Our Staff

Melissa has been a committed leader in the labour movement for over two decades. Her first involvement in union work began while completing her master’s degree at the University of Victoria, where she was elected shop steward for the Teaching Assistants in the Sociology Department. This early engagement sparked a passion for advocacy and collective bargaining that shaped her career. 

Melissa’s leadership journey continued as she served as a business manager for the UVic Educational Employees’ Union and later as a national representative for CUPE. In this role, she supported workers across the municipal, K-12, and college sectors. These experiences solidified her expertise in labour relations and union leadership, which she further honed during her 13 years as a Labour Relations Officer with the Professional Employees Association (PEA). In the fall of 2024, Melissa became the PEA’s Executive Director.  

Since joining the PEA staff, Melissa has played a central role in shaping and implementing the organization’s strategic goals. She has successfully negotiated numerous collective agreements, consistently achieving high levels of member satisfaction through her thoughtful advocacy and effective dispute resolution. Through her strong relationships with union leaders, elected officials, and key stakeholders, she has helped elevate the PEA’s voice as a leading advocate for professionals throughout British Columbia. 

Melissa’s leadership is characterized by a calm, direct approach and an ability to communicate complex issues in a way that resonates with members. She has a proven track record of leading under pressure, promoting unity, and delivering results that reflect the PEA’s values of fairness, respect, and integrity. A passionate advocate for workers’ rights, Melissa believes in the power of unions to provide fair representation and improve the lives of workers. 

In her spare time, she can be found camping, canoeing and exploring with her family or running the trails of Greater Victoria, sometimes with her dog Juniper.  

Rhiannon has worked for the PEA since 2009 and is currently the Labour Relations Officer for St. Margaret’s School, Family Maintenance Agency and Okanagan Regional Librarians.  She holds a Masters Degree in Dispute Resolution from the University of Victoria. Her thesis focused on labour relations in a multi-union setting. Before coming to the PEA Rhiannon worked on global human resources initiatives for a multinational electronics company in Japan. Rhiannon is an experienced Labour Relations Officer. She has represented members at mediations, arbitration hearings and has negotiated many collective agreements. The most fulfilling part of her work is advocating for members on a daily basis.

Outside of work Rhiannon enjoys spending time with her family and is happy to call Victoria her home.

Before joining the PEA, Idil was a Labour Relations Officer with Civic Union 52 in Edmonton, where she deepened her commitment to worker’s rights.  She brings valuable international experience in policy analysis and communications, having tackled complex issues in conflict resolution and international development. 

Idil holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Alberta and is passionate about advancing equity for disabled employees and fostering psychological safety in the workplace. Originally from the Lower Mainland, Idil is excited to return to BC with her partner and two “cat kids” to explore the beauty of our city and its outdoor wonders. When she’s not advocating for workers, Idil enjoys filmmaking and writing and is currently working on her first short film. 

Brett is the Labour Relations Officer for the Law Society and Pearson College.

He has a history of union involvement with his union, the BC Union Workers’ Union (BCUWU), and is currently serving as a Steward and BCUWU President. Before labour relations, he worked in organizing and communications. In addition to his Masters Degree in Communications from Royal Roads University, he holds a certificate in labour relations from Ryerson University and an HR certificate from SFU. Before working for the PEA, he worked for municipal governments and not-for-profit organizations.

Laura is the Labour Relations Officer for SGS AXYS and supports the Government Licensed Professionals alongside Melissa Moroz.

Before joining the PEA in 2023, Laura Kate worked in the role of Labour Relations Officer for a multi-employer union in Edmonton, where her key responsibilities included dispute resolution workplace accommodations, classification, jurisdiction, collective bargaining, and issues pertaining to human rights and privacy legislation. Laura Kate has extensive experience as an organizer and is a skilled facilitator who enjoys engaging with members.

In her spare time, she can be found in the woods with her beloved dog, Jimmy, Latin dancing, or hidden away with many books.

Andrea brings a wealth of experience to the PEA, having previously worked as a union representative with the BCGEU. Andrea has bargained collective agreements, supporting members in achieving better working conditions, helping members with accommodations and grievances. 

