Staff Bios

Shams Alibhai

Executive Director
shams@bccic.ca

Shams joined BCCIC in 2007. Shams has been working with non-governmental organizations for close to twenty years. Prior to joining BCCIC, she was the Coordinator for the Centre for the Comparative Study of Muslim Societies and Cultures at Simon Fraser University. She has spent considerable time internationally, most recently in Central Asia with the Aga Khan Development Network. Shams is really enjoying her work with BCCIC and exploring the different communities throughout the province and learning about the many different civil society partners. She is excited about the upcoming winter season and looking forward to cross country and downhill skiing in the winter.

Read what Shams is writing about in her blog at bccic.ca/blogs/shams.

Darlene Gage

Program Officer
darlene@bccic.ca

Darlene Gage joined BCCIC as our new Program Officer at the end of 2009, straight from a two year stint as an Organizational Development Advisor in Uganda, Africa. Darlene's background includes several years at the Simon Fraser Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), working with students to mentor them as activists and community organizers. She is a trained counselor and mediator, and she was also the Executive Director of a community economic development organization on Hornby Island, where she learned first hand the joys and challenges of working and living in a small, rural community in BC. She has been involved in social change movements for over 20 years, working as a volunteer, Board member and staff member for many organizations and movements.

Read what Darlene is writing about in her blog at bccic.ca/blogs/darlene.

Annabel Wong

Administrative and Membership Coordinator
info@bccic.ca

Annabel joined BCCIC in March 2010. After completing her undergraduate degree in political science and international relations at UBC, which was accompanied by volunteer experiences with international development organizations, Annabel worked on research and advocacy related to the African continent. Other than sustainable and ethical development, Annabel is occupied with learning languages, playing musical instruments, and macarons.

Read what Annabel is writing about in her blog at bccic.ca/blogs/annabel.

Damian Piper

Damian came on board as an intern focused on developing a media and communications plan for BCCIC and it's members. His past experience includes extensive work with the Ontario Public Interest Research Group, lobbying for sustainable development, promoting multi-culturalism and diversity, and advocating for increased aid to Africa and the developing world at the CIDA offices in Gatineau and on Parliament Hill as a partner with RESULTS Canada. He has also spent time in not-for-profit radio broadcasting in a variety of spoken word programs to the Windsor-Detroit community and worked with the homeless in Calgary as a harm reduction and careworker. Outside of his work, Damian is a traveller, a film enthusiast and a cook.