Anirudh Agnihotri, Student Board Member
Anirudh Agnihotri is a finance expert and an aspiring business professional from Tarn Taran, a small town in Punjab, India. Currently pursuing a Business Management Diploma at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), Anirudh is dedicated to building a solid foundation in business and finance. His academic focus is complemented by practical experience in financial management, investment strategies, and business operations.
Anirudh's expertise lies in the realm of finance, where he has developed a strong understanding of financial analysis, budgeting, and strategic financial planning. He is committed to leveraging his knowledge to help individuals and businesses make informed financial decisions. With his ongoing education at KPU, Anirudh is honing his skills to further his career in the dynamic world of finance and business management.
In addition to his academic and professional pursuits, Anirudh is also a passionate athlete, excelling in both cricket and badminton. He has earned state-level recognition in badminton, showcasing his commitment, discipline, and competitive spirit. His athletic achievements highlight his ability to balance multiple pursuits while maintaining a high standard of performance.
Anirudh's dedication to both his education and sports demonstrates his work ethic, focus, and drive. With his unique combination of financial acumen and athletic discipline, he is poised for success in his professional career and beyond. His goal is to continue growing as a finance professional while contributing meaningfully to his community and industry.
Kim (Kwuntiltunaat) Baird, Chancellor
Current KPU chancellor Kim Baird (her ancestral name is Kwuntiltunaat) is known for being a leader and team-builder. Baird was the elected Chief of the Tsawwassen First Nation for six terms, from 1999-2012. At just 28 years old, she was the youngest woman to hold that position.
She negotiated and implemented British Columbia’s first urban modern treaty, which provided unprecedented benefits and opportunities for Tsawwassen First Nation. Her leadership has contributed to Tsawwassen First Nation being one of the most progressive First Nations in the country.
Receiving numerous awards and accolades throughout her career, Baird’s accomplishments include being a Member of the Order of Canada, being a recipient of the Order of British Columbia and a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, being recognized as part of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, and many others. She has been appointed to various boards in the community including the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, BC Indigenous Business Investment Council, and the Canada Public Policy Forum.
Baird is a Distinguished Alumna of KPU, an honour granted to her by the KPU Alumni Association. She completed an arts diploma at KPU and credits her time at the university with awakening her political consciousness.
Baird also provides strategic consulting to First Nations, governments, businesses, and other organizations on Indigenous matters with the goal of improving the quality of life for Indigenous people. In addition to the many roles she holds professionally, Baird is a proud mom to three young girls.
Erin Barnes, Chair, Community Member
Erin is a lawyer at Miller Titerle + Co., specializing in advising First Nations on environmental and regulatory matters, including joint and Nation-led processes and economic development strategies. She supports First Nations clients in advocating for the meaningful implementation of UNDRIP, ensuring that communities have a strong foundation to increase jurisdiction and reach self-determination. Her skills extend to advising clients on governance structuring, land and resource planning, government-to-government agreements, and legislative reform.
Erin has practiced law in Vancouver for 6 years, and has experience at both National and Regional law firms. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Victoria, and a Juris Doctor from the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia.
Erin is Mi’kmaw and a member of the Acadia First Nation. She is active in the Vancouver and British Columbia community, acting on the Board of Directors for Saa’men Economic Development LP, the GreaterVancouver Board of Trade, and volunteers with youth at the Urban Native Youth Association.
Karanbir Boparai, Student Board Member
Karanbir Boparai is an international student from Punjab, India, currently studying General Studies at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU). Since moving to Canada, he has embraced the challenges and opportunities that come with adjusting to a new country, culture, and academic environment. This journey has shaped his perspective and strengthened his appreciation for the diverse experiences of students at KPU.
Through his General Studies program, Karanbir is exploring a wide range of subjects that have helped him develop strong critical thinking and communication skills. He enjoys learning across disciplines and values the flexibility his program offers as he works toward future academic and career goals.
As a student Board member, Karanbir brings with him a thoughtful and open-minded approach. Having experienced the transition into university life as an international student, he understands the importance of building an inclusive, supportive, and engaging campus environment. He is passionate about representing student voices and wants to help ensure that all students feel heard, supported, and empowered to succeed.
Karanbir sees his role on the Board of Governors as a chance to give back to the community that has welcomed him. he is excited to learn, contribute, and collaborate with others to help shape a better experience for current and future students. With a calm, reliable presence and a willingness to listen and grow, Karanbir is proud to serve and represent the diverse KPU student body.
