SFU Alumni Association Board of Directors

Ian Davis, BA ‘77 (Hist)
Branch Manager (Vancouver/Whistler)
Sharp's Audio Visual

I had the pleasure of attending SFU in its early years. From that time to now SFU has grown to stake its claim as a premier university within BC, Canada and Internationally. My career has taken me throughout Canada, Bermuda, the USA and Europe. SFU helped give me the grounding and foundation that’s allowed me to grow and develop in business and I’d like to share that and give back to the University and students in any way I can. I recently became reacquainted with SFU through the Co-op student work program. What an uplifting and gratifying experience that was for me. I believe the strength of the Alumni Association is found in the depth and breadth of those who serve on it and the relationship it maintains with the students. Having the opportunity of working with other SFU grads to help make the experience students have with the university rewarding and memorable is compelling. Working people who are our future business, arts and political leaders is immeasurable.

Dale Flood, MBA '06 (MOT)
Strategic Business Advisor
BC Hydro

These are challenging times for Canadian universities. On the one hand, the Canadian economy is desperate for highly trained young professionals to fill the jobs of tomorrow. On the other hand, budgetary constraints have forced higher education institutions to do be more flexible and do more with less. The SFU Alumni Association provides a great opportunity to help universities bridge this gap. That is why I want to continue my involvement with on the Board of the Association.  I have three objectives for my second term on the Board. Firstly, I want to work through the Alumni Association to help it connect into funding sources to be a more consistent endower to SFU. Further, I want to lead projects so that the Association can facilitate productive social and physical networking platforms to connect the global network of past students from SFU. Finally, I want to continue the Association’s community engagement work to ensure that SFU is more integrated with the communities it serves, and the school is seen as a provider of life long learning.

Jocelyn Hallman, BA '08 (Engl), MA '10 (Engl) 
Librarian
BGC Engineering

As an Arts student at SFU, I had the opportunity to develop strong relationships with faculty and students in the university community. However, I felt disconnected from the world outside academia. As a graduate student in particular, I had very few connections with SFU Arts alumni who had found rewarding careers in industry. I believe that this reflects an area of opportunity for the Alumni Association: to facilitate engaging and sustainable connections between students and alumni, partcularly in a time when a Bachelor’s degree, or even a Master’s degree, is not always enough to propel a new graduate into a career. I believe that strong interpersonal connections are essential to both student and professional development, and I look forward to advocating for accessible and rewarding mentorship opportunities for SFU alumni – opportunities that will allow them to engage in student development while building their own professional and leadership skills. Alumni truly can take an active role in bringing learning outside of the classroom. I am also keen to explore creative ways for growing alumni financial investment in the university, which has the potential to improve both the accessibility and the quality of education at SFU and, ultimately, to foster lifelong learning in its students.

Larry Hayes, BA ’82 (Crim)
Executive Director
Burnaby Minor Hockey Association

A lot has happened in the 27 years since I graduated, not only to the “little campus on Burnaby Mountain”, but to nearly every aspect of our world. One thing, though, has remained constant… the value that SFU holds in making a better community. The major by-product of this is the quality of graduates that SFU continues to produce. I see the Alumni Association as the “glue” that can bring together and utilize the combined benefits of our past, current and future generations of students. Since my graduation, I’ve been able to utilize my SFU experience to grow professionally, socially and as someone who has tried to make a difference. I want to bring the value of an SFU social sciences degree to the forefront of our Alumni Association and show that the business of “people” is more important than anything we do. Volunteer Experience: Burnaby Board of Education: school trustee and member/chair of various committees, Burnaby sports organizations: director/chair of various committees, Cdn/BC Criminal Justice Assn member, New West Historical Society member.

Chris Hilliard, BA ’88 (Econ), BA ’06 (Engl)
President
Peak Producers Inc.

As both a businessman and an academic, I appreciate the value that networking brings to any enterprise and the importance of reputation within those networks. I believe that my business experience and my scholarly passion combine the necessary elements for success within the Alumni Association environment as we strive to improve the quality of this great network.

My past three years on the Board have been immensely rewarding, discovering and fostering the powerful linkages between the institution and its growing alumni community. I have spent the past two years as the Association’s Vice President and in that Executive role have found opportunities to spread the Association’s message within the larger University body. Working diligently with the staff at our Alumni Office we have made great strides in broadening the range of offerings for our Alumni. Deepening our strong relationships with the highest levels of the Administration and Faculty is the next logical step as we work together to profile Simon Fraser as Canada’s premier student centered, research driven and community engaged university.

