Board of Directors + Staff

GAYLE-PRESIDENT

Gayle began her career as a social worker with Children’s Aid and Vancouver Resources Board, where she gained expertise in child protection, juvenile, family, and adoption cases often requiring court attendances. Gayle’s legal career developed as a Litigation Lawyer, where she successfully prosecuted, defended, mediated, and resolved Insurance, Professional Negligence, Personal Injury, Administrative, Employment, and Family Law cases at all levels of court and tribunals for two well-established Vancouver law firms. Gayle was later certified as a Family Law Mediator, where she handled advanced negotiation programs. Gayle’s experience as a lawyer in the professional regulatory, administrative, employment law, and board and governance fields stems from her work at the Law Society of British Columbia, where she served in the Competency Department (Practice Standards), assisting lawyers with competency difficulties and later in the Professional Conduct Department, directing investigations and assisting with disciplinary and credentials complaints. Gayle’s administrative law and regulatory knowledge further developed during her senior administrative position at Simon Fraser University (SFU) as Director of Academic Relations, where she oversaw a team providing advice on complex policy, procedural and legal matters to SFU’s senior management, 1,200 plus faculty, staff, and leaders. As Director of Special Projects, Gayle developed and administered SFU’s first annual Academic Leadership Training Program for new faculty administrators.

IRIT-VICE PRESIDENT

Irit comes to us from Israel via Denmark, Rome, Toronto, Halifax, and Los Angeles. Irit’s interests have always steered her towards the world of art and design. After completing her BA in Art History, Irit launched her very own interior decorating and art consulting company. She later founded Irit Sorokin Designs, specializing in contemporary handmade statement jewellery. Being one of the first vendors to participate in Portobello West, Irit joined the Board out of innate passion for the Market and her commitment to support the local fashion and arts community. When she’s not designing and participating in markets, Irit enjoys Pilates, reading, walks on the beach, listening to music, attending plays and art galleries, and traveling with her musically talented architect husband.

DIANNA-SECRETARY

Dianna is a passionate dog trainer, writer and administrative assistant. Born and raised in Vancouver, Dianna strives to support independent businesses out of sheer love for all things local. As the small business owner of Hounds of Vancouver Training, Dianna understands the importance of local community support and encouragement. Dianna joined Portobello West’s Board, in order to be of valuable service to others. During her spare time, Dianna can be found tending to the needs of our furry companions, reading in a coffee shop or out on an adventure with her husband and their dog Watson.

CHANDNI-DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Chandni brings her inexhaustible exuberance to Portobello West, where she directs volunteer recruitment for the organization’s signature seasonal markets. Her eager and positive attitude landed her a volunteer position with Portobello West at the budding age of fifteen. By eighteen, Chandni joined the Board as it’s youngest member, bringing her creativity, insights and vision to roundtable meetings and discussions.

Chandni is currently pursuing studies at Simon Fraser University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences. When she’s not studying or fulfilling her commitment as a Board Member, Chandni works as a Promotions and Events Ambassador for Parq Vancouver and as a Customer Experience Associate at TD Bank. Chandni’s passions include fashion, feminist theories, travel, music, and quality time spent with family and friends.

SHAL-DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

Shal brings to Portobello West her diverse background in management with a whole lot of enthusiasm. After completing her MSc at the University of British Columbia, Shal worked as a Coordinator for the BC Children’s Hospital in Pediatric Palliative Care. She also co-founded the Kirtan Vancouver Events Society and is the Designer/Owner of The Urban Gopi – TUG Wear Vancouver, a playful spin on the traditional eastern garment. Shal’s creativity and extensive experience has contributed to the success of many outdoor festivals. When she’s not working, Shal enjoys managing her beloved son Herschel from not eating sand along the seawall.

ERMIN-DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Ermin Badzak is a filmmaker and photographer who has been working with various types of audio-visual media over the last two decades.

Originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ermin immigrated to Saskatoon in 1995, where he launched Neohaus Design Studio with his business partner, producing a broad range of creative work, including magazine publication designs, video production and 3D animation. In 2007, he relocated to Vancouver, where he continued to pursue his passion for creative projects as a freelancer, focusing primarily on moving pictures and photography.

In 2016, Ermin joined the Health for Humanity NGO team, launching the production of Triage in Antigua, a short documentary highlighting the stories of surgical volunteers during their humanitarian mission in Guatemala that year. He later joined the Health for Humanity Board of Directors as Communications Lead.

Ermin is an enthusiastic traveler whether it is backpacking around Europe, circumnavigating North America on a motorcycle, or embarking on month-long road trips in his vintage Volkswagen Bus.

NICOLE-DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION

Nicole brings with her 20 years of experience in marketing & sales, working with some of the leading hospitality and travel brands in Canada, the US and Europe along with 9+ years of small business development and ownership.

Nicole is a wildflower in her ability to adapt, blossom and thrive in evolving terrains. Her entrepreneurial and adventurous spirit has brought her to plant roots in 4 countries to date with many more visited enroute. When she is not globetrotting and eating her way through culinary cultures, you can find her cooking up a storm from her home grown bounty.

A long time supporter of the arts and small business, Nicole’s enthusiasm and desire for strengthening the artist community is obvious in her drive for operational success.

STELLA-MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS & EVENTS MANAGER

Stella Panagiotidis is a fixture in Vancouver’s arts and entertainment scene, where she shines as a marketing, business development and event management professional. Her client portfolio includes Tourism Vancouver, TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival, The Feldman Agency, and Women in Film and Television Vancouver.

Stella is also a keynote speaker who is passionate about sharing stories of resilience. She’s appeared on Global BC and CBC/ Radio-Canada and has taken the stage at Dress for Success Vancouver’s IMPACT Gala 360, YWCA’s Women Who Inspire Speaker Series and Soroptimist International’s Live Your Dream Awards.

During her spare time, Stella dedicates herself to yoga, stand-up comedy and walking the fashion runway in support of local charities.

VANCOUVER FASHION AND ART MARKET SOCIETY

The Vancouver Fashion and Art Market Society (VFAM) is the not-for-profit organization that oversees Portobello West. VFAM’s government approved mission is to provide a place for artists and designers to showcase and sell their work; facilitate and assist artists and designers in developing a successful and sustainable business; prepare artists and designers for the marketplace by providing educational tools; develop programs for artists and designers to assist with their businesses.

Being a not-for-profit also means that strategic decisions regarding Portobello West are made by a Board of Directors, comprised of passionate volunteers who are dedicated to ensuring that emerging and established local brands have a place to promote and sell their products. This unique perspective truly makes Portobello West a vendor’s market.