Board of Directors

Katy Harandi, Chair of the Board, President

Katy Harandi, Chair of the Board, President is the mother of two, one of whom has autism. Since 1995, she has devoted her time towards helping her daughter overcome many of the challenges with this condition. Katy supervised and actively participated in her daughter’s home-based ABA program, receiving many hours of training from educational and behavioral specialists as well as experts in the fields of speech and occupational therapy. She was the YWCA 2012 Women of Distinction nominee for her contributions to our community and recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for service to Canada. Katy is a member of the Vancouver Board of Trade Women’s Leadership Circle and a member of the Sauder School of Business Women’s Leadership Council. She received her B.A. degree from Stanford University in Computer Science and holds an MBA from the Sauder School of Business. Katy is one of the co-founders of PALS.

Allison Arai, Board Treasurer

Allison Arai, Board Treasurer is a parent of two children, the eldest with autism. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia and is a Chartered Professional Accountant. She manages several family owned business, one of which is Wesco Industries Ltd. as well as some related companies in BC and United States. Allison is one of the co-founders of PALS.

Cindy Maltman, Board Secretary

Cindy Maltman, Board Secretary is a mother of a young girl with autism and is a retired firefighter with the City of Burnaby. Like many parents of autistic children she taught herself how to advocate on behalf of her child. She took several courses on coping strategies, advocacy and various autism treatment programs. Cindy is married and resides in New Westminster with her family and is one of the co-founders of PALS.

Robert Standerwick

Robert Standerwick was born and raised in Vancouver. He graduated from UBC with a BA and an LLB. Bob has been a lawyer for more than 30 years and has been a partner in a national firm. He recently set up his own firm. He has been active in a number of community organizations and has been a member of the Board of Directors of the West Point Grey Academy since 1999 and its Chair since 2000. He has been a Director of PALS Autism Society since 2007.

Tammy Kalla

Tammy Kalla is a parent of two children, one with developmental disability. She has spent the past fourteen years learning about and advocating for specialized educational programs and therapies. Tammy received her BA from The University of Texas at Austin and an MBA from The George Washington University. Prior to marrying and raising a family, Tammy worked in public affairs and government relations in Washington, D.C. She manages a medical clinic in Vancouver.
Tammy is one of the co-founders of PALS.

Karen L. M. Carteri

Karen L. M. Carteri is a trial and appellate lawyer. She joined NST as a partner in 2016 where she has continued her emergence as a leading litigator in British Columbia. Prior to joining NST, Karen was a litigation partner in the Vancouver office of a national law firm, including five years as leader of the firm’s Vancouver litigation group. Karen’s practice includes shareholder and corporate disputes and remedies, partnership disputes, property development disputes, property title and insurance issues, work for financial institutions, work in the resource and mining sector, civil forfeiture, and a wide variety of contract disputes in various sectors.

Karen has been a member of various non-profit boards, including the boards of other schools such as Vancouver College and Little Flower Academy. Throughout her career and continuing today, Karen has placed tremendous value on mentorship received and on being available to offer mentorship to others.

Jennifer Gunasekera

Jennifer Gunasekera is a mother of two who recognizes the importance of a supportive and enriching educational environment and is an advocate for families seeking the best learning experience for their child. She holds degrees in Psychology and Education from Queen’s University.  As a former classroom teacher dedicated to meeting the individual needs of her students, Jennifer’s passion evolved over the years into roles that allowed her to contribute to the growth and development of educational institutions.  Notably, she served as the Head of School for Pals Autism School during its formative years from 2008 to 2010, a period she looks back on with pride for the significant progress achieved.  Currently, as the Director of Enrolment at West Point Grey Academy, Jennifer plays a crucial role in shaping the student body and ensuring a vibrant and diverse community of learners and their families.  

Bonney Rempel

Bonney Rempel is a native of BC and has been a professional in shopping centre management for over 25 years.   She has a career portfolio showcasing marketing and management leadership across corporate, retail, and property management landscapes.  Award-winning (both professionally and personally) for community programs initiated where she has lived and worked.  Bonney has served on several committees and boards, including the BC Shopping Centre Association and the BC Powerlifting Association.

As a previous supporter of PALS, it is an honour to sit on their Board of Directors.

Margaret Buttner

Margaret Buttner is a graduate of the UBC Sauder School of Business, and started her career in the for-profit sector. Since 2001 she has held several management positions with non-profits in the healthcare and environmental sector, and she’s an active volunteer with a number of sporting and cultural events.

Glenn Laufer

Glenn Laufer is a Chartered Professional Accountant who works as a Controller for Iconix Waterworks. Glenn obtained a BFA from Ryerson and then continued on to receive his Chartered Accountant through studies at Simon Fraser University. He is the proud father of an adult son who is on the Autism Spectrum. Glenn is a founding director of the Canucks Autism Network and has been an advocate and supporter of the PALS community since its inception. Glenn enjoys perfecting his pizza dough, taking photos, and spending time with his family in his leisure time.

John Stewart

PALS Autism Society honours the memory of Board member, John Stewart who passed away on December 28, 2021.

We are grateful for John’s service on PALS’s Board of Directors since 2007. Not only did John bring great expertise as a retired Burnaby Fire Chief, but he was also a strong advocate for children with autism. 

John was extremely driven to help secure a forever home for the school program, and we will forever be appreciative of his dedication in helping to obtain our facility in New Westminster.