Board Members

BOARD MEMBERS

Gifty Parker (she/her)

My work is grounded in the belief that health, equity, and justice are collective responsibilities—built through the policies we design, the institutions we steward, and the communities we serve. As an educator, organizational strategist, and HR consultant with 20 years of experience, I bring a systems-level approach to building ethical, inclusive, and sustainable leadership practices.I serve as the founder of PARKER HR and teach HR electives at University Canada West. At the heart of my work is a commitment to creating systems that are operationally sound, culturally safe, and equity-led. I focus on building leadership pipelines, transforming governance, and designing trauma-informed policies that reflect community realities..I joined the Vancouver Women’s Health Collective because I believe feminist, community-driven health care is essential. According to the 2025 Maple Report, 54% of Canadian women feel the health system does not meet their needs—a concern echoed by Statistics Canada data showing that women are more likely than men to report unmet health and home care needs. These gaps highlight the urgent need for equity-focused solutions. I am honoured to support a collective advancing health as a human right and equity as a structural necessity.

Haleh Bahrami

Haleh Bahrami is a healthcare quality and transformation executive with over 25 years of leadership experience across public and private sectors. She is the Founder and CEO of Praxis Enterprises Inc., where she advances adaptive leadership, operational agility, and digital transformation in healthcare systems. Haleh also serves as a Healthcare Operations Executive Consultant at the Institute for Quality Management in Healthcare (IQMH), leading strategic initiatives in proficiency testing and market growth. Previously, she held senior roles including Vice President of Laboratory Operations at LifeLabs and leadership positions at Accreditation Canada. With a Master’s in Leadership (Healthcare) from Royal Roads University, Haleh is committed to advancing women in science, mentoring future leaders, and fostering meaningful impact in healthcare transformation.

Stephanie Yu (she/her)

Stephanie is a non-profit professional with over a decade of experience in social justice–oriented organizations. She holds a BA in Sociology and an MA in Humanities, specializing in social theory and continental philosophy. As a second-generation Filipina-Canadian with an invisible disability, she brings lived experience, empathy, and a strong commitment to accessibility, intersectional feminism, and decolonial values to her work. Previously on the board of Room Magazine, Canada’s oldest feminist literary journal, Stephanie has extensive experience in non-profit administration, governance, finance, fundraising, and operations. She currently works at the Vancouver Public Library Foundation, overseeing a portfolio of community and monthly donors through online marketing, events, direct response, and data analysis. Stephanie is passionate about building community and creating safe, inclusive spaces for collective care and healing. She is committed to supporting women, BIPOC, and gender-diverse communities in accessing trauma-informed, culturally-affirming health and wellness programs.

Laura McQuarrie Salter (she/they)

Laura is a helping professional and community advocate with eight years of experience in mental health care and social services, specializing in trauma-informed, justice-oriented, and community-based support. She works within Vancouver Coastal Health as a Mental Health Rehabilitation Worker and Indigenous Patient Navigator, advocating for equitable and holistic care pathways. As Co-Chair of the Vancouver Women’s Health Collective, Laura supports governance and collective care grounded in intersectional feminism and the principles of healing justice. In the spirit of etuaptmumk (two-eyed seeing), she strives to strengthen community-led and decolonial practices within the organization through enduring relationships with Elders, advisors, and allies. Laura advocates for systemic reform in alignment with the VWHC’s mission, vision, and values, supporting self-identified women, gender diverse, and two-spirited folks in accessing equitable, competent, and compassionate care tailored to suit their unique needs.

Ana Maria Sabogal (she/her)

Ana Maria is a 19-year-old student from Colombia with a strong commitment to advocacy and social justice. In high school, she organized workshops on sexual health and LGBTQ+ awareness and co-created a student-led museum on women’s contributions and Colombia’s armed conflict. After moving to Canada, she continued her involvement in community initiatives supporting Palestine solidarity, queer pride, and Truth and Reconciliation. Ana Maria began volunteering with the Vancouver Women’s Health Collective while navigating her own mental health challenges, an experience that deepened her empathy for the women the collective serves. She believes that health, wellness, and equity are inseparable: health is only possible when people have the right to access the services they need; wellness grows from the safety and care that access provides; and equity is what ensures that no one is discriminated against or silenced in that process.

Meah Peers M.A. (she/her)

Meah works in policy development in the public sector and offers expertise in legal writing, research and data collection, risk management, board governance, and legislative compliance. In her role as Policy Analyst, Meah reviews administrative and operational practices in various areas (e.g., human resources, professional standards, communications, recruitment) and seeks to promote equitable and trauma-informed service delivery. Meah also holds a Master of Arts in Applied Psychology with a specialization in Gender & Sexuality, and completed her practicum at the VWHC in 2023 where she assisted with the community project focused on gender-based violence. Meah advocates for gender equitable healthcare as an essential service that everyone deserves uninhibited access to, and is committed to the VWHC’s mission to improve health and wellness through advocacy, shared knowledge, and low-barrier resources

Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe (she/her)

Nayo is a public health professional with a passion for health promotion, equity and community empowerment. She works for Interior Health as a Community Health Facilitator where she collaborates with local and regional governments and community partners to improve population and public health. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Health Sciences and a Master of Public Health from Simon Fraser University. Nayo began volunteering with the Vancouver Women’s Health Collective in 2022 and was inspired by the impactful work of the collective and the resiliency of the VWHC community. She believes that health encompasses the physical, mental, spiritual, emotional and social well-being of an individual, and that equity must be at the forefront of any discussion around health. Equitable access to appropriate and quality care is a cornerstone for establishing an environment where individuals and groups can thrive. Nayo firmly believes that equity is inextricably linked to justice and the pursuit of creating a world where nobody is denied opportunities to improve their health or access resources. She is grateful for the opportunity to sit on the VWHC Board and advance the mission of the VWHC.

Dayae Choi Gulbranson (she/her)

Dayae is a registered physiotherapist in the public healthcare system, where she supports patients across diverse backgrounds and recognizes both the challenges and opportunities in advancing equitable care. She holds a Master of Physiotherapy Studies and a Bachelor of Kinesiology (Honours), with additional experience in research, community health, and patient advocacy. Having navigated her own recovery from a serious car accident within the Canadian healthcare system, she brings first-hand insight into the patient experience and the importance of accessible, coordinated care. She is currently planning to pursue further education in medicine to deepen her impact on healthcare access and outcomes. Dedicated to promoting wellness in the DTES, Dayae first joined the VWHC as a front-line volunteer at the Drop-in Centre and in fundraising initiatives, experiences that continue to inspire her commitment to building a community where all women feel safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Board Members

BOARD MEMBERS

Gifty Parker (she/her)

Haleh Bahrami

Stephanie Yu (she/her)

Laura McQuarrie Salter (she/they)

Ana Maria Sabogal (she/her)

Meah Peers M.A. (she/her)

Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe (she/her)

Dayae Choi Gulbranson (she/her)

About VWHC

Our History

Our Mission

Board Members

Our Community Partners

What we do

Drop-in Centre

Naturopathic Clinic & Community Acupuncture

Cultural Care

Yoga

Contact Information