Our History
Brainstreams.ca is the official website of the The BC Brain Injury Association (BCBIA). We are a non-profit provincial organization in British Columbia serving the interests of the acquired brain injury population. It was founded in 1982 and was incorporated July 6th, 1983. In November 2012, BCBIA and the Pacific Coast Brain Injury Conference Society (PCBICS) joined together to become one organization with a focused and clear purpose to support the province of BC’s brain injury community. BCBIA engaged The Governance Group to help facilitate the merger and to lead the new board through a strategic planning process and active board governance development. The strategic planning and governance development process began in the spring of 2014.
We are continually revising, adapting and creating content to ensure British Columbians are informed about the brain and brain injury and have access to the kind of information they require, when they require it. With your continued support and feedback we hope to fulfill an existing gap in the brain injury community.
You can view our organization’s Constitution and Bylaws.
Meet our Board of Directors for 2019
Geoff Sing
President
Geoff has been working in the field of brain injury for the past 20 years. Presently, he is the Manager of Brain Injury Services with The Cridge Centre for the Family. This program includes a continuum of residential programs, community support clients and several employment training programs for survivors of a brain injury. He served on the steering committee for the Pacific Coast Brain Injury Conference for 15 years. He was the chairperson for Advocacy Plus – a program that trained survivors to advocate for themselves. Geoff has a Masters of Administration from the University of Victoria.
As a stereotypical survivor of a brain injury (at 18 years of age he was in a serious car crash that had him in a coma for a number of days; as well he suffered several concussions in athletic pursuits) the field of brain injury is Geoff’s life and passion. As an advocate, supporter or a “whatever it takes” proponent, Geoff’s goal for survivors of a brain injury and there loved ones is your goal – find and develop the best services possible and achieve the best outcomes possible.
Kix Citton
Director
With over 20 years of working with non-profit organizations in Canada and overseas, Kix brings a passion for innovation, collaboration and inclusive leadership. Her experience in program development, community building and advocacy are assets she brings to the BCBIA Board of Directors. She is the Executive Director of the Nanaimo Brain Injury Society and helped found a successful non-profit service co-operative. When not in the office, you will likely find Kix hiking the trails or paddling the waters around beautiful Vancouver Island.
Katryna Koenig
Director
Katryna Koenig was born in Squamish, raised in Prince George, and currently resides in Vancouver. She has a passion for Beautiful BC, and for serving her community’s needs. In her leisure time, Katryna enjoys playing guitar, soccer, meditating, making lists and exploring the world with her partner, cat and rabbit.
Katryna attended Douglas College’s Therapeutic Recreation Baccalaureate program. During her studies, she worked in undergraduate research and completed program design projects with a variety of non-profit programs. In 2014, she served on the Board of Directors for Douglas College. In her final year she was nominated for the Educational Excellence award, recognizing her academic and community leadership achievements.
Katryna has worked alongside brain injury survivors from the start of her career as a Recreation Therapist. She supports survivors through holistic wellness coaching and by delivering therapeutic group programs. Her specialty is program design of therapeutic recreational, skill-building and psychoeducational group programs for brain injury and concussion, including meditation. She currently works for the non-profit, Watson Centre Society for Brain Health in Burnaby.
Katryna is exposed every day to the immense variety of survivor stories, struggles, needs and goals. She aims to amplify the voices of survivors and to advance the status of brain injury priorities across BC. Her vision is for all survivors in BC to believe that improvement is always possible (a growth mindset), that you are not alone, help is available, and to know that there is a strong, unified brain injury voice in BC protecting your interests.
Juliet Henderson-Rahbar
Director
Originally from Scotland, Juliet grew up in Vancouver and now lives in Langley BC with her husband and two daughters. She holds an undergraduate degree in the humanities and a graduate degree in divinity.
Juliet began her professional work as a spiritual care practitioner in neurorehabilitation with older adults. She spent 10 years supporting individuals and families through experiences of grief and loss related to health crises or serious injury (Providence Health, PHSA, and Fraser Health).
Juliet experienced a more intimate introduction to brain injury in July 2005 when her first child survived a hypoxic ischemic brain injury due to birth complications. She became a strong advocate for her daughter in the health and education systems, which has led to opportunities to advance inclusive practices in public education.
Juliet joined Connect Communities in Langley in 2014. She leads a collaborative team who help persons with acquired brain injury redesign their lives on their own terms. A creative soul with a penchant for stories, she joins the BCBIA with the hope of helping others share their stories of life after brain injury.
Nancy Adams
Treasurer
Nancy Adams was responsible for the care of a family member with brain injury giving her an understanding of the challenges faced by those of living with brain injury. Her family’s appreciation for the supports received by those within the brain injury community left her with a desire to give back to this community.
She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA) with decades of experience in the financial accounting field. She built and managed a successful accounting practice, then broadened her horizons utilizing her management experience and writing skills in the non-profit environment. She worked with the Rick Hansen Foundation for 6 years, managing grants and donations as well as the finance department. She is now retired and volunteering her time educating not-for-profit organizations to minimize risk through improved financial systems and processes.
She has volunteered in the community for many years, primarily with Girl Guides of Canada, holding several positions including Treasurer and the Finance and Grants representative on the Properties Committee of the BC Provincial Council. She also served on other community boards, primarily in the health services sector.
Nancy is interested in making a difference and sharing her expertise in any way possible.
Tina Suter
Director
Tina Suter, a 30-year survivor of ABI, brings personal insight to her role as Member Services Coordinator at Brain Resource, Advocacy & Information Network. She initiated the organization in 1999 to assist survivors of Brain Injury, their family members, friends, and caregivers within the Lower Mainland region.
She received the very first Courage to Come Back Award for Physical Rehabilitation and more recently, Fraser Health Acquired Brain Injury Services’ Outstanding Service Award.
She combines her Degree in Business Management from Okanagan College & Community Social Service Diploma from Douglas College to assist in managing B.R.A.I.N. and other work in the field of Community Social Services, but uses her passion and personal insight to provide diligent service to Survivors, their family members, friends and caregivers.