FSI Board of Directors
Our Board makes decisions on the policy and direction of the Family Support Institute (FSI). Most board members are family members of people with disabilities. Some of our board members are also Resource Parents/Peers.
Ellen Tarshis
President
Region: Island
Came on FSI board:
June 9, 2023
ELLEN'S BIO
Ellen lives in Victoria and is the former Executive Director of Community Living Victoria, with over 40 years’ experience. Ellen has lived experience through her brother. Her parents were pioneers in the community living movement. She believes in the power of families and is pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to FSI.
Ellen is honoured to live on the traditional and unceded territory of the Lekwungen People, who are now known as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations.
Jane Holland
Vice-President
Region: Vancouver Coastal
Came on FSI board:
April 28, 2021
JANE'S BIO
In addition to lived experience as a parent, Jane has over 25 years of professional experience in family and individual support and advocacy, including 18 years at the Management and Executive Director level. Jane has a rich and varied history with FSI as a staff member and volunteer, and she has a strong belief in the Mission, Vision, values, and philosophy of FSI.
Jane is grateful to live on the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (iMusqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations
Adam Gartland
Treasurer
Region: Vancouver Coastal
Came on FSI board:
April 28, 2021
ADAM'S BIO
Adam is honoured to serve on the FSI Board, supporting families in BC. Adam lives in Vancouver with his wife and young daughter. He currently works for an investment management company and has a background in finance, having spent five years at the Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion (BACI). It was during his time at BACI that Adam developed a strong commitment to supporting families and individuals with disabilities.
Adam lives with gratitude on the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish,xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (iMusqueam), Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations
Cathy Anthony
Region: Vancouver Coastal
Came on FSI board:
June 9, 2023
CATHY'S BIO
Cathy feels blessed with two remarkable adult children, and it was through her son Joshua, that she became involved with the Family Support Institute (FSI) over 30 years ago. Over her years with FSI she has volunteered as a Resource Parent, served on the Board as both a Director and past Chair, for a short period was the Executive Director, and has chaired the Historian Committee. She calls FSI her “chosen family” and is deeply grateful for her years of connection to so many caring and visionary people. Cathy has also been involved with PLAN since the mid 90’s and volunteered on the Board, as well as with the Board of Plan Institute. Cathy also works for a Community Living agency for the last 30 years. Her passion and deep values are for a world where diversity is truly celebrated, and everyone is circled with the love of family and caring friends. She also loves to travel and learn from people wherever she goes.
Cathy is honoured to live on the ancestral, traditional and unceded land of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) First Nation.
Bonnie Fallowfield
Region: North
Came on FSI board:
March 31, 2023
BONNIE'S BIO
Bonnie worked as an Education Assistant for 26 years. She then became a Regional Network Coordinator (RNC) for FSI, covering the Northeast region, for an additional 3 years before retiring. Bonnie has been on many local and provincial boards and committees over the years. She is now still volunteering as a FSI Resource Parent (RP), serves on FSI’s Board, and currently sits on the National Consortium on Aggression Towards Family and Caregivers in Childhood and Adolescence (AFCCA). Bonnie uses trauma-sensitive practice and mindfulness in all life aspects. Her beautiful son Nolan gifted her with this journey she has been on for the past 35+ years.
Bonnie is grateful to live on the traditional and unceded territory of the L’htako Dene Nation, also known as Quesnel
Nicole Kaler
Region: Fraser Valley
Came on FSI board:
May 23, 2024
NICOLE'S BIO
Nicole is the parent of three adult children, one who is non-speaking Autistic. She has dedicated the past 15 years to community organizing for accessible education, motivated by the desire for an inclusive experience for her eldest child in public school in Surrey, BC. She engages in this work with a humility about rights and privileges, understanding her position as a settler on the unceded and stolen territories of the Semiahmoo, Kwantlen, Katzie and Tsawwassen nations. Nicole’s volunteerism has meant positions such as Surrey District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) president, Resource Parent (RP) with FSI, and she is currently the President of BCEdAccess Society.
Nicole lives and works on the stolen traditional territories of the Semiahmoo, Kwantlen, Tsawwassen and Katzie people. I have benefitted, and continue to benefit from the forced removal of Indigenous people from their ancestral territory in Canada and the rest of Turtle Island.
Linda Perry
Region: Fraser Valley
Came on FSI board:
March 31, 2023
LINDA'S BIO
Linda is the proud mother of five adult children, several of whom have diversabilities, and proud grandmother of three. Linda was the Executive Director of Vela for 32+ years where she developed the first Microboards in BC starting in 1990. She also played a part in the rollout of the Individualized Funding (IF) option in BC. Currently, Linda is working on a project for Vela creating Human Resources and Administration Supports for Microboards, Individualized Funding Agents, and Person Centred Societies.
As a volunteer, Linda has been involved with a number of other societies. She has been a board member of the Family Focus Society, the Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society, and TASH. She is currently part of the screening panel for presentations at the Zero Project, an international organization that supports innovations in supports and services for people with disabilities from around the world. Linda also sat for years on the Prime Minister’s National Volunteer Awards Counsel. Most recently she was surprised and honoured to receive the Order of Canada.
Linda enjoys her time with FSI. It has been a time of great connections and mutual support!
Linda is grateful to live on the unceded and unsurrendered land of the Kwantlen, Katzie, Musqueam, and Semiahmoo peoples.
Izabelle Stevens
Region: Vancouver Coastal
Came on FSI board:
April 9, 2022
IZABELLE'S BIO
Izabelle is an autistic neurodiversity advocate and certified Social Support Worker. Her strong sense of justice and passion for the betterment of services and treatment for the disabled and neurodivergent community has led her to become the Youth Representative on the Ministry of Children and Family Development’s (MCFD) Minister’s Advisory Council for Children and Youth with Support Needs (CYSN MAC); she is also a Board Member for FSI and Autism Community Training (ACT). Izabelle uses her lived experience to advocate within her community on the Sunshine Coast and is also a member of the SD46 Accessibility Committee.
Izabelle lives with gratitude on the traditional and unceded territory of the Shíshálh Nation.
Ping Wang
Region: Interior
Came on FSI board:
May 23, 2024
PING'S BIO
Ping holds a master’s degree in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science, along with a second master’s degree in Development Studies from Sophia University, Tokyo. Her professional journey began in corporate banking and later transitioned into private banking. Having lived in China, Japan, the UK, Australia, and Singapore before settling in Canada in 2010, Ping possesses a rich tapestry of cultural experiences. Fluent in Chinese, Japanese and English, Ping’s linguistic versatility enhances her connections within diverse communities.
Ping left her career to care for her son who grapples with complex medical and developmental challenges. She is deeply dedicated to her family, balancing homeschooling, as well as the training and management of caregivers. Ping also extends her financial expertise and support to fellow parents, embodying a spirit of empathy and community contribution.
Ping is honoured to live on the traditional and unceded territory of the Sylix First Nation peoples.
Sophie Wang
Region: Vancouver Coastal
Came on FSI board:
June 4, 2025
SOPHIE'S BIO
Sophie, formerly a professional in the financial services industry, has two decades of experience spanning banking, investment, insurance, and regulatory compliance. She holds a BA in Economics and has completed a variety of training on neurodiversity in the workplace. Now dedicated to advocacy and community engagement, she supports neurodivergent individuals and their families as a Resource Parent (RP) at FSI and a volunteer at Autism Community Training (ACT), promoting awareness, access to resources, and societal acceptance.
Sophie is honoured to live on the unceded ancestral lands of the səlilwəta (Tsleil-Waututh), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.
