Our Team
Reciprocity, care and respect:
Passionate Leaders &
Community Builders
The Rise Up! Team is a group of passionate leaders and community builders across BC who will be working alongside youth, local businesses and organizations, and community partners, to strengthen food systems and environmental stewardship through meaningful relationships.
With gratitude to the Indigenous peoples whose lands we live and work on across Turtle Island, we carry values of reciprocity, care, and respect into everything we do.
Our team offers hands-on support, mentorship, and connection to help youth rise up to the challenges faced in their communities —and grow into the leaders they are meant to be.
Together, we’re cultivating a resilient ecosystem —one that centers youth voices, uplifts community, and deepens our collective care for food and the environment for a thriving future for all.
Meet the
Rise Up! Team
Lauren Bernardi (she/her)
Provincial Manager
Rise Up!
Lauren Bernardi is a passionate advocate for equitable food systems and youth engagement. She leads the Rise Up! program at the Public Health Association of BC (PHABC), connecting youth with hands-on opportunities across the food system — from farms to food banks to conservation initiatives.
With experience in agroecology, environmental education, and community-based programming across BC and internationally, Lauren is committed to contributing to an inclusive, place-based food system that leaves no one behind.
She holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Food Systems from the United Nations University for Peace in Costa Rica. Raised in Ligwiłda’xw territory (Campbell River), she now lives on the traditional lands of the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples (Victoria, BC).
Benjamin Ziakin (he/him)
Island Regional Lead
Rise Up!
Benjamin Ziakin is grateful to reside in the traditional and unceded territory of the Stz’uminus People and has called Vancouver Island home for most of his life. His passions include food, gardening, music, woodworking, and understanding the natural world.
With a background in mental health outreach, agriculture, permaculture, and entrepreneurship, Ben brings a wide array of knowledge and skills to his work in food security. Ben deeply values curiosity, compassion, community, and hands-on learning.
He is thrilled to have the opportunity to connect and empower people to build more inclusive and resilient food systems.
Jo Van Winkle (they/he)
Northern Regional Lead
Rise Up!
Jo was born and raised on the ancestral, unceded territories of the Stó:lōCoast Salish people, specifically the Pilalt, Ts’elxwéyeqw, and Sema:th, but has been honoured to call Prince George home for the past several years. They are grateful to get to live, work, and play on the traditional and unceded territories of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, part of the Dakelh (Carrier) peoples’ territory. Jo is an avid home gardener and composter and has worked and volunteered in local food systems during his time up North.
Jo recently completed their Undergraduate Degree in Community/Population Health – Environmental Health with a minor in First Nations Studies and is excited to put their education to use! Jo is driven to work towards a more just and inclusive world where we can all contribute positively to our local food systems, environment, and communities. As a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Jo understands the importance of fostering community and hopes to help the youth in Rise Up! to do just that!
In their spare time, Jo can be found weeding, collecting rocks, embroidering, or spending time with their two cats and partner.
Megan Viszlai (she/her)
Interior Regional Lead
Rise Up!
Megan (she/her) grew up on the traditional and unceded lands of the Syilx Okanagan People in Vernon, BC. She’s grateful to live and work on these lands again after calling the territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations home for the past several years in Vancouver.
Megan brings a passion for building sustainable and equitable communities with food justice at the centre. With a background in systems thinking, operations, and food literacy education, she believes in the impact of knowledge-sharing and trust-based relationships across sectors to drive change. She’s excited to connect and support organizations and youth with hands-on opportunities to strengthen our local food systems.
When she’s not working, Megan loves exploring new cafes, playing board games, and spending quality time with her partner and two kitties.
Payal Parti (she/her)
Fraser Regional Lead
Rise Up!
Payal (she/her) lives on the unceded traditional territories of the Katzie, Kwantlen, and Semiahmoo First Nations, now known as Surrey.
Payal has an educational background in Food, Nutrition, and Health, and brings a diverse range of experiences in community and youth engagement, particularly in food systems, health promotion, and career mentorship. Driven by her passion for public health, equity, and youth empowerment, Payal is dedicated to building healthier communities for all through community capacity-building, collaboration, and addressing the social determinants of health.
In her spare time, Payal enjoys spending time outdoors. This includes walking, running, or hiking on the beautiful nature trails scattered throughout the Lower Mainland.
Tegan McGowan (she/her)
Vancouver Coastal Regional Lead
Rise Up!
Tegan was born in Aotearoa New Zealand and now lives in gratitude on the unceded traditional territories of the Musqueum, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, now known as Vancouver.
Tegan has a background in public health nutrition, health promotion and food system change, both in non-profit and government. She is motivated by a vision of food sovereign communities living in good relation with the land, and an equitable food system that priorities people and planet. Tegan is passionate about shaping the wider determinants of health that enable people to live well and thrive.
Tegan loves to spend her time hiking, growing, cooking and sharing food with community and is always finding time to move in the sun.
Samantha Piansay (she/her)
Communications Specialist
Rise Up!
Samantha is deeply grateful to live, work, and play on the ancestral, traditional, and unceded territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations. Having grown up on these lands and been surrounded by their natural beauty, she feels incredibly fortunate to call this place home.
Samantha developed a passion for visual storytelling at eight years old. This creative passion grew throughout her school years, and eventually, into her career. As the photographer and videographer for a corporate brand, she was in charge of producing high-quality product and lifestyle shots that transformed and modernized the company’s entire website. That hands-on experience eventually led her to PHABC, where she helped launch Rise Up!
Now, as PHABC’s Communications Specialist, she aims to tell stories that emotionally resonate and inspire action. Sam takes pride in building meaningful connections through her work and believes that effective communication can be a powerful tool for positive change. Sam is excited to continue growing her skills and supporting initiatives that promote equity, community engagement, and public health awareness across BC.
When she’s not working, Samantha stays grounded and inspired through volleyball, meditation, and listening to music. These activities help recharge her creativity and energy.
Hanna Zavala (they/them)
UX/UI Designer
Rise Up!
Hanna is a UX/UI designer with a background in user centered design. Originally from California, they earned a Bachelor’s of Computer Science and Psychology from the University of Victoria and now live on the unceded ancestral territories of the Lekwungen peoples.
Hanna also volunteers with a local grassroots organization focused on increasing food security in the community.
In the rest of their spare time, Hanna enjoys reading, photography, and hanging out with their cat.
Rise Up! Leadership
Dr. Shannon Turner (she/her)
Executive Director
Public Health Association of BC
Richard Han (he/him)
Senior Director of Public Health and Community Engagement
Public Health Association of BC
Guy Lagacé
Senior IT Director
Public Health Association of BC
Selenna Ho (she/her)
Communications Director
Public Health Association of BC
Christina Lavoie (she/her)
Operations Director
Public Health Association of BC
