Leadership Team

As President and CEO, Michelle provides strategic leadership for Knowledge Network, ensuring it delivers on its mandate commitments and provides British Columbians with a trusted, high-quality programming service.

Michelle has worked in Canada’s screen sector for the past 30 years. Previous leadership roles include Executive Director of the National Film Board of Canada’s English language production studios; Senior Broadcast Advisor for Uvagut TV, Canada’s first national Indigenous language television network; and Executive Director at the Documentary Organization of Canada. Michelle has held production/development executive roles at the CBC and WTN and is a former programmer at Planet In Focus, Canada’s first environmental film festival. Michelle is an Advisory Committee member for the Seneca College Documentary and Non-Fiction Media Program; FactualWEST; and the Sustainable Entertainment Society. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Toronto and a Masters of Arts in Social and Political Thought from York University.

Mitchell leads the technical design, management and execution of Knowledge’s broadcast television channel, corporate IT infrastructure and cybersecurity strategy. This includes support for the operation of the Knowledge and Knowledge Kids streaming platforms. He has volunteered with the Western Association of Broadcast Engineers as a Radio Paper Chair and Exhibitor Chair over the past 10 years.

With a Certificate in Broadcast Systems Technology from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Mitchell has worked in the industry overseeing transitions from analog to digital systems, integration with radio and television studios, and extensive remote broadcasts all over the world. He is dedicated to providing high-quality content 24/7 for all our viewers.

As Director of Finance, Jon leads the financial and administrative operations at Knowledge. Responsibilities include risk management, budget planning and financial reporting and analysis.

He has over 20 years of senior financial leadership in several public sector organizations. Prior to Knowledge, Jon served as the Sr. Director of Finance with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport providing financial reporting and oversight for marquee sport events in British Columbia.

Apart from his deep commitment to public service spanning over two decades, Jon holds a CPA designation and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from Simon Fraser University. Jon is also active in the not-for-profit sector providing professional development and education to the public sector financial community.

Sarah Jane leads the development and production of documentary content, as well as overseeing business affairs at Knowledge. She works with the vibrant independent production community in British Columbia and across Canada.

Sarah Jane is a leading media executive with two decades of experience in developing, producing and programming hit content for television and digital platforms. Sarah Jane has held senior roles in large production companies and at Canada’s leading broadcasting entities. She holds a joint MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University and the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University.

Sarah is responsible for driving all the activities of the Knowledge Partners fundraising program as well as playing a key role in leading the Strategic Planning and Business Planning processes. As Director, she led a major expansion of the fundraising program including the integration of offline and online giving, developed and launched a major giving program, expanded legacy giving efforts, built the monthly giving program and re-imagined on-air fundraising campaigns. A Knowledge Network veteran, Sarah has held other roles on the management team including Director of Programming, TV and New Media, and Director of Business and Content Management.

Sarah has a Master of Business Administration from SFU, a Bachelor of Applied Arts from Toronto Metropolitan University and recently completed The Business of Media, Sports and Entertainment program at Harvard University Business School. She also holds a CFRE credential from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Sarah has dedicated her career to public broadcasting, holding a lifelong passion and belief that media has the potential to bring powerful positive change to individuals and society.

Michèle is responsible for content acquisitions, strategy, pre-licensing and multiplatform scheduling for Knowledge Kids, a top-rated destination for children aged two to eight. She used her role as creator and executive producer of the preschool series Luna, Chip & Inkie: Adventure Rangers Go to support emerging writers and develop more diverse voices and stories in Knowledge’s first in-house preschool series.

Michèle brings a deep knowledge of the Canadian film and television landscape to her work with independent producers. She has been a jury member for the Banff Rockie Awards, International Emmy Awards and various Youth Media Alliance Scholarship Funds. Prior to heading Knowledge Kids, Michèle was a primetime programmer working in social issues documentary and factual content. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from UBC and an Honours Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University.

