CHAIR

Sammie Jo (She/Her) has over 20+ years of experience as an advocate, facilitator, community organizer/ event planner and youth worker working with the Filipino Diaspora in Metro Vancouver. She currently works for MOSAIC BC doing Special Youth Projects & a youth settlement worker at the New Westminster School District. Sammie Jo also operates Power of Threee, a wedding and events company with her 2 sisters and is a coordinator of the Joyce Street Action Network (JSAN). Recipient of the 2010 Kensington Community Leadership Award and 2011 Maharlika Community Service (Youth) Award from the Filipino Canadian Cultural Heritage Society.

VICE CHAIR

William (he/they) sits on the Board of Directors for the Southeast Asian Cultural Heritage Society (SEACHS) and the Kathara Pilipino Indigenous Arts Collective Society. He is an active member of the Joyce Street Action Network (JSAN) and holds a Master's in Community and Regional Planning from UBC.

TREASURER

Angelie is the owner of Tax Angel® Consulting Ltd., a business in bookkeeping and financial services. Outside Mabuhay House, Angelie co-leads a local non-profit fitness group for moms and is actively involved in the fundraising committee for St Mary’s Church in Joyce Collingwood.

DIRECTOR, COUNCIL OF LEADERS CHAIR

President of the Adamson University Alumni Association, BC Chapter.

Rudy has decades of experience in leading the community. As a former President of the Filipino Association in BC to which he is a concurrent member of the Board of Directors, and former Vice President of Pangasinan-Ilocano Civic Association, Rudy has been deeply involved in community events since first arriving here in B.C. An entrepreneur, a pioneer, and a family man, Rudy prides himself in upholding and maintaining a strong cultural foundation in his everyday life.

As the founder of MERD Antonio Group Ltd. Rudy's endeavours venture out into the greater community as he works within healthcare to provide guidance and support.

In his spare time, Rudy can be found in his garden with is ampalaya, chickens or following his other passions in construction and engineering. He has spent the better part of the last decades championing for better healthcare and stronger Filipino representation.

DIRECTOR

Lester is a marketing communications professional with over five years of experience who is passionate about storytelling and analytics. In 2012, before immigrating to Canada, Lester holds a Bachelor's Degree in Entrepreneurship from Saint Louis University and a Master's in Business Administration from Renmin University of China. After upskilling with a Diploma in Marketing Communications at BCIT, he became heavily involved with several organizations, such as the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, BC American Marketing Association, and nabs West, in mentorship, leadership and volunteerism.

He worked for several private, non-profit, and government organizations in BC, helping develop integrated marketing campaigns and providing strategic solutions to business challenges. Now, he aims to share his knowledge and expertise in advocating for representation, governance, equity and leadership within the Filipino community in British Columbia, fostering impactful and meaningful change. During his free time, you can find Lester either drinking coffee or in the dance studio, training in ballroom dancing in the evenings and on weekends.

DIRECTOR

Amado Mercado has a rich background in both academia and community service.

Driven by a passion for community welfare, Amado has been actively involved in volunteer work since 1990. He has been instrumental in mentoring new immigrants through various activities such as seminars, info sessions, and fellowship events.

He served as the Vice President of the Multicultural Helping House Society (MHHS) and played a pivotal role as the project manager for the extension of the MHHS building. Amado studied at UST College of Architecture and is a founding president and adviser of the Filipino Canadian Construction Society of BC.

Currently, he holds an advisory position for the Circulo Pampangueno group,and is a member of various organizations such as the CanFil Golf Club, Richmond Bayanihan, Knights of Columbus, One Phil Co-op, and the UST Alumni Association.

Professionally, Amado is a Construction Consultant at Mag Construction Corp, specializing in project management, sales, marketing, estimating, and design.

Recognized for exemplary contributions, Amado is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Canada 150th 2018 Volunteer Awardee, the Maharlika Award for Community Service, the Bamboo Network Canadian Government Volunteer Work Award, the Knights of Columbus Membership Award, and the King Charles III of Canada Emblem Award for Volunteerism.

DIRECTOR

Clea Arrieta (She/Her) is a big sister and queer Filipina. For her day job, she works as an HR and DEI Consultant at Bright + Early to support small to mid-sized organizations with creating employee experiences that treat team members more like people and less like resources. She also sits on the Board of QueerTech, mentors community members hoping to break into tech through programs like Cherry on Tech and Out in Tech, and has previously partnered with Out In Schools to share Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity training within schools and businesses across BC. When she’s not sitting in front of her laptop, you can find her in Mount Pleasant hanging out with her husband in newlywed bliss or spending time with her Dad and Lola.

DIRECTOR

Dexter Tarampi, currently a registered Professional Engineer, brings extensive expertise in Engineering, Asset Management, and Project/Program Management. He holds the position of current director and former President of the National Association of Mapua Alumni in B.C. (NAMABC), receiving recognition from his alma mater as one of “The Outstanding Mapuan” (TOM) in 2006 for outstanding contributions to the engineering community.

Dexter served as a former director of the Multicultural Helping House Society, where he spearheaded the society’s coaching and mentoring program for new immigrants. Passionate about leveraging his skills, Dexter is dedicated to establishing and expanding our cultural and community center. Firmly believing that this center will strengthen bonds within the Filipino-Canadian community, Dexter has a proven track record of effectively engaging stakeholders and implementing public relations activities to enhance positive visibility and relationships.