Our Staff

Ingrid Mendez (She/Her) – Executive Director

Ingrid brings to the role decades of experience in grassroots community development and organizing. Ingrid previously served as the Executive Director of Watari Counselling and Support Services for 6 years.

Ingrid is informed by her experience growing
up in Guatemala (Place of Many Trees) and a lifelong commitment to social justice. Over the last decade, she has also been part of the Sanctuary Health Collective, advocating for the human rights of migrant communities in the Lower Mainland. Ingrid holds 5 years of International Relations university studies and a Certificate from SFU in Non Profit Management.

 

 

Jonathon Braun (He/Him) – Legal Director

Jonathon is MWC’s Legal Director after previously working here as a Staff Lawyer and Legal Advocate. In between these roles, Jonathon continued to advocate for the rights of workers as an articling student and lawyer at a boutique union-side labour and employment firm. During his time in private practice, Jonathon stayed involved at MWC as the Secretary of our Board of Directors.

In his legal practice, Jonathon has represented clients before a number of administrative bodies, including the Employment Standards Branch, Workers’ Compensation Appeal Tribunal, Residential Tenancy Branch, Human Rights Tribunal, and Labour Relations Board. He has also assisted clients with a variety of immigration issues and has advocated for improvements to Canada’s immigration laws.

Jonathon received his law degree from the University of British Columbia in 2015. In his free time, he loves being outdoors and is an avid hiker and downhill skier. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Jonathon has been devouring books and has stayed social and connected by organizing online games and competitions.

 

Daniel Silveyra (He/Him) – Director of Operations

Daniel is a settler from Monterrey, Mexico. He has been living in Coast Salish land since 2010. Prior to joining MWC, Daniel served  as the Director of Operations for Pain BC, a disability advocacy charity based in Vancouver. Before this, Daniel worked in multiple Operations leadership, consulting, and project management roles in the retail, consulting, and financial services industries in Mexico, Canada, and the UK.

Daniel received his Bachelor of Economics degree from ITESM (Monterrey, Mexico) in 2005 and his Master of Arts in Economics from the University of British Columbia in 2010. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the old growth forests of BC, dabbling in writing and music, and herding his two cats Akira and Lenú.

 

 

Amanda Aziz (She/Her) – Staff Lawyer

Amanda is a part-time Staff Lawyer with the Migrant Workers Centre and also works as an immigration and refugee lawyer. She is a long-time advocate for migrant justice, is the proud daughter of immigrants and has supported many families in navigating their immigration status in Canada. She has appeared regularly before all levels of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada as well as the Federal Court of Canada and has testified before federal standing committees of the House of Commons and Senate.

Amanda has worked with organizations supporting women and workers’ rights, including the West Coast Legal Education and Action Fund, the BC Government and Service Employees Union and the Canadian Labour Congress, and is a member of the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers National Executive and the Canadian Bar Association Provincial Executive. She is also a regular volunteer with Rise Women’s Legal Clinic and is actively involved with Vancouver’s sanctuary city movement, advocating for access to services for all regardless of immigration status. Prior to her life as a lawyer, Amanda represented students at the national level, advocating for accessible post-secondary education. She received her law degree from the University of Victoria in 2014.

 

Michelle Markell (She/Her) – Staff Lawyer

Michelle (she/her) is a Staff Lawyer at the Migrant Workers Centre. She graduated from UBC law in 2022, then completed her articles at MWC and was called to the bar in 2023. Michelle has appeared before the Federal Court of Canada, the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, and the Provincial Court of British Columbia. She regularly assists migrant workers with their immigration matters, as well as with complaints before administrative bodies such as the BC Human Rights Tribunal and the Employment Standards Branch.

Michelle is grateful to live, work, and play on the unceded and traditional territories of the the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and Selilwitulh (Tsleil Waututh) Nations. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in nature and gardening.

 

Navid Bayat (He/Him) – Staff Lawyer

Navid is a Staff Lawyer with a diverse professional background in both law and clinical pharmacy. As part of the Migrant Workers Centre, he works within the Agricultural Workers Legal Clinic in the Okanagan Valley, where he advocates for migrant agricultural workers and advises on navigating complex legal challenges when unexpected issues arise.

Before joining MWC, Navid ran a solo refugee practice, representing clients in claims for protection. His experience managing the challenges of precarious immigration statuses continues to inform his work with migrant workers. He is committed to trauma-informed and culturally sensitive advocacy, especially for individuals from diverse and marginalized backgrounds.

