Revisioning Newcomer Settlement and Integration from the Ground Up

Katie Crocker is the Chief Executive Officer of AMSSA, a British Columbia provincial umbrella association that strengthens over 90 member agencies as well as hundreds of community stakeholder agencies who serve immigrants and newcomers. Katie represents the BC Settlement Sector on the National Settlement and Integration Council, sits on the Executive Committee of the UBC Centre for Migration Studies and is the Co-Chair of Pathways to Prosperity. Along with her background in not-for-profit management and her knowledge of the settlement and integration sector, Katie brings expertise in supporting neurodiverse children and their families as a mother of a child with Autism and the Chair of UNITI’s Board of Directors. In recognition of her achievements, Katie was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in August 2024.

Afshan Paarlberg is a lawyer and interdisciplinary researcher who engages in policydriven work on philanthropy, nonprofits, access-to-justice, and immigration. She is currently conducting research in British Columbia with the support of Fulbright Canada, comparing Canadian and U.S. nonprofit responses to asylum seekers. She recently completed a Global Philanthropy Fellowship, and she continues to serve as the Project Director of the Global Philanthropy Environment Index (GPEI) where she leads a team to provide an updated mapping of the enabling environment for philanthropy across 95 countries and economies. She also serves as board director and secretary to The Appellate Project.

Lizeth Escobedo currently serves as the Director of Newcomers and Youth Services at YMCA BC. Originally from Mexico, she has called Vancouver home since 2006. Lizeth is deeply committed to empowering children, families, seniors, and newcomers in the community by providing them with the necessary tools, resources, and support to thrive. Her dedication has earned her recognition, including the Volunteer of the Year 2013-2014 in BC award from the Federation of Francophone Parents and the YMCA’s President’s Award of Excellence in 2017. Additionally, Lizeth has been honored with The Ohtli Award, the highest recognition given by the Mexican Government to Mexican Nationals residing outside of Mexico, for her efforts in assisting Mexican citizens and promoting their culture. Lizeth's recent focus has been on supporting Temporary Foreign Workers.

Patrick MacKenzie is the CEO of the Immigrant Employment Council of BC. He has made a career of public service from coast to coast, working in policy and program areas aimed at supporting many of Canada’s most vulnerable communities through economic and social development as well as international relations. Previously, Patrick spent 11 years working for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada at its national headquarters in Ottawa and its regional offices in Vancouver. Throughout his career, Patrick has worked with partners on matters affecting Indigenous and immigrant populations, including immigrant economic integration, provincial nominee programs, credential recognition and labour mobility..

Neelam is a senior executive with 20+ years in social impact, including 13 in C-suite roles. As CEO of DIVERSEcity since 2013, she has led significant growth and innovation. A champion for equity, she advocates for diverse women in leadership and serves on multiple boards, including SFU and the Surrey Local Immigration Partnership. She holds the Fellowship of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (FCPA, FCGA), and ICD.D designations and has won numerous awards, including BC Business Non-Profit Leader of the Year (2022). A sought-after speaker, she addresses gender equity, leadership, and economic justice while advancing truth and reconciliation in her community work.