Advisory Board and Academic Council

Dr. Hancott brings a wealth of experience and expertise, having held key positions at University Canada West and Yorkville University. His distinguished career includes serving as dean, principal, VP Academic, provost, and chair of the Private Degree Granting Institutions Association from 2018 to 2021.

In addition to his outstanding academic achievements, Dr. Hancott is actively involved in non-profit work, contributing to various boards and playing a crucial role in the BC Chamber of Commerce Policy Review Committee. His commitment to policy development for local, provincial, and federal governments resonates with our dedication to positive change.

Dr. Hancott’s academic qualifications include, a Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Business Administration, and a Doctor of Philosophy with a specialization in Organization & Management and Leadership.

Gurpal Dhaliwal is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Western Community College. With a major in Accounting earned in 1999, he boasts 22 years of senior management experience at Loblaws, including serving as a Store Manager overseeing 400+ employees and managing $100 million in revenues. Gurpal co-founded Western Community College in 2012, demonstrating his commitment to education. His accolades include the Academic Excellence Award, Excellence in Education Services Award, Inclusive Employer Award for Hiring People with Disabilities, Best Leadership Award, and Best Customer Service and Colleague Engagement Award. Additionally, he serves as a Board Member of the Langley Local Immigration Society. Gurpal Dhaliwal’s leadership contributes significantly to the college’s success.

Dr. Verna Billy Minnabarriet has completed her Doctor Of Education at the University of British Columbia, Masters of Arts Education, Bachelor’s of Arts degree from SFU. Verna recently retired from the role of the Vice President Academic and Strategic Partnerships at NVIT, located in Burnaby, BC. She also is the Chair of IAHLA, a consortium of PAPSIBC and Chair of CANDO. She is recognized as a leader and role model among her peers and her expertise as an educator and advocate has given her opportunity to represent many Aboriginal organizations at all levels of Government.

Douglas Allen is a Canadian economist and the Burnaby Mountain Professor of Economics at Simon Fraser University. He is known for his research on transaction costs and property rights, and how these influence the structure of organizations and institutions. His research covers four broad areas: transaction cost theory, economic history, agricultural organizations, and the family. He has published close to 100 scholarly articles, and written four books. One of these, The Institutional Revolution, won the Douglass North Award for the best book published in Institutional economics. Doug brings a wealth of knowledge and experience within the education field.

As Director of Member and Business Development, Mike Macleod is the bridge builder of the BCHA, who goes above and beyond to connect members with resources, tools, and partner businesses that will support their unique needs. A seasoned hotelier with deep roots in hospitality, Mike possesses exceptional insight into the needs of members, having worked in hospitality in one form or another since taking a summer job at Capilano Suspension Bridge when he was 17.

After studying business and marketing communications at Capilano University and BCIT, he enjoyed an 18 year hotel career, breaking in with Westin and Starwood Hotels & Resorts in 2002. Mike’s time at Starwood took him from Vancouver to Southern California over a 10 year period. From there, independent hotels in California and Colorado became his focus before eventually returning to BC in 2018. Mike has been leading teams in Sales and Marketing since 2006, most recently at the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel and Conference Centre.

Outside of work, Mike is a proud father, avid golfer, dog lover, and is happy to once again be residing in North Vancouver, working with the BCHA team and its members.

Karen has worked with students and clients, in both the public and private sector, as a post secondary educator, business consultant and banker. Karen retired (2015) from the University of the Fraser Valley, as the Vice-President Students, after serving in a variety of leadership roles, including University Secretary, Registrar, Associate Vice-President Teaching and Learning, and Dean appointments involving International Education, Business, Information Technology, Continuing Studies, and College and Career Preparation. She completed her Doctorate at the University of British Columbia in 2006. Her research focused on educational policy issues related to the intersection of private interests in the public sphere and on the commercialization of higher education. She has a Master’s Degree in Industrial Relations from Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, an undergraduate degree in business, as well as professional development certificates in inter- cultural studies and quality assurance (ISO 9000). Karen has taught business, psychology and management courses to undergraduate students at North Island and Seneca Colleges as well as the University of the Fraser Valley.

Throughout her career and volunteer work, her commitment is to the development of the individual. She has worked extensively with newcomers and personally experienced the challenges and opportunities of living and working abroad.

Dr. Hancott brings a wealth of experience and expertise, having held key positions at University Canada West and Yorkville University. His distinguished career includes serving as dean, principal, VP Academic, provost, and chair of the Private Degree Granting Institutions Association from 2018 to 2021.

In addition to his outstanding academic achievements, Dr. Hancott is actively involved in non-profit work, contributing to various boards and playing a crucial role in the BC Chamber of Commerce Policy Review Committee. His commitment to policy development for local, provincial, and federal governments resonates with our dedication to positive change.

Dr. Hancott’s academic qualifications include, a Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Business Administration, and a Doctor of Philosophy with a specialization in Organization & Management and Leadership.

