Board Members

Scott Michael Murray, Board Chair and Chair, Audit and Finance Committee, joined the Langara College Board in 2020 and previously served as First Vice-Chair from August 2023 to July 2025. He has also chaired the Board’s Audit and Finance Committee since January 2023.  

Mr. Murray is a senior consulting leader in EY’s Government and Public Sector practice, bringing nearly 15 years of diverse experience across multiple sectors and operational roles. His background includes work with numerous higher education institutions throughout Canada.  

Murray holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from Edith Cowan University, and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Australia.

(Term of Appointment: July 31, 2020 - July 31, 2026)

Stephen Howard, Board Second Vice-Chair, is an award-winning communicator and strategist with over 35 years of experience as a senior staff person and advocate in shaping public policy in British Columbia. Mr. Howard was Vice President at Strategies 360, Director of Communications at British Columbia Federation of Labour, Principal at Change Communications, and Chief of Staff for the Leader of the Official Opposition of British Columbia. He also was National Communications Director at Canadian Union of Public Employees, Communications Officer at British Columbia Government and Service Employees’ Union, and Director of Communications at Hospital Employees’ Union. Active in his community, Mr. Howard was Member of the Board of Governors at the University of British Columbia and President at Simon Fraser Student Society. He holds a Journalism Certificate from Vancouver Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Latin American Studies from Simon Fraser University.

(Term of Appointment: July 31, 2022 - July 31, 2026)

Willa Choy, is a Chartered Professional Accountant and a Chartered Director who believes that everyone has the potential to be their personal best when they are given opportunities to grow. She is a seasoned audit professional with over 25 years auditing experience; and is a trusted advisor to both Management and the Board of Directors on risk, compliance, operational improvements, and corporate governance. She is active in the community, serves on the Board of Directors for Brightside Community Homes Foundation as their Secretary/Treasurer and Chair, Finance & Audit Committee. Willa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a Certificate in Human Resources Management, along with multiple professional designations. She was the 2012 recipient of the Top Talent Award for demonstrated strategic leadership and academic performance in the Certified Management Accountant Executive Program.

(Term of Appointment: May 21, 2024 - July 31, 2027)

 Mark Goldberg recently joined the British Columbia Lottery Corporation as the Chief Information Officer, bringing strong leadership and experience as an Information Technology executive. Before joining BCLC, Mr. Goldberg was the Vice President/CIO, Information Technology and Global Real Estate and Facilities at Hootsuite. Prior to that, he was the Vice President of IT for Finning International. He is Founder and Principal at The Virtual CIO and, as a management consultant, Mr. Goldberg worked on digital transformation and strategy initiatives for such organizations as Rocky Mountaineer, No Limits/Saxx, Teck Resources and Intrawest. He is active in his community, serving as a volunteer Board committee member on the Workday Advisory Committee for the EPR and Student Systems implementation at Langara College, and as a member of the United Way British Columbia’s Campaign Cabinet.

(Term of Appointment: July 10, 2023 - July 31, 2026)

Joey Hartman retired as President of the Vancouver & District Labour Council in February 2018. A respected community and social justice advocate, she currently serves on the Boards of Pacific Blue Cross, the BC Labour Heritage Centre, the Mayne Island Improvement District and the SFU Labour Studies Advisory Committee. She has extensive governance experience, having previously served with Vancouver Community College, the United Way and the Council of Canadians. She holds a Certificate in Early Childhood Education from Capilano College.

(Term of Appointment: July 31, 2025 - July 31, 2027)

Sophie Song-Yi Jeon is a purpose-driven leader with a strong private sector background in global operations, communications, and community engagement. She currently serves as the global packaging and labelling operations manager at lululemon, and brings over a decade of experience across industries including retail, finance, and public affairs. As a former international student and first-generation immigrant, Sophie is passionate about mentorship, advancing gender equity, and expanding access to education. She holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) designation, Scrum Master certification, a Master of Business Administration from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Simon Fraser University.

(Term of Appointment: July 31, 2025 - July 31, 2027) 

Cindy Lee is a lawyer whose practice focuses on tax law, estate planning, and immigration. She brings a unique combination of legal precision, strategic thinking, and deep community engagement to her work. With experience spanning high-level legal practice and frontline newcomer support through S.U.C.C.E.S.S., Cindy offers practical, compassionate legal solutions tailored to individuals, families, and small business owners across British Columbia. She also serves as vice president of the Burnaby North Road Business Improvement Association, where she advocates for small businesses and contributes to initiatives that promote local economic growth and inclusive community development. Ms. Lee holds a Juris Doctor from the University of British Columbia, a Master of Arts in International Relations and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from National Taiwan University. 

(Term of Appointment: July 31, 2025 - July 31, 2027) 

Dawen Nozdryn-Plotnicki is a dynamic tech entrepreneur and independent board member with global experience. With a strong background in applied AI, operations research, and executive leadership, she excels at building high performing teams to bridge the gap between technology and business to drive growth. She is the co-founder of Vancouver-based AI software company Powerhouse Labs. Dawen has a proven track record of launching innovative solutions, expanding into new markets, and forging strategic partnerships. Her experience spans aerospace & defense, healthcare, and energy & utilities, across both global corporations and startups. Dawen currently serves on the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre Board and its Finance and Risk Committee. She holds a Master of Management in Operations Research and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of British Columbia. 

(Term of Appointment: July 31, 2025 - July 31, 2027) 

Cole Rheaume has over twenty years of experience working with non-profits, Indigenous groups and community based organizations facilitating dialogue. He has earned a reputation as a strategic thinker, a natural leader and an enthusiastic addition to any team seeking change and innovation for their projects and organizations. Cole has developed community programs, policies and initiatives through working collaboratively with boards, senior management and staff, community members, and various levels of governments. Cole works well with his clients to identify their needs and determine their priorities and strengths. He strives to ensure that the initiatives he’s involved with are culturally appropriate and led by the local communities. As the managing partner of Mi’kmwesu Management, Cole is currently working with:

• Shaw and Bell-First Nations Community Engagement Advisor
• BC Assembly of First Nations-Event Planning & Special Projects Advisor
• Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business-Progressive Aboriginal Relations Verifier

(Term of Appointment: July 31, 2020 - July 31, 2026)

Nick Smith, Governance and Nominating Committee Chair, is a Principal Lawyer at Miller Titerle Law Corporation (MT+Co), specializing in Indigenous business. He is of Cree and European descent, and his family is from the Ermineskin Cree Nation (a Treaty 6 Nation). Nick works primarily with First Nations and Indigenous-owned businesses and not-for-profit societies. Nick supports First Nations with economic development, governance, natural resource development, child and family services, government-to-government agreements, and the ongoing implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in BC and Canada.

Nick previously worked for a global law firm in Vancouver and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering from the University of British Columbia and a Juris Doctor from the Peter A. Allard School of Law at UBC. Nick is active in his community as a mentor to law students through the Canadian Bar Association (BC Branch) mentorship program, an alumnus of the Indigenous legal studies program at the Peter A. Allard School of Law, and a member of the Indigenous Bar Association.

(Term of Appointment: December 8, 2023 - July 31, 2027)