HEU’s Provincial Executive (PE) is elected by delegates every two years during the union’s biennial convention.
The PE is responsible for implementing the goals and policies set by the union’s membership, and guiding the work of the union between conventions.
The 28-member PE includes two full-time elected officers – the president and the financial secretary – as well as three vice-presidents, a senior trustee, a senior trustee elect (four-year term), an additional trustee, 13 regional vice-presidents, and six diversity vice-presidents.
HEU’s secretary-business manager (SBM) is also a voting member of the PE and a full-time officer of the union. The SBM acts as the Chief Administrative Officer of the union and is HEU’s main spokesperson as well as the lead negotiator for the Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA). This position is appointed by the PE and is subject to delegate ratification at the convention following the appointment.
Meet your Provincial Executive
Full-time officers
President Barb Nederpel (she/her) is a clerk/care aide from Kamloops-Thompson Local. She lives on the unceded territory of the Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc.
Barb was elected HEU’s first woman president at the union’s 2018 biennial convention. An HEU member since 2006, Barb was first elected to the PE in 2012 as regional vice-president (Interior), then elected 2nd vice-president in 2014, and then 1st vice-president in 2016.
Barb served several terms as president of the Kamloops and District Labour Council, and has served on numerous CUPE and B.C. Federation of Labour (BCFED) committees.
As HEU president, Barb represents the union as a BCFED officer and a CUPE National Executive Board member.
Secretary-Business Manager Lynn Bueckert (she/her) lives on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples.
Secretary-business manager Lynn Bueckert joined HEU in April 2019 as an occupational health and safety senior advisor to help establish SWITCH BC.
In January 2020, Lynn was appointed HEU’s assistant secretary-business manager, moved into the interim secretary-business manager position when Meena Brisard resigned in March 2024 and became secretary-business manager June 13, 2024.
Working in the labour movement for nearly 30 years, Lynn also served as the Executive Director and Assistant to the President at the B.C. Federation of Labour, and as the director of the Federation’s occupational health and safety department.
She also spent five years at the British Columbia General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) as the director of communications, research and campaigns.
Lynn was appointed as the worker representative on the WorkSafeBC Board of Directors from 2015 to 2020.
She serves on a number of community boards, including as a director for Community Savings Credit Union.
Financial Secretary Betty Valenzuela (she/her), is a health records clerk from VGH Local. She lives on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples.
Betty was elected as HEU’s first racialized officer in 2018. She worked in the finance department at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) from 1998 to 2005, then moved to health records.
In 2007, she took union leave to serve as a full-time local shop steward. Betty was the Secretary Treasurer of the VGH local from 2007 to 2018, until her election as Financial Secretary. An HEU member since 1995, Betty was first elected to the PE as senior trustee in 2014 for a four-year term.
She has served on numerous committees, including HEU and CUPE global justice and peace committees. Betty also facilitates table officers’ training and serves on HEU’s bursary committee.
Vice-presidents
1st vice-president Bill McMullan (he/him) is a residential support worker from Kardel Local. He lives on the unceded territory of the Lekwungen and Songhees people.
Bill has served three terms as a regional vice-president (Vancouver Island). He was elected 3rd vice-president in 2018, was called up to 2nd vice-president in 2020, and elected 1st vice-president in 2021 and 2024.
An HEU member since 2002, Bill serves as chief shop steward and local vice-chair, and previously as senior trustee-elect, chair, and shop steward. Bill is on the labour-management committee for Kardel local.
2nd vice president Talitha Dekker (she/her) is an accounts receivable clerk from Kamloops-Thompson Local. She lives on the unceded territory of Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc.
Talitha is serving her fifth term on the PE. She was first called up to the PE in 2016 as 3rd vice-president alternate. She has served as trustee, senior trustee-elect and senior trustee. She was elected as 2nd vice-president in 2024.
An HEU member since 2005, Talitha has held many local positions, including chair, vice-chair, secretary, and treasurer. She served on the PE clerical subcommittee, and was co-chair of the retirement and pensions subcommittee.
Talitha serves on the CUPE National Advisory Committee on Pensions, and is a trustee on the MPP. She is also a CUPE National trustee for Alberta, Yukon Territories and B.C.
3rd vice-president Charlotte Millington (she/her) is a technical analyst from Royal Jubilee Local. She lives on the unceded territory of the Lekwungen/Songhees, and W̱SÁNEĆ.
Charlotte is serving her fourth PE term. She served as a regional vice-president (Vancouver Island), was elected 2nd vice-president in 2021 and 3rd vice-president in 2024. An HEU member since 2008, she’s a shop steward and member of her local labour-management committee.
She previously served as an FBA EDMP steward and co-chair of her local’s joint occupational health and safety committee. Charlotte is the HEU representative on the Victoria Labour Council and the United Way of Greater Victoria Labour Committee.
Trustees
Senior trustee Chris Batting (he/him) is a housekeeper from Adanac Park Lodge Local. He lives on the unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples.
