Executive Team

Heidi Yang, P.Eng., FEC, FGC (Hon.)

Chief Executive Officer

As Chief Executive Officer, Heidi oversees the delivery of the organization’s mandate under the Professional Governance Act, implementation of the Strategic Plan, and delivery of the Board work plan. She directs Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s programs and services across all areas and ensures the organization adheres to its budget and financial management plans while being accountable to the Board.

Heidi is a collaborative leader with a strong vision for engineering and geoscience regulation in BC. Throughout her 29-year career, Heidi’s strategic leadership has enabled her teams to implement effective systems to support innovative and sustainable operations. Before joining the organization, she led engineering operations for one of the largest privately-owned window and door manufacturers in Canada. Heidi has held several senior executive roles with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA), including one year as their interim CEO where she led a rigorous business planning process that enhanced APEGA’s ability to deliver on its regulatory mandate. Prior to this, Heidi spent 20 years at Weyerhaeuser providing leadership for their quality management, customer strategies, and operations processes at the Grande Prairie, Alberta plant.

As a lifelong learner, Heidi continually searches for opportunities to grow. She holds certificates from the Queen’s Executive Program and Lean Six Sigma. Most recently, she completed the Indigenous Canada course by the University of Alberta. Heidi is also a dedicated volunteer who has held several academic and community board roles, including with the Glenora Rotary Club—the first rotary club in North America chartered by professional women.

Jennifer Cho, CPA, CGA, FEC (HON.), FGC (HON.)

Chief Financial and Administration Officer

As Chief Financial and Administration Officer, Jen plays a lead role in several functions at Engineers and Geoscientists BC, including its annual audit, budgeting, annual fee renewal, risk management, human resources, and facility management. 

Jen is a charted professional accountant with 25 years of accounting experience from positions at notable companies such as Aquilini Development and Construction Inc., Intrawest, and the City of Vancouver.

During her years with Engineers and Geoscientists BC, Jen has been a strategic, people-first leader. She has championed several initiatives,     including developing an enterprise-wide risk management plan, modernizing financial systems and processes, designing a future-forward facilities strategy for the organization, succession planning, and professional development and training at all levels, all while managing several capital projects. Jen is passionate about realizing Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan in the coming years and is also keen to ensure the organization remains one of BC’s Top Employers.

David Pavan, RPH

Registrar and Chief Regulatory Officer

In the role of Registrar and Chief Regulatory Officer, David oversees the organization’s Registrar duties and regulatory functions  for individual and firm registrants under the Professional Governance Act. This includes admissions, registration, practice standards, quality assurance, enforcement, legislation, investigation, and discipline. He develops and leads strategic initiatives to achieve goals in Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s 2022 – 2027 Strategic Plan and builds collaborative relationships with other regulators to advance issues impacting professionals and professional regulation provincially and nationally. David also carries out the legislated functions of the Registrar and oversees the development and execution of related policies and procedures.

David is a registered pharmacist and a strong leader with a 30-year career in the pharmaceutical and professional regulation industries. Prior to joining Engineers and Geoscientists BC, David served as the Deputy Registrar for the BC College of Pharmacists, where he was responsible for the organization’s registration, licensure, practice review, quality assurance, complaints, and investigation functions. In this role, David collaborated with other regulatory colleges internationally and nationally, the BC Ministry of Health, Health Canada, and other provincial and national organizations to better meet the regulatory requirements of the College of Pharmacists of BC.

He has also served on several committees, including the Chair of the BC Provincial Prescription Monitoring Program and Vice Chair of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Prescription Review Panel as part of the Quality Assurance Committee.

Alison Dantas, MA, CEC, C.Dir. 

Chief Operating Officer

In the role of Chief Operating Officer, Alison oversees the organization’s operational functions including communications, programs and continuing education, corporate governance and strategy, government relations, information systems, and privacy. She also leads corporate business maturity efforts, business resilience functions, and monitors drivers of business performance. 

Alison is an accomplished senior executive, coach, and mediator with a passion for organizational change, governance, and innovation. She is a dynamic leader who has spent the last 35 years working in the not-for-profit sector, where her roles spanned community organizations, professional associations, and government. Most recently, Alison served as the CEO of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, where she championed support for vulnerable women, girls, and children impacted by the justice system. 

Before this, she was the CEO of the Canadian Chiropractic Association and the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors, and served as the Executive Director of the Association of Ontario Midwives. Her career also includes leadership experience in government (Ombudsman Ontario), social services (Community Social Planning Council of Toronto), social housing (Peel Living), and community involvement (Peel Rape Crisis Centre). 

She holds a master’s degree from the University of Waterloo in Regional Planning and Resource Development, and graduate certificates from Royal Roads University in Executive Coaching and Change Management. Her work and societal contributions have been honoured through several awards from the Canadian Society of Association Executives, the Surrey Board of Trade, the Peel Institute, and the University of Western States.