Tim Veresh, Chief Executive Officer (he/him/his)

Tim was previously the Executive Director of the John Howard Society of the Lower Mainland.  He started his career in criminal justice, working as a child care worker at Ranch Ehrlo Society and secure custody at the Paul Dojack Centre in Saskatchewan. He then spent three years in the private sector while completing his Criminology Diploma at Kwantlen College and then a Bachelor’s Degree from Simon Fraser University.  In 1997, he started working for the John Howard Society as a residence worker.  During his career with John Howard, he held several management positions, leading to his role as Executive Director of the Lower Mainland affiliate and eight years as the Executive Officer of the Provincial Society.  He sits as a Board Director with the Canadian Criminal Justice Association, PARCA, The Federation of Community Social Services and the Realize Strategies Cooperative. 

Jacqueline Caverly, Chief Financial Officer (she/her/hers)

Prior to joining PLEA in 2022, Jacqueline worked in public practice where her focus was auditing the financials for public sector and not-for-profit clients. She worked collaboratively with these clients to analyze financial reporting issues, identify operational impacts and provide recommendations for best practices. Jacqueline holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, a Master’s degree in Professional Accounting, and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.

Michelle Hawco, Chief Human Resources Officer (she/her/hers)

Michelle provides PLEA with strategic leadership in labour relations, human resources and organizational development. As PLEA’s Privacy Officer, she also guides the agency from a privacy perspective. Michelle’s career with PLEA started in 1995. She became a member of the senior leadership team in 2004. She holds a PhD in Business with a research interest in Management and Organization Systems, an MBA, a CPHR designation and a SHRM-SCP designation. Michelle has a background in organizational research and is a former Board Chair of the McCreary Centre Society, a non-profit “committed to improving the health of BC youth through research, evaluation and community-based projects.”

Dylan Falconer, Program Director, Specialized Youth Caregiving Homes (he/him/his)

Dylan joined PLEA in 2006. During his time with the agency, he has held many different roles including being a youth worker and a services coordinator. In 2010, he became one of now four program managers responsible for our Specialized Youth Caregiving Homes and held that position until 2024. He is now the Program Director of Specialized Youth Caregiving Homes.

Dylan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Foundations of Effective Management and Leadership Certificate. He was the first Board Chair for First Call Child and Youth Advocacy Society.

Jen Graham, Communications & Development Director (she/her/hers)

Jen Graham is Director of Communications and Development at PLEA Community Services, where she oversees communications, marketing, media relations, community engagement, events, fundraising, and the Children of the Street program. She has worked in communications and marketing in the health and social services sector for nearly two decades and has more than a decade of experience in fundraising and nonprofit management.

Jen began her career with the National Health Service in the United Kingdom, supporting communications, patient engagement, and public awareness initiatives across community, mental health, and support services.

Since joining PLEA in 2014, Jen has led communications and fundraising efforts that have helped secure more than $9 million in charitable revenue to sustain and expand services for children, youth, adults, and families. She has worked with Children of the Street since 2019 and, in 2022, assumed operational leadership of the program, guiding its growth and expanding its capacity to support youth, families, educators, and communities across British Columbia.

Originally from England, Jen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and Sociology from the University of Manchester, a Professional Diploma in Marketing from Cambridge Marketing College, and Chartered Marketer status with the UK’s Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Erin Harvie, Program Director, Specialized Staff-Supported Homes and Clinical Services (she/her/hers)

Erin oversees PLEA’s Specialized Staffed-Supported Homes, Asante, and Clinical Counselling. Alongside, Erin is responsible for the agency’s quality assurance agenda, guiding the direction of our service delivery policies, procedures, practice, and training.

Erin has more than twenty years’ experience working in community-based social services – experience gained at Pacific Community Resources Society and the Ministry of Children & Family Development. Most of these years were spent managing services for youth with complex needs.

Erin places an importance on putting clients at the forefront of her decision-making and in advocating for their rights and interests in all aspects of organizational management. Amongst other qualifications, Erin has a Bachelor of Arts in Human & Social Development and is Dare to Lead certified

Bryan Robinson, Program Director, Adult Services (he/him/his)

Prior to joining PLEA, Bryan worked for four years in various health and social services settings, specializing in supporting people to live more independently and to explore self-advocacy. He was a recreation and volunteer manager in long-term care, as well as a coordinator in the community living sector overseeing the development of new independent living programs. Bryan holds a Masters in Recreation and Leisure Studies.

Tina Tomyk,Program Director, Youth Services, Youth Justice, Youth Addictions (she/her/hers)

Tina Tomyk joined PLEA in 2000 and brings more than two decades of experience supporting youth, families, and communities. Throughout her career with the organization, she has held a wide range of frontline and leadership roles, including Youth Worker, Family Resource Worker, KidStart Coordinator, Program Manager, and Program Director.

Since her appointment as Program Manager in 2007, Tina has provided leadership across PLEA’s Tri-Cities programs, Vancouver Coastal Youth Justice programs, Specialized Homes and Support Services, and, currently, Youth Services, Youth Justice, and Addictions programs. Her extensive experience across the continuum of care has shaped a deep understanding of youth-serving systems and the evolving needs of young people and families.

Tina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from Simon Fraser University and has been a strong advocate for organizational excellence, safety, and quality practice throughout her career. She contributed to PLEA’s Joint Health and Safety Oversight Committee for more than 15 years and has played a key role in advancing practice standards, performance improvement, and policy development across the agency.

Beyond her work with PLEA, Tina serves as Treasurer of the Parca Community Justice Association and is an active member of the National Youth Justice Network, collaborating with leaders across Canada to strengthen youth-centered justice services and improve outcomes for young people. Driven by a steadfast commitment to youth-centered, relationship-based practice, Tina is passionate about fostering innovation, advancing evidence-informed approaches, and creating responsive services that empower youth to thrive.