Executive Board of Directors 2025-2026
Executive Positions
President
Mark Friesen
Mark is an Associate Professor at the University of the Fraser Valley where he teaches ABE English. His research interests are in adult place-conscious learning and Indigenization, as well as generative AI and its impact on teaching and learning. Mark has been a board member of ABEABC since 2022.
Vice-President
Puja Gupta
Puja is an upgrading mathematics instructor at Camosun College, where she has been helping adult learners – first through Academic and Career Foundations, and later with the Community Learning Partnership department. She is passionate about inclusive, open-access adult education. She has led curricular and digital learning initiatives, including developing zero-cost math courses using platforms such as H5P, MyOpenMath, Pressbooks, and GeoGebra. Drawing on her previous academic leadership experience, Puja approaches her work holistically and is deeply committed to equity, innovation, and student success.
Treasurer
Shauna Svekla
Shauna coordinates ABE at the University of the Fraser Valley but also possesses experience across the non-profit and education sectors in immigrant employment programs, private education, and HR. She advocates for the consideration and support of talent among people with barriered backgrounds. In her spare time, she enjoys personal growth, time with her daughter, and gardening.
Secretary
Stephanie Forgacs
A qualified TESOL instructor, Stephanie began working in the field of English language teaching in 2019 after a 25-year career in fund development in higher education and healthcare.
Past President ~2025
Izabela Mazur
Serving as President since 2023, Izabela is an Associate Teaching Professor at Thompson Rivers University and a veteran educator with over two decades of experience in ABE. She champions the use of OERs to improve educational accessibility and affordability. Her commitment is demonstrated through her authorship of “Introductory Algebra” and co-authorship of “Advanced Business Technical Math.”
Board Members
| Groundwork Co-Chair(s): | Stephanie Forgacs & Christine Miller |
| Conference Co-Chair(s): | Puja Gupta & Mark Friesen (2025) |
| Membership Chair: | Shauna Svekla |
| Indigenous Liaison: | Vacant |
| Digital Media Chair: | Jack Massalski |
Regional Representatives
| Fraser Valley: | Hannah Sanvido (she/her) |
| Surrey-Delta: | Roberta Power |
| Kootenay-Boundary: | Allison Platt |
| Metro Vancouver: | Vacant |
| North Central: | Marcie Lundin |
| Vancouver Island: | Tony Trudel |
| Cariboo-Okanagan: | Tory Anchikoski |