Pamela leads human resources at Knowledge, managing recruitment, performance, talent development and workforce planning. She is passionate about cultivating a diverse, inclusive and engaged workforce that reflects the values of Knowledge —ensuring that every team member feels included, supported and empowered to deliver trusted, free and commercial-free content to British Columbians.

Pamela holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Simon Fraser University and a certification in Human Resource Management from the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Passionate about public service, she believes in the power of public broadcasting and, as such, her approach to human resources is centred on the difference that a strong, connected and purpose-driven staff can make in the lives of British Columbians.

Glenna oversees policies and objectives that support Knowledge’s provincial public mandate and federal regulatory requirements. Her portfolio includes stakeholder relations, corporate communications, and research to inform strategy, operations and policy development. She is passionate about public broadcasting’s unique role in strengthening the social and cultural health of communities and helping people understand and engage with the world around them.

Glenna holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Simon Fraser University and has worked with not-for-profit organizations on board governance, leadership and capacity building.

Ravi shapes and executes a comprehensive online vision that spans web, mobile, and smart TV platforms. He guides each stage of development—from concept to launch—overseeing design, development, quality assurance and user experience to create cohesive and engaging digital products.

With a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Simon Fraser University, specializing in Management of Technology, Ravi bridges the gap between business strategy and technical innovation. He is passionate about delivering impactful digital experiences that deepen audience engagement and satisfaction across Knowledge’s suite of 15 unique streaming applications.

David leads the research, acquisition and programming of all primetime content for Knowledge. His passion for all things related film and television has seen him in programming roles at the Toronto International Film Festival and Spafax Canada, where he was the In-flight Entertainment Content Manager for Air Canada for over five years, during which their entertainment offering won multiple airline industry awards. Over his career, he has built meaningful relationships with members of the Canadian and international entertainment industry, which he continues to utilize to bring the best programming to Knowledge audiences.

David holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film Production from York University and has worked in volunteer and Board positions with the Regina International Film Festival & Awards and Toronto Outdoor Picture Show.

Justin brings 25+ years of award-winning marketing and creative leadership experience to Knowledge. He leads brand and audience engagement initiatives to strengthen its presence across broadcast, streaming, social and digital platforms, fostering meaningful connections with audiences and driving viewership. Justin ensures a cohesive and recognizable brand identity that reflects Knowledge’s unique public service offering across all touchpoints.

A seasoned leader with a passion for impactful storytelling, Justin has held leadership roles at top agencies across North America. Notably, he spearheaded Knowledge’s 2008 brand identity refresh during his tenure at Rethink. With extensive expertise in omnichannel marketing and audience engagement, Justin is dedicated to advancing Knowledge’s role as a trusted and cherished asset for British Columbians.

Justin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Western University in London, Ontario, and a Marketing Management Certificate from Humber College in Toronto.

Dr. Satwinder Kaur Bains is the Director of the South Asian Studies Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley and an Associate Professor in Social Cultural Media Studies, College of Arts. Dr. Bains’ critical analysis of India’s multilingual policy and planning has fueled her interest to study the impact of language, culture and identity on South Asian Canadian migration, settlement and integration. Her research includes and intersects cross-cultural education with a focus on anti-racist curriculum implementation; race, racism and ethnicity; identity politics; Sikh feminist ideology; migration and the South Asian Canadian Diaspora and Punjabi Canadian cultural historiography. Dr. Bains has served as a Commissioner on the Agricultural Land Commission, as a Director of the Fraser Basin Council, as a Bencher on the Law Society of British Columbia and as a member of the Farm Industry Review Board for British Columbia. She has served on numerous Boards locally, nationally and internationally and received recognition for her commitment to social justice, preservation of histories and cultural knowledge, women’s rights, service and research. She lives in Abbotsford and, with her partner Parm and three children, also helps support an international farming operation, shipping blueberries around the world.

Appointed for a term ending December 31, 2026.

Appointed for a term ending July 31, 2028.

