Stephanie Howell (she/her/hers) has worked in the non-profit sector for over 20 years, both on the front line and in administration. Before joining SCY, she worked as a consultant in research, program, and policy writing. She has a degree in Psychology from the University of Victoria. After living in Northern BC for many years, Stephanie and her family have now made Vancouver home.

Ildikó has a background in Psychology, Environmental Studies and Community Planning, and comes to SCY with years of child and youth engagement and leadership experience as a researcher, support worker, mentor, and outdoor educator. Ildi is driven by a passion for human rights, sustainability, and social justice, and a desire to better understand how children’s changing social, cultural, and physical environments affect their health, well-being, and resilience. She integrates participatory planning methods with social and environmental justice education in community-based work and research.

Margie (she/her/hers) has been passionate about advancing young people’s rights for as long as she can remember, dating back at least to age 9 when she rallied her classmates to petition for changes at their elementary school. She has a particular interest in child-inclusive design, and a background working with youth in educational contexts, including 3 years on staff at a democratic free school. She has led classes, workshops and discussion groups on children’s rights for youth and adults. Outside of work she enjoys exploring Vancouver on her bike and is always planning her next outdoor adventure.

Suzette Narbonne was called to the Manitoba bar in 1989 and began her career in The Pas with Legal Aid Manitoba. As counsel she travelled to isolated First Nations communities, conducting free legal advice clinics and litigating for her clients in criminal and family law cases– often in makeshift courts convened in band offices, recreation centres and hydro halls.

Since 1995, she has practiced law in BC.Suzette joined the Child and Youth Legal Centre at its inception in 2017, where she is managing lawyer. She has helped to shape the vision of child representation in BC. She has mentored many lawyers through the CBA, has served as a Governor for the Law Foundation of BC, as a Bencher of the Law Society of BC and as the Chair of the Legal Services Society. She currently serves on the executive of the children’s law section of the CBABC.

Alicia Hubbard (she/her/hers) graduated with distinction from the University of Victoria in 2004, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Alicia studied law at the University of British Columbia, where she obtained a Juris Doctor degree with a specialization in Law and Social Justice in 2011.

While in law school, Alicia completed an internship with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. After completing law school, Alicia worked for West Coast Prison Justice Society advocating for prisoners in B.C. with regard to health care, human rights, and liberty issues.

In 2012, Alicia began articling at Verdurmen & Company in Salmon Arm, B.C. She was called to the bar in 2013 and continued practicing law in Salmon Arm and surrounding communities, primarily in the areas of child protection, criminal defence, and family law.  Alicia has represented clients in the Provincial Court of British Columbia and the Supreme Court of British Columbia.  Alicia began representing children at the Child and Youth Legal Centre in June 2018.

Michael Zimmerman began his legal career in New Brunswick. In 2014 he moved to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, where he oversaw the operations of provincial family justice services and the development and implementation of the Office of the Children’s Lawyer Program. Michael also directed the development/amendment of the following statutes: Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, Judicature Act, Maintenance Enforcement Act, Family Law Act, Adoption Act, Child Protection Act, Child and Youth Advocate Act as well as the corresponding reform of impacted policies and programs.

In 2020 Michael moved from Prince Edward Island to Bowen Island. He is a Family Law Lawyer and works as the Managing Lawyer (Roster) with the Child and Youth Legal Centre. Michael is currently the Communications Officer for the CBA Child and Youth Law Section and Co-Chair of the CBABC Children’s Law Section.

Adrienne Edmunds joined the Child and Youth Legal Centre in 2021 after spending more than a decade litigating in child protection. Prior to that Adrienne was a Crown Prosecutor, and was also Counsel in Aboriginal Law Services for Justice Canada in the Prairie Region. She has been called to the bars of Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, and British Columbia.

Adrienne received a Bachelor of Applied Science in Family and Social Relations from the University of Guelph with a focus was lifespan development and family systems, and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of British Columbia with a focus on Aboriginal and International Law. Adrienne received her Master of Laws in Family Law from Osgoode Hall with a focus on child protection.

A woman of Labrador Inuit heritage, Adrienne has spent her career working among Indigenous issues, communities, and families – including regularly providing justice services to remote First Nations reserves and Inuit communities. Adrienne was a long-standing Bencher for the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, where she served on the Access to Justice and Indigenous Education and Action Committees. She has regularly presented across Canada and abroad on leadership development, non-formal education, Indigenous legal issues, gender equality, and child protection.

