President:
Lana Love
She/Her
Lana Love is a journey level millwright and certified Fourth Class Power Engineer. She works as a Plant Manager for Spotless Uniform, an industrial laundry facility. Previously, she worked as a field operator for Arbios Biotech at the first commercial scale biomass to liquids facility in the world. She also worked in sawmills for 11 years where she completed her millwright apprenticeship, worked as a journey millwright and then was promoted to Maintenance Supervisor. She was the first woman to complete a millwright apprenticeship and work in the role of maintenance supervisor with the Solid Wood Division of Canfor. Lana previously completed her ‘C’ Level welding and worked fabricating and welding Porsche Speedster replicas at Intermeccanica International Inc. in Vancouver.
When she worked for Canfor she was a member of Canfor’s Inclusion and Diversity Council, Women’s Engagement Group and Indigenous Engagement Group.
In 2021, Lana completed the Leaders in Trades training with the BC Centre for Women In The Trades. She was first elected as Director at Large for the BC Trades Equity Society for 2021. Lana is driven to help change the culture of industrial and trades workplaces to be more inclusive to women and other underrepresented groups so that anyone who wants to can enjoy the many advantages of a career in the trades.
In addition to her role on the BC Trades Equity Society, Lana is also a Director on the board for SkilledTradesBC and is chair of the Skilled Trades Certification Sub-Committee.
When Lana is not working, she enjoys relaxing at home, spending time with her husband and daughter, reading, knitting, gardening and going on adventures in the mountains.
Vice President:
Lisa Scott
Lisa Scott is a Red Seal Electrician with over 20 years of experience in the skilled trades. After setting down her tools in 2024, Lisa joined the Construction Foundation of BC as a Catalyst for Apprenticeship Promotion and Progression. In this role, she travels throughout BC promoting careers in the skilled trades, does hands-on workshops, career exploration, and apprenticeship pathways.
Lisa is passionate about creating opportunities for underrepresented groups in the trades, particularly for women, girls, and Indigenous youth. She leads Trade Discovery Camps, and hosts Women in Trades meetups across the province.
Lisa also serves as a board member for the College of New Caledonia, is a board of governance with the BC Centre for Women in the Trades, and was a past Vice Chair of the CUPE BC Skilled Trades Committee.
Lisa brings over two decades of industry experience, leadership, and lived perspective to her advocacy. She believes everyone deserves the opportunity to build a career in the trades—and the support, connections, and sense of belonging needed to succeed.
Treasurer:
Annabelle La Londe
She/Her
Annabelle is a Red Seal Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) working in a coal mine in Tumbler Ridge, BC. Her journey into the skilled trades began in 2021 with a contracting company, where she discovered a passion for hands-on work, problem-solving, and the challenges that come with working in a skilled trade. What began as a career path quickly grew into a passion for the trades and a desire to help others discover the opportunities they can provide.
Annabelle completed her Red Seal certification in October 2025, an accomplishment that reflects her dedication, perseverance, and commitment to her trade. Along the way, she has challenged herself through Skills Canada competitions, earning a Gold Medal at the 2024 Skills Canada BC competition, placing 4th at the 2024 Skills Canada National Competition, and earning a Silver Medal at the 2025 Skills Canada BC competition.
Safety, teamwork, and service are also important parts of Annabelle’s career. She is a member of her mine’s, Mine Rescue and Emergency Response Team, where she serves as a medic. This role has given her the opportunity to support her coworkers in high-pressure situations while continuing to develop her leadership, emergency-response, and teamwork skills.
Beyond her work in the field, Annabelle is passionate about creating opportunities and building confidence for others entering the skilled trades. She is an Administrator for the Prince George and Area Women in Trades and industry group. She also volunteers with the Construction Foundation of BC at Trades Discovery Camps, where she helps introduce young people to the trades and encourages them to see themselves in careers they may not have previously considered.
In 2026, Annabelle took on the role of Treasurer on the Executive Board of the BC Trades Equity Society. She is proud to contribute her experience, perspective, and passion to an organization working to create more equitable, inclusive, and accessible opportunities within the trades.
Secretary:
Nicole Wiet
She/Her
Nicole is a third-generation IUEC elevator mechanic, advocate, educator, and longtime champion for equity in the skilled trades. Her journey in the trades began in 2008 on Vancouver Island, following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather. She became a member of IUEC Local 82 in 2009 and has spent her career not only working in the elevator industry, but also working to make the trades a better place for everyone.
Over the years, Nicole has worked in service and new construction, taking on roles as an elevator mechanic, foreperson, adjuster, mentor, and Shop Steward. She also served two terms on the IUEC Local 82 Executive Board, becoming the first woman elected to a leadership position in her local. These experiences gave her a firsthand understanding of both the opportunities and barriers that can shape a person’s experience in the skilled trades.
In 2016, the BC Trades Equity Society (formerly the BC Tradeswomen Society) was created. Nicole was part of a group of people who believed that tradeswomen deserved better support, stronger networks, and workplaces where they could build long and successful careers. As a founding director of the BC Trades Equity Society, she has been part of the organization’s growth from the beginning. She currently serves as Secretary, having previously served as President, and continues to be deeply involved in advancing the Society’s work.