Chris was called up to the PE as 3rd vice-president in 2020, and as a trustee in 2022. He has been involved at the local level as a senior trustee, trustee, and shop steward.
Senior trustee-elect Olivia Burgon (she/her) is a rehabilitation assistant from Queen’s Park Local. She lives on the unceded territory of the Qayqayt and Halkomelem.
Olivia was first elected trustee in 2022, and is now serving a four year term as senior trustee-elect. She is her local chair, shop steward and JOHSC worker representative. She has also served at her local as senior trustee and secretary-treasurer. Olivia also serves on the public advisory group for the redevelopment of Riverview Hospital in partnership with the Kwikwitlem First Nation and BC Housing.
Trustee Lisa Kreut lives on the unceded territory of the Qayqayt.
Lisa was elected as 2-Spirit, Women & Non-Binary diversity vice-president in 2022. She sat on the 2022 FBA bargaining committee and has served on HEU’s Pink Triangle and 2 Spirit, Women & Non-Binary standing committees, the occupational subcommittee, and the CLC Solidarity and Pride committee. An HEU member since 2008, Lisa is chair at her local, and has previously served as vice-chair, trustee, shop steward, and conductor. She’s also been a labour council delegate.
Regional vice-presidents, Fraser
Bonnie Hammermeister (she/her) is a care aide from Surrey Local. She lives on unceded territory of the Coast Salish, Semiahmoo, S’o’lh Temexw (Sto:lo), Kwantlen, Nuxwwsa’7aq Nation Peoples.
Bonnie is serving her third term on the PE. An HEU member since 1996, Bonnie is currently a dedicated shop steward and chair of her local. She has also served her local as secretary-treasurer, trustee, vice-chair, OHS steward, and lead shop steward. She was first elected to the PE in 2021.
Shivonne St. Pierre (she/her) is a care aide from Menno Home Local. She lives on the unceded territory of the S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), Semiahmoo, Kwantlen, and Nuxwsa’7aq (Nooksack) peoples.
This is Shivonne’s first term on the PE. An HEU member since 2022, Shivonne has served as shop steward, chair and vice-chair of her local, and co-chair of the Political Action subcommittee. She is also a delegate to the Fraser Valley Labour Council, a member facilitator through HEU’s education department, and active in a range of labour and community events and organizations.
Diane Tomei (she/her) is a pharmacy technician, from Chilliwack Amalgamated Local. She lives on the unceded territory of the Stó:lō people.
Diane is serving her second consecutive term as RVP Fraser. She became active in the union in 2006 as a shop steward and warden at Burnaby Hospital. Diane has served as chair, vice-chair, chief shop steward, secretary-treasurer, and Labour Council delegate.
She served on the FBA bargaining committee in 2022. Diane has also participated in the Fraser Valley Labour Council, the labour-management committee, and HEU’s patient care technical subcommittee.
Regional vice-presidents, Interior
Baljit Sandhu (he/him) is a health care assistant from Vernon Local. He lives on the unceded territories of the Sylix and Okanagan Peoples.
Baljit was called up to the PE in 2023 from first alternate, and in 2024 was elected as an RVP Interior. He has been an HEU member since 2011 and became active in the union in 2012. Baljit has served his local as chair, vice-chair, chief shop steward, shop steward, trustee, conductor, warden and OH&S steward, as well as serving on the Ethnic Diversity Standing Committee.
Barb Shukin (she/her) is an activity worker from F.W. Green Local. She lives on the unceded territory of the Qayqayt.
Barb was first elected to the PE in 2021. She currently serves as local chair and chief shop steward, and was previously vice-chair and secretary-treasurer. An HEU member since 1994, Barb has sat on the PE subcommittees for OH&S and Retirement and Pensions, and the People with Disabilities Standing Committee. She has also been a Labour Council delegate.
Kim McIlravey (she/her) is a care aide from 100 Mile Local. She lives on the unceded territory of the Secwepemc people.
This is Kim’s first term on the PE. She was elected first alternate for Interior RVP in 2022, and is a member of the Indigenous Peoples equity standing committee. At her local she has served as chair, lead shop steward and JOHSC worker representative. She has been an HEU member since 2014.
Regional vice-presidents, North
Lisa Crema (she/her) is a mental health worker and life skills support worker from Prince George Local. She lives on the unceded territory of the Lheidli T'enneh.
Lisa is serving her fifth term on the PE. An HEU member since 2003, Lisa is currently her local treasurer, shop steward, and OH&S representative. Previously a local trustee, she has also served on the union’s environment and occupational subcommittees. Lisa is a delegate to the North Central Labour Council in Prince George.
Tammy Meise (she/her) is a life skills support worker from Prince George Local. She lives on the unceded territory of the Lheidli T'enneh.
Tammy is serving her first term on the PE. An HEU member since 2002, she has been active at her local as a shop steward, chair, vice-chair, co-chair, warden and EDMP steward. She is a founder of the Prince George Red Dress Society.