Phil Leong (pronouns He/Him) is currently the Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer at the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC).  His team is focused on providing financial stability and governance to ensure ICBC can provide customers with the best insurance coverage at an affordable price.​  Phil was part of the ICBC team that implemented the transformational change in 2021 to a care-based auto insurance product that provides some of the best care and recovery benefits available in Canada to injured claimants along with affordable premiums. He also has the privilege of being the Executive Sponsor and ally of the Women at Work Employee Resource Group.

Prior to joining ICBC in 2008, his career path was one of diversity in both industries and functional experience; having worked in the telecom, high-tech, municipal, death care, utility and insurance industries and beyond finance, having experience in strategic planning, risk management and even managing a sales team!

He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and was recognized in 2022 as the Business in Vancouver BC CFO of the year.

Phil and his family are privileged to live, work and recreate in the unceded, ancestral and traditional territories of the Coast Salish, specifically the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations.  He has a love/hate relationship with golf and is a long-suffering Vancouver Canucks fan

Heather Bastin has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and communications, primarily in publishing, architecture and post-secondary education sectors. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts from Simon Fraser University in 2000 and a Master of Arts from the School of Communication and Culture at Royal Roads University in 2011. Currently, Ms. Bastin is the Executive Director, External Relations, at Coast Mountain College, a public post-secondary institution serving northwest BC. In her spare time, she teaches music lessons and plays violin in a community orchestra.

Appointed for a term ending July 31, 2025.

Appointed for a term ending December 31, 2028. Meena Dhillon is a lawyer called to the bar in 2009 with experience in both the public and private sectors. She is a member of the Tsawwassen First Nation Judicial Council and a part-time adjudicator with a federal tribunal. She also consults with and works at Jane Doe Legal Clinic, supporting the delivery of accessible legal services to the community. Her current practice focuses on child protection, children’s law, and family law. She is a qualified parenting coordinator, mediator, and prepares non-evaluative Hear the Child reports. She co-founded and led the establishment of a legal clinic providing multilingual, low-barrier pro bono legal services to underserved communities across British Columbia, serving as its inaugural managing lawyer and overseeing its operations and legal practice. Meena is a Sessional Instructor at the University of the Fraser Valley. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Simon Fraser University and Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of British Columbia.

Jocelyn Eisert, CEO of Bizzybody Enterprises, provides education preparedness, employment readiness, entrepreneurial coaching and event management services for corporate and community gatherings. She is the youngest of 16 children, orphaned at 17—never a quitter and has the heart of a true entrepreneur. Based in Fort St. John, BC, Jocelyn has worked with presenters and speakers such as Theo Fleury, Adam Bach and Trevor Linden. Jocelyn has a certificate in Business Administration from Herzing Career College, Project Management Level 1 and 2 from College of New Caledonia, and Adult Educator through Canadian College of Educators. Dedicated to the work she does, Jocelyn has designed a variety of programs and workshops to support learning and opportunities for growth and professional development. She has come to love facilitation, and seeing each individual full of energy with their light bulbs bright truly makes Jocelyn’s heart sing.

Appointed for a term ending July 31, 2025.

Binny Boparai-Gill is the Co-Founder and President of Farming Karma Fruit Company, a farm-to-table operation producing award-winning fruit beverages. Under her leadership, the company has received multiple awards for innovation and sustainability. Binny turned her family’s farming legacy into a successful value-added fruit products company, while also bridging the gap between consumers and farmers through educational tours at their vertically integrated manufacturing facility. Binny is committed to fostering and advocating for a more resilient agriculture and small business sector in BC. She partners with local educational institutes to educate and engage young minds in discussion around careers in agriculture, sustainability and entrepreneurship. Through Farming Karma’s Do Good Initiative, she collaborates with local charities to support community causes. Binny has over a decade of experience working in the finance industry, which has been instrumental in scaling her family business across Canada and beyond. She strongly believes in the value of financial literacy and aspires to work towards making financial knowledge more accessible. She also serves on Kelowna’s Agriculture Advisory Committee.

Appointed for a term ending July 31, 2025.

