Administration & Executive Offices

Suzanne Hoffman - CEO

Before joining BCSTA, Suzanne Hoffman held several positions in public education.

Her career started with Mission Public Schools before moving to the Langley School District, where she spent most of her career as a teacher, administrator, and superintendent. Suzanne was then seconded to the Ministry of Education as part of the curriculum outreach team. While working in the ministry, she also held the positions of chief educator and the superintendent of learning transformation. In January 2018, Suzanne became the first female superintendent at the Vancouver School Board. In 2021, Suzanne joined BCSTA, where she is excited and appreciative of the opportunity to take on the CEO role.

Suzanne is a wife, a mom to two grown children and a cairn terrier, and a passionate lifelong learner currently living on the unceded territory of the Katzie and Kwantlen Nations.

She is honoured and humbled to support BCSTA’s board of directors and boards of education across B.C.

  • Phone: 604-734-2721 ext. 2

Carmen Batista - Acting Deputy CEO

Carmen Batista has dedicated her career to public education, starting as an on-call teacher in Vancouver before taking on a permanent elementary school teacher position. While a teacher, she was very involved with the teachers’ union as a staff rep and a member of the local executive for several years. In 2009, she shifted from teaching into administration and was grateful for the opportunity to lead in two schools before moving to the head office into the human resources department.

Carmen cumulatively spent 33 years with the Vancouver School District. During that time, she learned much about collective agreement language and bargaining from the employee perspective. During her time in human resources she managed staffing and recruitment before becoming the associate superintendent for employee services. In this capacity, she supervised a staff of 70 that supported the district’s 9000 employees. Married for 25 years with two beautiful daughters and a Pomeranian named Einstein, Carmen is honoured to join BCSTA and its amazing team.

      • Phone: 604-734-2721 ext. 3

Please contact Carmen for matters regarding:

      • Human resources
      • Labour relations
      • Bargaining

Donna Depretto - Program Assistant - Administration

Donna Depretto is BCSTA’s receptionist and provides clerical support. She has an Administrative Assistant certificate.
  • Phone: 604-734-2721 ext. 0

Please contact Donna for matters regarding:

  • Updates to the BCSTA database
  • District policy updates

Maggie Yuen - Executive Administrator

Maggie is BCSTA’s executive administrator and provides direct support to the CEO and board of directors. She holds a degree in chemistry from University of British Columbia and a business management certificate from the BC Institute of Technology. With over 20 years experience in executive support, Maggie has worked in both private and public sector organizations. Her most recent experience includes supporting the work of trustees in a large school district.
  • Phone: 604-734-2721 ext. 2

Please contact Maggie for matters regarding:

  • General information and details regarding support of the CEO and board of directors
  • Details on BCSTA meetings

Communications

Mark Regier - Director - Communications

Mark Regier joined BCSTA in 2016, bringing with him years of communications experience from both the private and public sectors. He specializes in the areas of web/UI/UX design, public relations, member communications and marketing.

Mark oversees BCSTA’s communications and also works closely with the IT manager in support of member services, such as the Portal (our members-only area). He also provides various forms of assistance to the association’s board and supports various branches and committees.

  • Phone: 604-734-2721 ext. 9

Please contact Mark for matters regarding:

  • General communications
  • The Portal
  • Website comments and concerns

Monique Atwal - Advocacy, Public Relations Manager

Monique Atwal is an experienced corporate communications and marketing leader with a proven track record of driving growth and elevating brand visibility in dynamic industries such as the technology, data analytics, artificial intelligence and healthcare sectors.

She has recently joined BCSTA’s communications team as the Advocacy, Public Relations Manager. She holds an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, minoring in English Literature from York University and a Diploma in Journalism from Seneca College.

Specializing in communications and marketing strategy, she excels in shaping brand narratives that resonates with diverse audiences, creates marketing objectives that increase engagement and crafts compelling communications.

  • Phone: 604-842-1167 (mobile)

Please contact Monique for matters regarding:

  • Media inquiries
  • Advocacy

Mike Russell – Manager, Community and Partner Relations

Mike Russell is an award-winning communicator and relationship builder with over 15 years of experience as a strategic planner, restorative storyteller, and crisis communications manager.

Mike was most recently the Director of Communications for the Cowichan Valley School District where he used narrative and framing research and restorative processes to fundamentally change the story of the district.

