Liz Brant, MBA
Liz Brant became Seva Canada’s Executive Director in 2023.
She is a non-profit and healthcare leader with 14 years of experience in fund development, strategy, operations, governance and people management. She is passionate about building community in the organizations she serves, which have included arts, social services, international development and healthcare.
Liz was first introduced to Seva Canada by serving as Development Director from 2012-2016, and she has remained a superfan ever since.
Prior to rejoining Seva, Liz was Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at BC Women's Hospital + Health Centre, where through her leadership she supported care for BC’s highest risk pregnancies (including during the most tumultuous days of the COVID-19 pandemic). During this time, she also earned an MBA degree from the UBC Sauder School of Business.
Liz keeps busy by chasing her two young kids around various playgrounds, libraries, beaches and campsites throughout BC. When she has time, she also makes aesthetically questionable pottery.
Ken Bassett, MD
Ken Bassett, Seva Canada’s Program Director is a Professor of Medicine at the University of British Columbia and directs a research program in international and epidemiologic ophthalmology in the Department of Ophthalmology.
Ken travels extensively to and works closely with Seva program partners in Tanzania, India, Tibet and Nepal primarily helping them to build sustainable programs and to conduct ongoing monitoring and evaluation. He has helped the program partners to design and conduct research themselves and to share their findings at government and academic meetings as well as publish articles in the scientific literature. He continues to practice medicine and has a Doctorate of Medicine from University of British Columbia and PhD in Medical Anthropology from McGill University.
When Ken isn’t travelling to Seva’s programs around the world, he can be found hiking and running with his two daughters or spending time tinkering on his boat.
Deanne Berman
Deanne Berman has been the Marketing & Communications Director of Seva Canada since 2011.
Deanne has over 20 years of experience in marketing, communications and branding. Prior to her work at Seva, Deanne was a Senior Marketing Communications Manager at TELUS launching TELUS TV, Satellite TV and Optik TV. She also had the great pleasure in working on the tourism brand for Canada at the Canadian Tourism Commission just prior to the Vancouver Olympics. Deanne was also a part of the team that launched Bell Mobility in BC and Alberta.
Deanne has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Western Ontario and an Honours Diploma in Marketing Communications from the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
In her spare time Deanne enjoys travelling, the outdoors and keeping local takeout restaurants in business.
Paul Crosby, CFRE
Paul Crosby has been the Development Director of Seva Canada since early 2020.
Paul is a fundraiser who specializes in corporate giving, sponsorship, and community development. Prior to his work at Seva, he was a Senior Manager, Community Development with Diabetes Canada where he oversaw corporate giving, foundations, and major gifts for BC and the Yukon. From 2013 to 2014, he served as Senior Development Officer, Corporate Relations for the BC SPCA, where he directed the organization’s corporate giving program for BC.
He moved to Vancouver in 2007 for a position with the International Triathlon Union. Paul holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of New Brunswick, and is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE). In his spare time, he participates in endurance sports and enjoys travelling and hiking.
Ashley Holm
Ashley Holm has been the Operations Manager of Seva Canada since 2022.
Ashley is passionate about people & processes, and has over 20 years' experience working in the non-profit sector. Prior to joining Seva, Ashley worked in Performing Arts & Entertainment in many areas including operations, ticketing, guest services, and event management.
She is currently working towards her MA in Leadership from Royal Roads University.
In her spare time she can be found hanging out with her dog, listening to a podcast, running, or enjoying a cup of tea.
Katie Judson, MPH
Katie Judson has been consultant for Seva Canada's programs since 2022.
Katie has over 12 years of public health experience including healthcare system management, government healthcare policy, and global health program development. Prior to her work at Seva Canada, she worked for MultiCare Health System, California Health Care Safety Net Institute, Seva Foundation, and the US Peace Corps. During her time with Seva Foundation, she collaborated closely with Seva Canada staff on shared programs and research projects. She has also served as a Seva Canada board member.
Katie has a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from Reed College and a Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management from the University of California, Berkeley.
Katie lives in Washington with her partner, Brendan, and their two cats. She loves to backpack, bird watch, cook and is a self-proclaimed Trekkie.
Penny Lyons, MBA
Penny Lyons is a consultant with Seva Canada working on cost recovery and Community Eye Centres.
Penny was previously the Executive Director of Seva Canada from 2006 - 2022.
Prior to Seva, Penny was a management consultant in Taipei and Vancouver working on projects as varied as a fraud audit for a multinational electronics company and mediating discussions between government, first nations and commercial fisherman on the future of the oolichan fishery. Prior to moving to Vancouver she lived in Bermuda and owned and operated an offshore management company.
Penny has a Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of Alberta.
Penny's daughter, Spanish Water Dog, running, kayaking and hiking all keep her busy when she is not working.
Priya Reddy, MBA
Priya Reddy has been a program consultant with Seva Canada since 2021.
Priya has an MBA and is a Hubert Humphry Fellow and Fullbright Scholar. She is working for Seva Canada as a researcher. Priya has designed and managed projects involving eye screenings and the eradication of childhood blindness for more than 2 million children worldwide. She has also provided consulting services for eye hospitals across the globe to enhance their eye care services through training, capacity building, and resource management.