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Immigrant Advisory Table
The TCLIP Immigrant Advisory Table (IAT) consists of individuals who represent a range of countries of origin, lengths of time in Canada, occupational backgrounds, ages and gender and various other forms of diversity. Members will have experience, knowledge, abilities, or skills related to immigrant settlement and integration in the Tri-Cities and are non-partisan. Members of the Immigrant Advisory Table make a minimum one-year commitment.
Roles and responsibilities include:
Review the TCLIP Strategic Plan to ensure it reflects immigrant and newcomer needs and priorities;
Provide input to the TCLIP and its work by participating in Council and working group meetings;
Act as a resource for Tri-Cities community service providers;
Help lead or co-lead the implementation of strategic priorities in collaboration with the TCLIP members;
Reach out to ethno-specific communities to share TCLIP information and encourage participation in its work.
Meet our members by clicking on their profiles below.
Immigrant Advisory Table 2025-2026
Nigerian born Judith Kambia Obatusa – JKO – is a blogger, author, podcaster and anti-domestic violence activist who lives on the traditional lands of the Kwikwetlem First Nation. She hosts and produces Messy Can’t Stop Her, a podcast where she provides inspiration and practical tips to help women who are living in or recovering from abusive relationships on listening platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and others.
Using her personal struggles with domestic violence and the child welfare system in Canada, Judith weaves data, facts and anecdotes together with insight from experts and women with lived experience to deliver compelling stories of trials and triumphs.
A recipient of the 2016 WEST of Windsor Phenomenal Woman award, and a Master of Arts in Intercultural and International Communication from Royal Roads University, Judith is passionate about de-stigmatizing immigrant acculturation challenges and sensitizing migrants about the impact of domestic violence on their success in their “promised land”.
Judith dreams of a world where the culture of shame and silence that allows the perpetuation of domestic violence in our communities is no longer enabled. This inspires her podcast’s love projects such as the anthology, A Letter to My Darling Husband – on Amazon and the Empowered Faith Tees Shop on Etsy. Proceeds from Messy Can’t Stop Her’s love projects support domestic violence and women’s empowerment initiatives.
Carla arrived from Brazil in December 2015 and recently became a Registered Clinical Counsellor in BC, with special interests in cognitive and emotional processing and its impact on people with a diagnosis of learning difficulties. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings in the UK and Brazil, including a large educational research project in Bahia (Brazil) and lectures in South Africa. In Canada, she worked for 4 years as a school counsellor at a (K-12) school for students with special needs. Carla has a unique approach for group management and conflict mediation, with a kind and unique approach. She is a natural problem solver and enjoys the challenge of finding manageable solutions to complex issues. She wants to use her combined clinical and international experiences to bring unique and holistic insights that will benefit immigrants and their families.
Yasmin arrived in Canada in the summer of 2023 through a Business Immigration Program. Graduated with a Master’s degree in Information Technology Engineering from a recognized university in her home country, she has spent the past decade refining her skills as a business developer and advisor. For nearly half of her career, Yasmin has specifically focused on assisting both established entrepreneurs and early-stage startups looking to begin their entrepreneurial journey in Canada via various business immigration programs. Yasmin’s firsthand experience as a newcomer, coupled with her deep connections with her immigrant clients, has been a driving force behind her pursuit of volunteer opportunities within the settlement sector since her early days in Canada. Having navigated the challenges of this sector during the past few months, she believes it is time for her to leverage her insights and experiences to make a meaningful impact. Therefore, joining the Immigrant Advisory Table (IAT) was a natural next step for Yasmin, allowing her to channel her expertise in a way that directly benefits landed immigrants and immigration applicants alike.
Tokunbo is a seasoned Senior Business Analyst and University Instructor who brings nearly two decades of comprehensive experience spanning Banking, Retail, and Higher Education. Having immigrated from Nigeria to Canada in 2019, just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, she has navigated diverse roles managing SME clients and facilitating change programs across various sectors. Tokunbo champions the invaluable contributions immigrants offer to the enhancement and progression of academic institutions and workplaces. She underscores the significance of fostering a sense of belonging among immigrants in Canada, enabling them to leverage their skills and diverse backgrounds to enrich the nation’s fabric. With a fervent belief in the transformative power of inclusion, Tokunbo advocates for creating environments where immigrants can thrive, thereby fostering innovation and societal advancement.
As an International Medical Graduate (IMG) with experience spanning multiple provinces, Tanya understands the challenges faced by newcomers and immigrants. Now settled in British Columbia, she is a Career Advisor dedicated to removing barriers for individuals. Believing in education’s power, Tanya empowers newcomers to navigate Canada’s job market confidently. Using her own journey, she provides tailored support, equipping them with the necessary resources. Her work underscores inclusivity’s importance. Tanya contributes to creating an equitable society where diversity is celebrated. Passionate about making a difference, she’s committed to helping newcomers thrive and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Together at Tri-Cities LIP, let’s embark on a journey of empowerment.
James was a newcomer to Canada in 2009. He has over 20 years of working experience in different countries in Asia and Europe. He took different roles including operation, commercial and management. James holds a Master’s Degree in Management and a BA. Since he came to Canada, he took a few different jobs. Currently, he works for a Fortune 500 global logistics and supply chain management company, and he has the title of Director of Sales for Western Canada. He is managing a professional sales team responsible for B.C., A.B. and the prairies provinces in Canada.
Karine Maia, (she/her), is a cis lesbian woman from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She came as an uninvited guest to the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem First Nation) in 2020 to continue her work as a Social Scientist. Her family’s lived experiences have inspired her to be involved in data production and research since 2005. Grounded in a strong social justice framework, Karine has engaged in all aspects of data production, from questionnaire application to the publication and evaluation of public policies. Her focus is on leveraging data for strategic decision-making and innovation across all sectors of society, with a particular interest in promoting and supporting more inclusive and humanistic approaches for all around the world.
Mithila Karnik-Adarkar is an immigrant and proud Canadian citizen who has called Port Coquitlam home since 2018 and is widely recognized for her leadership in community building, multicultural engagement, and equity-driven initiatives. A former Port Coquitlam City Council candidate (2022), she is the Founder and President of The South Asian Collective Society, which delivers the city’s largest and only Diwali Festival of Lights and its first-ever Holi celebration, both attended by elected officials and community leaders. Mithila is also the organizer of Port Coquitlam’s first International Day of Dance (2025), Co-Founder of The Level Up professional mentorship series, and Co-Founder of The Make A Fuss Movement for International Women’s Day, advancing women’s empowerment through panels, workshops, and sport. She serves on the Mayor-appointed Community Mosaic (EDI) Advisory Roundtable for the City of Port Coquitlam and was a Member-at-Large on the Seniors Focus Committee for the City of Port Moody. An Adopt-a-Spot volunteer, local indie children’s author, and two-time winner of Port Coquitlam’s May Days Flash Fiction Competition, her work bridges culture, storytelling, and civic impact. Her contributions have been recognized through multiple community grants, nominations for the PoCo Volunteer Awards (2023, 2024), and a nomination for the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award of Excellence (2024).
