2025 AAPS Board Candidate Statements

Jay Rojas  
jay.rojas@ubc.ca
he/him
Fair Treatment, Family Support, Social Justice

I am eager to serve as Treasurer on the AAPS Board to contribute my experience in leadership, financial stewardship, and advocacy for colleagues. With over 14 years of progressive responsibility in project management, student affairs, and organizational leadership, I have consistently managed large budgets, optimized resources, and ensured accountability. In previous roles and institutions, I have managed multi-million budgets, balancing competing priorities while supporting a diverse community of staff and students.

My professional journey has been defined by a commitment to service, integrity, and collaboration. I believe in the importance of strong governance and transparent financial practices to safeguard the interests of members. As Treasurer, I would bring technical skill in managing budgets and aligning resources with AAPS goals and I would also bring the interpersonal strengths of diplomacy, clear communication, and consensus-building.

I am motivated to join the AAPS Board because I care deeply about ensuring that our association continues to advocate effectively for members’ rights and well-being. I see this role as an opportunity to give back, strengthen our collective voice, and help guide AAPS with sound financial oversight and thoughtful leadership.

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Lisa Wang 
lisa.wang@sauder.ubc.ca
she/her
Fair Compensation, Job Flexibility, Job Security

I joined the AAPS Board in May 2021—first as Acting Treasurer, then Treasurer. It is a familiar sentiment, but time really does seem to fly. Having served two terms on the Board, I have gained a deeper understanding of AAPS's finances and would love to continue to be involved in serving our members. 

My journey with UBC began in 2011—first as a student, then as a staff member. After graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting, I worked in Financial Operations, Financial Reporting, Treasury and the Office of Enterprise Risk and Assurance. After getting my CPA designation, I am now back at my alma mater, Sauder School of Business, working as a financial analyst. I believe my education and experience will be a valuable asset to the Board, especially in the role of Treasurer. 

In this time of economic constraints, by maximizing the value created from your contributions and making fiscally responsible decisions, I hope we can find more ways to help and safeguard our members.

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​2025 Candidate Statements for the AAPS Board of Directors: Member at Large (2-year term)

Originally from Turkey, I came to UBC as a PhD student in 2009. Since then, I have been thoroughly involved in every aspect of life at UBC: student, staff, adjunct faculty, resident, and parent. I started as part-time staff in 2013, and then moved to full time in 2018. It has since been my privilege to live, learn, play and work alongside so many colleagues and friends from many units, and witness firsthand how so many of us do our best under increasingly difficult circumstances in uncertain times. In my different roles, I work with and live alongside faculty members, graduate and undergraduate students, and staff, as part of this remarkable community.

If elected, I intend to prioritize job security and sustainable wages for us all, while trying to ensure that AAPS remains committed to advancing its work in the areas of social justice, reconciliation and inclusion. I am also very mindful of AAPS finance practices in the face of grave injustices we are witnessing around the world, and how investment and divestment can impact our world for the better.

Hello, I am Paul Kwon.  I work as Manager, Finance & Operations at UBC Hiring Solutions. I am putting my name forward because I believe in the value of our work and the role AAPS plays in making UBC a better place for all of us.

I have been at UBC for over 9 years, and have seen how important it is to have strong representation and clear communication when decisions are made that affect how we work and live. I support equity, fairness, and practical solutions, whether it is about workload, hybrid work, or making sure policies reflect what people are actually experiencing.

Outside of UBC, I serve on nonprofit boards and am active in community advocacy. I bring a collaborative approach and care deeply about making systems more transparent and people focused.

I do not pretend to have all the answers, but I am a good listener. I ask honest questions, and I work hard to make things better for everyone involved. I would be honoured to serve on the AAPS Board and represent members with integrity and respect.

Thank you for your consideration.

As a UBC staff with mixed Indigenous and European background (Tłįcho Dene, Irish, Ukrainian), I would be thrilled to continue in the role of Member at Large on the AAPS Board of Directors where I can advocate for increased support and representation for Indigenous AAPS members and other staff whose voices are often marginalized.

I have been working at UBC since April 2020 as an Indigenous Educational Consultant: Staff Training, split between CTLT Indigenous Initiatives team and Central HR.

If re-elected for the AAPS Board of Directors, I will combine my personal experiential knowledge as a queer, trans, mixed Indigenous person with an invisible disability with my work experience at UBC as someone who does highly collaborative work in an inter-departmental role. These unique roles and positionalities provide me with a diverse understanding of matters such as hybrid work arrangements, workplace accommodations, EDI practice and policies, professional development, and career progression.

Tansi, my name is Cody Bugler and I am one of your incumbent members-at-large on the AAPS Board, serving since 2023. I am currently the Student Engagement Coordinator for the First Nations House of Learning. Previously, I had a dual appointment between the Arts Co-op Program and Applied Science Co-op Program in a pilot role as UBC's first Indigenous Co-op Coordinator. Altogether I have been an AAPS member and UBC staff for over 3 and a half years.

I am a proud nêhiyaw/Cree 2-Spirit person, and registered member of Red Pheasant Cree Nation in Treaty 6 Territory. I also have close ties to my father's community of Saulteaux First Nation. As an early-career, queer, and racialized person, I believe I bring vital and differing perspectives to the Board.