Ian Tait
Vice Chair
Ian Tait brings extensive management and leadership experience, having worked with government and crown agencies, for-profit, and not-for profit organizations. Ian has a diverse skillset in strategic planning, Board management and operations, fundraising, sponsorship, marketing, communications, coaching and mentoring. Additionally, Ian has public, government, community, media, and Indigenous relations experience.
Ian served with BC Hydro in a variety of roles for over three decades and during that time created many long-term relationships with Indigenous peoples and communities throughout BC and across Canada.
In 1996, in the presence of witnesses in the X̱wemelch'stn longhouse, the Charlie Family and the Squamish Nation placed the name stél’mexw siiyá’y – ‘the peoples’ respected friend’ on Ian in recognition of his many contributions to and work with First Nations throughout BC and with the Squamish Nation in particular.
After retiring from BC Hydro, Ian began his own consulting firm (Tait Consulting Ltd). Most recently, he helped to found the North Delta Business Association.
Ian also has a longstanding history of community service with Scouts Canada, North Delta Football Association, Delta Chamber of Commerce, Earthwise Society, Vancouver Chamber Choir, Feed the Bees Campaign, and other community causes.
Ian has called North Delta home for more than 35 years, where he currently resides with his wife, Pat.
CHIEF LAURA CASSIDY
(sxʷamisaat)
Chief Laura Cassidy (sxʷamisaat) is a proud member of the Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN). Chief Cassidy has 4 children and 4 grandsons and was born and raised on TFN and moved away for a time and returned in 1999, where she has continued to live, raise a family and work.
Chief Cassidy has always been passionate about family and community engagement no matter where she lived. Her formal advocacy work started when she was on the Parents Advisory committee for the Armstrong education board in the 1990’s. Chief Cassidy moved home to TFN to work as a part of the Tsawwassen treaty team after completing business administration courses. This was to enhance her experience as a small business owner in the Okanagan, when she owned a cherry orchard. Laura was an employee of TFN from 1999 until 2019. She has been on Council since 2001, with a 6 month pause. She has been elected 8 times, displaying the trust and faith the community have in her leadership. This can be attributed to Chief Cassidy’s deep community connections and the community’s ability to access her and to provide their concerns to her.
Chief Cassidy has demonstrated commitment to community and family throughout her career and personal life. While on Council, Chief Cassidy also served on the Board of the Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation for 8 years. Caring, compassionate and always ready to listen, Chief Cassidy is a proven and experienced leader. Laura is a tried and tested leader with strong values related to service and collaboration.
Lara Victoria
MBA
Lara Victoria is an entrepreneur and consultant in the hospitality industry with a background in finance and retail banking. As an active advocate for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigeneity, Lara supports opportunities for cultural integration in business as well as in engaged volunteer work in her community. As an immigrant herself, Lara brings her lived experience to her EDII advocacy. She is also personally committed to a conscientious journey in Truth and Reconciliation with members of our Indigenous communities, honouring our collective cultures and history, and committing to respectful and equitable engagement, now and in the future.
Along with other qualifications related to finance and hospitality, Lara has earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Bombay University (India) and her Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Queen's University (Canada) with a focus on Financial Strategy. She has also earned certifications in Social Impact (Queen’s University) and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (UBC).
Lara lives in Tsawwassen with her husband, children, and dogs. As a family they love travelling, entertaining and volunteering in the community (often, with their furry family members too!)
As a member of the Delta Police Board, Lara embraces the opportunity to engage with the community of Delta, in a spirit of service that is built upon the values of the Delta Police: Honesty, Integrity, Courage and Trust.
Sharan Oberoi
Sharan Oberoi is a global entrepreneur and visionary and is committed to the success of those around him. He is the CEO and founder of OnActuate, a global information technology and consulting firm that is Great Place to Work® certified and a gold-certified partner for Microsoft as a Cloud Solution Provider and Value-Added Reseller. Sharan is also a published author with his first book focused on Microsoft Technologies.
Sharan started his career as a young engineering graduate in India where he was instrumental in the localization and launch of Microsoft solutions. Since then, Sharan’s leadership has spanned multiple countries, languages and cultures including Denmark, India, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada, and the USA.
