Fuelling Futures

Kirk McLean is one of the most celebrated players in Vancouver Canucks history. Known as “Captain Kirk,” he played 17 seasons in the NHL, including 10.5 memorable years with the Canucks, where he led the team to the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals and earned two Vezina Trophy nominations. McLean’s legacy includes inductions into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame, the BC Sports Hall of Fame, and the Canucks’ Ring of Honour.

Now based in Vancouver, McLean is an active member of the Canucks Alumni and serves as the team’s Ambassador. In addition to his hockey contributions, McLean is proud to be an Impact Ambassador for the Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Foundation, supporting conservation and community connections to nature through events and initiatives.

Brenda Knights is the Chief Executive Officer of the BC Indigenous Housing Society, where she leads transformative efforts to provide safe, affordable, and culturally resonant housing for Indigenous communities across British Columbia. In 2024, under her visionary leadership, BC Indigenous Housing Society was recognized as the Housing Provider of the Year—a testament to her commitment to excellence, community empowerment, and innovative housing solutions.

In addition to her role at the Society, Brenda serves on the boards of Canada Lands, Legal Aid BC, and the New Relationship Trust as a Federal and Provincial appointee. With extensive governance experience, she is a steadfast advocate for Canadian and Indigenous peoples, championing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in all aspects of her work. Through these roles, Brenda has driven initiatives that foster sustainable community development and advance inclusive policymaking.

As a dynamic speaker and thought leader, Brenda shares her insights on Indigenous housing, community development, and the importance of DEI. Her work not only inspires change within the housing sector but also sets a benchmark for how collaborative efforts can catalyze meaningful social transformation.

Jonathan Meads is the Vice President at StreetSide Developments BC and an experienced real estate developer with a strong background in the industry. As a Chartered Surveyor, Jonathan has a proven track record of managing projects from acquisition to completion, delivering successful developments across various sectors. With expertise in sustainability, real estate development, construction, residential homes, and contract management, he combines technical knowledge with strategic leadership. Holding a Higher National Diploma and a Bachelor’s Degree in Building Surveying from the University of the West of England, Jonathan brings a strong engineering foundation to every project.

Mark is the principal and founding landscape architect at VDZ+A Consulting, which has served clients across Canada and the USA in landscape architecture, civil engineering, and urban forestry since 1999. Born in the Fraser Valley to immigrant parents who established a bulb-growing venture in Bradner, his family later founded the Art Knapps nursery chain in western Canada and remains active in the nursery trades and wholesale horticulture industry. As the Chair of the Board, Mark is dedicated to fostering relationships, partnerships, and opportunities for regional park projects, with a focus on raising the foundation’s profile and garnering support for various parkland initiatives. His favourite regional park is Derby Reach Regional Park in North Langley, where he appreciates the waterfront along the Fraser River, fishing spots, trails, and open picnic areas, as well as the strong connection to the Kwantlen First Nation and its rich cultural heritage within the Fraser River corridor. Looking ahead, Mark envisions greater emphasis on the importance of public parklands for mental, spiritual, and physical renewal, continuing to elevate the foundation’s role in conversations on land stewardship, habitat protection, and reconciliation.