In her position as Dean of Programs at Western Community College, Vandana is accountable for all academic administration functions. Vandana holds designations of Ph.D., M.B.A., B.Comm. (Honors), and Bachelor in Education. She has been providing strategic vision and leadership that drives the operational process, productivity, efficiency and bottom-line improvements for the organization. Previously, Vandana held Head of the department of Management position and Associate Professor positions in M.B.A. and Hospitality Management in MM University. As a professional educator, she has a very diverse background with over 15 years stemming back as an instructor and education administrator.

Parminder holds a Master’s degree in Administrative Sciences from Farleigh Dickinson University, Vancouver. Prior to that, she acquired her Degree in Dentistry from National Dental College and Hospital, India. She worked as an Admissions Officer at Brighton College and as an administrator at Love and Care Home Health Agency, BC.

Parminder Kaur is currently working as a Registrar at Western Community College, with her primary responsibilities being ensuring the integrity and accuracy of academic records, including application, entrance documentation, admissions, grades, advancement from year to year, student appeals, as well as cohort and graduation lists.

Manish Kumar has 26 years’ experience of Industry and Academic Hospitality field. He has 1 Bachelor’s, MBA, Masters degrees as well as Post Graduate Diploma. Manish has worked with the Taj Group and the Four Seasons Group in all facets of Food & Beverage. Manish has worked on the corporate side and had his own business back in India.

Manish has been teaching as a Hospitality & Business professor with Western Community College since 2019 bringing his vast industry experience in Food & Beverage.

Manish as a way to unwind likes to write poetries and short stories. Loves to cook and enjoys time with friends and family.

Miranda graduated with her MLIS degree from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 2020. Miranda earned her BA in History from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

Harleen earned her MBA at Punjabi University in Patiala and a B.Ed from Punjab University in Chandigarh. She has over 20 years of teaching experience in the field of Business Management. She has authored several textbooks and research papers.

Harleen is currently working as a faculty member with WCC. She chairs the Policy and Procedures committee besides being a member of the Academic council and various other committees.

Josiah has over 25 years of experience in British Columbia Colleges and US Universities, teaching a number of Quantitative Business Courses including Business Math, Business Statistics, Principles of Microeconomics, Principles of Macroeconomics, Managerial Economics, Principles of Finance (Financial Management), Corporate Finance, Production Management and Management Science (Quantitative Decision Analysis). Knowledgeable and articulate in teaching International students with various academic and cultural background—adapting teaching strategies to various learning styles. He also has extensive experience at senior administrative level, in Program Coordinator and Registrar positions. Josiah participates actively in community events and activities, organizing seminars and information sessions on issues relating to personal health, immigrant integration and fundraising for foundations—sickle cell anemia, cancer, diabetes and so on. He has a BS Degree in Agricultural Engineering (Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA), MS Degree in Agricultural Economics (University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA), Ph.D. Degree in Agricultural Economics (Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA) and MBA Degree, Finance Concentration (Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA).

Nick chow holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from University of British Columbia. He has diverse management experience working in one of the best food chains, Loblaw Companies Ltd. Currently he teaches Marketing and Communication courses at Western Community College. As an assistant store manager, he was responsible for the safety and daily operations of the store, monitoring the store on a day–to–day basis. He managed the store in all administrative capacities. He worked in the HR and was involved in Hiring, disciplining and Training of new Colleagues. He has over 24 years of valuable experience working in a Managerial Setting.

DJ holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel & Business Management. He then travelled & stayed in London, UK for 6 years for further Post Graduate degree in Hotel & Business Management. After completion of a Post Graduate degree, he got an opportunity to work with the world’s leading hotels like Gleneagles, Marriott International, Renaissance, Reebok Sports Club London and many more in management positions. DJ worked as an Assistant Professor with University of Pune for 8 years and proved as a successful educator. In this period of time DJ trained more than 3000 students who have proven their caliber in the Hospitality industry. His few students are leading managers of Hospitality industry in Canada too. He holds another Post Graduate Degree in International Business Management, from Canadian Institute.

He is a classically trained dancer and enjoys playing a musical instrument called Tabala (Indian classic drum). He is a 1st dan blackbelt holder in Taekwondo.

Muhammad is a Business and Management Consultant by profession working with small, medium, and large business firms and industries with more than 45 years of experience. He did his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from IBA, Lahore, specializing in Finance. His involvement with diverse business enterprises has enriched both his and his students’ knowledge, experience, and expertise to manage business challenges of multifarious nature. Teaching and training has been his passion since 1987 to date.

Firmin Nsumbu has over 13 years of experience in the field of IT Networking, Security and System Administration. He owns YOCTO Consulting, Surrey and works as an IT GRC Auditor. He has an extensive background in all stages of Audits, including planning, designing and implementing an overall risk management process for the organization.

Ganesh earned a Bachelor in Interactive Design and a Master of Computer Applications. Ganesh’s experience includes working for two big IT companies in India (Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services) as Developer and Training Instructor for more than 5 years. Ganesh earned a Diploma in Visual Effects at Vancouver Institute of Media Arts. Ganesh is currently employed in Western Community College. As IT Manager, Ganesh handles all IT Requests of Instructors and Staff Members. He manages the Learning Management System Moodle, Teaches Classes, Conducts Trainings for Instructors and provides Technical Expertise to Management.