The City of Burnaby has appointed 15 local business and community leaders to the Mayor’s Task Force on Burnaby Economic Growth and Resilience.
“Thank you to all the local leaders who stepped up to be a part of this important initiative for Burnaby,” said Mayor Mike Hurley. “This group reflects the strengths and diversity of our business community. Over the next six months, they will help us chart practical, community‑driven steps that strengthen Burnaby’s position as a leading hub for business and innovation.”
Chaired by Mayor Mike Hurley, the Task Force will engage with the business community to develop Burnaby-specific strategies to capitalize on our community’s existing strengths and enhance its economic resilience in a rapidly changing global landscape.
In addition to Mayor Hurley, the Task Force will comprise of:
- Councillor James Wang
- Councillor Maita Santiago
- Councillor Richard T. Lee
- Angie Whitfield, President & Chief Executive Officer — Burnaby Board of Trade
- Arjun Kadaleevanam, Senior Policy Analyst — Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
- Brandon Atherley, Manager, Business Markets — Royal Bank of Canada
- Carl Funk, Director of Industrial Planning & Development — Beedie
- David Carley, Founder — SustainTech Solutions
- Isabel Kolic, Executive Director — Heights Merchants Association
- Jay Mearns, Director of Business Development — Musqueam Capital Corporation
- Jennifer Scott, Vice President, Community and Social Impact — Vancouver Whitecaps
- John McCarthy, Vice President — McCarthy Properties
- Ron Hrynuik, General Manager — Bridge Studios
- Tom Dielschneider, Senior VP, Global Supply Chain and Operations — Svante Technologies Inc.
- Dr. Vidya Vankayala, Director, Centre of Applied Research and Innovation — BCIT
The Task Force will convene in January 2026 and serve for 6 months before delivering their findings to Burnaby City Council and recommending actionable steps that strengthen long‑term resilience, encourage innovation and support business success.
The Task Force will be timed to support and align with key City actions, including the completion of the update to Burnaby’s Official Community Plan (OCP) and the update to the City’s Economic Development Strategy (EDS).
Learn more: Mayor’s Task Force on Burnaby Economic Growth and Resilience