Sydney, with deep roots in Nelson’s artistic community, has played a significant role in contributing to the local arts scene. In addition to being a mama to two wonderful humans and a terrier, over the past decade, she has been involved in organizing theatrical productions at the Capitol Theatre through Black Productions. Since assuming the role of Executive Director at the Nelson and District Arts Council in 2016, Sydney has developed initiatives like the Dance Educators Showcase and supported programs such as The Narrows Artist Residency. Outside her professional commitments, she co-founded the Nelson International Mural Festival, serves as the Chair of the City of Nelson’s Cultural Development Committee, and is dedicated to supporting and enhancing the arts community in the region.

With over seven years of experience working in the hospitality industry, primarily in kitchen roles, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for collaboration, creativity, and bringing people together. My journey from hospitality to filmmaking and community work reflects my passion for storytelling and connection.

As a board member at Intercultural Kootenays, I bring a unique perspective shaped by my background in hospitality and media production. I’m dedicated to fostering inclusivity, celebrating diversity, and building bridges between cultures. My goal is to contribute to initiatives that create meaningful dialogue and shared experiences within our community.

Outside of my professional roles, I enjoy exploring new cultures, working on creative projects, and hosting events that bring people together.

Greg is an honour graduate from Sisler High School where he received a Visual and Performing Arts Diploma, for his excellence in both choir and drama. Greg is also a graduate of the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Film studies. Greg has also graduated Magna Cum Laude from Summit Pacific College with a Bachelor of Arts in Youth Leadership in 2017.

Tanya is a Registered Midwife in Nelson, BC and founder of Apple Tree Maternity, a collaborative medical clinic. She is currently the Chair of the Board of the BC College of Nurses and Midwives and is an Adjunct Professor at UBC Midwifery.

I am Mylene Pinho Mercuri Brandao, born on August 25, 1976, in Brazil. I hold a degree in Economics, an MBA in Business Program, and I currently serve in the Justice Federal Government in Brazil. Additionally, I am pursuing studies in Restorative Justice in Canada and volunteer with Nelson Restorative Justice. I am passionate about supporting immigrants in the workplace and addressing issues related to discrimination and harassment.

Kristen is a Filipina woman proudly born and raised in Scarborough, Tkaronto on Dish With One Spoon Wampum Treaty Territory; a treaty that asks us to peaceably share the gifts of the land in a spirit of mutual co-operation. A community archivist in the community arts and climate justice realms, she rests into a spirit-led approach in all extensions of her work. Kristen is Co-Director of Rooted and Rising Lab, an intergenerational network devoted to creating adaptive climate education programs for this polycrisis moment. She created Womxn and It’s Bigger Than All Of Us; archives of poetry, photography, and journal scans from 2016-2021 interweaving the work of 50+ BIPOC creators from her community in Toronto.

In 2023 she collaborated with Kaitlin Rizarri to create the zine Filipinx/a/o Farmers and Earthworkers in Tkaronto: dreaming of food sovereignty; an extension of Kaitlin’s masters thesis looking at food sovereignty in Tkaronto and what it means to be farming and earth working on Indigenous lands. Kristen also co-founded grassroots groups Kapwa Collective + Conscious Minds Co-operative. Kapwa Collective is a group of Filipinx-Canadian artists, critical thinkers, and healers bridging narratives between the Indigenous and the Diasporic, and the Filipinx and the Canadian through arts-based playshops grounded in kapwa: the interconnectedness between all living beings.

She currently lives on the Unceded territories of the Sinixt, the Ktunaxa, and Secwepemc Peoples in Nelson, BC – land of eagles, cougars, kokanee salmon & bears. She is Associate Producer for Outsiderness, a documentary by Carlo Alcos wrestling with questions of identity and belonging. For fun, Kristen co-hosts Future/Now Radio with her partner on Kootenay Co-op Radio, and is guardian to Cleo, their grey mountain cat. www.bonesthrown.com

