Mayor’s Task Force on Burnaby Economic Growth and Resilience

Angie Whitfield is the President & CEO of the Burnaby Board of Trade, the city’s largest business association and official economic development office. She leads a network of more than 1,100 businesses and works closely with government, industry, and post-secondary partners to strengthen Burnaby’s competitiveness and long-term economic resilience.

Angie brings over two decades of experience in business, major events, marketing, and community engagement. Her career includes senior leadership roles in regional business organizations where she guided organizational growth, expanded member value, and delivered programs that connected stakeholders across sectors.

At the BBOT, Angie is leading a renewed agenda focused on economic development, stronger partnerships, and modernized programming that supports businesses of all sizes. She is committed to delivering events, resources, and initiatives that help members connect, access opportunity, and prosper—while attracting new investment and strengthening Burnaby’s position as a dynamic, future-ready business hub.

Arjun Kadaleevanam is an innovation and economic development professional with experience across both the private and public sectors. He has worked across B.C.’s tech and startup ecosystem, focusing on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. His approach centres on strategy development and close engagement with industry to identify opportunities for growth and technology adoption.

Arjun has contributed to major provincial initiatives such as B.C.’s Clean and Competitive Blueprint and the Look West industrial strategy. He also brings experience leading economic development and investment attraction projects in B.C.’s Interior, supporting local businesses and helping communities recover in the post-pandemic period. Arjun is committed to strengthening B.C.’s innovation ecosystem and supporting regions like Burnaby as they build a competitive, resilient, and future-ready economy.

Brandon Atherley is a seasoned financial services leader with over 18 years of experience in Retail Banking, Small Business, Commercial Banking, and Wealth Management. With leadership roles at RBC, HSBC, and Scotiabank, Brandon is recognized for driving economic growth, strengthening business ecosystems, and supporting entrepreneurs across the Lower Mainland.

Carl Funk is the Director of Industrial Planning and Development at Beedie, where he leads complex industrial and employment-area projects across Metro Vancouver. A Registered Professional Planner with over a decade of experience, he has delivered residential, commercial, mixed-use, and industrial real estate developments.

As a Board Director of both the Burnaby Board of Trade and NAIOP, Carl brings a strong understanding of local business needs and the factors that drive a resilient, competitive economy. Outside of work, he coaches his kids’ soccer teams and is an active member of the community.

David Carley, originally from New Zealand, is a longtime Burnaby resident and part of a busy family with his wife and three teenagers. David spent 25 years at Microsoft leading regional and national initiatives in productivity, artificial intelligence, and sustainability. He is now the founder of a local advisory firm that helps organizations apply technology in practical ways that create both economic and environmental value. David is excited to be part of this task force and is keen not only to contribute his experience, but also to listen, learn, and collaborate with others. He looks forward to supporting local business innovation and helping advance Burnaby’s long-term vision under Burnaby 2050.

Isabel Kolic has been a Burnaby resident since 1997 and has served as Executive Director of the Heights Merchants Association since 2004. She brings more than 30 years of experience in communications, marketing and community relations, including 20 years focused on economic development. Isabel has worked across the public, private and non-profit sectors and previously owned a business. She holds a degree in Communications and a post-baccalaureate diploma in Community Economic Development, both from SFU. Isabel currently serves on the Board of Directors for Business Improvement Areas of BC and is a member of the Burnaby Board of Trade’s Environmental Sustainability Committee. A parent of two teens, Isabel is deeply committed to local economies, sustainability, her neighbourhood and the people of Burnaby.

Jay Mearns is from Musqueam and serves his nation as Director of Business Development for the Musqueam Capital Corporation (MCC), the business arm of Musqueam. The MCC Business Development Team works with Crown Corporations, Government-related institutions, Municipalities, and other Public and Private Sector contract holders to establish meaningful, mutually beneficial partnerships with industry to facilitate capacity developmental opportunities for the greater Musqueam Community.  This includes facilitating opportunities for Musqueam Member-Owned Businesses, in addition to career, educational, and social responsibility opportunities.

