Staff Team

Adriana joined the Kinbrace staff team in 2006. Her main role is to welcome new residents into the community by providing orientation, advocacy, and accompaniment.

She lives in Port Moody with her husband Paco and their two adult children, Marcelo and Sofia. Adriana's whole family has been part of the Kinbrace community since 2004.

Alex joined the Kinbrace team in 2023 to engage with community, and amplify resources for refugee claimants. She is a collaborative leader with professional and academic background in forced displacement. Alex has worked with local and international organizations, the UN, and as an advisor with various levels of government across Canada. Alex is passionate about advocating alongside refugee claimants and enhancing experiences of welcome, belonging, safety and respect. Outside of work, Alex enjoys exploring nature with her young family.

Amanda joined the Kinbrace team in 2023. Her role involves overseeing and collaborating with the Settlement Team, which provides guidance and support to refugee claimant residents in their settlement journey. Amanda has previous experience working in forced displacement, including in advocacy, policy, and various roles at a local settlement organization. She holds a Master of Laws in International Migration and Refugee Law and Policy. In her free time, Amanda enjoys crocheting, watching baseball, running, and exploring nature with her friends and family.

Ebenezer has been a part of the Kinbrace community since May 2019. He serves as the administrator, providing support in the areas of finance, human resources, and records management. Ebenezer has degrees in business and theology. He also has several years of experience working with various organizations. He is currently pursuing an advanced master's degree at Regent College. When he is not at Kinbrace, he and his wife are hanging out together doing fun activities in Vancouver.

As the Community Coordinator, Julie has the joy of creating opportunities for Kinbrace residents to develop friendships with other residents, volunteers, neighbours, and staff members. Julie spent many years living intentionally in community in Ontario before moving to the Vancouver area with her husband Darren and three young kids. She loves being near the ocean, gardening, hosting people in her home, and baking bread.

Kerry joined the Kinbrace team in August 2023. Coming from Ireland, she is learning alongside refugee claimants to settle into Vancouver life. Kerry comes from the hospitality industry, and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Geography. While living and working at Kinbrace, she hopes to expand her experience of welcome & community in a world of displacement. Kerry provides orientation, support, & a hot cup of tea.

Laura joined the Kinbrace team in 2019. She brings extensive fundraising experience specializing in Major Gifts and Community Fundraising. Laura lives locally with her family in East Vancouver and is passionate about this community. She enjoys baking, building new relationships, travels and spending time outdoors.

Loren is one of the co-founders of Kinbrace and lived with his family in the transformational housing community from 1998-2017. In his role as Acting Executive Director, Loren works with the Board of Directors to promote the values and strategic vision of Kinbrace while resourcing its mission to support refugee claimants regionally and nationally. Loren lives with his partner Tama and their two young-adult children Abigail and Oliver in New Westminster.

Masi joined the Kinbrace team in January 2022 to ensure refugee claimants in BC and across Canada are prepared for their refugee hearings. She does this by coordinating and facilitating the Ready Tours and the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD) Information Sessions in collaboration with the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. Since 2014, Masi has been working passionately for the wellbeing of refugee claimants and their access to services. She has a BA and MA in language and cultural studies. She loves cooking, reading books, watching movies, and spending time with her family.

With his refugee claimant background, Mohammed has been advocating for refugee claimants' right to work, settle and more with different organizations and institutions including his internship position with the Multi Agency Partnership (MAP BC). Seeing the challenges people around the world face on a daily basis, Mohammed has directed his educational and professional experience towards easing and solving life’s difficulties and ending violence. He is excited to bring that passion to his role at Kinbrace helping refugee claimants find home.

Sophia joined the Kinbrace team in 2020, having recently returned to her home base of East Vancouver from the UK where she worked on issues of immigration detention. Her role is to coordinate the Ready Tours and lead the My Refugee Claim public legal education and information project. Sophia is passionate about access to justice. She holds a BA in International Studies and an MSc in Human Rights. When she is not working, you can often find Sophia sitting somewhere on Commercial Drive with a coffee and a book, or out for a neighbourhood walk with her family.

Stephanie joined Kinbrace in June 2024 as the administrator. Originally from Brazil, Stephanie moved to Vancouver to pursue her Master's in Theology at Regent College, following her Bachelor’s degree in International Relations. In her role, she manages key administrative functions, including overseeing financial processes, supporting human resources, and maintaining important records. Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys relaxing at the beach, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, and immersing herself in Brazilian music.