BC Society of Transition Houses

The BCSTH team is here to support anti-violence workers across British Columbia with information, resources, training and consultation.

Along with enthusiasm and commitment, our team brings a diverse array of knowledge, skills and experience to their work of fostering a province-wide community of practice.

Our Team

Allison Westbridge

Office & Communications Coordinator

Allison (she/her) brings a diverse background in Women’s Studies, English Literature, and Hospitality Management to her work at BCSTH. Having spent the past few years in the hospitality industry in various roles including customer service,...

Amy FitzGerald

Executive Director

Amy has been a lawyer for over 20 years and previously was an Assistant Attorney General (AAG) in the Criminal Division at the Vermont Attorney General’s Office where she worked on unsolved homicides and was...

Asia McLean

Training & Development Specialist

Asia (she/her) has held various frontline roles working alongside people resisting violence in all forms, and has grown into a passionate advocate, trainer, and facilitator. She is currently working towards a Master of Arts in...

Caoimhe Kelly

Training Coordinator

Caoimhe (pronounced Queeva) (she/her) has a passion for education, mental health and working in the not-for-profit sector. She has a B.Sc in Education Studies with experience in training development, delivery and coordination. Before moving to...

Cori Kleisinger

Cedar Blankets Project Coordinator

Cori, mother and grandmother of 6, has worked in the anti-violence field with families in a variety of roles from front line to management and brings more than 25 years’ experience in Indigenous and non-Indigenous...

Hannah Lee

Director of Membership

Hannah (she/her) began her work with BCSTH in 2009. Her main role is to support and liaise with BCSTH membership and coordinate projects such as Building Supports and Reaching Out with Yoga. She is committed...

Lisa Matyszewski

Training & Development Specialist

Lisa (she/her) has a BA in Social Sciences and has worked in the anti-violence sector supporting vulnerable women and children for the last thirteen years. She has worked in various transition houses and shelters as...

Tina Chau

Librarian

Tina began working for BCSTH in 2009 when she was hired to develop the BCSTH Library online catalogue. She now provides a full range of BCSTH Library services and is pleased that her library, teaching...

Our Board of Directors

Alix Dolson

Director (Region 5 Okanagan)

Alix (she/her) is a settler living on the traditional, unceded territory of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc people, in what is today called Kamloops. A registered social worker, Alix has an extensive background in anti-violence work,...

Amrita Sunner

Director (Region 3 Fraser Valley)

Amrita (she/her) is a dedicated Outreach Support Worker currently serving women at PICS’s two Second Stage transition homes. As a South Asian woman, Amrita has found profound fulfillment in offering culturally safe support to her...

Brooke Belkin

Chair (Region 4 Kootenays)

Brooke is the Director of Women and Youth Services for the Canadian Mental Health Association for the Kootenays. She has been an advocate for women services in the Kootenays for many years, with particular interest...

Karlee Grant

Vice Chair (Region 1 Vancouver Island & Powell River)

Karlee Grant is the Senior Program Manager at Victoria Women’s Transition House Society (VWTH). Karlee has been with the agency since 2021 and directly supports the Stopping the Violence program, PEACE program, safe home program...

Lisa Rupert

Director (Region 2 Lower Mainland)

With over 30 years of dedicated experience in providing support and housing to people who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV), Lisa Rupert is the Vice President of Housing and Violence Prevention at YWCA Metro...

Lisa Schmidt

Director (Region 7 North)

Lisa Schmidt (she/her) has been the Director of Counselling & Support Programs at ‘Ksan Society since 2013. Prior to working at ‘Ksan, she was a private practice counsellor and before that, a team leader for...

Michele Jones

Director (Region 6 Cariboo)

Michele Jones is a PEACE and Rainbows facilitator with Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS). Michele’s ancestry is British and Metis (French and Algonquin). She started her work with CSFS in 2011, for the last 7...

Syma Nehal

Treasurer (Member at Large)

Syma is the National Operations Manager for Nisa Homes, transitional housing for women and children fleeing domestic abuse. She has been with Nisa Homes for three and a half years in several roles within the...

Zandile Moyo

Director (Member at Large)

With over 15 years of dedicated service in the violence against women sector, Zandi brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to supporting and advocating for women and their families. Her extensive background...

BC Society of Transition Houses

Suite 325, 119 W. Pender St. Vancouver BC V6B 1S5
T: 604.669.6943 or 1.800.661.1040
F: 604.682.6962
E: [email protected]
(Charitable Number: 135667822 RR 0001)

The BC Society of Transition Houses’ office is located on unceded Coast Salish territory, shared by the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Website developed by Affinity Bridge.

Our Team

Allison Westbridge

Amy FitzGerald

Asia McLean

Caoimhe Kelly

Cori Kleisinger

Hannah Lee

Lisa Matyszewski

Tina Chau

Our Board of Directors

Alix Dolson

Amrita Sunner

Brooke Belkin

Karlee Grant

Lisa Rupert

Lisa Schmidt

Michele Jones

Syma Nehal

Zandile Moyo

BC Society of Transition Houses

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