This innovative business development model was created by Jay and his team for Musqueam, by Musqueam community members, for the Musqueam community. By implementing this reconciliation-based business strategy with a focus on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) Calls to Action, and the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), which is now law at Federal, Provincial, and Municipal Government levels, Jay has created successful outcomes, for Musqueam, MCC Affiliated companies, and for major project holders.

Jay volunteers in his spare time for Skill Trades BC, formerly known as Industry Training Authority of BC, and provides advisory services to groups and people that have interest in developing their own business development models. Jay’s off time is spent golfing, hiking and hanging out with his dog Koquap.

As the Vice President, Community & Social Impact at Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Chair, Whitecaps FC Foundation, Jennifer is responsible for leading the overall strategic direction of the club’s community and philanthropic initiatives. 

Jennifer is passionate about leveraging the power of sport to build leaders and uplift communities. Throughout her career in professional and amateur sport, she has witnessed the capacity of sport to unify and connect communities.

Prior to joining Whitecaps FC, Jennifer was the Director of Sport Burnaby, where she built partnerships with governments, tourism partners, and sport organizations to bring notable events to Burnaby, BC, in driving positive economic, sport and social impact. She was Team BC’s first and youngest Chef de Mission for the 2019 & 2021 Canada Games.

John is Vice President of McCarthy Properties, where he is responsible for all management, operations, and leasing of the firms privately held real estate portfolio and works as a broker and consultant across multiple real estate asset classes. He is passionate about strengthening local communities through his work in real estate and philanthropy.

Ron Hrynuik grew up and has spent most of his life in Burnaby. He is married, has raised two sons, and is a proud grandfather. His education includes studies in Construction Management, CAD Design Drafting, and Public Assembly Facility Management. Over the years, Ron has designed and built two homes and fully renovated two others in Burnaby.

Ron spent 18 years with the BC Pavilion Corporation, managing events and facilities such as BC Place Stadium, the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre, and Tradex in the Fraser Valley. A career highlight was serving as Operations Manager for the inaugural Molson Indy racetrack around BC Place in 1989. For the past 20 years, Ron has managed Bridge Studios, hosting numerous feature films, television projects, and streaming productions. He has played a major role in designing and building 28 new sound stages across three TV/film studio campuses—all located in Burnaby.

Ron is dedicated to fostering projects that create jobs and drive economic growth for current and future generations. He takes pride in living and working in the City of Burnaby. Learn more. 

Tom leads the Global Supply Chain function at Svante. He is in charged with building a network of supply chain partners to deliver our carbon capture vision. After a career in management consulting with a specialization in Distribution and Logistics, Tom held senior Supply Chain leadership roles in the fuel cell industry, advanced hybrid vehicles, and industrial distribution. His work experience spans Canada, the US, Europe and Asia. 

Tom received a Bachelor of Science degree with High Honours in Physics, and a Master of Science degree in Nuclear Physics, both from the University of Saskatchewan. He received an MBA from the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.

Tom is currently serving as a Director on the Burnaby Board of Trade, as well as serving on the Advisory Board at SFU’s School of Sustainable Energy Engineering.

Dr. Vidya Vankayala serves as Director of the Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team at BCIT, where he partners with diverse stakeholders to advance resilient energy systems across British Columbia. Drawing on over 30 years of experience spanning utilities and technology sectors, he collaborates with companies of all sizes—from startups to established utilities—to support Canada’s energy sector.

A long-time Burnaby resident, Vidya balances his professional pursuits with his passion for music, finding harmony between technical precision and creative expression. He received his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Calgary. 

He is IEEE Senior Member, GridForward board member, and a trusted advisor to the industry, he brings together industry leaders, technology players and community organizations to tackle complex energy challenges. Whether mentoring emerging engineers, consulting with utilities, or serving on nonprofit boards, Vidya remains committed to collaborative approaches that strengthen our communities and energy future.