Sharan believes in a “people first” philosophy for his business, inspiring excellence, and offering support and encouragement to his teams and clients alike. Sharan looks forward to applying the same philosophy for his service on the Delta Police Board.
In 2017, Sharan received the Business in Vancouver Media Group’s Top 40 under 40 award. Sharan currently resides in North Delta with his family and is looking forward to contributing to the community and the Delta Police Department (DPD) through his Board service.
WARREN DEAN FLANDEZ
Warren Dean Flandez is a multi-award-winning cultural facilitator, educator, humanitarian, and JUNO-nominated musician. With a Cornell University Diversity & Inclusion program certification, Warren is recognized as a thought leader and innovator in the field of EDI and the arts and culture sector.
As a faculty member at Capilano University and the owner of a multidisciplinary artist development company, Warren's influence extends beyond EDI consulting. He has honed his expertise through his work as a cultural facilitator, empowering individuals and organizations to foster inclusivity and positive transformation. Furthermore, Warren co-founded the non-profit organization THIS (The Harmony Initiative Society), exemplifying his commitment to humanitarian efforts.
Warren's impact is felt through his collaborations with a diverse range of organizations, including municipal governments, arts and culture organizations, law enforcement agencies, and cultural groups. He has provided EDI training, developed policy frameworks, and spearheaded community-based initiatives, leaving a lasting impression on those he works with.
Through his multifaceted career, Warren Dean Flandez continues to champion the principles of harmony, belonging, and wellness, transforming communities by advocating for inclusive environments. His dedication to creating safe spaces and fostering meaningful change has earned him accolades and established him as a key luminary in the EDI landscape.
Annette GARM
RN,BSN,MALS,MN,CGN(C), EXTRA Fellow
Annette Garm is a double Masters prepared nurse with advanced certification in Gerontology and research application. In addition to her nursing degrees Annette holds a Masters in Liberal Studies which she credits for keeping the human and ethical perspective central to the work she engages in. Her professional and educational goals have traditionally focused on the development of holistic and collaborative approaches to patient care through evidenced based practice.
Annette has led multiple award-winning health care innovations over the years and has many national and international publications and presentations to her name. She has over 15 years working with First Nations communities in both urban and rural settings. Annette was the Director of Delta hospital for over 7 years and continues to work collaboratively in multiple local and regional health and social care initiatives.
Annette is a member of the Tsawwassen Rotary Club and an avid volunteer. She and her family love to hike, bike, ski, kayak and travel. Annette is honoured to serve on the Delta Police Board. Her work and interests consistently reflect a commitment to public service and the engaged support of healthy communities from the perspective of equity, diversity and inclusion.
Firth Bateman
Firth Bateman has worked in the financial advisory business since the mid-nineties, licensed in British Columbia and Alberta, and located in the Lower Mainland, BC. Firth began his career in the financial services industry as a life insurance agent and established his independent financial advisory services practice in early 1996.
Prior, Firth had a varied career – across Canada – working extensively in social services related occupations. Firth was employed as a “child protection” social worker in British Columbia. Previous employment involved working with both institutional and community corrections programs in Ontario and in the Northwest Territories. Firth also taught school (elementary) in Toronto.
Firth has been deeply involved as a volunteer in his community, serving as a director of various community organisations – with both environmental and community support purposes. Most recently, prior to his appointment to the Delta Police Board, Firth sat, for a number of years, as a member of what was at the time known as the Community Planning Advisory Committee in Delta. Sitting on the Delta Police Board, Firth also represents British Columbia, along with another representative from another police board in BC, on the board of the Canadian Association of Police Governance (CAPG), headquartered in Ottawa. Firth chairs the Advocacy Committee of the CAPG and sits, as well, on the CAPG Research & Policy Committee.
His wide and varied background has resulted in Firth gaining a comprehensive appreciation of the needs of people as they encounter a variety of concerns in their lives. From his broad experience, Firth understands that a collaborative approach is essential in trying to assist people as they address challenges they encounter.