Adrienne is passionate about ensuring kids feel seen and heard as they move through intimidating court processes, and empowering kids to exercise voice and choice in shaping their own lives, and the world around them.

Zoe (she/her/hers) is an aspiring community planner working at the intersections of community building, emancipatory justice, and child and youth advocacy. She is passionate about addressing urban inequalities and generating responsive decision-making that builds engaged, resilient, and healthy communities for children and youth. Zoe has a particular interest in food systems, affordable housing, and Indigenous planning, and hopes to explore these avenues further in her work at SCY.

Zoe has experience working at the community-level and with local government in outreach, engagement, and policy development. Zoe is graduating from a Master of Community and Regional Planning at the University of British Columbia, with a specialization in social planning and policy for inclusive communities. Zoe also holds a BA in sociology and psychology from the University of British Columbia Okanagan

Zain (she/her/hers) is a Child and Youth Advocate with the Child and Youth Legal Centre. She comes to SCY with a law degree from McGill University and much experience facilitating access to justice for survivors of violence, families involved in child protection matters, and other vulnerable persons. She has worked with organizations including West Coast LEAF, Atira Women’s Resource Society, Access Pro Bono, and Nunavut Legal Aid.  

Zain is deeply passionate about making the law and legal structures more accessible, and empowering families by helping them understand their rights, as well as advocating for and with them.  

She is fully bilingual in English and French.  

I studied in a legal assistant program and worked at a law firm for almost 2 years. I joined the Society to advocate for the children, that they have a voice and can be heard. As I have my own child, I want her voice to be heard and to live in a society that protects her rights to grow up in a safe and healthy environment. My interests mostly focus on making memories with my daughter, doing things like watching movies together, going for a walk, and travelling if we can.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Therese Narbonne received her Masters of Education, at Queen’s University in Kingston, ON.  She has a background in management, program planning and evaluation, data management and child development.  During her time as an educator and administrator, Therese participated in various committees and initiatives to support and promote indigenous or vulnerable student populations. Her goal was for students who attended public school to see themselves represented in the staff and school environment.  Therese is passionate about safeguarding children and youth’s wellness and amplifying their voice. During her two-year term as President of the Board of Directors of the Phoenix Centre for Children and Youth, in Renfrew County, she established the role of a youth director.  Therese’s experience in the BC legal system has been as an office assistant and in various contractual roles for SCY.  Therese is excited to be a part of the dynamic Children and Youth Legal Centre team. 

In her spare time, Therese’s mental wellness activities include traveling, running, cross country skiing, designing clothing, volunteering, gardening, acting, zooming with family, trail walking with her dog, and being bossed by her cats.

Laura graduated from Simon Fraser University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in criminology and kinesiology minor. She has a background in providing administrative support for non-profit organizations, as well as working as a legal administrative assistant for a personal injury law firm. With the strong desire to help others, Laura also worked as a Personal Trainer at SFU recreation to empower people to improve their health and become a better version of themselves. She is excited to join SCY team as a Legal Assistant/Intake Worker and use her skills to bring a positive contribution to the community.

In her spare time, Laura enjoys hiking with her dog, working out, and enhancing her skills in 3D modelling and digital sculpting. 

Prabhraj has a diploma in Legal Administration and has experience working in a Law Firm. She joined the Child and Youth Legal Centre because she passionately believes in the rights of young persons and vulnerable groups. In the past she has volunteered with various non-profit organizations, including shelter homes for children dealing with substance abuse.
Outside of work she really enjoys cooking, gardening and travelling with her partner.

Mina (she/her/hers) comes to SCY with a background in sustainable community development and program administration. She has years of experience supporting young people in different settings. Her participation ranges from tutoring youth and children in the sciences, program administration at BC Children’s, and working on implementing safe drinking water and hygiene stations in schools of remote communities.

Mina holds a BSc from Queen’s University. She has a passion for accessible sustainability and community projects. These are pillars that guide her purpose both broadly, and in her work at SCY. When she’s not working, she can be found hiking, backpacking, skiing, or exploring everything else BC has to offer.