Board of Directors
Baltej Dhillon, Chair
Baltej Dhillon, a sergeant with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), received his Associate Degree in Criminology from Kwantlen in 1988. That same year, Sgt. Dhillon found himself fighting for his religious right to wear his turban in place of the Stetson. The debate became a national issue but Sgt. Dhillon was victorious and today proudly wears his turban while serving and protecting Canadians. A Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal recipient, he has volunteered as a counsellor and motivational speaker at youth camps for over 10 years. He has also served as a committee member for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Quesnel, as vice president and secretary at the Cariboo Gur Sikh Temple and committee member and co-chair on South Asian Advisory Committee and Consortiums for United Way. Dhillon is a member of the guild of speakers with Passages to Canada and director of 3HO Organization in Vancouver.
Stuart Chase, Vice-Chair
Stuart Chase graduated from Kwantlen in 2006 with a Bachelor’s degree in journalism with a minor in public relations. Currently employed with the Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) of British Columbia as their communications officer, Stuart oversees the daily internal, stakeholder, public, and media relations activities of the PGT. Prior experience includes PR and communications work for the Workers' Compensation Board of BC, Pace Group Communications, the Ministry of Attorney General, and media relations for the Province during Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. He is thrilled to be contributing to Kwantlen’s alumni relations strategies where he’ll work to give back to the university that gave so much to him. He hopes that you’ll want to stay as connected to the school as he has. Mr. Chase lives in Vancouver with his wife, kids, and their family pooch.
Dylan Watson, Treasurer
Dylan Watson received his Diploma of Business Administration from Kwantlen then transferred to Simon Fraser University where he completed his Business Administration Degree with a dual concentration in Finance and Marketing. Upon graduation Mr. Watson began his career as a commercial lender. He has worked through a variety of progressively senior roles to his current position where he manages a portfolio of Commercial Large clients and is involved in market development activities. Mr. Watson feels very strongly about giving back to the communities in which he lives and works. He currently works with two charities and sits on two Committees at the Surrey Board of Trade. Mr. Watson feels it is extremely important for Kwantlen alumni to remain connected with the University and as a Kwantlen University Alumni Association board member utilizes his experience and resources to foster that connection on an ongoing basis.
Sandra Hoffman, Secretary
Bio Pending
Linsie Kolshuk, Director
Linsie Kolshuk is honored to be serving on the Board of Directors. She holds a Certificate in Criminology from Kwantlen, a BA in History from Dalhousie, and a MA in Intercultural & International Communications from Royal Roads. Linsie will be attending Simon Fraser University this fall where she will be completing a degree in Education. Linsie has also had the opportunity to travel, including taking part in the Paris Half Marathon and most recently holding the 2010 Olympic torch in Athens, Greece. Ms. Kolshuk has a deep passion for people and learning and believes relationships and education are the foundation for global development.
Shane King, Director
Shane King, partner at KNV Chartered Accountants LLP, graduated from Kwantlen in 1992 with a diploma in financial management. In 1999, he received his designation as a chartered accountant. Mr. King completed the CICA In-depth Tax Course in 2001 and just four years later made partner at KNV. With this great accomplishment—along with his passion for volunteering—Mr. King received the 2008 Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC Early Achievement Award. Prior to his current role as the first chair of Kwantlen University Alumni Association, Mr. King was a director on the university's foundation board and is currently a member of Kwantlen Polytechnic University's Board of Governors. In addition, he has served as a speaker and panel member at several Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC recruiting events.
Kristan Ash, Director
Kristan Ash is the director of operations for Healing Hands Rehabilitation Services Inc. Prior to this role, she was vice president of franchise and business development for Nurse Next Door Home Healthcare. Ms. Ash is active in her community through her involvement with the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Alumni Association, as a member of the You've Gotta Have Friends Initiative steering committee and as the chair of the fundraising committee of Cambridge Elementary Parents Advisory Council. Ms. Ash holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Entrepreneurial Leadership from Kwantlen Polytechnic University and was recently appointed a member of the university's board of governors.
Sendip Gill, Director
Sendip Gill is the CEO of SRS Packaging Services, a company she purchased while completing the BBA Entrepreneurial Leadership Co-op program at Kwantlen in 2005. Ms. Gill has amassed an impressive list of awards and recognition. When she received Business in Vancouver's Top 40 Under 40 Business Award, she was both the first South Asian woman, as well as the youngest female to ever achieve this prestigious honour. Ms. Gill has also been recognized by the Surrey Board of Trade, the Surrey/Delta Immigrant Services Society, and was nominated for the YMCA Women of Distinction Award.
Nicholas Pavlich, Director
Mr. Pavlich is a business-minded strategic thinker who truly believes in the power of targeted and mutually beneficial communications for building a strong brand or managing a corporate or social issue. His expertise in business and corporate communications helps provide organizations with creative solutions that impact the marketplace. Mr. Pavlich graduated from Kwantlen with a Diploma in Public Relations, a Diploma in General Studies and a Certificate in Marketing Management. He also graduated from Royal Roads University with a Bachelors of Commerce focusing in Entrepreneurial Management. Nicholas is excited to be on the Kwantlen University Alumni Board and believes that a strong alumni board will only serve to increase the reputation of Kwantlen within community.
Jas Sandhu, Director
Jas Sandhu received his criminology diploma from Kwantlen in 1996 and went on to pursue his BA at SFU and M.Ed. from UBC. He is currently a clinical addictions counsellor at Peace Arch Community Services. In addition, Mr. Sandhu has taught at the Justice Institute of BC, co-authored a book and written several counselling related articles in peer reviewed journals. In 2008, he received Kwantlen Polytechnic University's Distinguished Alumni Award.
David Shapendonk, Director
David Shapendonk, information systems manager at IMAX Corporation, graduated from Kwantlen's Business Management & Industrial Relations program in 1987. During his time at Kwantlen, Mr. Shapendonk was an active member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, working on Joe Clark's 1984 leadership campaign and helping MP Benno Friesen become re-elected that same year. After graduating, Mr. Shapendonk moved to Toronto where he worked first as a systems analyst at Drake International, before joining IMAX Corporation in 1989. He worked for nine years in Toronto before heading to Los Angeles to head up the West Coast I.T. group at IMAX. In addition to being a founding board member of Kwantlen University Alumni Association, Mr. Shapendonk serves on the event planning committee for UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital and volunteers with his wife for both the Tufts University Alumni Association and the Sabra Group of Hadassah of Southern California.
