The Friends of the VPL is run by an amazing group of community members and volunteers, who are dedicated to supporting the programs and initiatives of the Vancouver Public Library. We are proud to work with such talented and driven individuals — thank you for all that you do!
Deepak is a seasoned Strategy, Management Consultant and Project Management professional with a strong foundation in both technology and business. Recognized for his strategic insight and collaborative leadership, he excels at aligning cross-functional teams to exceed goals, drive meaningful business outcomes, and build long-term client partnerships. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and an MBA from the University of British Columbia. Over the past 20 years, Deepak has gained broad industry experience across North America and Europe, delivering results in complex, fast-paced environments. As Director of Programs and Portfolios at Central 1 in the financial services industry, he leads high-performing teams that help credit unions and financial institutions across Canada compete and thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. His passions encompass value investing, globe-trotting adventures, boxing, and swimming.
Celine is a lawyer at a national law firm. She advises on commercial and construction disputes, contracts, builders liens, and surety and insurance claims. Celine has a background in International Relations, and has extensive experience working in the tourism, travel and hospitality industry. She is passionate about community engagement and fostering inclusive and safe spaces for people to feel welcome trying new things or meeting new people. Celine joined the Friends Board in 2025, and looks forward to supporting the library and its programs. In her spare time, you can find Celine working on her various quilting and crafting projects, hiking or skiing in the mountains, or cozied up with a mystery or fantasy novel, cup of tea and her cat, Beauregard.
Stefanie has worked in finance and public accounting across various industries from mining to tech. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant and also holds a degree in economics. She currently works for an economic regulator in the utilities industry of British Columbia. Stefanie is passionate about accessibility and education in the community and loves to read.
One of the first things on Sapna's list after moving to Vancouver was to get herself a library card. The Vancouver Public Library's inclusive community events and vast collection of books kept her afloat as she settled into this new city. Given the joy she has found in being a member of the VPL, Sapna is excited to give back to this community and support Friends’ mission of advocacy and fundraising for VPL, as it expands access to learning, literacy, and community. A recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship and trained as an economist at The American University in Washington, D.C, Sapna brings in 6+ years of project management experience with a focus on policy and processes. Prior to moving to Vancouver and joining the University of British Columbia staff, she worked in Global Operations at Meta's European Headquarters in Ireland, focusing on risk prevention and user safety.
Chloë is a bookworm, communications strategist, and facilitator committed to building vibrant, resilient communities with amazing libraries at their heart. She works in communications at a leading environmental non-profit in BC, translating conservation science into stories that resonate with diverse audiences. Chloë has taught an accredited storytelling course at the University of British Columbia (UBC), led dozens of communications workshops, and regularly consults with local non-profits to amplify their impact. Across sectors and teams, her work focuses on bridging systemic challenges and the people most affected by them. She holds a BA in Economics from Sciences Po Paris and a BA in International Relations and Creative Writing from UBC.
Rani Bansal is a Vancouver-based nonprofit professional working in fundraising and community partnerships. She enjoys connecting people, ideas, and resources, and is always up for a good conversation about impact (preferably over coffee). A lifelong library enthusiast, Rani grew up treating her school library as a second home and rediscovered that same sense of belonging at the Vancouver Public Library after moving to Canada. You’ll often find her browsing the shelves, signing up for “just one more” program, or enthusiastically recommending books she’s still in the middle of reading. She cares deeply about libraries as joyful, inclusive spaces where everyone can explore, learn, and feel at home.
Ray is a community-minded entrepreneur with over 10 years of experience in the digital marketing industry. He is currently the principal at RW Digital, an established digital marketing agency. When Ray isn’t helping businesses navigate the digital space, he is keen on taking part in volunteering, fundraising, mentorship and other community initiatives; he strongly believes in giving back and supporting spaces that help build communities around education. You can often find Ray searching for the next business book to pore over at his favourite library branch.
From the binary world of coding to the vibrant universe of marketing, Mayank has always been about making connections – whether it’s getting software to talk or getting people to engage. His career highlights include stints at Google and Amazon, but his most fulfilling narrative involves building impactful educational initiatives. Now residing in Vancouver, Mayank’s love affair with libraries is a lifelong saga. Growing up, books were his constant companions (think of him as a literary nomad!), and one of his first acts upon arriving was to secure a VPL membership – his personal “chapter one” in the city. He’s eager to bring his marketing skills to the Friends, helping them write the next best-seller in community support for the Vancouver Public Library. He firmly believes a thriving library is a story everyone deserves to read.
Sarah is a CPA who gained her professional accounting experience working in public practice with a focus on auditing non-profit organizations, and currently works for Ocean Wise Conservation Association as their Senior Finance Manager. Prior to this, Sarah received her Bachelor of Arts from UBC with a double major in English Literature and Classical Studies and had the wonderful opportunity to work at Vancouver Public Library for a short time before leaving to pursue her CPA. Sarah is excited to be joining the board of Friends of the VPL and returning to the library world as she is a passionate library fan and advocate, particularly for their amazing programs and extensive (and growing!) non-fiction e-book collections. In her spare time Sarah loves reading, binge watching the latest TV shows and hiking the trails around the Lower Mainland with her partner and daughter.
Samantha is General Counsel for an internet technology company headquartered in Austin, Texas. She advises on commercial transactions, internet law, technology and IP licensing, security compliance, business development, and business strategy. She sits on the board of the two Canadian subsidiaries of her company. By night, she flexes her creative muscles by entering random writing contests, recreating her favourite foods in felt and yarn, and trying to teach herself to paint via YouTube.
Sijia Cheng is an arts marketer by trade. Combining her passion for arts advocacy, multilingual cultural fluency, and technical ingenuity, she delivers consistent and creative marketing solutions for arts nonprofits in Vancouver, Victoria, and beyond. A lifelong love of literature brought her to Vancouver, where she earned an MA in English. Since then, she has turned her writing skills and a critical eye toward a career in communications and marketing. Grounded in a deep belief in the social value of books, libraries, and the arts, Sijia brings a multidisciplinary, equity-informed approach to support the Friends of VPL. In her spare time, you’ll likely find her at the theatre or concert hall, or at home talking to her plants.
Stewart is Director of the Office of Research and Scholarship at University Canada West and has extensive experience in program and people management and in research & science environments. As a new member both of the Vancouver community and of the Friends of the Vancouver Public Library, he is eager to contribute. Stewart is a lifelong lover of libraries and believes libraries offer us not only worlds of insight and beauty from literature but also provide a democratic space for accessing information, tools, resources, and even social services. When not reading or working, he enjoys exploring the outdoors, cycling, hiking, learning how to sail, and cheering on all sorts of sports teams and events.