The Current Library Board
The North Vancouver District Public Library Board comprises eight community-minded volunteers who are appointed by District Council plus one elected Councillor.
Check out their profiles below!
Kulvir Mann, Board Chair
Kulvir Mann was appointed to the Board in 2020, served as Vice Chair from 2021-2022, and was elected Board Chair in 2023.
Kulvir has been a resident of the North Shore for almost twenty years and is a parent to two children in the Handsworth Family of Schools.
As a parent and North Vancouver School District #44 Trustee, she is committed to all students having the best education, regardless of their ability, ethnicity or gender and believes students should have resources and opportunities to reach their highest potential.
She worked as an Active and Safe Routes to School Facilitator for HASTe (Hub for Active School Travel).
Believing in the importance of working in a team environment and the abilities of parents to have positive and proactive impacts in their communities, Kulvir has taken on leadership roles with her children's PAC and NVDPAC in recent years. She also volunteers with Family Services of the North Shore on PEDAW (Provincial Eating Disorders Awareness Week) and Christmas Bureau, and also with the Harvest Project on their campaigns.
She is an incredibly active member of the North Shore community, and is a big supporter of NVDPL!
James Mitchell, Vice Chair
James Mitchell was appointed to the Board in 2019 and elected Vice Chair in 2023. James currently works as a Senior Consultant at Santis Health. Previously he has worked with a number of organizations including Seaspan Shipyards, the University of British Columbia’s Centre for Group Counselling and Trauma, and Capilano University.
James has organized for and advised senior politicians at all levels of government, including most recently serving as British Columbia advisor to the Honourable Erin O’Toole. His interest in politics stems from a firm commitment to improving life in his community.
James has been a North Shore resident for more than 30 years and is a committed community volunteer currently participating in a number of volunteer organizations.
James is a graduate of Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Arts Majoring in History.
Gerald Baier
Gerald Baier was appointed to the Board in 2019. Gerald is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of British Columbia. He is the Academic Director for the Institute for Future Legislators also at the University of British Columbia. Originally an Albertan he studied in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Ontario, and taught for several years in New Brunswick before moving to British Columbia in 2003. His family moved to Lynn Valley in 2010 and enjoy everything that comes along with that tremendous privilege, including being a stone’s throw from the main library.
Valerie Dong
Valerie Dong was appointed to the Board in February 2018. Valerie is a senior leader in Business Advisory Services at WorkSafeBC and brings more than 20 years’ experience developing and delivering high value business improvement solutions. Through her work in the public-sector she brings a wealth of experience in strategic planning, program and project management, business analysis, process improvement, change management, and building high performance teams.
Valerie was raised in North Vancouver, attended Lonsdale Elementary and Carson Graham schools, and currently lives in Lynn Valley with her husband and two sons. She strongly believes in the power of literature to be a catalyst in creating opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to learn, imagine, dream, connect and explore. Along with reading, her interests include jogging, Italian food, and being an avid soccer mom.
Lara Greguric
Lara Greguric was appointed to the Board in January 2017. Lara is the Executive Vice President, Learning with the CPA Western School of Business (CPAWSB), an institution that inspires and educates tomorrow’s Chartered Professional Accountants. She is responsible for enabling student learning, overseeing educational contractor relations, and leading stakeholder engagement. Prior to joining CPAWSB, Lara held senior roles in the pharmaceutical, financial services, and advisory services sectors. As an FCPA, FCA, Lara brings business and financial expertise to her Board role and also serves as the Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee. She has previously held the positions of Board Chair and Vice Chair.
Herman Mah (District of North Vancouver Council Representative)
Herman Mah was appointed to the Board in 2023. He was elected to the District of North Vancouver Council in October 2022. Prior to becoming a Councillor, Herman was very active as a volunteer in the Community. He was the Vice President and Treasurer for the Pemberton Heights Community Association, Board member for the Downtown Vancouver Association, Vice Chair of the North Vancouver Recreation & Culture Commission, member of the District’s Community Services Advisory Committee and a Big Brother for over 19 years.
Herman grew up in Vancouver and has lived in Pemberton Heights for over 20 years with his wife. Together, they are proud parents to their active 13-year old daughter. After graduating from UBC with a Commerce Degree, his professional career included being the manager of the BCIT Downtown Campus, Real Estate Asset Manager at BC Housing and, recently, a Housing Services Manager for S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Affordable Housing Society. Herman believes in “Family + Community” and views the North Vancouver District Public Library system as an immensely value resource and meeting place for the Community.
Barb Lawrie
Barb Lawrie was appointed to the board of Trustees in 2020. She has lived in North Vancouver for the past 20 years.
Barb is a registered nurse by profession with a career that has taken her across a spectrum of clinical and administrative roles. Barb was the Vice President of Professional Practice and Chief Clinical Information Officer at Vancouver Coastal Health from 2015-2020. Over the last three years she has built a health consulting company, Barb Lawrie Consulting Ltd. Barb brings many leadership strengths to her role on the board. She is well known for her ability to work through complex issues in an effort to effect sensible change.
Ana Lopez
Ana Lopez was appointed to the Board in 2018. She is the Vice-President, Human Resources & People Development at BCIT. She oversees a broad HR portfolio which includes recruitment, total rewards, learning and professional development, change leadership, labour relations, employment advisory services, organizational wellness, human resources information systems, privacy, as well as safety, security and emergency management. Prior to joining BCIT, Ana worked in HR roles at TransLink and Coast Mountain Bus Company after having practiced labour and employment law with two Vancouver firms.
Ana is proud to be able to serve as a Trustee for the Board, and support such a vital part of our north shore community.
In her spare time, Ana enjoys running, hiking and snowshoeing on the north shore, as well as actively supporting her teenage kids in pursuit of their various activities.
Kristine Mactaggart Wright
Kristine Mactaggart Wright was appointed to the Board in 2019. She is returning to the Board after a previous appointment from 2016-2017.
Kristine is a lawyer by training, and has over 15 years of experience in administrative law with different public service positions at British Columbia Crown or Crown-like agencies. Kristine is passionate about the Library, its programming, and literacy.
Kristine has lived in the District since 2002. She now lives nearest to the Parkgate Branch. On her “off-duty” time, you can find Kristine driving her children to their activities; walking her dog on the North Shore trails; and reading very expensive foreign decor magazines for free from the Library on its digital subscription service.
