MARC ANDRES 

Marc is a high school teacher, a Red Seal Carpenter, and a father. He is eager to bring his experience - teaching diverse learners in Resource and English classrooms - to serve the community of New Westminster, which he has loved and called home since 2009. When not introducing their two-year-old daughter to the trees and the river, Marc and his wife like to walk in Moody Park.

GURVEEN DHALIWAL

Gurveen was first elected to the New Westminster School Board in 2018 and is currently serving her second year as Board Chair. She leads with passion and expertise to ensure students and families of New Westminster feel heard and supported and her track record of building new schools, increasing childcare spaces, and increasing mental health supports speaks volumes about her belief that community starts in schools. Gurveen lives in Queensborough where you’ll often see her walking the Port Royal Trail with her corgi Roy - say hi!

MAYA RUSSELL

Maya (she/her) is a current School Trustee in New Westminster who has worked to advance the needs of working families, students with diverse learning needs & disabilities, and to promote respect & fairness for all District employees. She has supported the District’s work on Indigenous education, a comprehensive Inclusive Education review and three-year implementation plan, the Access for All policy and is a strong supporter of 2SLGBTQ youth.

Maya believes every child’s human right to public education must be protected and that it is important to maintain the highest confidence in public education. Maya works for a mental health non-profit organization leading community engagement.

She is an active parent volunteer with New Westminster Salmonbellies Minor Lacrosse and can often be found at Queens Park Arena. She loves to get away to the soil at the family farm on Barnston Island. She & her husband David live in Sapperton with their three kids and their dog, Sirius Black.

ELLIOTT SLINN

Elliott Slinn (he/him/his) was named New Westminster’s fifth (and youngest) Poet Laureate in June 2021, actively beginning his tenure in August.

Slinn was born and raised in the Queen’s Park neighbourhood of New Westminster and still resides in the Royal City today.

His passion for both the Arts and Education, have led him to work in schools such as Lord Kelvin Elementary, F.W Howay and Douglas College.

Slinn’s passion for the written word and community engagement is what has led him to run for the New Westminster School Board.

He wants to empower the youth and champion both education and the arts.

CHERYL SLUIS

Cheryl (she/her/hers) moved to New Westminster from Winnipeg about six years ago, and experienced being welcomed with open arms by the community. She hopes to apply her expertise in project management, strategic planning, and program evaluation to continue to strengthen New Westminster’s public schools. Priorities for Cheryl are infrastructure and resources to meet the needs of our growing city and welcoming classrooms for all.

In her professional life, Cheryl leads project work for an organization that supports people with disabilities. Cheryl brings a deep commitment to social, economic, and environmental justice and reconciliation and believes strongly in removing barriers that prevent people from participating and fully contributing to society.

Cheryl and her partner Debra, and their two school aged kids live in Sapperton. She enjoys running, walking their dog, Romeo, and camping throughout British Columbia. Cheryl is an active volunteer at her kids’ schools and sports teams, and a not-for-profit board member.