  • Phone: 604-341-1641 (mobile)

Please contact Mike for matters regarding:

  • General communications
  • BCSTA’s website

Charlotte Ficek - Graphic Design and Social Media Coordinator

Charlotte Ficek provides BCSTA with communications support as a Program Assistant. She has worked in communications and graphic design in a wide variety of industries, from arts and culture to the non-profit sector. She specializes in digital, print and social media communications and design. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Queen’s University and a Diploma in Advertising and Graphic Design from Humber College.
  • Phone: 236-886-1603 (mobile)

Please contact Charlotte for matters regarding:

  • Newsletters
  • Graphic design and publications

Education Services

Gordon Li - Director - Education Services

Gordon Li has worked in various roles as an educator in British Columbia, including as a teacher, program consultant, vice-principal and principal in the Burnaby School District. Most recently, he was the director of learning technology at the BC Ministry of Education and president of BCPVPA. As part of this work, he has visited 54 school districts throughout this province and has supported districts, schools and parents on a variety of subjects including building strong organizational relationships, expanding public profiles of educational leaders, providing background on educational matters, advocating for sectoral initiatives, leading committees for the Ministry and advising strategic planning for various institutions.

He completed his Bachelor of Applied Sciences (Civil Engineering) and his Masters of Education at the University of British Columbia. His work in a variety of settings; elementary and secondary, larger and smaller, suburban and inner-city schools has provided a well-rounded perspective of the needs of students, parents and education partners in BC. His focus is on building positive relationships and meeting the needs of all learners. His passion for sports and working with children drew him into education; he has coached at the high school and provincial elite levels in multiple sports. Gordon has an extensive history as a representative in regional and provincial organizations in educational and public forums and is an unwavering advocate for public education.

  • Phone: 604-734-2721 ext. 7

Please contact Gordon for matters regarding:

  • Trustee Academy and AGM professional development
  • Board Performance Reviews and other facilitation needs
  • Trustee education resources
  • The Professional Learning Committee

Sara Hunter - Senior Event Planner

Sara Hunter is responsible for planning, coordinating and the onsite operations of board of director and trustee professional development activities including BCSTA events and governance meetings. She coordinates services for events, such as registration, contracting conference facilities and organizing meeting space, catering and audio-visual services. Prior to joining BCSTA, she worked in market development for Tourism Whistler and Tourism Vancouver, hotel sales and meeting planning for a small association. Sara has a diploma in Tourism Management from Capilano University.
  • Phone: 604-734-2721 ext. 5

Please contact Sara for matters regarding:

    • BCSTA meetings & events, including event venues, logistics and general inquiries
    • Conference registration for BCSTA’s AGM and trustee academy

Finance

Elaine Teng - Director - Finance

Elaine Teng holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia and is a designated Chartered Accountant. She has accounting experience in both public practice and private industry. Prior to joining BCSTA, she served as controller for a financial investment company for over ten years.
      • Phone: 604-734-2721 ext. 6

Please contact Elaine for matters regarding:

      • Accounts payable and accounts receivable
      • BCSTA’s finances and budgets
      • The Finance and Audit Committee

Human Resources

Carmen Batista - Acting Deputy CEO

Carmen Batista has dedicated her career to public education, starting as an on-call teacher in Vancouver before taking on a permanent elementary school teacher position. While a teacher, she was very involved with the teachers’ union as a staff rep and a member of the local executive for several years. In 2009, she shifted from teaching into administration and was grateful for the opportunity to lead in two schools before moving to the head office into the human resources department.

Carmen cumulatively spent 33 years with the Vancouver School District. During that time, she learned much about collective agreement language and bargaining from the employee perspective. During her time in human resources she managed staffing and recruitment before becoming the associate superintendent for employee services. In this capacity, she supervised a staff of 70 that supported the district’s 9000 employees. Married for 25 years with two beautiful daughters and a Pomeranian named Einstein, Carmen is honoured to join BCSTA and its amazing team.

      • Phone: 604-734-2721 ext. 3

Please contact Carmen for matters regarding:

      • Human resources
      • Labour relations
      • Bargaining

Information Technology

Matthew Taylor - Manager - Information Technology

Matt Taylor brings a comprehensive background in information technology, honed in senior roles within local school board settings. A proud graduate of BCIT and Kwantlen Polytechnic, Matt remains an ever-eager learner, frequently enrolling in advanced courses to stay updated.

At BCSTA, Matt’s responsibilities revolve around maintaining the organization’s IT infrastructure and telecommunication services. He manages the online collaboration platform, email and communication systems, electronic voting, digital document management and disaster recovery systems. Additionally, Matt oversees BCSTA’s online learning technologies, ensuring smooth operations.

      • Phone: 604-734-2721

Please contact Matt for matters regarding:

      • The Portal
      • The Indigenous Education Committee
      • General BCSTA related IT service concerns

Legal Services

Maryke Peter - Program Assistant - Legal Services

Maryke Peter holds a Bachelor of Legal Studies (Paralegal) degree from Capilano University. Maryke gained experience working in England as a legal administrative assistant for a firm that offers employment law, HR, health and safety and employee well-being consultancy services. Prior to joining BCSTA, Maryke worked as a paralegal at a boutique law firm in British Columbia.
      • Phone: 604-734-2721 ext. 8

Please contact Maryke for matters regarding:

      • Legal services