Dr. Bruce Choy, President and Vice-Chancellor
Dr. Bruce Choy became Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s President and Vice-Chancellor in September 2025. A recognised specialist in governance and risk management, he has authored a book on quantitative risk assessment in the environment, several book chapters on financial risk management, and numerous journal papers and industry reports on risk. He taught engineering at the University of Sydney, Australia, for four years and finance at the University of Toronto, Canada, for four years. Before joining KPU, Dr. Choy chaired the Board of Governors for the George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology.
He was awarded a doctorate from the University of Sydney for his research on mathematics for risk management. He was a University and R.A. Priddle medallist from the university’s Faculty of Engineering. He is also a Sloan Fellow from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business and was an adjunct professor with the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Choy is an experienced independent board director and is accredited with a directors designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. He has led governance functions for organizations in both the financial services and post-secondary education sectors. Dr. Choy is a highly experienced financier and management consultant who has held senior leadership positions in the corporate sector.
Dianne Doyle, Community Member
Dianne is a results-oriented health leader with broad senior executive experience, predominantly within an academic health science center. She served as President and CEO of Providence Health Care for almost 12 years, and then served as President of St. Thomas More Collegiate, an independent high school part of a global network of Christian Brother Schools.
Dianne is a certified director with the Institute of Corporate Directors. She brings experience in strategy, governance, organizational culture, team building and capital planning to multiple boards. Some examples include her service as Director on the BC Rapid Transit Company, the College of Dental Surgeons of BC, Mothers Matter Centre, and the Provincial Health Services Authority. She currently is President of the Registered Nurses Foundation of BC.
Dianne is a lifelong learner and holds a BScN from the University of Ottawa, an MSN from the University of BC, an Honorary Doctorate from St Mark's College, and a Fellowship in the Canadian College of Health Leaders.
Dianne brings humility to her journey of truth and reconciliation with Indigenous communities and brings compassion to issues of social inequity.
Furquan Gehlen, Community Member
Furquan has worked in the industrial automation industry as a Program Manager and a Commercial Project Engineer for over 30 years. He has a background in Electrical Control Systems and Computer Systems. He has travelled for work extensively across North America and around the world, visiting various industrial plants and facilities to resolve technical and commercial challenges.
He has furthered his education by completing a ‘Certificate in International Development’ from UBC, a master’s degree in Peacebuilding from Royal Roads University and PMP certification from PMI.
Passionate about serving the community, Furquan has 25 years of involvement on the boards of various charities and non-profits including the Delta Mayors Public Safety Committee. He has been a social justice advocate for the past 30 year and is focused on making the world a better place by working on resolving problems at the root cause level and in a sustainable way.
Born in Newcastle, England and living in the Metro Vancouver region since 1973, Furquan has lived in North Delta since 1992.
Gabby Gill, Community Member
Gabby currently works as Director in the Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis team at Nexus Water Group, a rapidly growing infrastructure company. He has experience overseeing multi-billion asset portfolios, having worked on short-range and long-range forecasts, corporate valuations, M&A deals, and a broad spectrum of strategic initiatives.
Having started his career in Grant Thornton LLP’s Audit practice he specialized in mid-market public clients with markets caps of 250M-1B. There he advised on a wide range of complex challenges clients faced with reporting under ASPE, IFRS, and US GAAP in sectors ranging from technology, mining, manufacturing, and financial services. This experience helped him develop a strong technical base in financial reporting, internal controls, and regulatory compliance.
He currently serves as the Past Chair for the KPU Alumni Association, and sits on the Board of SurreyCares Community Foundation, which is helping establish long-term endowments to better the life of the community in Surrey.
Gabby graduated KPU in the fall of 2015 with distinction in the Bachelor of Business Administration Accounting program. While there he co-founded and led the premier student run business club, competed in International Case Competitions, and graduated with multiple scholarships and awards. He went on to further his education at the University of Saskatchewan by completing the Master of Professional Accounting program, while concurrently obtaining his CPA designation.
Kim McGill, Support Staff Member
Kim McGill and has proudly worked at KPU since 2001. Currently, Kim is the Manager of Community Engagement & Major Events in the Office of External Affairs. This fairly new department works with every corner of the university and represents KPU at community events within many of the communities it serves. Having previously served 3 years on Senate and another 6 on the Board of Governors she is pleased to return at this exciting time of change at KPU. Having been the recipient of the KPU Distinguished Service Award-Support Staff in 2023, Kim understands what teamwork truly means.
