as through supporting the HRC West Student Case Competition. Outside of work, Alex continues to stay current on the evolving needs of members and HR professionals by volunteering, including the Immigrant Employment Council of BC (IECBC), where she sits on the Employer Advisory Council.
Raj Brar | Director, Career Services | Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society
Raj Brar is a dynamic leader in workforce development and community impact, serving as Director of Career Services and Foreign Credential Recognition at Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society. She oversees multi-provincial programs across British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, including pre-arrival health sector initiatives that prepare internationally trained professionals for successful workforce integration before arriving in Canada. Overseeing programs with public funding exceeding $20 million, Raj builds national and international partnerships with government, post-secondary institutions, and industry — translating labour market needs into practical, client-centered solutions that create real opportunity.
As Chair of Quality Assurance at PICS, she champions continuous improvement, accountability, and service excellence across all programming. Raj is a passionate advocate for anti-racism and women's empowerment. She founded a growing women's community platform dedicated to connection, wellbeing, and shared learning.
She serves as Director on the BC Plan (BCPLAN) board and as Vice President of the Women's Economic Council of Canada. Grounded, collaborative, and deeply community-minded, Raj is driven by a singular purpose: building trust, bringing people together, and creating meaningful opportunities for communities to thrive.
King Lee | Learning and Development Specialist | T&T Supermarket
King Lee is a seasoned learning and development executive with over two decades of experience driving organizational transformation and talent strategy across diverse global sectors. His expertise spans public and private industries, including mass transit, global shipping, energy utilities, and retail group. Throughout his career, King has architected high-impact learning interventions to steer organizations through complex transitions, including cultural integrations, digital transformations, leadership transition, and the development of innovation ecosystems.
Following his move to Canada, King deepened his connection to the Canadian academic landscape at KPU, where he was recognized as the President’s Outstanding Graduate in 2024. His firsthand experience as a peer tutor and staff member at the Learning Centre provides him with a unique, 360-degree perspective on both the student journey and institutional development. A highly credentialed professional, King holds the CPTD, CPHR, CCMP, Prosci, and PMP designations, reflecting a multi-disciplinary approach to workplace transformation. Beyond his advisory work, he serves as a Director for the Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP) Greater Vancouver Chapter, where he champions professional advancement and fosters continuous learning within the regional business community
Baljit Ranu | District Principal | Career Education & Surrey College
Baljit Ranu is an experienced educational leader with over 15 years of administrative and instructional experience across K–12 and post-secondary systems. He currently serves as District Principal of Career Education and Surrey College, where he works at the intersection of secondary education, post-secondary pathways, and community partnerships to support learners’ transitions into further education and the workplace. Baljit brings deep expertise in curriculum relevance, workforce alignment, and program development, with a strong focus on ensuring educational offerings remain current with industry trends and community needs. His experience includes developing innovative programs such as leading career education initiatives, work with our indigenous partners, and supporting flexible and alternative learning pathways for diverse learners. As a course developer and instructor with Queen’s University, he also maintains a direct connection to continuing and professional education programming.
A committed advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion, Baljit has served on district and provincial committees focused on racial equity, professional learning, and leadership development. He values collaboration and community engagement and is passionate about serving as a communication bridge between education providers, industry, and the broader community. Through his work, Baljit brings a practical, learner centered perspective to advisory roles, supporting program relevance, responsiveness, and accessibility.
Nathaniel Kirk, Xwenayus | Senior Program Officer and Interim Programs Team Lead | Nexw7áýstwaý Training and Trade Centre
Nathaniel Kirk's ancestral name is Xwenayus and he is Afro-indigenous and a proud member of the Squamish Nation. With experience across a wide range of industries including construction, culinary arts, retail, and tech, Nathaniel brings a diverse and practical perspective to his work. Over the past four years at the Trades Centre, he has played a key role in coordinating programs, managing cashflows, supporting students, and ensuring programs run effectively and smoothly. Through his work, Nathaniel has discovered a deep passion for giving back to his community and supporting Indigenous peoples as a whole. He is committed to creating opportunities, fostering growth, and helping others succeed through education and skilled trades training.