Regional vice-presidents, Vancouver Coastal
Ranjit Uppal (she/her) is an OR booking/slating clerk from PHSA (Amalgamated) Local. She lives on the unceded territory of the Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen First Nations.
An HEU member since 1997, Ranjit has served her local as chair, vice-chair, lead shop steward, shop steward, and JOHS worker representative, and is currently a dedicated shop steward. She has been a member of the 2-Spirit, Women and Non-Binary equity standing committee, and an alternate member of the Ethnic Diversity standing committee.
Maria Lugs (she/her) is a care aide from Richmond Local. She lives on the unceded territories of the Musqueam Tsleil Waututh Nations and Coast Salish people.
Maria has been a care aide at the Minoru Residence for more than 20 years. She’s been a shop steward, chief shop steward, and is currently chairperson of the Richmond local. Maria is also active on the local joint occupational health and safety committee. In June 2022, she was called to the PE as a RVP Vancouver Coastal. She was elected to the position at HEU’s 2022 convention, and for a second time in 2024.
Ethel Purugganan (they/them) is a clerk from Normandy Local. They live on the unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples.
An HEU member since 2009, Ethel has been active as a local chair, vice-chair, shop steward, and JOHSC worker representative, and a member of the Pink Triangle standing committee. They have been involved in a range of community and labour organizations, and been a delegate to BC Federation of Labour and CLC conventions.
Regional vice-presidents, Vancouver Island
Phil Henderson (he/him) is a cook from Trillium Local. He lives on the unceded territory of the Qualicum people.
Phil was first elected to the PE in 2021. An HEU member since 2007, Phil recently left a private long-term care facility for work at a publicly funded facility. Phil has held many positions at his last local, including trustee, vice-chair, chair, shop steward, and OH&S steward.
Anna Caldwell (she/her) is a care aide from Victoria General Local. She lives on the unceded territory of the Lekwungen and Songhees.
This is Anna’s first term on the PE. She has served as chair and shop steward of her local, and has been an HEU member since 2014.
Diversity vice-presidents (DVP)
Ethnic Diversity DVP Cora Mojica (she/her) is a food services worker from VGH Local. She lives on the unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ Nations.
Cora has been an HEU member since 2005. She has been involved in her local as chairperson, chief shop steward, OH&S steward, and secretary-treasurer. Cora served on CUPE National’s Rainbow Committee as the HEU representative.
She was a bargaining representative in various contract talks with Sodexo from 2008-2022 and a member of HEU’s Living Wage campaign. Cora is currently a member of the Ethnic Diversity Standing Committee, and is the first Ethnic Diversity DVP.
Indigenous Peoples DVP Lynn Serhan (she/her) is a care aide from Armstrong Local. She lives on the unceded territory of the Splatsin people of the Okanagan Nation.
Lynn has been working as a long-term care aide for 21 years. An HEU member since 2008, she sits on the HEU Indigenous Peoples Standing Committee. Lynn is currently her local chair, chief shop steward, and OH&S steward and incorporates awareness about Indigenous issues into her local work. She is also a member of the North Okanagan Labour Council. Lynn is the first Indigenous Peoples DVP.
People with Disabilities DVP Jovito Espinoza (he/him) is a distribution attendant from PHSA (Amalgamated) Local . He lives on the unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples.
An HEU member since 2014, Jovito has served his local as a shop steward, chair, vice-chair, secretary-treasurer and JOHSC worker representative. He was a member of the People with Disabilities standing committee. Jovito is serving his first term on the PE.
Pink Triangle DVP Darlene Bown (she/her) is a care aide/porter from Victoria General Local. She lives on the unceded territory of the Lekwungen and Songhees.
Darlene has been an HEU member since 1988 with more than 25 years of experience doing HEU equity work. Darlene has held every local executive position, including chief shop steward, and is currently the treasurer.
Darlene has been active with equity standing committees for over 25 years and is also the co-chair of HEU’s Pink Triangle Standing Committee. She has also represented HEU for three terms on CUPE National’s Pink Triangle Committee. In 2022, Darlene was a delegate to the Victoria Labour Council and a member of the BCFED 2SLGBQTIA+ caucus. She is the first Pink Triangle DVP.
2-Spirit, Women & Non-Binary DVP Belina Fernandez (she/her) is a care aide from Victoria General Local. She lives on the unceded territory of the Lekwungen, Songhees, Esquimalt and Saanich First Nations.
Before joining the PE for the first time in 2024, Belina served as shop steward at her local, and was the co-chair of the 2-Spirit, Women & Non-Binary standing committee and the Political Action subcommittee.
Young Workers DVP Leanne La Guardia (she/her) is a stores attendant from PHSA (Amalgamated) Local. She lives on the unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples.
Leanne has been an HEU member since 2018, and is assistant secretary-treasurer at her local. This is her first term on the PE.