Our board
People’s Law School is governed by a dedicated team of experienced professionals. Our board of directors keep us focused on the organization's vision and strategy, and provide oversight on our finances and governance.
The People's Law School board meets at least eight times annually and oversees an annual general meeting of members of the society.
Board of directors for 2025-26
Bernard Achampong
Bernard has held senior management positions with the Government of British Columbia the last 13 years, most notably with the Ministries of Housing and Social Development, Children and Family Development, Health and Attorney General. He has led initiatives to modernize the court system and improve access to justice for British Columbians, and has had full accountability for business transformation, technology, training, legislation and policy support to front-line court services administration staff and the judiciary. This experience has contributed to Bernard’s proficiency in establishing high-level strategies and leading large teams in successful implementations. Currently, he is an Executive Director at the Ministry of Health and has been serving as Acting Assistant Deputy Minister for Population and Public Health at the Ministry of Health.
Alisha Dagenais
Alisha Dagenais is a notary public commissioned by the Supreme Court of British Columbia, holding a Master's of Applied Legal Studies. Her fully mobile practice based in North Vancouver effectively caters to a diverse clientele throughout the north shore and greater Vancouver area, providing accessible and convenient services in real estate transactions and estate planning.
Sherry MacLennan
Sherry is a lawyer and former executive at Legal Aid BC where she developed expertise in public legal education and a passion for helping people understand and exercise their legal rights. This led to roles on the boards of Pro Bono Students Canada and the National Self Represented Litigants Project. She currently brings these interests to her role as executive director at the BC Unclaimed Property Society where she works to raise awareness around dormant assets and reunite people with their forgotten funds.
Cindy Switzer
Cindy is an internationally experienced lawyer whose practice is focused on business/corporate immigration, citizenship law and related matters. She assists employers bringing executives, senior managers and skilled workers into Canada from around the world. She provides strategic immigration counsel to address the visa and work authorization needs of clients ranging from large multinational corporations to start-up companies. Cindy is admitted to practice law in British Columbia and New York. Prior to joining MKS, Cindy practiced at the Vancouver office of an international law firm and with the New York City law department. Cindy is an executive officer of CBABC’s Immigration Law section and has been a director of the People’s Law School since 2016.
Dean Tate
Dean is a lawyer with Somers Poulin Hall, where he practices family law. He is a graduate of University of Alberta Law School and was called to the Bar in 1994. He has been a contributor to the Continuing Legal Education Society of BC publications and programs, a director of the Richmond Jewish Day School, and a volunteer with the Volunteer Housing Registry.
Mara Tessier
Mara Tessier is senior counsel with the Department of Justice Canada, British Columbia Regional Office. She is a graduate of the University of Victoria Law School. Her practice areas include civil litigation and Indigenous law. Mara has been a board member of People’s Law School since 2016.
Parveen Karsan
Parveen Karsan, TEP is a partner at Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP, where she is chair of the tax practice group and co-chair of the wills and estates practice group. Parveen advises clients on personal and corporate taxation, estate planning, and trust-related matters. She also maintains a diverse business law practice. Parveen has been selected by her peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in Canada in the fields of tax law and trusts and estates.