For Nicole, equity in the trades is about more than numbers. It is about creating workplaces where people feel respected, supported, and able to be themselves. It is about making sure that the next person who walks onto a jobsite can see a place for themselves there and has the tools, mentorship, and community they need to thrive.
Nicole is passionate about connecting people, sharing knowledge, and creating opportunities for others. She has organized and spoken at events across Canada, supported leadership and mentorship initiatives, and advocated for meaningful change within unions, employers, and the broader skilled trades community. She believes that real change happens when we listen to people’s experiences, build relationships, and work together to challenge the systems and practices that create barriers.
Today, Nicole works as a National Coordinator with the Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund and continues to contribute to initiatives focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the industry. She is also a QEITF instructor, Co-Chair of the IUEC Tradeswomen Build Nations Committee, and a member of the NABTU Tradeswomen Build Nations Committee.
Nicole’s work is grounded in a simple belief: everyone deserves the opportunity to find meaningful work, build a career, and feel that they belong. She is proud to be part of a community that is working to make that a reality across the skilled trades.
Outside of her professional and advocacy work, Nicole is a lifelong learner and a passionate speaker who loves bringing people together, sharing stories, and creating connections that lead to positive change.
Director at Large:
Meghann Barsalou
BC Born and Raised by a strong single mother, Meghann’s unique brain has taken her down many paths!
Meghann was the only girl in her high school woodworking class, and she never understood why more girls weren’t interested in the class. Meghann’s carpentry journey officially started in 2005 when she attended Malaspina College (now VIU) for a 9 month Framer Technician program!
Meghann’s apprenticeship took her to waterfront locations building homes worth millions! Every day was a new adventure, and another challenge to overcome. Working outdoors every day is grueling, however she says that she never had so much pride in herself for putting in the long hours and hard work.
in 2010 Meghann got the chance to move to Duncan and work for a timberframing company, where she worked on restoration of the Kinsol Trestle, the Nanaimo Bastion historical building, and other historic sites. The Love of Historical preservation was awakenedat this time!!
2011 Red Seal Certification!!!!!!
With the Journey as an apprentice completed, Meghann found herself moving to Alberta to work union for the first time in the ‘patch’. Working in camps was a new and exciting experience, where she learned more about life than work.
2016 The coast is calling! with Alberta slowing down, Meghann found an opportunity to return to BC, the North Pacific Cannery was looking for forepersons to Train a group of apprentices, as well as restore the historic site. so, off she went to Prince Rupert for that 9 month contract.
2020 BC Center for Women in the Trades leaders in trades training program at Harrison changed her life yet again!! Being connecteted wtih other trades women who want to make a difference for the next generation of trades workers was life changing in the best way
Meghann is still residing in Prince Rupert, and has become an entrepreneur, check out her website to see what she has been up to: carpentermeghannb.ca
Meghann is currently sharing her skill set with homeowners and youth where she lives.
Director at Large:
Amandeep Beesla
Amandeep Beesla was born and raised in Vancouver BC, Canada into an immigrant trucking family. She is a third generation, heavy equipment operator by trade with over 20 years of onsite field experience in heavy industrial construction, civil road building, pipeline, winter drilling, open-pit mining, earth works, live process plants, SAGD sites, infrastructure, transportation and trucking, petrochemical, and oil and gas field industry in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Washington State and has been on international projects as part of global teams.
Amandeep is a proud member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 955 Fort McMurray Alberta Canada and has roots with Teamsters Vancouver. She is involved with various boards, committees, associations, and organizations highlighting her education and experience with women in the trades and construction, as well as being a visible minority. Amandeep is passionate about tradeswomen’s rights, equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion, mentoring new and young workers, and mental health. This has led her to pursue a career path in health and safety.
In her spare time, Amandeep loves to kickbox, ride motorcycles, read, cook, go camping, quading, 4x4ing, shooting, hiking, swimming, and enjoys going out to live sports events, games, concerts, and working out.
Director at Large:
Rochelle Huckabay
Rochelle Huckabay joined the BC Trades Equity Society Board of Directors in January of 2026.
She is a dual-ticketed red seal steamfitter/pipefitter and welder working primarily in the oil and gas sector since 1998.
Growing up in Fort Nelson, she had the opportunity to work at the local natural gas plant; still in high school, she was the plant inspector’s assigned summer student which was the beginning of her career.
She obtained the Oil and Gas Field Operations certification, working the pipelines all over Northern BC.
Additionally, she has worked in Alberta, BC and Nunavut performing plant shutdowns, maintenance, and new construction. Eventually she stepped into quality control/quality assurance roles, and now has obtained a number of inspection certifications.
Rochelle has called Prince George home since 2005, and is currently employed locally as a Boiler Safety Officer working for the provincial regulator, a career she loves.
In 2018, Rochelle founded the Prince George and Area Women in Trades & Industry community group which supports women working in non-traditional roles. The group hosts casual monthly meetups and special events.
