BEST is a non-profit charitable organization
with a long history of promoting sustainable transportation.
Our Vision
Through sustainable transportation, we build vibrant, inclusive communities.
Our Mission
To activate better transportation options through initiatives, collaboration and leadership.
How We Do It
We offer innovative social enterprises, programs and services to encourage,
promote and enable sustainable and active transportation choices.
Who We Are
Team Members
Pablo Zacarías | Executive Director
Pablo (he/him) has been our Executive Director since 2022.
As an uninvited guest in the lands of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh with a mixed heritage result of intergenerational displacements, born in one of the most densely populated cities in the world (Mexico City), Pablo understands how access to public and active transportation is a key determinant of wellbeing, community resilience and justice.
His love for community building, local arts and active transportation led him to co-create Rodante, Mexico’s largest itinerant bicycle music festival, as a way to advocate for better transportation policies, democratize public spaces and facilitate social connections in a decommodified environment. BEST is currently exploring similar initiatives to effectively use the arts to promote mobility justice.
Pablo holds two Master's Degrees in Education for Sustainability (UBC) and Transdisciplinary Studies for Sustainability (UV), writes songs, plays live, and does stand-up comedy whenever he can.
Saskia Asyari | Strategy & Operations, Manager
Saskia's love for cycling and walking fuels her drive to promote eco-friendly transportation. With nearly 4-year experience in project management and marketing at Southeast Asia's largest ride-hailing and food delivery app provider, Grab, she had the chance to contribute to creating more socio-economic opportunities, eco-friendly transportation, delivery, and logistics alternatives for more than 500,000 users through collaboration with educational institutions, FMCG corporations, government, public sectors, and other entities. As the Bicycle Valet Manager at BEST, her ultimate goal is to make cycling a safe, accessible, and enjoyable option for everyone with the aid of secure bike parking facilities and initiatives. Through her work, Saskia is dedicated to promoting sustainable transportation for a cleaner, healthier, and more vibrant community.
Sammy Purewal | Finance Associate
Meet Sammy, the financial maestro at BEST, where a Bachelors of Business Administration converges with a fervor for numbers and strategic financial management. With a sports background cultivated since age 6, Sammy has cultivated teamwork, discipline, and determination – qualities seamlessly integrated into their financial expertise. Beyond the balance sheets lies an adventure enthusiast exploring global horizons and shredding slopes on a snowboard when the mountains beckon. In the dynamic realm of BEST, Sammy isn’t merely managing finances; they’re craving a path to sustainable success. With a resolute commitment to BEST’s mission, Sammy strategically navigates the financial landscape, ensuring every dollar invested aligns with the vision for creating livable, sustainable communities through active transportation initiatives. It transcends mere numbers – it’s about crafting a financial narrative propelling BEST towards a future where eco-friendly transportation is a norm, not an exception.
Crystal Teves | HR Coordinator
Crystal (she/her), HR Coordinator, is deeply committed to sustainability and eco-friendly transportation. Her dedication to creating livable communities drives her to prioritize active transportation, like commuting by train or bus, for healthier lifestyles. Through her unwavering dedication, she fosters a team that shares her vision for a more sustainable future. Commuting gives Crystal the chance to enjoy her favorite music or podcasts, read, and prepare for work or unwind after a long day. She firmly believes that prioritizing active transportation not only reduces congestion and improves air quality but also contributes to a more positive work environment. In her role as HR Coordinator, Crystal aims to inspire positive change and make a lasting impact on the organization's commitment to sustainability.
Cayley McCallum | Marketing & communications Coordinator
Growing up surrounded by the hustle and bustle of urban life, Cayley developed a deep appreciation for the environment and a desire to make a positive impact on her community. In her free time, Cayley finds joy in hiking and taking long walks in nature. These moments spent outdoors not only help her clear her mind but also inspire her to continue her mission of advocating for sustainability and environmental stewardship.
With a fervent dedication to community building and a keen eye for creative expression, Cayley seeks to leverage her marketing expertise to amplify voices, champion causes, and effect positive change. Just as she finds joy in exploring the outdoors, Cayley aims to use her skills to connect people with causes and initiatives that promote sustainability and community well-being.
