About HIM Board of Directors
HIM’s Board of Directors is the governing body responsible for high-level oversight of HIM. We engage with HIM staff and the community to establish strategic direction and vision for the organization. We monitor HIM’s finances, hire and manage its Executive Director, and make sure that HIM adheres to all applicable regulations.
Each of us is initially elected to a two-year term and, subsequently, can be re-elected two more times. Collectively, we are community volunteers who present from diverse backgrounds, identities, educational levels, skills, jobs, and lived experiences.
The Board as a whole meets every month, and four working groups responsible for specific areas of governance get together as often as needed to complete our annual governance work plan.
Members of the Board
Zandt Bryan (he/they)
Board Co-Chair and Structure and Support Group Chair
Zandt (he/they) currently works as the Sexual Health and Prevention Program Manager for the Washington State Department of Health. He oversees and supports programs which partner with communities and the medical system to detect, treat, and prevent STIs, including HIV, as well as viral hepatitis, substance use disorder, and drug overdose. Zandt joined public health work after their HIV diagnosis in 2004. They stay passionate about the work by connecting with colleagues and members of the community to build shared perspective and create structural interventions, services and experiences that are accessible, acceptable, and accountable to those most affected by infectious disease, substance use, and drug overdose. Zandt is originally from Texas and loves this gorgeous region they’ve lived in since 2012. They are likely to be found outdoors looking for wildflowers or their favorite trees, wandering seashores, or seeking higher elevations. Living in BC for six years but recently transplanted to the West End, Zandt is still learning how to really live a city life. He’s always open to a friendly “howdy” and recommendations on how to make Vancouver even more his home.
Jesse Harink (he/him)
Board Co-Chair and Programs Advisory Group Chair
Jesse Harink (he/him) thrives in the intersection of technology and strategy, significantly impacting the tech sector. Innovative contributions to employee experience and scaling programs mark his professional journey. Alongside his career, Jesse has actively engaged with local non-profit initiatives, focusing on community health and wellness. A staunch supporter of the queer community, he frequently participates in and supports local events, bringing enthusiasm and solidarity. Jesse enjoys outdoor adventures, biking, hiking, or spending quality time with his corgi, Kort. He’s also known for participating in community activities inspired by his favourite reality TV challenges. A lover of the West Coast’s natural beauty, Jesse can often be spotted enjoying the diverse landscapes or engaging in a day at the beach. He’s warm and boisterous and always up for a friendly chat or dance.
Kohen Elander (he/him)
Board Member/Director, Programs Advisory Group
Kohen Elander (he/him) is a Registered Clinical Social Worker offering outpatient counseling support through Vancouver’s hospital system and his private practice. Passionate about promoting mental, social/relational, and sexual wellness, he is dedicated to building resilience and dismantling the many stigmas and barriers faced by the community. When not enjoying life in Vancouver’s West End, Kohen can often be found hiking local trails or attending yoga classes. He also loves exploring the diverse landscapes and communities throughout British Columbia. Feel free to say hello if you see him out and about!
Dr. Jae Ford (they/nekm)
Board Member/Director, Health Advisory Group
Dr. Jae Ford (she/they/nekm) is a trans Two-Spirit physician – personally and professionally. She currently sits on the Health Advisory Group of the Board.
She comes to this work as a proud Two-Spirit (2S) lnu with trans experience and mixed Mi’kmaw-European ancestry; her Mi’kmaw ancestry coming from her mother’s family. She is an early-career physician-scholar, currently holding two positions between her specialties: Medical Lead for Gender-Affirming Care at Island Sexual Health Community Health Centre and Medical Officer, Gender and Public Health, with the First Nations Health Authority. Her reconnection to her Mi’kmaw culture, language, and teachings grounds her in Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing), equity, and relational accountability.
She completed her medical residency training in Public Health and Preventive Medicine (including Family Medicine) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in early 2026. She also completed a Master of Public Health (MPH) at UBC in 2021 and a Doctor of Medicine at Memorial University in 2020. She has had a lifelong interest and passion for Gender Health, starting with her formative adolescent experiences with Planned Parenthood – NL Sexual Health Centre and their 2SIQ/LGBTQIAP+ youth leadership camp, Camp Eclipse.
In her spare time, you can find her exploring coastlines and islands, playing board games with her chosen family, or cuddled up with her two calico kitties.
Alex Arsenault (he/him)
Board Member/Director, Structure and Support Group
Alex (he/him) is a lawyer specialized in Aboriginal law supporting Indigenous communities on the West Coast and Indigenous causes nationally. Alex brings to HIM his skills and experience supporting community in matters related to governance, human rights, and community-wellbeing. Originally from the Maritimes, Alex is Acadian and enjoys most things beach and water. He can typically be found playing volleyball, tennis, and enjoying patio season.
Kevin Truong (he/him)
Board Treasurer
Kevin (he/him) is the Director of Finance & CFO of a nonprofit that works with folks struggling with substance use through a trauma-informed philosophy. Prior to that, he worked in the credit union community, where he led corporate planning and financial strategy for technology products supporting local credit unions across Canada. Kevin has also worked in various consulting and audit roles with the Big 4.
He has also been actively involved with Rainbow Refugee in Vancouver, as well as other local non-profit groups focused on sexual health, harm reduction, and stigma.
In his spare time, he enjoys being active and in the outdoors. His recent summer highlights were surfing in Tofino, cycling the Sunshine Coast, and playing soccer every Wednesday. When the weather isn’t as dry out, he loves doing a good crossword, trying a new recipe, or snowboarding our local mountains.