She is also currently a Vice-President of her own Union, the BC Union Workers Union, and was elected as a member of her bargaining committee at the BCGEU. Andrea has been on many boards and is currently a Get Growing coordinator in her neighbourhood. She believes in community, social justice and the values and principles of trade unionism.  

Andrea has a Master’s Degree in Policy and Human Services and an Undergraduate Degree in Sociology and Political Science. She enjoys gardening, cooking, walking and spending time with her family. As a single parent, she acutely understands the importance of work-life balance. 

Sam is the Labour Relations Officer for the University of Victoria.

As a seasoned trade unionist, Sam has extensive experience in collective bargaining and membership engagement across the US and Canada. After serving as the President of her graduate employees’ union and a Vice President of the American Federation of Teachers in Michigan, Sam worked in Ottawa as a researcher and advocate with the Canadian Association of University Teachers. From there, Sam was the Higher Education Field Representative for AFT-Vermont, where she organized, bargained, and lobbied for public service professionals across the state.

Sam holds a doctorate in Psychology and Women’s Studies and brings a feminist lens to her labour relations work. She is passionate about empowering union members to collectively improve their working conditions and is committed to principles of equity and social justice.

Sam is happy to call Victoria home and currently serves as the PEA staff union delegate to the local labour council and as Treasurer of the Victoria NDP Federal Riding Association. Outside of work and volunteering, Sam enjoys exploring the natural beauty of Vancouver Island with her family and their dog.

Stephen was previously a union representative for the United Food and Commercial Workers union (UFCW Canada) and a Legal Advocate for the Together Against Poverty Society. He has a great depth of experience within the union movement, received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at UVic and completed a Fellowship in Global Journalism at the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto.

Jordana joined the PEA in 2019 and brings a diverse range of skills and experience with public and private companies at both the local and national levels. With over 20 years of communication expertise, she is well positioned to support the PEA with campaigns, public relations and all manner of internal and external communications. Jordana completed her Masters Degree in Communications from Royal Roads University and her Bachelors Degree in English and Journalism from the University of Victoria.

Away from the office, she can often be spotted with a fully loaded car, bound for island adventures with her family.

Marc Joly is an accountant with a wealth of training and experience who takes the reins of the financial department.

Marc has held numerous accounting positions throughout his career with organizations including BC Lottery Corporation, Ducks Unlimited and Underwriters Insurance Brokers. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Simon Fraser University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.

In his personal life, Marc spends time with his family—which includes a West Highland Terrier. He’s a downhill mountain biking and road biking enthusiast and has been learning to play guitar for far longer than he would like to admit.

Duncan Pike is an organizer, campaigner, and social movement trainer with a passion for supporting people who are working for a more just, fair, and equitable society. Before joining PEA, Duncan worked as an Instructor with the Institute for Change Leaders in Toronto, where he trained activists and union members on organizing, campaign strategy and tactics, and storytelling.

As a campaigner with a media freedom nonprofit, Duncan led the successful, nationwide campaign to pass Canada’s first ‘press shield’ law to protect journalists’ sources. A survivor of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Duncan has worked with other adolescent and young adult cancer survivors to fight for increased resources for AYA cancer care. Duncan lives in Youbou with his wife, daughter and dog.

Toshie is the Executive Assistant at PEA. Toshie is a graduate of the University of Victoria. Her background in clerical work started in the biochemistry department of University of British Columbia. Subsequently, she worked in Ontario at the national office of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, where she supported the management and volunteer board, and was involved in meeting planning. After many years of living outside Victoria, Toshie is glad to be back and she looks forward to supporting PEA members.

Marianna started with the PEA as an administrative assistant in the summer of 2000. Over the years Marianna’s been involved in all areas of administrative support and is currently maintaining the membership department. In her many years of employment at the PEA she has met and built many strong relationships in and out of the office. She feels blessed and thankful that after all these years at the PEA she still enjoys coming to work. Born and raised in Italy Marianna’s main love/passion are her children, food and the peaceful sound of nature.

Michelle has an extensive background in customer service and administration. Before coming to the PEA, she worked as an Administrative Assistant and Support Coordinator for the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner and is looking forward to being a part of the PEA team.

Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Graphic Design from Vancouver Island University and enjoys doing anything creative. She is born and raised on Vancouver Island, finds any excuse to travel somewhere new and spends much of her free time at the lake with family and her energetic golden doodle.