Staff
604 822 8230
joey.hansen@ubc.ca
he/him
Joey Hansen is a seasoned negotiator, accomplished labour relations specialist, and skilled government relations professional. He has extensive senior leadership experience in the higher education sector in both Canada and the United States.
Joey returned to Vancouver to take up the role at AAPS after serving as the Director of Higher Education at the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA). There he oversaw the Higher Education Division, which represents 20,000 university and college employees including professional staff, faculty, and administrators. While with MTA, Joey spearheaded significant improvements to employee’s pension options and equalized the health care benefits for employee groups.
Joey also served as President of CUPE 2396 in British Columbia. He studied at the Florida Coastal School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Arts, Sociology and Anthropology from Simon Fraser University.
Advocacy
Ashkon Hashemi, MA
Senior Member Services Officer, Labour Relations
604 822 8972
ashkon.hashemi@ubc.ca
he/him
Ashkon has over 20 years of advocacy and labour relations experience in the post-secondary education sector. He is dedicated to ensuring that members are treated fairly and respectfully in their employment relationship with UBC. He is a seasoned negotiator with a proven track record of building relationships and resolving challenging situations diplomatically.
With experience in member engagement and organizational decision-making, Ashkon is enthusiastic to help members understand their Collective Agreement and make strategic decisions regarding their employment. He is thoughtful and detail oriented in his analysis and advice.
Ashkon is also an experienced parliamentarian, and is often called on to chair meetings, review governance structures, and advise boards on procedural changes. A UBC Alumnus, Ashkon is glad to be back on the west coast, enjoying all the cycling challenges it has to offer.
Leanne Anderson
Member Services Officer, Labour Relations
604 827 2540
leanne.anderson@ubc.ca
she/her
Leanne has served in a number of different leadership capacities, including President and Bargaining Committee Chair for CUPE Local 15 which represents 8,000 members including City of Vancouver staff, Emily Carr University staff, and Langara College staff. She has also focused her work on equity and diversity issues in the workplace including serving on the CUPE National Aboriginal Council. Her mother is from the Sts’ailes a sovereign Coast Salish First Nation.Leanne Anderson has worked in many different facets of the labour movement. She spent 20 years as a Steward supporting, advising, and representing members on workplace issues.
Leanne has two children and another who is four-legged named Chewie. You can often find Leanne on the Union Made Radio show on Vancouver Coop Radio 100.5FM on Wednesday nights from 8 pm to 9 pm.
Sharon Cory, CHRP
Member Services Officer, Benefits & Career Support
604 827 3516
sharon.cory@ubc.ca
she/her
Sharon Cory became a Member Services Officer in 2005. Sharon focuses much of her attention on supporting members through complex sick leave, accommodations, and long-term disability issues. She also works with members on a wide variety of job change issues and challenges.
Sharon previously worked at the WCB, where she was a Senior HR Advisor for over 10 years. She also has prior HR experience in municipalities and health care and started her career in an administrative capacity at SFU.
Sharon is a Certified Human Resources Professional and member of the BC Human Resources Management Association.
Heidi Taylor
Member Services Officer, Labour Relations
604 822 0607
heidi.taylor@ubc.ca
they/them
Heidi is passionate about helping people. With their decades of experience working in various fields, such as social justice, advocacy, and emergency medical services, they bring invaluable experience supporting people from all walks of life.
While working in different industries, Heidi saw first-hand the importance of advocating for workers’ rights, which fueled their interest in labour relations work. Prior to working as a Member Services Officer, Heidi worked as a Member Services Associate for 3 years and early on, took on advocacy assignments to assist the growing AAPS membership.
With their strong understanding of the AAPS Collective Agreement, Heidi provides detailed and thoughtful advice to support members.
As an active member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, Heidi is an advocate for workers’ rights, gender equity, and diversity.
Heidi studied labour relations and employment law at BCIT. In their time away from work, Heidi enjoys camping, playing the ukulele and organizing queer festivals and events on the West Coast.
Administration
Petra Ormsby
Member Services Officer, Finance & Operations
604 822 9276
petra.ormsby@ubc.ca
she/her
Petra is AAPS’s Member Services Officer, Finance and Operations and has been with the organization since 2001. Members have come to know Petra’s friendly voice on the phone and her warmth when they step into the office.
Her expertise in client services helps members get their queries answered promptly, and she sees that office operations and information systems run smoothly. Petra administers the financial side of AAPS, including budget and audit preparations. Petra supports the Board and Executive Director with administrative assistance and takes care of the logistics for member and governance meetings.
Petra is dedicated to ensuring members have a positive experience whether they are stepping into the office, a meeting, or contacting AAPS for the first time. She holds a Diploma in Business Management Administration and has substantial experience in the field of accounting. Petra relishes spending time with family and friends. She enjoys camping, movies, and volunteering in her community.
Paul Browning
Member Services Associate
604 822 9025
paul.browning@ubc.ca
he/him
Paul is our Member Services Associate at AAPS. When contacting AAPS, he is one of the first staff you will speak or correspond by e-mail with. He works to ensure that advocacy requests contain all of the necessary information before being sent for assignment to a Member Services Officer.
Paul takes on a variety of tasks including member and advocacy queries, database management, and technical tasks. Paul has a background in both for profit and not-for profit sectors in a range of areas including customer service, human resources, fundraising, and advocacy.
Outside of work, Paul is a fan of volunteering for political causes, reading books, and listening to music.
Engagement
Sarah Muff, BMA, MBA
Member Services Officer, Professional Development & Member Engagement
604 822 1935
sarah.muff@ubc.ca
she/her
Sarah oversees the professional development and member engagement portfolios for AAPS. Under the strategic guidance of the Board of Directors, and with staff and member input, she develops and manages AAPS's professional development and engagement initiatives. Sarah is passionate about finding creative ways for members to build professional skills, enhance labour education, and connect members to the labour movement. She enjoys talking to and learning from members at all locations. She is committed to ensuring members have the information and resources they need for a positive workplace experience.
Sarah holds a MBA from Simon Fraser University and a BMA from Emily Carr University. She is a member of the BC Organizational Development Network, The Institute for Performance and Learning, and the Canadian Labour Media Association. Sarah is an Advisory Board Member, Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, and active in her community garden. She enjoys making art, watching movies, trail running, and surfing (even in the chilly Pacific).
Lou Villahermosa
Member Services Officer, Communications & External Relations
604 822 7189
lou.villahermosa@ubc.ca
she/her
Lou is responsible for the development and execution of the organization’s communications and external relations strategy. She is passionate about supporting and engaging members by crafting timely, accessible, and inclusive information and resources.
Prior to joining AAPS, Lou worked as a Communications, Engagement and Education Representative for a labour organization helping members, and communicating on issues that matter to them. She also worked for UBC, and was a member of AAPS.
As a certified Communications Management Professional, Lou has a strong interest in writing effective and authentic communications to drive positive change. Lou completed her undergraduate degree in Political Science and her master’s degree in Communications from Royal Roads University.