Bernie Maroney, MBA ’06 (MOT)
Senior Management Consultant

I have accepted the task to increase alumni engagement, and will work to enable stronger communication tools for alumni to network, collaborate, and support each other in their professional and community pursuits.  It is vital that we enliven our alumni connections to benefit the communities in which we live, to assist the university achieve its vision, and to promote the strength of our brand.  We will work together to demonstrate the care we hold for our neighbourhoods and our world.  I urge you to work with the SFUAA by volunteering, contributing to University Advancement, and expanding your network with open opportunities for all our alumni.

Mike Reid, BA ‘03 (Cmns)
Articled Student
Lang Michener LLP

The key to keeping alumni involved with the school is offering them information, programs and materials of value through useful and creative means. My goal is to see alumni involvement strengthened through innovation within the current Alumni Association programs. I enjoyed my time at Simon Fraser University, and look back at my experiences fondly. As we carry on in our lives after leaving SFU, into jobs and careers, into further degrees and family, we have an incredible opportunity to stay engaged with our alma mater like never before. We have the opportunity to give back to the institution that fostered our young minds not just through donations, but through our experience and our expertise. We have the opportunity to help shape the educational experience of our successors. The  best way to accomplish these goals is through a strong Alumni Association, tied both to the school’s administration, and to the global network of graduates.

Armita Seyedalikhani, BA '02 (Poli Sci)
Strategic Marketing Manager
FINCAD

I strongly believe that a university education is the key to unlimited lifelong opportunities and accessible education is critical to the positive growth of society. I would like to have the opportunity to give back to the university that was so critical in enabling me to gain the experiences and skills I needed to accomplish the goals I have reached since graduating. Not only was SFU the university where I received a solid education, I also built a strong network of friends, met a number of my mentors, and felt a sense of pride and community. For three years, I lived, worked and volunteered on campus. To this day, I cherish my many memories at SFU. As an SFU Alumni Association Board member, I would like to share this enthusiasm with others, grow the sense of pride within my alma mater and develop and foster relationships to benefit the university. In my last two companies I’ve made the recommendation to hire SFU co-op students and both employers implemented this suggestion. As a board member, I plan to utilize my diverse marketing and public relations experience to expand the university’s reach with local and national employers and further enhance the university and its graduates’ reputation.

Raphael Tachie, BA '06 (Crim/Poli Sci)
Associate
Bull Housser & Tupper LLP

SFU gave me the confidence and skills necessary to deal effectively with common life events. I hope to give back to SFU by becoming an Alumni Board Member.

If given the honour, I hope to promote the reputation of SFU as a place of academic excellence and help maintain a mutually beneficial relationship between SFU, its alumni and the community.

Greg Taylor, BSc ‘03 (MBB)
Computational Biologist
BC Cancer Agency-Genome Sciences Centre

SFU played a pivotal role in establishing who I am, and I would like to use my skills and knowledge to support the school through the alumni association. It is important that alumni continue to assert the importance of higher education and the value of the SFU experience as a whole. Learning is a life-long process; it doesn’t end when one leaves the classroom. A strong alumni association can foster these ideals and guide the direction of SFU as it continues to grow and develop new campuses. As a volunteer during the Olympics I know that I felt a strengthening of community and I believe the SFUAA can extend and benefit from this emotion that we all shared.

Robert Weston, BA '78 (Comm, Econ)
Management Consultant, Trainor and Mediator
Weston Consulting


In early 1974, I was considering my post secondary options. I was looking for an academic experience that, while rooted in the traditions of academia, looked beyond; was creative, progressive and encouraged one to think of “other ways” of achieving excellence. I chose SFU. I graduated in 1977, two of my brothers are SFU Alumni, my daughter is to graduate this year (Criminology) and my son is heading to Queen’s in September for his graduate year (MA (English)), proudly, with an SFU undergraduate degree (English (Hons)).

In my years as an undergraduate at SFU, I represented the Economics and Commerce Department as the student representative on the Curriculum Committee, as well as the Economics and Commerce Student Society.

Staying connected is the key; SFU is not simply where I completed my undergraduate degree, rather, it is instead, an integral part of who I am and how I became.