She also participated in the Regional Trades Representative training (aka: Leaders in Trades Training) facilitated by BC Centre for Women in the Trades and Skilled Trades BC.
Rochelle has an amazing husband (also a steamfitter/pipefitter) and is mother to two hockey-playing kids, a son and a daughter.
She can usually be found sipping coffee at the arenas on the weekends.
She enjoys traveling, hiking, camping, dancing, going to concerts, and riding her Harley.
Director at Large:
Lindsay Kearns
She/Her
Lindsay is a Red Seal journey electrician, a proud IBEW member, queer person, and parent, who is currently working on equity and inclusion in the skilled trades for the BC Centre for Women in the Trades. She has a background in community organizing, urban geography, and food security issues. Lindsay is a settler who grew up in Toronto and has made her home on unceded lək̓ʷəŋən land in Victoria since 2001. She is the vice-chair of the Board of Governors for Camosun College, serves as the recording secretary for the Victoria Unit of IBEW Local 230, and sits on the JEDI Committee of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF-FCA).
Director at Large:
Anna Lary
I am an Electrician and Project Lead of the ConnectHER Hub at BCIT. I am passionate about the skilled trades, education, and equity. I worked in the field as an electrician for 16 years before coming to BCIT and then taught in the Electrical Apprenticeship Program for 12 years. I have completed the Provincial Instructor Diploma and a Master of Education specializing in Curriculum and Instruction. I bring with me empathy and understanding, grounded in my lived experience, with the biological and social realities of being a woman in almost exclusively male workplaces.
I am committed to equity and inclusion, and am so pleased to be a part of the necessary work to remove barriers to the participation of women and equity-priority groups in the trades. It is my belief that this will improve the experiences of all skilled trades workers.
I obtained my Red Seal in 2002 and am a BC Master Electrician and Field Service Representative Class B, allowing me to supervise electrical installations up to 750 V. I have a deep knowledge of the apprenticeship process in the industries that are the backbone of the Canadian economy. I derive great satisfaction from electrical work; layers of experience, education and mechanical skills inform every aspect of my work. I spent fifteen years of electrical work in the residential, commercial, service and film industries, as apprentice, journeyperson and supervisor. I am familiar with the challenges faced by educators who move from industry into teaching roles.
I have engaged in peer mentorship to help my colleagues adapt to teaching online during the pandemic and to assist them with their instructional practices. As an educator I am faced daily with the challenge of using methods of assessment to authentically measure the skills required to be an electrician. I am excited to see how evolving technology and educational models create innovation around assessment.
While many would look at the woeful statistics around women’s participation in the trades and despair, I see tremendous opportunity for progress. I have a strong sense that Canadian apprentices deserve more, and that equity groups in apprenticeship deserve more. I am a change agent promoting this evolution.
Director at Large:
Tatjana Martin
Tatjana Martin lives in the West Kootenays on the unceded ancestral grounds of the Sinixt and Ktunaxa Indian Bands. She has been an industrial electrician for approximately 30+ years working at local mining and smelting companies, pulp mills and hydro electric dams. During this period she also worked for an engineering company in Trail learning electrical design and interfacing with industry clients from Lima, Peru to Thompson, Manitoba.
Tatjana re-entered the trades in 2013 working on LNG’s and traveling away from home. While at the expansion of the Waneta Dam south of Trail she attended her first meeting in Vancouver with other tradeswomen. To see and meet other tradeswomen was incredible. A year later on another project Tatjana was assigned her first female electrical apprentice who had never worked on an industrial site let alone with toxic chemicals spewing from stacks and pipes.
Tatjana’s most memorable work has been at Site C dam in northern BC winding the six generators. She met many women of all trades and met more tradeswomen from the Fort St John area at the monthly meetings held in town hosted by a local woman, Teresa German, who saw the need for tradeswomen to support one another.
Tatjana has always believed that we are all equal. She has experienced discrimination on the job site and she vowed to help encourage women and underrepresented minorities to create and fulfill the lives they dream of. Tatjana is grateful to be of service to anyone needing assistance and believes wholeheartedly in the BC Trades Equity Society.
Tatjana lives on her horse farm in Ross Spur in the West Kootenays with her partner, David, and spends free time with her two sons and several grandchildren.
Director at Large:
Hillary Peach
Hilary Peach is a welding inspector and a boiler safety officer. As a travel-card pressure welder in the Boilermakers Union, she traversed the continent for two decades, from BC shipyards and pulp mills, through the Alberta tar sands and the Ontario steel belt, to the colossal power generating stations of the eastern seaboard of the United States. She is an advocate for diversity and equity in the trades, an avid bicyclist, a writer, and an event producer. Hilary has created three audio recordings, Poems Only Dogs Can Hear, Suitcase Local, and Dictionary of Snakes, and in 2018 released a collection of poetry, BOLT (Anvil Press). Her memoire, THICK SKIN: Field Notes From A Sister In The Brotherhood is available now.
Thank you to all former Executive Board members.
Without your hard work, we wouldn’t be where we are today.
Please visit our About Us page for more information regarding membership