Appointed for a term ending December 31, 2028. Robin Hemmingsen was most recently the Principal of Columbia College in Vancouver, a post-secondary institution, governed as a charity, noted for nurturing international students from all over the world. Prior to her tenure at Columbia College, she was the Dean of Business and Media at BCIT responsible for overseeing both business and broadcasting programs, growing enrolment and Centres of Excellence. Previously, she served as the Chair of the academic accounting program at Seneca College, Chair of the e-Business academic division and Professor of Accounting and Finance at Centennial College in Toronto. She has also acted as the Executive Director of Autism BC and Director of the English Language Institute at LaSalle College in Vancouver. Robin has an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from Carleton University in Ottawa, an MEd in Community College Leadership, and PhD (ABD) in the same, from the University of Toronto. She is a qualified accountant, earning a CMA/CPA, using her accounting knowledge to ensure each institution she is involved in focuses on financial as well as social sustainability. Robin enjoyed her six-year tenure on the Vancouver Board of Trade (GVBT) board, leading the board’s young leadership programming, contributing to the program’s growth while positioning BCIT as the partner of choice for the GVBT. She has also served on the Vancouver Library Board (fundraising), Autism BC’s Board, and Kingsway College School Board (Toronto) as a founding member of the K-12 school, also governed as a charity.

For over three decades, award-winning filmmaker Selwyn Jacob has been telling stories about the lives and experiences of Black Canadians, Indigenous peoples and other often underrepresented communities. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Selwyn came to Canada in 1968. He holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta and an MSc in Film Education from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. Early in his career, Selwyn worked as a teacher, school principal and media consultant. As an independent filmmaker, he directed We Remember Amber Valley, about the Black community that existed near Lac La Biche, AB; Carol’s Mirror, which won six international awards; and Gemini award-winning The Road Taken, about the Black sleeping car porters of the Canadian railroad. In 1997 Selwyn joined the National Film Board of Canada as part of the Special Mandate Team for Cultural Diversity. He went on to produce over fifty films, including Charles Officer’s Leo- and Emmy-winning Mighty Jerome and Mina Shum’s feature documentary Ninth Floor, about the Sir George Williams Riot of 1969. His most recent films, Holy Angels, Because We Are Girls and Now Is the Time, were also award-winning, and screened at numerous national and international film festivals. Selwyn retired from the NFB in June 2019 and spends much of his time mentoring emerging filmmakers.

Appointed for a term ending December 31, 2026.

Sonia Lachar has 18 years of senior HR expertise in labour and employee relations across municipal, healthcare, education, public and private sectors. Her diverse background includes previous work with UBC, District of Squamish, British Columbia Nurses Union (BCNU) and City of Vancouver. Sonia has completed a Master’s of Industrial Relations Degree, a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, Executive Coaching certificate and is in the final stages of completing a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion certificate at UBC. She is passionate about learning and education, and works in the education sector as a member of the senior leadership team in the role of an Executive Director. She has a strong commitment towards the public sector and providing services that benefit the public in a meaningful way. She has also shared her wealth of knowledge through teaching labour relations and human resources at the post-secondary level.

Appointed for a term ending July 31, 2025.

Appointed for a term ending July 31, 2028.

Jane Shackell has been a practicing lawyer in Vancouver for 40 years. She has an extensive background in commercial law, including mergers and acquisitions, leasing, finance, and general corporate and business matters. She retired as a partner in the national firm Miller Thomson LLP in 2023 and now restricts her professional work to advising public-sector entities on procurement issues. Ms. Shackell was appointed Queens Counsel in 1999. She has served as an ad hoc member of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, and a part-time member of the BC Human Rights Tribunal. She is a Life Bencher of the Law Society of BC, having served four terms as an elected bencher. She has also served on the UBC Alumni Association Advisory Board, as Chair of the Board of Governors of Capilano University, a governor of the Justice Institute of BC, a Trustee of the Granville Island Trust, a founding member and director of West Coast LEAF, and in other volunteer capacities.