Kim is thankful for her colleagues & the administration she works with every single day, and it is an honour for her to represent Support Staff once again in this important role. Kim has served on many committees and working groups over her two decades at KPU and has truly enjoyed contributing. The Support Staff voice is an important one at the Board of Governors level where sharing thoughts, solutions, and working together create opportunities for the betterment of KPU.
Kyungjune June Park, Community Member
Kyungjune (June) Park is the Executive Director of the Burnaby North Road Business Improvement Association, where he leads initiatives that support local business vitality, public safety, and long-term urban planning. He works closely with municipal departments, civic agencies, and grassroots organizations to advance collaborative solutions that reflect the needs of a diverse commercial district.
Park’s professional background spans business operations, strategic development, and community engagement. He has led regional sales teams in the food distribution industry and currently advises on real estate and marketing strategy through various consulting roles. His work emphasizes systems thinking, stakeholder alignment, and culturally competent leadership.
In addition to his core responsibilities, Park contributes to public-facing projects that connect small businesses with digital tools and civic programs. His experience working at the intersection of public and private sectors informs his commitment to inclusive growth and responsive governance.
Park holds a diploma in Entertainment Business Management from Vancouver Film School and completed studies in Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University. He is fluent in English and Korean and has lived and worked across several Lower Mainland communities. He currently resides in Langley.
Dr. Lyndsay Passmore, Faculty Board Member
Lyndsay has been a faculty member at Kwantlen Polytechnic University for the last 15 years, teaching in the business and entrepreneurial leadership departments. Leadership positions held at KPU include multiple committee chair roles and most recently, chairing the Business department through the Covid transition to online, as well as through a major program revision that focused on developing business students who are skilled interpersonal leaders with competencies in equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Lyndsay lives on the traditional and unceeded lands of the Tsawwassen and Musqueam First Nations. She is married with four kids, a poodle and a pug. Lyndsay started as a non-traditional student at KPU, which laid the framework for her passion for accessible education. She holds both an HBA (general management/accounting) and MBA (strategy/health sector) from the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western University in London, Ontario. Lyndsay holds a Doctorate in Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education from Johns Hopkins University. Lyndsay has a special interest in accessible and equitable education. Her dissertation focus was on improving the international student experience in Canada, and she is currently exploring how learning communities impact student experience and outcomes.
Stephanie Smith, Vice-Chair, Community Member
An early childhood educator by profession and a social justice advocate by nature, Stephanie Smith (she/her) became the first woman elected president of the BC General Employees’ Union in 2014 and served in that position until 2024. Previously she was the union’s Treasurer from 2011-2014.
Stephanie is a strong communicator, whether it is one on one, in small settings or in large group presentations and recognizes that listening is a crucial part of any communication. She served as the media spokesperson for the union, and has effectively represented her organization, and others, provincially, nationally, and internationally. Stephanie is well known for her collaborative, team building approach and creative problem solving. She has extensive experience in governance having chaired numerous boards and committees as well as conventions of more than 500 attendees.
Stephanie has attended numerous workshops, forums, and educational trainings to develop and strengthen the skills that promote good leadership, strong mentorship and the practical tools to ensure good governance. As a pension trustee and trustee of the union’s assets, Stephanie is well versed in ensuring fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability.
Stephanie is deeply committed to the principles of Truth and Reconciliation and equity and inclusion. Stephanie is a grateful settler on the unceded territories of the Musqueam and Coast Salish Peoples in what is now known as Richmond.
Amanda Smith-Weston, Community Member
Amanda Smith-Weston has over 20 years of non-profit and municipal Board involvement, and is happy to bring her experience and love of community-building to the KPU Board of Governors. She proudly represented both KPU and the Alumni Association at community events during her 6 years as a KPUAA Board Director, and often takes time to connect with past and present students to encourage engagement and to learn where advocacy is needed.
A graduate of the department of Anthropology (with Distinction), Amanda enjoys educating the public about Archaeology and has been active in helping to create equitable, inclusive spaces within education both in her home community of Surrey, and in her KPU community. Amanda believes that access to good, quality education should be afforded to all who seek it. She is a 2nd generation Kwantlen grad and knows the value of developing practical, hands-on skills. She has a vested interest in the community of Surrey and readily advocates and engages members to create healthy, productive environments.
Amanda has worked in Heritage, Tourism, Trades & Technology, Non-Profit, and Mental Health sectors as an educator, writer, advocate, and mentor. She is currently working in Arts & Culture, using her passion for human connectivity to build and maintain artist relationships in the City of Surrey. She and her spouse have 3 kids and a cat, and spend their free time playing strategy and trivia games together as a family.