Dr. Jay Khatra (he/him)
Board Member/Director, Health Advisory Group
Jay (he/him), currently an Anesthesiology resident physician at UBC, brings a rich background of experience in LGBTQ2+ advocacy and healthcare. Before transitioning to medicine, Jay served as the program coordinator at the Crisis Centre of Northern BC, where he spearheaded the development of evidence based LGBTQ2+ suicide prevention workshops. Throughout his medical training, Jay conducted research with the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and held the role of LGBTQ2+ medical education representative at UBC Medicine. Additionally, he serves as a board member on the Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Advisory Committee at Doctors of BC. Jay is driven to leverage his personal experiences to contribute to HIM’s mission of enhancing the health and well-being of GBQ men and gender diverse individuals in BC.
Zoran Stjepanovic (he/him)
Board Member/Director, Structure and Support Group
Zoran Stjepanovic (he/him) works in the philanthropic sector with Evergreen Cultural Centre. With a background in fundraising and a member of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners, Zoran hopes to provide his knowledge and skills to support H.I.M.’s fundraising initiatives. Zoran looks forward to meeting HIM’s community of supporters all of whom help strengthen the health and well-being of self-identified GBQ men and gender diverse people in BC. When he’s not working or volunteering, Zoran enjoys travel, reading and spending time with friends.
Laxinder Singh (he/him)
Board Member/Director, Programs Advisory Group
Laxinder (he/him) believes in the values of being empathic and radically candid, fostering trust, working in collaboration and implementing inclusive practices. His work background involves Technology Consulting, working with clients on developing digital transformation roadmap strategies, data analytics, project management, change management and implementation of software projects. In his free time, he loves to read nonfiction, go for long walks and teach data courses!
Giuli
Board Member
Giuli is a member of the board of directors and chair of the Health Advisory Group. They are trained as an engineer, physicist and bioinformatician; doing a little bit of everything to make healthcare better and easier to access. They could not pick a gender, so they are certainly not picking a single field. Passionate about improving systems, they like to see things from multiple perspectives, and will hold space for yours if you have the courage to share it. Giuli was born at 2am on June 21 1995, so even though they were meant to be a Cancer (water sign, sensitive and caring) they rushed into the world just before the cutoff, determined to be a Gemini (air sign, high key and high maintenance). They are cursed and blessed to have too many hobbies and not enough time, which means you can talk about your endangered kombucha strain and they will love to hear all about the exotic feeding routine.
Aaron Whitley (he/him)
Board Member/Director, Programs Advisory Group
Aaron is a human resources and risk management leader with more than fifteen years of experience in the financial services sector. He’s currently the Senior Director, HR Compliance & Risk Management at National Bank of Canada, supporting consistent and defensible people practices across the bank and its global subsidiaries. Prior to that, he worked for another financial institution where he held diverse roles across people operations, employee relations, business partnerships, workplace safety, and talent development. Aaron is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources, holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resources, and is currently completing an MBA at the UBC Sauder School of Business. He lives in Vancouver with his husband, where he can often be found sailing off of Jericho Beach, walking his dog through the West End, or enjoying a local wine bar.
Riley Louie (he/him)
Board Member/Director, Health Advisory Group
Riley (he/him) works in research and knowledge mobilization within Vancouver’s healthcare system, supporting healthcare professionals to investigate and implement changes in clinical practice. Riley has a background in physiotherapy and rehabilitation research, and a strong appreciation for the link between identity, community, and health. For this very reason, Riley has previously served on the board for two queer sports organizations in Vancouver. In his downtime, Riley can often be found playing volleyball, walking his dog, or enjoying a big bowl of noodles.
Matthew (he/him)
Board Member
Matthew (he/him) joins HIM as a seasoned political organizer, policy wonk and communicator, advising senior leaders in both Canada and the United Kingdom, and working on campaigns for the New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Labour Party (UK)
Matthew served as the Director of Stakeholder Engagement in the Deputy Minister of Health’s office in B.C. Matthew led high-stakes files within the department and across government and was responsible for managing a wide range of relationships. Matthew brings deep experience in strategic communications following his time as Communications Manager and Press Secretary to the Minister of Health and Provincial Health Officer during the COVID-19 and overdose public health emergencies, work for which Matthew’s team was nominated for the Premier’s Award. Here, Matthew gained a deep appreciation for wrap-around community-based healthcare, serving marginalized and stigmatized populations.
By way of background, Matthew hails from a conservative evangelical context in Prince Rupert B.C., which led him to Trinity Western University. After coming out in his second year, amidst the university’s push to keep its discriminatory community covenant and open a law school, Matthew co-founded One TWU, a nonprofit that advocates for and provides support services for LGBTQIA2S+ students and alumni of Trinity Western. Matthew has served on the boards of several charities and has been featured on CTV, Global News, Globe and Mail, and Vancouver Sun for his non-profit work. His story informs his passion for HIM’s work, having experienced first-hand its benefits and seeing those benefits for vulnerable queer people in religious and/or rural/remote communities.
Matthew holds a Master’s degree in Social Policy from the London School of Economics and a BA in Theatre and Gender Studies from Trinity Western University.
Danny (he/him)
Board Member, Health Advisory Group
Danny (he/him/his) sits on the Health Advisory Group. He is a family physician by training and helped open an STI clinic in Edmonton, Alberta before moving to Vancouver, BC in 2021. Danny has experience with STI assessment and management and providing PrEP, as well as working with individuals living with HIV. his current practice is in skin disorders, hair loss and lifestyle interventions to help with improving diabetes and metabolic health conditions.
Danny’s interests include travel, hiking, working out, tennis, good food and a great cup of coffee at a local cafe.