I believe that Alumni is about connection; maintaining and nurturing those connections that are a part of the Alumni community. In the 33 years since I stood before President Jewett, to receive my first degree, I have remained interested in, connected to, and a fervent supporter of MY UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY: Simon Fraser University.

Alumni is about maintaining connection. I believe, I support, I practice and will continue to do so.

Simon Wills, BBA '88
Senior Management & Communications Consultant

For over a generation, SFU’s alumni have been contributing to communities worldwide. In my view, SFU has instilled in all its members the value of making a positive difference to society through traditional and imaginative means. I believe that by being on the Alumni Board of Directors, the value of contributing will have come full circle. It is my turn to share the knowledge which I have gained over the years and to contribute to the University in a way that will strengthen its regional and global presence.

With a career that has been built in Vancouver but led to global markets, my experience has taught me the importance of building positive relationships through dialogue and listening to the needs of others. This rule is applicable everywhere including in the global community, which today influences our lives in ways we never imaged. Now, more than ever, the importance of our worldwide alumni network must be recognized. That said, we need to continue focusing on our roots. We must endeavor to bring together local alumni resources in new found ways that will have an enduring impact on how SFU is perceived and valued by our own community, those around us, and by the alumni of other universities.

The Alumni Board has the opportunity and privilege to bring about positive change that will shape the future of SFU and all its alumni – I look forward to helping bring about that change.

Jason Wong, BA ’04 (Cmns)
Retail Marketing Consultant,
OpenSource Solutions for Business

With my role at the Burnaby Board of Trade, I am well-positioned to leverage my network of business and community contacts to benefit the Alumni Association and ultimately the development of Simon Fraser University as a whole. From a governance standpoint, I seek to help identify goals and objectives that need to be met by the Association, and by bringing in my experience both as a Director for L’arche Greater Vancouver and as Program and Events Manager of the BBOT, be able to maintain a path to achieving these goals.

Volunteer Experience: L’arche Greater Vancouver board member, Vancouver 2010 volunteer, NAAAP member, Big Brothers Vancouver (since 2004), DiverseCity awards program judge/volunteer, South Burnaby Neighborhood House event volunteer.

Travis Wong, BBA '09
Senior Accountant,
KPMG LLP

I did not consider my Convocation ceremony the end of my time at SFU; graduating is merely a milestone in what will be a long-term commitment to my alma mater, currently as second-time Head Coach for JDC West and hopefully through involvement with the SFU Alumni Association.

I consider myself lucky to have been introduced to numerous opportunities through various sources, including faculty, staff, and friends. As is evident from my extensive extracurricular experiences, I am grateful for having learnt about and benefitted from the opportunities available to me and my peers at SFU.

As such, I value the role of the SFU Alumni Association for the services it provides, the events it holds and supports (either financially or otherwise), and the communication efforts used to keep thousands of us somehow feeling connected to our outstanding university. From participating in and now coaching case competitions, and from outstanding academic achievements to teaching (as a part-time TA), I believe that my diverse range of roles on the hill make me a great addition to the Board. Being a part of the Alumni Board will give me another opportunity to continue giving back to the SFU community. Whether it is on or off campus, I hope that my actions inspire others and empower them to make a change themselves. I value higher education and community involvement very highly, and look forward to seeing how the SFU Alumni Association continues to advocate both, hopefully including my input in the near future.

Lien Yeung, BA ’06 (Crim)
Senior Communications Officer,
CBC/Radio-Canada

I have served 2 full terms as treasurer of the SFU Alumni Association and am pleased to have furthered our legacy of fiscal responsibility. The Association is well positioned to continue investing deeply in the SFU community. During the past three years I have had the opportunity to fuel my desire to contribute to the growth of the university and to the lives of my fellow alumni. One of my key objectives for the Association was to engage alumni, provide career development opportunities, and play a role in bridging the gap after student life. To this end, we’ve breathed new life into the Young Alumni Group and have continually held sold-out events to serve this group. This is complemented by board efforts to personally mentor and connect young alumni with more experienced peers in the community. With the launch of the Board initiated online alumni directory, SFU’s entire alumni network is destined to become even stronger. Given the opportunity, I would like to continue my commitment to listening to the needs of SFU alumni and drive forward efforts that provide value and facilitate engagement. I eagerly look forward to augmenting our successes and to actively shape the future of this great university.