Navid’s background as a hospital pharmacist provides unique insight into public health regulations and fosters his interest in the social determinants and health challenges faced by migrant workers. He graduated from the UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2012 and the Peter A. Allard School of Law in 2021. In his free time, Navid enjoys playing strategy computer games, reading fiction, and practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

 

 

Lorena Ordoñez (She/Her) – Intake Manager

Lorena Ordoñez – is the Intake Manager with MWC’s Agricultural Workers Legal Clinic in the Okanagan Valley, based in Kelowna. Lorena was born and raised in Cali, Colombia and since 2002 Lorena calls Canada her home. Prior to joining MWC, Lorena worked in human services, adult education, rehabilitation, and employment services with her most recent role as a Senior Employment Consultant at WorkBC, where she collaborated in developing strategic plans to meet the unique individual needs of newcomers to move towards sustainable employment. Also, as the member of the leadership team, Lorena provided training and the efficient transfer of policy requirements made by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. In her spare time, Lorena enjoys volunteering her time with various non-profit projects, paddleboarding and bird watching.

 

 

 

Andrea Ramos (She/Her) – Legal Support Coordinator

Andrea Ramos is the Legal Support Coordinator at MWC Vancouver. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a specialization in Immigration Laws, Policies, and Procedures, and also holds a Law Degree from Mexico.

Having immigrated to Canada in 2015, Andrea understands the challenges and uncertainties many newcomers face in navigating the immigration system. Her personal experiences have fueled her passion for ensuring that others have a fair and supportive immigration journey. Andrea is dedicated to helping individuals achieve their dreams of a better life in Canada.

In her free time, Andrea loves exploring the outdoors and discovering the beauty of the world around her.

 

 

 

 

 

Ana Quiroz (She/Her) – Level Up Program Lead

Ana is a racialized settler living on the unceded and traditional territories of the the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and Selilwitulh (Tsleil Waututh) Nations. Ana graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies. As part of her commitment to fostering community, she volunteers as a trauma-informed Yoga facilitator with Yoga Outreach. In her spare time, she enjoys camping and learning Nahuatl.

 

 

 

 

Jairo Garcia (He/Him) – Counselor

Jairo brings expertise in developing new narratives to address personal challenges effectively. Born and studied in Colombia, with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and another degree as an Advertising Professional, Jairo has cultivated a creative and innovative mindset in the field of Counselling. These diverse career paths have equipped him with the ability to work in different places, with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds in the social, community, and personal fields; with different organizations, and also in private practice. 

With a special interest in supporting the search for meaning in life, he is dedicated to listening carefully and without judgment to provide and improve useful tools, fostering resilience and facilitating the achievement of goals; He firmly believes that it is always possible to do more in the pursuit of personal well-being. Enjoy family time, music, sports, reading, and constant research. 

 

 

 

 

 

Jaimee Park (She/Hers) – Legal Secretary

Jaimee is a legal secretary at MWC, where she supports a team of attorneys with the necessary legal assistance. As she was formerly a temporary foreign worker from Korea, she has firsthand experience of how powerless one can feel in Canada. Jaimee is proud to be a part of MWC to help fight against injustice and give a voice to the voiceless.

Prior to joining MWC, Jaimee worked as a foreclosure legal assistant and criminal defense legal assistant. She also volunteered at Access Pro Bono as a clinic assistant and at First United Legal Advocacy as a filing clerk.  She will be attending a paralegal course (at Vancouver Community College) starting in 2025 to better assist her lawyers and serve her clients with more legal knowledge.

In her free time, she enjoys long walks in and around the city of Vancouver.

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Karina Villada (She/Hers) – Program Lead, Legal Education for Outreach program

Karina is a dedicated community organizer from Mexico who has been actively working and advocating for migrant rights since settling in the territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples in 2013. She is firmly committed to social justice and fostering inclusive communities for all migrants; she has focused on ensuring undocumented migrants and others with precarious immigration status are able to access to basic services like education, essential health care, and information about resources in the Lower Mainland.

Her efforts build on years of grassroots organizing to expand equitable access for all migrant communities. Through her work, she seeks to ensure that the voices of migrant communities are heard in decision-making spaces that directly impact their lives. Karina received her Bachelor of Political Science and Public Administration from UNAM in Mexico in 2013 and a certificate in Community Capacity Building from Simon Fraser University in 2024. In her free time, she enjoys nature, roads, and mountains on her feet or, preferably, on two wheels (i.e. her bicycle).

 

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David Haro (He/Him) – Outreach Worker

David Haro (he/him) serves as an Outreach Worker in the Okanagan, bringing over a decade of experience in social services for temporary farm workers in the Lower Similkameen area. David is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of temporary foreign workers by organizing and delivering recreational and social activities tailored to their needs. He collaborates on the development of activity calendars, engages directly with workers to raise awareness of available services, and provides translation and emergency assistance when necessary. Additionally, he plays an active role in community events to promote the program and foster inclusivity.

David earned his Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training, specializing in Track and Field Coaching, at the National School of Sports Trainers (Escuela Nacional de Entrenadores Deportivos – CONADE) in Mexico City (2003–2007). His diploma in Athletic Training has enabled him to merge his sports expertise with his outreach efforts, designing recreational activities and workshops to support temporary farm workers. In his personal time, David enjoys training and competing in running races, exemplifying his passion for athletics and lifelong commitment to fitness.