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 convention. An HEU member since 2006, Barb first joined the Provincial Executive in 2012 as Regional Vice-President (Interior), followed by 2nd Vice-President in 2014 and 1st Vice-President in 2016.
A frontline LPN until the BCNU raid, Barb worked as a care aide and health records clerk at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops. Barb has spent her career fighting for strong public health care and dignity for the seniors, patients, and families who rely on it. She has played a key role in defending health care against privatization, contract flipping in seniors’ care, and policies that undermine care standards and workers’ rights.
During the pandemic, Barb led the HEU through one of the most challenging periods in the union’s history. She championed enhanced protections for frontline workers, defended collective agreement rights, and pushed for stronger health and safety measures, staffing supports, and pandemic pay that recognized the contribution of health care workers across the province.
Before serving as HEU president, Barb was elected for several terms as president of the Kamloops & District Labour Council, where she helped drive community campaigns for family-supporting jobs. She has also contributed many years of service on committees of both CUPE and the B.C. Federation of Labour, bringing a strong rural and health care perspective to the broader labour movement.
As HEU President, Barb represents the union as a BCFED officer and continues her advocacy for equity, safer workplaces, fair wages, and the protection of our public health care. As a former single mom, Barb brings a deep understanding of the pressures on working families and remains committed to strengthening the services that help communities thrive.
Barb is proud to lead HEU members in their continued fight for respect, fairness, and more just health care: where workers are valued, communities are supported, and every British Columbian is treated with dignity and compassion.
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 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, 2024 and 2026.
An HEU member since 2002, Bill serves his local as lead shop steward and chair, and previously as senior trustee-elect and shop steward. Bill is also on the labour-management committee for Kardel local.
2nd vice-president Lisa Kreut lives on the unceded territory of the Qayqayt.
Lisa was first elected to the PE in 2022 as 2-Spirit, Women & Non-Binary diversity vice-president, and in 2024 was elected as Trustee. 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 has served her local as chair, vice-chair, trustee, shop steward, and conductor. She’s also been a labour council delegate.
3rd vice-president Christopher 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.
Christopher was called up to the PE as 3rd vice-president in 2020, as a trustee in 2022, and as Senior Trustee in 2024. He has been involved at the local level as a senior trustee, trustee, and shop steward.
Trustees
Senior trustee Ola Burgon (she/her) is a rehabilitation assistant from Queen’s Park Local. She lives on the unceded territory of the Qayqayt First Nations.
Ola was first elected Trustee in 2022, and as Senior Trustee-elect in 2024. She is also on the board of Directors for the BC Labour heritage centre, CUPE national childcare committee, public advisory group for the redevelopment of Riverview Hospital (səmiq̓wəʔelə) in partnership with the Kwikwitlem First Nation and BC Housing, the Provincial Allied Health Strategic Planning Advisory Network (PAHSPAN), and a Senior trustee for the BC Federation of Labour. She is her local chairperson, lead shop steward and JOHSC member rep, as well as a proud HEU member since 2005.
Senior trustee-elect 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 was first elected to the PE as RVP Vancouver Coastal in 2024. She 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.
Trustee 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.
Belina first joined the PE in 2024 as 2-Spirit, Women & Non-Binary DVP. Belina served as shop steward at her local, and was co-chair of the 2-Spirit, Women & Non-Binary standing committee. She also served on two PE subcommittees: Retirement and Pensions in 2020-22, and Environment from 2022-24.
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 fourth 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 second 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.
MJ Brown is a rehabilitation assistant from Surrey local.
Since becoming an HEU member in 2018, MJ has served his local as a shop steward, trustee and conductor, and supported Surrey Memorial Hospital strike headquarters. He was a member of the 2024-25 FBA bargaining committee, and was a PE alternate for the 2024-26 term.
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 first 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, lead shop steward, shop steward, trustee, conductor, warden and OH&S steward, as well as serving on the Ethnic Diversity Standing Committee.
Janet Boisvert (she/her) is a cook from Arrow Lakes local.
Janet has been an HEU member since 2022. She has served in her local as a shop steward, JOHS Committee worker representative, vice-chair and trustee.
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 second term on the PE. She was elected first alternate for Interior RVP in 2022, and Interior RVP in 2024. She 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
Kori Evans (she/her) is a patient porter from Prince Rupert local. She lives on the unceded territories of the Tsimshian people.
Kori has been an HEU member since 1994, and has worked in many different departments: dietary, laundry, housekeeping, CSR, lab, and most recently the OR as a patient porter. At the local level, she has served as lead shop steward, shop steward, JOHS Committee worker representative, chair, trustee, and more. She was elected first alternate for RVP North in 2024, and sat on the PE Climate Change Subcommittee in 2026. She is also involved in the North Coast and Haida Gwaii Labour Council where she has been a delegate, committee member and trustee.
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 second term on the PE as RVP North. 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
Brandon Houston (he/him) is an maintenance worker from St. Paul's Local. He lives on the unceded territories of the Semiahmoo First Nation.
Brandon joined HEU in 2016, and has served his locals as a dedicated shop steward, JOHSC worker representative, chair, trustee and bargaining committee member. He is currently chair of St. Paul's local.
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, lead 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 again in 2024 and 2026.
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
Jenni Sholdice (she/her) is a nursing unit assistant from Cumberland local. She lives on the unceded territory of the K’ómoks First Nation.
Jenni has served her local in various capacities since becoming an HEU member in 2001 – shop steward, secretary-treasurer, JOHSC worker representative, picket captain, and a worker rep at labour-management meetings. She has attended many HEU education workshops, and is a member of the political action committee of the Campbell River and Courtenay District Labour Council.
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 second 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, lead 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 lead 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 and Woman and Non-Binary DVP Karrie McCaig (she/her) is a care aide from Noric House local. She lives on the unceded territory of the Sylix/Okanagan people.
An HEU member since 1997, Karrie has served her local as shop steward, JOHS worker representative, chair, vice chair and trustee, and has been a member and a co-chair of the 2SWNB Equity Standing Committee. She has also been a North Okanagan Labour Council delegate.
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 second term on the PE.
Older Workers DVP Louella Vincent (she/her) is a community support worker from WHR Lower Mainland Local. She lives on the unceded territories of the Katzie, Kwantlen, Matsqui & Semiahmoo.
Louella is a long-serving member of the Provincial Executive, mostly recently called up as 3rd vice-president in 2026. A member since 1992, she has served on HEU’s environment, global justice, and political action subcommittees, and was a founding member of the Living Wage Campaign. Louella also champions the Red Dress Campaign to raise awareness of missing and murdered Indigenous women. She has served on the Community Social Services bargaining committee. Locally, she’s been chair, vice-chair, OH&S rep, trustee, and chief shop steward.