Alum Day 2025

TANYA BOTEJU lives on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations (Vancouver, BC). Part-time, she teaches English to clever and sassy young people. The rest of her time, she uses writing as an excuse to eat pastries. Her debut novel, Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens, was named a Top Ten Indie Next Pick by the American Booksellers Association. Her second book, Bruised, was selected as a Gold Standard book by the Junior Library Guild. Tanya’s latest YA novel, Messy Perfect, combines issues of faith, sexuality, and friendship, and her first middle grade nonfiction book, Allyship as Action, arrives in August 2025. In both her teaching and writing, Tanya hopes she’s bending the universe even the tiniest bit toward justice. Visit her at tanyaboteju.com.

Dr. Nishi Dhawan graduated from Dalhousie Medical School in Halifax in 1991 and has dedicated her medical career to women's health. While on the East Coast, she was instrumental in establishing the first low-risk obstetrics clinic at the Women’s Hospital in Halifax. After moving to the West Coast in 2000, she recognized a gap in menopause care, which led her to pioneer a menopause program in the Fraser Valley and then co-found the Westcoast Women’s Clinic in 2002.

Her undergraduate degree in psychology, combined with her passion for women’s health, helped her develop a holistic approach to menopausal medicine, which she continues to practice today. She is a certified menopause clinician through the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), has advanced training in integrative functional medicine, hormone therapy, and holds certifications as an Ayurvedic Medicine Wellness Counselor, a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Facilitator, and, most recently, a Life and Wellness Coach. With over 30 years of clinical experience in menopausal medicine, she brings a wealth of knowledge to the field. She is also deeply committed to education, recently launching a webinar series focused on the menopause transition and supporting women beyond 60.

Siobhan Finan was named one of Corporate Knights’ Top 30 Under 30 Sustainability Leaders and has spent the past five years on Canada Post sustainability teams. As Manager, Corporate Sustainability and Environmental Policy, she drives the company’s climate goals, greenhouse‑gas reporting, and sustainability disclosures. She previously worked as Manager, Real Estate Sustainability, and led Canada Post's zero‑waste and circularity efforts. She is currently pursuing an MBA at UBC’s Professional MBA program and also holds a BSc in Natural Resource Conservation from UBC. While at UBC, Siobhan competed on the Varsity Volleyball team and won two national championships. Siobhan is based in Whistler, BC, where she spends her free time connecting to nature through skiing, trail‑running, and mountain‑biking with her Bernedoodle, Aspen. 

Lucy Gordon leads Operations at OnDeck AI, working to scale AI tools that transform how we monitor and protect our ocean. She joined OnDeck AI in 2023 as the first hire, and since then they have raised over $3.5M, collaborated with organizations like National Geographic & The Nature Conservancy, and modernized sustainable fisheries policy at the Department of Fisheries & Oceans. Lucy graduated from UBC in 2024, with a background in policy, business, and international relations. 

Amel Misbah is an inspiring Chemistry educator known for bringing clarity, creativity, and care into every lesson she teaches. For years, she has guided high school students through the rigor of science while helping them discover their own voice, purpose, and potential.

Beyond teaching, Amel is also a coach who seeks clarity in thinking and explores how identity, values, and intention shape our decisions. She believes that who we are becoming matters is crucial—and that true success begins when our choices align with our deeper sense of self.

Her work invites others to reflect, reimagine, and move forward with meaning—whether in science, school, or life.

Devon has a BFA in Acting/Theatre from UVic and a Diploma of Technology - Broadcast Journalism from BCIT. After a decade-long career working in radio and producing talk shows at both CKNW and Roundhouse Radio, Devon now works as an Events Manager with the BC Professional Firefighters’ Burn Fund.

Over the past fifteen years, Devon has honed her skills in event planning and fundraising, dedicating her efforts to various charitable causes – including working with the Alzheimer Society of B.C. for five years. She has served on the boards of organizations such as BC Lupus Society, Jest for Joy (a clown doctoring charity) and several local indie theatre companies, leveraging her expertise to make a meaningful impact. Devon is a third generation Yorkie, lives in East Vancouver with her wife and two young children and runs the Barbeau Boutique for the Alum Association.

Glencora Twigg ‘95 has dedicated her career to advancing sustainability in fashion supply chains. As an entrepreneur she advocated for the importance of domestic industry, sustainable materials and the importance of creativity and local artisans. Recently she has led Supplier Diversity and Responsible Procurement at global organizations including Fairware Promotional Products, STEMCELL Technologies and Lululemon Athletica. Identifying as an athlete, creative and future thinker, Glencora is passionate about the unique career paths for women and how each of us can use our sphere of influence to impact our spheres of concern.