David Minic | Active Transportation Coordinator
David is a passionate cyclist and long-time Vancouverite. He is dedicated to creating more livable, sustainable communities where people can thrive. He believes that by prioritizing active transportation, we can reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and achieve healthier, happier lifestyles. In his free time, David can be found exploring new trails, reading by the beach, or experimenting with new recipes.
Karissa Schreyer | Events Coordinator
Karissa is a graduate from the University of British Columbia, with a bachelor’s in English and Psychology. She has lived in Vancouver for the past 7½ years, using public transit as her main mode of transportation since moving here. In the summer of 2022, she worked as the event coordinator for an ebike rental service, and enjoyed engaging with the public face-to-face to increase sustainable transportation. Her main goals in joining BEST are to gain more experience putting events together and build lasting connections. Outside of coordinating events, she spends her time tap dancing, attending concerts, and creating abstract makeup looks.
The Bike Valet Team
Akshay “Alex” Mehta | The Bike valet Manager
Alex (he/him) has been the Bike Valet Manager at BEST since 2024. With over a decade of experience in the North American produce industry, a Bachelor of Science degree, and diplomas in Operations Management and Agile Development from BCIT, he excels in operations management, employee oversight, logistical planning, and project management. A passionate advocate for sustainable transportation, Alex has managed the bike valet operations for many events across the Lower Mainland. His background in operations management enhances his ability to streamline operations effectively and optimize them with the use of technology. Outside of work, Alex enjoys biking, hiking and spending time with his family. Alex is dedicated to making cycling a safe, accessible, and enjoyable option for everyone, promoting eco-friendly transportation and fostering a healthier community.
Cesar Martinez | Business Development Coordinator
Cesar can be summarized in four words: Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Sports, and Impact. With an entrepreneurial spirit and a natural interest in sales, advertising, and consumer behavior, Cesar decided to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce with a specialization in Marketing at UBC. His love for sports taught him the importance of fostering community engagement, and his desire to be an agent of change drove him to work for different start-ups that aimed to create value and incentivize positive impact within their communities. By joining BEST, Cesar is looking to find ways to encourage sustainable transit alternatives and foster relationships with people and businesses that are looking to make BC more accessible and inclusive.
Projects Team
Farinaz Rikhtehgaran | Program Manager/Research & Development Coordinator
Commuting by bus and skytrain most times, Farinaz is curious about making cities more accessible, walkable, and livable for everyone regardless of their identities. With a Master's degree in Urban Design, Farinaz moved to Vancouver from Isfahan, Iran two years ago to pursue a Master's degree in Gerontology at Simon Fraser University (SFU). Since then, she has been working as the research coordinator and graduate research assistant on three participatory research projects focused on urban built environment accessibility and housing affordability at SFU and Hey Neighbour Collective. Her own research interest focuses on the development of walkable and accessible urban neighbourhoods and communities for immigrant older adults. Farinaz likes mapping and data visualization as well as facilitating workshops, focus groups, and dialogues. By joining BEST as the Living Streets coordinator, she hopes to put her academic knowledge into practice and contribute to creating walkable and age-friendly neighbourhoods.
Silvana Martinez | Research & Project Coordinator
Silvana (she/her) is excited to join the team at BEST, supporting the new Eco-Voyage initiative. Silvana first felt drawn to work alongside community while completing her Human Geography degree at UBC. This led her to work in the non-profit sector supporting newcommers finding employment, and with SFU Public Square organizing public events and community engagement programming. She is excited that her love for urbanism and community can overlap during her role at BEST, promoting equitable access to our cities and how we move through them.
Board Members
Margarita Fullerton | Co-Chair
With over 20 years of consulting experience in both the public and private sector, and an Industrial Engineering degree, Margarita specializes in operational excellence, strategic planning, business strategy, and finance transformation. For the last 10 years, Margarita has worked with UBC’s Executive and Faculty Leadership in developing solutions to complex problems and identifying/sizing various opportunities. Since joining the BEST Board in April of 2021, Margarita has been able to combine her passion for both, sustainability and strategy, to help promote sustainable transportation. In her spare time, Margarita enjoys spending time with her family and friends and playing pickleball.
Tylor Sherman | Co-Chair
Tylor is a creative technologist and co-founder of Vancouver interactive studio Denim & Steel. An engineer with a keen eye for design, he approaches all work with both approaches in mind - balancing what's possible with what makes sense and will work well. A music lover, you may spot him jamming on his walk to work with his dog Sophie.
