Brett Whitehead - Director

Brett Whitehead is a computer programmer by trade and a world traveller by nature. After receiving his Bachelor of Computer Science from the University of British Columbia, he started working for a small internet start up company as the sole programmer. The company has experienced significant success and has recently relocated to Arizona. Brett continues to work remotely managing several projects.

For a year and a half Brett managed to get away from it all and traveled the world. Throughout his travels, he became aware of how much of an impact we can make on others. On his return he was impressed by those contributing their time and money to a cause, but even more by those able to make something out of what little they are given. By applying his web development skills, Brett hopes to give bright young individuals a chance to shine and to prove not only to themselves, but to their families and their community that with a little bit of help, they can do what it takes to succeed.

Behrad Bayanpour - Director

Behrad brings a unique approach to Education Generation, combining his two passions of social entrepreneurship and business strategy to bridge the gap between the not-for-profit and corporate worlds. Born and raised in Tehran, Iran, Behrad has an understanding of the challenges of poverty and believes a critical and sustainable solution is to axe its tentacles, so to speak, by providing access to education - the right tool - to youth.

Behrad has been part of leadership programs such as LEAD, Leaders of Tomorrow and Company of Young Professionals. He has also been involved with many not-for-profit projects and currently sits on the volunteer Board of Active Cares, a corporate committee supporting children and youth groups, environmental groups, and eradicating poverty in the Greater Vancouver and Burnaby region.

Behrad holds a Joint Degree in Business Administration and Computing Science from Simon Fraser University and is pursuing his passion for business strategy as a Business Systems Analyst.

Zaya Kadyrova - Director

Zaya Kadyrova completed her Bachelor of Business Administration at Simon Fraser University in 2006, majoring in Accounting and Economics, and recently obtained a Master's degree in Professional Accounting. She is currently pursuing her CA designation and working at PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Advisory group, where she assists companies in mergers and acquisitions transactions.

Born and raised in Kazakhstan, she is passionate about traveling and experiencing new cultures. Zaya has done several study abroad semesters in the US and Europe and has travelled extensively throughout Europe and Asia.

Zaya has always been actively involved in volunteer activities, and has been part of several organizations, such as SFU's Business Student Society. She currently sits on the board of Presentation House Theatre and acts as the organization's Treasurer. She strongly believes in equal opportunity and access to education, and hopes to contribute her skills to help Education Generation in attaining its important mission.

Ashley Bayles - Director

After receiving her Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia, Ashley moved to Colombia and spent a year teaching English just north of Bogotá. During this year abroad she saw first-hand how poverty and lack of education are really two parts of the same problem. While travelling across the country, she had the chance to speak to individuals who never had the privilege of sharing their experiences with people from other countries due to a lack of opportunity and a severe language barrier. This goes to show that improvements to the state of humanity can only be made when we can afford each other the same opportunities to learn and grow from one another.

Ashley first met Shawn at the UN Habitat World Urban Forum in 2006 and is excited to be a part of the Education Generation family. She loves being able to work with an organization that is committed to providing access to education for those who cannot access it otherwise.

Shannon Thompson - Director

After spending six weeks in Tanzania on a Group Study Exchange Program sponsored by Rotary International, Shannon returned home with a desire to support an organization that promotes education for children all over the world, and was subsequently introduced to Education Generation.

Shannon manages student recruitment at the Society of Certified Management Accountants of BC, educating high school, university and college students about the CMA designation, careers in accounting and finance, and connecting students with CMA members. When Shannon's not recruiting students, she can be found volunteering her time with organizations such as Canuck Place Children's Hospice, the BC American Marketing Association and most recently, UNICEF.

Shannon earned her Bachelor of Arts from Trent University, majoring in English Literature. Most recently she completed the Public Relations Associate Certificate and Marketing Communications Associate Certificate at BCIT.

Mila Lukic - Director

Mila Lukic holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a joint major in Business Administration and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Simon Fraser University and is currently working as a business analyst in a Management Consulting group at Accenture. During her time at SFU, Mila was actively involved in various student organizations including Student Biotechnology Network and Business Competition Association. In addition, Mila completed a consulting internship in Glasgow, Scotland and she competed in a number of business case and plan competitions. Mila continues her passion for business competitions by coaching undergraduate student teams.

Born and raised in Serbia, Mila is very grateful for all of the opportunities that she is experiencing in Canada and she is very passionate about being able to help others. Mila strongly believes in the power of education and in Education Generation's philosophy and she is very excited to be able to help Education Generation unleash the potential of children from all over the world!