Our Team
Jodi Mucha
Executive Director
Gurmeet Sall
People & Culture Specialist
Jodi Mucha
Executive Director
jodi@bchealthycommunities.ca
778.404.7796
Jodi has a Masters in Environment and Management, over 20 years of community development experience working both at the local and international level. She also has a strong background in engagement and leadership, community change and practice-based research. She provides expertise in multi-sectoral collaboration and partnerships, systems thinking, the healthy communities approach and practical approaches to understanding the links between the determinants of health.
As a hobby, Jodi runs ultradistance trail races, facilitates leadership courses and maintains her organic garden.
Gurmeet Sall
People & Culture Specialist
778.404.7773
As BCHC’s People and Culture Specialist, Gurmeet brings extensive knowledge and human resource experience from her 20 plus years of working in the provincial government. Her passion and expertise in human resources translates to a strengthened organizational culture and a supported group of staff members. Working with the Executive Director on HR and operational requirements for the organization, Gurmeet aligns the organization’s HR functions and strategies to support BCHC’s business priorities, and plans. She has a steadfast commitment to shaping a more engaged and unified organizational culture. In her spare time, Gurmeet enjoys walking and spending time with her family and friends.
Stephanie Neilson
Evaluation Lead
Sarah Dyer
Age-Friendly Communities Program Lead
Stacy Chappel
Grants & Engagement Coordinator
Stephanie Neilson
Evaluation Lead
778.404.0941
Stephanie brings a passion for local knowledge, context and experience to her work in evaluation. She believes healthy communities begin with people’s relationship to their environment, and that intentional planning, design, strategies, monitoring and evaluation help foster the changes communities strive for.
Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Development and a Masters in Rural Planning and Development from the University of Guelph. Stephanie has worked in both Canada and overseas and her over 10 years of evaluation and research experience includes projects that examine how research influences policy, capacity building, gender, health, and environment and resource management.
Stacy Chappel
Grants & Engagement Coordinator
778.404.0510
Stacy is passionate about community-led initiatives to build justice and sustainable communities. She has 25 years’ experience working for community non-profits. She served as a grant adjudicator for BC’s Community Gaming Grants program and manager for the UVic Graduate Students’ Society and VIPIRG. She volunteers with Capital City Fencers’ Club and her local refugee sponsorship group.
Stacy holds a Masters in Community Development. Her research focused on co-operatives and she is committed to democratic and inclusive governance. Stacy owes a debt to friends and colleagues who guided her learning about social justice and community-based research. She credits her high school drama teacher for instilling her belief in the power of humour and a good yarn.
Stacy enjoys theatre, sewing, cycling and fencing.
Sarah Dyer
Community Well-being & Age Friendly Specialist
778.404.7793
Sarah holds a BSc in Food and Nutrition as well as an MSc in Nutritional Sciences, with a focus on nutrition in older adults. Her background includes more than 15 years of experience in best practice health research and health communications in a number of health areas, including gerontology. Sarah is committed to transforming thinking around aging to focus on health and vitality.
In her role with BC Healthy Communities, Sarah supports communities as they implement plans and projects for healthy aging. She also brings her research and communications skills to her work supporting Healthy Communities initiatives as part of the PlanH program.
Connie Allsopp
PlanH Delivery Lead
Laura Hube
Active School Travel Pilot Program Lead
Monica DeVidi
Research and Planning Assistant
Connie Allsopp
Laura Hube
Active School Travel Program Coordinator
laura@bchealthycommunities.ca
778.404.7788
Laura is a lifelong learner and authentic relationship builder who seeks to create happier and healthier communities. Her background includes experience in sustainable transportation planning, health research and teaching yoga. Laura has worked in the private, public, and not-for-profit sector across Canada and the US.
At BCHC, Laura seeks to empower school communities using an asset-based approach with an equity lens. She believes that the journey to/from school is a ripe opportunity for adventure, activity and autonomy. Laura holds a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning, where her thesis and internship were focused on active and safe school travel and healthy school environments.
In her spare time, Laura enjoys exploring beautiful Vancouver Island with her husband and two young children, discovering the best in local food, or curling up with a good book.
Monica DeVidi
Research and Planning Assistant
monica@bchealthycommunities.ca
Monica graduated from the Master of Planning program at Dalhousie University after finishing her Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Environmental Studies at Queen’s University. Now residing in Victoria, she is motivated to work towards equitable and sustainable communities as BCHC’s Research and Planning Assistant.
Her past research has focused on social and structural determinants of health, food sovereignty, healthy built environments, community-based engagement, as well as environmental justice, coastal climate adaptation, and marine spatial planning. Outside the office, Monica enjoys hiking, camping, and trying out new recipes.
Sarah Dyer
Community Well-being & Age Friendly Specialist
778.404.7793