Deepshika Kelkar | Secretary
Deepshika is of Indian origin living on the unceded territories of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. She has extensive travel and lived experiences which has shaped her worldview and perspective on diversity and equity. She believes that intercultural learning can play an important role in building healthier and more equitable communities. She joined BEST because their vision matches her values in creating inclusive communities.
Currently, she works as a researcher at a not-for-profit organization. In her spare time, she enjoys creating abstract art, birding, and biking. She holds a BA in International Relations with a minor in African Studies and a master’s degree in Public Policy from Simon Fraser University.
Serena you | Treasurer
Serena has experience in creating and developing partnerships for non-profit & education organizations. In her current role at UBC Sauder School of Business, she conducts market analyses within designated industry sectors to identify hiring trends, business skills requirements, and future career opportunities. She also has experience in recruiting employer participation for community business projects and has contributed to strategic planning and program/project assessments and evaluation. Before joining UBC, Serena worked for Siemens Ltd., China, ensuring compliance with company regulations and standard practices. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing Management and is currently pursuing a Human Resources Management Certificate and a Business Management Certificate from Simon Fraser University. Serena’s skills and experience can help organizations to develop strategic partnerships, identify opportunities for growth, and effectively manage their resources to achieve their mission.
Ana Milosavic | Member at Large
A marketer with a passion for sustainability, Ana joined the BEST Board in April 2021 to help make her passions come alive. A true Vancouverite, she takes advantage of Vancouver's nature and loves to go on walks and hikes in her spare time. Ana is looking forward to helping promote and encourage sustainable transportation, whether it be biking, walking, taking transit, or whichever other mode might work best for the individual.
Vanja Bartula | Member at Large
As someone who got their driver's license in their late 20s, Vanja is no stranger to public transit and alternate forms of transportation and the importance of having these readily available. Vanja has also been very passionate about the environment for as long as she can remember; she strives to reuse and make conscious choices when buying products and services, while keeping waste to a minimum. Vanja also recognizes the large carbon footprint that comes with owning a vehicle and frequently cycles and carpools as a means of transport.
Vanja currently works in the public sector and enjoys all sorts of physical activities, including: weight lifting, hiking, and cycling.
Jerry Gosling | Member at Large
Jerry is the Vice President of the Health and Wellness Institute, the Regional Director of the BC OAPO, and serves on the council of advisors for the BC Senior Advocate. In the past, he was also the General Vice President of Cosco, the Vice President of CHHA BC, the President of the BC OAPO, the President of CHHA Abbotsford, and the President of the MSA Museum. Jerry also teaches classes for COSCO, as well he formerly taught classes at UVIC where he was a master trainer.
Anthony Kupferschmidt | Member at Large
Over the course of his career in the field of gerontology, Anthony has seen the essential role of transportation in ensuring older adults can live well in the community. He is passionate about supporting older adults to attend vital medical appointments and equally important social opportunities. Older adults deserve mobility equity, and Anthony is excited to contribute to BEST, playing a growing role to meet the transportation needs of our aging population. When he is not working or volunteering, Anthony enjoys walking with his dog, Ferguson.
Pomponia Martinez | Member at Large
Pomponia (she/her) is an ardent supporter of clean energy solutions in transportation. Her occasional commutes from Chilliwack to Vancouver are with an EV. She currently teaches post-secondary students in areas of business and human resources and holds a Master in Administrative Management in addition to the Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation. She has owned and operated her own business and has a background in systems and business management. Previously, she served as President of the Vancouver Chapter of the Vancouver Astronomical Society of Canada, a not-for-profit, regulated under the Societies Act. She values teamwork and transparency in all Board work and is happy to contribute to supporting environmentally sound transportation solutions in our community.
Nina Maravic | Member at Large
Nina has worked in project management for over 10 years. Specializing in the film industry and corporate meetings/events, she brings a strong background of client engagement, logistic planning, and budgeting. She joined the board in 2024 and as an advocate for livable communities is passionate about the work BEST does to promote sustainable transportation and diverse communities. In her free time, Nina likes to spend time with friends and family, explore nature, travel, cook, and read.
