Seven members were nominated for APSA's Board of Directors for a three-year term. Because only four spots are available, we're holding an election.
Voting opens on October 9, 2026, and closes on October 23, 2026. We will email you the voting link through Simply Voting.
Here are your nominees:
Dana Andrews
Director, Postgraduate Programs
I am writing this statement to express my interest in serving on the APSA Board. I have worked at SFU for two and a half years within the School of Medicine. Most of my time at SFU, I have been a team leader supporting program development and accreditation. In addition to my day-to-day work, I have strived to make connections with staff in other faculties and central units. For example, this year, I also volunteered as a member of the APSA Salary and Benefits Committee and was on the negotiating team representing APSA staff interests.
Before working at SFU, I had two very different career chapters: I was a teacher and a management consultant. These roles helped me strengthen my skills in listening, communication, problem-solving, and financial analysis. These experiences also gave me exposure to a variety of employment environments, and I would be excited to bring these perspectives to SFU.
Lance Couture
Lead High Performance Computing Systems Administrator
I am honoured to put my name forward for the APSA Board of Directors. For nearly 20 years, I’ve been part of SFU. First with the Computing Science department and later in the Research Computing Group, supporting Researchers across the globe. My commitment to APSA members comes from my time on the APSA Pension Advisory Committee, where we have worked together to discuss and advise the board on pension matters and improvements.
I have worked in both the public and private sectors, which has given me strong analytical skills, leadership experience, and a strategic perspective that I want to bring to the APSA Board. I have built expertise in policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and organizational governance. I believe these skills will contribute to our collective success.
I am committed to acting with integrity, transparency, and accountability in all Board work. I value different viewpoints and am dedicated to listening, building agreement, and standing up for what is best for all APSA members. My goal is to help guide APSA through future challenges and opportunities so our association stays strong, responsive, and focused on its members.
Thank you for considering me. I look forward to the chance to serve and help build a brighter future for APSA and its members.
Celeste Hambleton
Associate Director, Program Administration
I am excited to put my name forward for the APSA Board of Directors. I have spent the past 31 years working in the field of education, supporting students, colleagues, and organizations as an administrative leader, program coordinator, and teacher in the K-12 system, in project coordination, workplace skills coaching, and instructional design at the college level, and for the past 14 years, in administrative leadership at Simon Fraser University.
Throughout my career, I have supported complex initiatives involving strategic planning, enrollment management, governance, program development, policy implementation, union bargaining, and organizational change. I have also collaborated extensively with a broad range of stakeholders, including government agencies, regulatory bodies, post-secondary institutions, and community organizations.
As an APSA Board member, I would bring both professional experience and a strong commitment to service. My varied work experience has helped me navigate complex environments, build relationships across diverse groups, and find thoughtful, practical solutions to challenging issues. I have developed a collaborative leadership style grounded in respectful dialogue, careful listening, and a willingness to consider different perspectives.
I am acutely aware of how essential APSA members are to the University's effective operation and success. Through my recent volunteer experience on the APSA Advocacy Committee, I have gained insight into how APSA colleagues are navigating the climate of uncertainty and the depth of organizational change. These experiences have reinforced my belief that strong member representation, effective advocacy, and a collective voice are more important than ever. APSA plays a vital role in supporting members, advocating on their behalf, and fostering a strong professional community. I would welcome the opportunity to contribute my experience, perspective, and commitment to strengthening the association and supporting its members.
It would be an honour to serve as a Board member at a time when strong representation and advocacy are so important. I would welcome the opportunity to contribute my experience, perspective, and commitment to supporting members and helping ensure APSA remains a strong and effective voice within the University.
Christopher Piché
Analyst, Policy/Academic Affairs
I have based my professional career in post-secondary (and in post-secondary HR roles specifically for over 15 years.
