Board of Directors

Mr. Pourkarimi is an energy and sustainability executive with over 35 years of business and management experience in small, medium, and large businesses in a wide range of areas including strategic planning, business development and planning, regulatory, financial analysis, technology, sales and marketing, operations, and customer service.

Mr. Pourkarimi is the founder and president of Energitix Management & Consulting Corporation, an energy management and sustainability consulting company. He also co-founded an international energy consulting company and grew the business from a start-up to an international consulting company focused on emerging markets by partnering with a large international company to expand the company’s international reach and financial strength. He has worked on international projects in 8 countries.

Prior to founding Energitix, Mr. Pourkarimi held a number of management positions with one of Canada’s leading utilities and in the technology sector. He is a professional engineer with a bachelor of applied science in mechanical engineering from the University of British Columbia.

Mr. Pourkarimi has a keen interest in supporting future generations. He has been a mentor to young CEOs and founders of start-up companies through Futurpreneur Canada since 2016 and is a board member of the Earth.IT Organization, an international, non-profit EdTech organization that offers a project-based after school learning platform for the world’s future leaders and changemakers.

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Sandra Micheals joined  the GVCSS Board in early 2018.

Ms. Micheals' career includes a focus in vocational rehabilitation and significant experience in the areas of mediation, negotiation and administration in various capacities with government and community organizations. Now retired, Ms. Micheals had an extensive career with WorkSafe BC where she was responsible for complex cases covering the medical management and return to work of seriously injured workers.

Ms. Micheals' education and volunteer work reflects her strong interest in medical and psychological aspects of rehabilitation. Her volunteer background includes Board Director and Chair of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, Community Health Committee member with the Vancouver Richmond Health Board, Three Bridges Health Centre and The Canadian Association of Rehabilitation Professionals. She holds a Diploma in Public Administration from the University of Victoria, a Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Ethnic Relations from Simon Fraser University, held an Accredited Canadian Rehabilitation Professional Certification throughout much of her career and trained in Conflict Resolution at the Justice Institute of BC.

Christine Paramonczyk was elected to the GVCSS Board in 2022. 

Originally from Ontario, Ms. Paramonczyk is a public servant who currently works as a Policy Manager with the BC Financial Services Authority and previously was the Director of Policy & Legislation for the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia. Prior to moving to B.C. in 2013, Christine held senior policy analyst and program consultant positions with the Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario. 

Ms. Paramonczyk is a committed volunteer with organizations that enhance the quality of life of women. She recently served as a volunteer Board Director and Chair of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver.

Ms. Paramonczyk holds a B.A. (Honours) in History and Political Studies from Queen’s University, as well as an M.S.W. from Wilfrid Laurier University. She is also the mother of two rambunctious and hilarious children.   

Adam Thompson was elected to the GVCSS Board in 2021, bringing an experience in law, real estate, finance and working in various non-profit sectors.

Adam Thompson is a Legal Consultant with Miller Thompson LLP and a member of the California Bar.  After 14 years of legal practice in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, he moved to Vancouver where he intends to continue his practice upon becoming a member of the Law Society of British Columbia.

Adam specializes in the handling of commercial real estate, joint venture and financial transactions, and is experienced in guiding a project from conception, acquisition, financing, entitlement, ground-up construction, stabilization and eventual disposition.  In the recent years Adam has also provided counsel on multiple projects involving municipal or other governmental partners, with an emphasis on the creation and rehabilitation of non-profit and affordable housing developments, as well as the restoration and preservation of historical buildings.