Shawna Lawson
President
Shawna (She/Her) is a non-disabled settler, mom, and entrepreneur. She is the Co-Founder and Innovation Lead at the consulting firm Inclusive Experiences (IX) where she supports companies of all sizes to create more inclusive experiences for their customers and staff. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Kinesiology from the University of British Columbia (Dr. Brian Wilson), and a Certificate in Social Innovation from Simon Fraser University. Together with her husband Greg, she is raising two busy boys, Charlie (4) and Jack (2). Since Charlie’s diagnosis of Bilateral Optic Nerve Hypoplasia at 2.5 months old, Shawna’s family have benefitted immensely from the support and expansive opportunities offered through Blind Beginnings.
Kathie JOhnson
Vice-President
Kathie is a complex program manager at an international IT consulting company with over 30 years of experience implementing systems across a wide range of industries. She currently uses her experience to ensure quality delivery across a portfolio of projects and promotes best practices within her company’s project management community. Kathie became involved in Blind Beginnings in 2019 when she was motivated by the mandate for Blind Beginnings - Limitless potential is all we see. She also has had a number of close relatives who were blind in the later years of their lives.
In her spare time enjoys travelling, pickleball and ballroom dancing.
Jordan Podealuk
Secretary
Jordan is an experienced IT Consulting Sales professional with a strong background in the non-profit and professional services industries, with a specific focus on the Public Sector. With over 8 years of experience, Jordan is excited to apply her knowledge and join the remarkable team at Blind Beginnings. Originally from Edmonton, she has been living in Vancouver since 2020. During her free time, Jordan enjoys playing tennis, cooking, spending time with friends, and embracing the outdoors.
Tamara Kropp
Treasurer
Tamara graduated with a B.B.A. from Simon Fraser University in 2016 and went on to complete her Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation in 2020. She currently works as a Manager in the cost accounting department for an international real estate company.
Amit Gatenyo
Member-At-Large
Amit immigrated to Canada from Israel 5 years ago and is a proud new Canadian citizen. He brings more than 20 years of technology executive leadership experience to Blind Beginnings. Amit currently operates as a technology entrepreneur and seed-stage angel investor, he pipelines companies, advises them, and invests in their growth. Previously, Amit founded and led Dario IT Solutions, a leading System Center & Private\Public Cloud integrator from Israel which was acquired by in 2013. Amit is married to Julia and has three children, Tom, Mika, and Neil.
Fernando MErino
Member-At-Large
Fernando is a finance professional with more than 10 years of experience in the non-profit, municipal, professional services and natural resources spaces. He is excited to apply his knowledge with Blind Beginnings. In 2016, Fernando left Peru for Vancouver, where he obtained his Masters of Business Administration at the University of British Columbia and stayed in town ever since. In his spare time, Fernando enjoys playing the Beatles on his guitar or stargazing at the Planetarium.
Rob Sleath
Member-At-Large
Rob Sleath has committed to serving Blind Beginnings with over 30 years of lived-experience as a totally blind individual. His community contributions since losing his sight in 1992 span successful advocacy campaigns throughout Metro Vancouver, the province of BC and a few reaching the national stage as well. Advocacy campaigns on behalf of the blind community have resulted in removing barriers and making significant safety improvements to our public transit system, adding descriptive narration at movie theatres, ensuring the ability to vote independently during provincial general elections and more. Amongst Rob’s proudest achievements has been serving as team lead for a grass-roots coalition of persons with disabilities which lobbied the BC Legislature to create the Accessible BC Act; legislation which met his long-range vision with Royal ascent in June 2021. He brings with him years of not-for-profit experience having served on numerous national, provincial and regional boards and committees with valued skills in advocacy, governance and political connections.
Peter Moroney
Member-At-Large
Peter Moroney is Director of Education Policy & Planning with Camosun College, Victoria, B.C. He is a Program Director Emeritus with the University of British Columbia and holds a master’s degree in political science from Western University, and an MBA from Western Governors University. Since 1990, Peter has held a number of management and leadership roles in higher education and currently resides in Victoria, B.C., with his family. Peter was introduced to the world of blindness with the birth of his daughter, Alethea, and was a founding board member of Blind Beginnings having served as Treasurer, Secretary, and President.
Leesa Schurman
Member-At-Large
Leesa graduated with a GDBA from Simon Fraser University in 2016, majoring in Strategic Human Resource Management. She is a member with the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of British Columbia & Yukon as of 2022 and currently works as a Human Resources Manager for a long-standing non-profit in Vancouver. Outside of work, Leesa enjoys spending time by the water and exploring all that BC has to offer.