Eleanor Stacey is the Executive Director of NCTS (Nelson Civic Theatre Society), which manages The Civic Theatre, The Shoebox Theatre, Reo’s Video, and the Kootenay Screen-Based Industry Initiative, and is a founding partner of the Kootenay Regional Film Commission. She has worked in leadership, fundraising, creation, and youth arts education roles in Canada, the US, and Anguilla, BWI. She is a Rotarian, past board president of The Only Animal Theatre Society (Vancouver), a member of the City of Nelson’s Cultural Development Committee, and a founding (past) board member of the Network of Independent Canadian Exhibitors (NICE). She is a founding board member of Intercultural Kootenays Society and currently sits on the EDIA Committee for the Nelson Police Department and the Partnership Council for the West Kootenay Local Immigration Partnership (WKLIP). Eleanor is a graduate of Mount Allison University, and holds an MFA in Arts Administration from Brooklyn College (CUNY). She grew up in Nelson and returned in 2013 with her family.

My name is Amy Stewart and I am a fourth generation settler of European descent living on the traditional unceded territory of the Sinixt, Ktunaxa, and Sylix peoples. Amongst other things, I identify as a cisgender female, a mother, an aunt, a teacher-counsellor, and a soccer coach. Creating inclusive communities where everyone feels safe and respected is important to me. I am here to listen and to take meaningful action towards the vision and mission of Intercultural Kootenays. One of my favorite activities is spending time by the lake or in a coffee shop with family and friends.

Zen Wang is a multimedia artist who was trained as a Chinese Brush Painter. He comes from four generations of fine artists who challenged traditions and pushed boundaries. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, a master’s degree in Business and a diploma in Film production.

Zen teaches Digital Art at Selkirk College in their school of Art and Technology. Zen is a co-host on Kootenay Mornings on KCR 93.5FM and has his weekly radio show “Asian Roots” on Wednesdays at 1PM. His paintings have been exhibited in establishments around town. His sculpture has been selected by Castlegar Sculpture Walk for three years in a row. Zen’s murals and graphic design have been featured in many popular Film and TV shows.

On his off days he will pursue his many areas of interest such as cooking, snowboarding, motorcycling, martial arts, calligraphy, graphic novel, etc. Zen is passionate about preserving our proud multicultural heritage in the Kootenays.

Elsa Wyllie

Elsa is a lawyer working in criminal defence, human rights, and international law. She brings to the board a deep commitment to justice, equity, and intercultural understanding, informed by years of experience advocating for fairness and inclusion in both domestic and international contexts.

She serves on the Bar Issues Committee Crimes Against Humanity Working Group, contributing to analysis of gaps in international criminal law that would be addressed through the adoption of the proposed Crimes Against Humanity Convention, advanced by the United Nations General Assembly. Elsa has also joined Church Court Chambers in London as an Associate, extending her work into international advocacy and legal reform.

As part of her work with the International Bar Association, Elsa serves on both the War Crimes Committee Executive and the Human Rights Committee, where she works closely with the Co-Chairs of the War Crimes Committee to help set the agenda on the issues international lawyers are grappling with in the wake of serious disruptions to longstanding international law and norms. She also contributes to international capacity-building initiatives in Ukraine focused on adjudicating alleged war crimes in line with international standards.

Elsa  defends individuals accused of the most serious criminal offences, including sexual assault, first-degree murder, and dangerous offender designations. She also represents complainants in sexual assault matters and contributes to the Innocence Project at the University of British Columbia. Her practice spans all levels of court, including the Provincial Court and Supreme Court of British Columbia, the British Columbia Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada. She practices law on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations in Vancouver, British Columbia. Elsa is Kiwi-Canadian.

A graduate of Columbia Law School (LL.M., 2020) and the University of Bradford, UK (M.A. International Law and Security, 2005), Elsa was selected to work with the High-Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom, a joint UK/Canada initiative.

Before entering law, Elsa worked with NORAD, NATO, Whitehall, and the United Nations in Rwanda, where she managed a disarmament and reintegration program for militia soldiers from the same office where General Roméo Dallaire once attempted to stop the genocide. That experience shaped her belief in the need for cultural humility and in the law’s power as a tool for healing and justice.

Elsa lives with an acquired disability following a car accident early in her career. She continues to practice and contribute actively in the legal and human rights fields, advocating for inclusion both within and beyond the profession.