I started my HR career at 2 BC Colleges (North Island College and Camosun College) and completed my Business undergrad, majoring in HR management and leadership. I took a professional development break before starting at SFU to complete a professional master's in information studies at the University of Toronto. I have now been with SFU for nearly 10 years, spending the first three years as Faculty Relations Advisor during the rollout of the first SFUFA Collective Agreement. I have been with Beedie since 2019, supporting the Teaching Support Staff Union administration, and now support all non-continuing-hire types, including all Teaching Assistants.
I am currently part of the TSSU Bargaining Caucus representing Beedie. I have a strong interest in positive employee-employer relations and look forward to this role as an opportunity to connect with and support members of the SFU/APSA community.
Alexander Rosende-Tabunar
Program Manager, Graduate Programs
Dear fellow APSA members,
My name is Alex. I am a graduate program manager in Beedie. I am submitting my candidacy for the APSA board of directors because I believe I have the experience and skills to responsibly steward the association’s resources and to advocate on behalf of its members.
I have been a member of the SFU community for the past 11 years: first as an undergraduate student, then as a graduate student, and now as an APSA member. In my four years as an APSA member, I have worked in roles in which I responsibly managed budgets of $10,000+. I will leverage this experience to ensure that our members’ dues are spent carefully and effectively.
As a member of the board, I will advocate for and support initiatives that advance our members' dignity, professional development, and empowerment. I will promote SFU’s adoption of a permanent work-from-home policy so that our members no longer need to worry that the work-from-home program will be repealed, which would disrupt work-life balance. I also believe there is a gap around layoffs; policies and procedures need to be created or updated to ensure those impacted by layoffs are treated with respect and dignity. To support our members’ professional development, I will advocate for a policy that secures a full-time continuing employee’s position so they can take internal, temporary contracts that will expand their experience and skill set. Lastly, I believe APSA should host workshops on SFU-APSA agreements, SFU’s HR policies, and BC labour law so our members better understand how they interact to shape our work lives.
Thank you for your consideration.
Kind regards,
Alex
David Semail
Associate Director, Strategic Enrollment Management
I have worked at SFU since April 2017 in roles spanning academic advising, recruitment, and admissions, and progressing from Advisor to Associate Director, Strategic Enrollment Management in Beedie. I am also a proud SFU alumnus, having completed a BSc and MBA, and having participated in countless student opportunities facilitated by APSA staff.
I was pleased to be part of APSA's most recent and successful Salary & Benefits negotiation team, as well as the Basic Agreement Bargaining Committee. I have learned a great deal about how the University operates and where APSA and SFU have common interests and goals.
I welcome the opportunity to continue supporting our community as a member of the APSA Board of Directors. I believe my varied experience as a staff member, combined with my commitment to member advocacy and collaborative problem-solving, positions me well to make meaningful contributions to the Board.
Thank you for your consideration.
Michelle Tri
Student Recruitment Liaison Coordinator
I began my journey at SFU as an undergraduate student, earning my BSc in Health Sciences, and since then, I’ve been fortunate to build my career here. My work in Student Services has allowed me to take on various roles, where I’ve focused on recruiting students from around the globe and evaluating applications, with an equity-focused lens guiding my work. Recently, I completed my MEd in Curriculum & Instruction: Equity Studies in Education, deepening my understanding of equity and inclusion, and the systems that shape people’s experiences at work and in our communities.
Having previously volunteered with the APSA Advocacy Committee, I supported members in navigating workplace questions and concerns on their own terms. This included helping members understand their rights and options around representation, workplace conflict, bullying and harassment, investigations, disciplinary processes, leaves and return to work, work-from-home arrangements, and difficult conversations with supervisors or colleagues.
I am running for the Board because I want to continue contributing to a strong, supportive, and member-focused association. I would bring my experience in advocacy, equity, and student and employee services to the Board, while listening carefully to the diverse experiences and priorities of our members. I see this service as an opportunity to help ensure that members feel informed, supported, and empowered in their workplaces, and I would be honoured to contribute to that work.