Anneka has been working in the design and construction industry for over 10 years in the UK, Europe and North America. Her creativity and technical expertise has led her to  become a Virtual Design & Construction (VDC) Manager for a General Contractor in Vancouver. In addition to the day job, Anneka has co-founded The BIM Kitchen to share knowledge and improve the Building Information Management (BIM) culture amongst the industry.

Anneka has a unique background in studying Architectural Technology and Nuclear Design and Technology; and has worked on a variety of projects in commercial, residential, transport, healthcare and energy sectors.

She experienced a feeling like never before during her work as a volunteer for Engineers for Overseas Development (EFOD) in the UK, where she has been a key member of the team delivering sustainable construction projects in Uganda. The feeling of sincere gratitude from a community in which a team has helped change their lives, by making a colossal positive impact designed to last, is why Anneka wants to help communities. This experience was unforgettable for Anneka and drove her to seek out similar initiatives in Vancouver, with like-minded individuals, leading her to NEST.

Fun Fact: Anneka once walked 43 miles (from Keswick to Barrow) in 8h 45m to raise funds! - this is equivalent to walking from Vancouver to Abbotsford, or Vancouver to Birch Bay in USA.

Jaia is a lawyer practicing in Vancouver for almost 25 years. Initially Jaia was a criminal defence lawyer
primarily and eventually her practice became focused on administrative law in the context of the
regulation of lawyers and other professionals in the public interest. Jaia is the youngest child of parents
who immigrated to Canada from India so that they could raise their children in a country that values the
rule of law and equal access to opportunities for everyone. Jaia’s drive to become a lawyer and her
choice of practice areas was highly influenced by examples set by her parents and her desire to do her
part in ensuring access to justice to persons from all walks of life. As part of and in addition to her work
as a lawyer, Jaia has volunteered her time to endeavours that help “level the playing field” so to speak.
For example, prior to law school Jaia volunteered with organizations assisting victims of abuse.

During law school she volunteered and then worked at the local community legal aid clinic. After she started practicing law, she worked with other lawyers to establish the South Asian Bar Association of BC in 2004.
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She was a founding member, served as Director for 5 years and President for the 2009-2010 term.
Given her background and interests, she did not hesitate to say, “Absolutely yes!” when her good friend
Dani asked her to get involved with NEST. NEST’s Mission and Vision is all about reducing barriers and
empowering people. It is all about leveling the playing field at the international level and Jaia is
extremely honoured and excited to be a part of it.

With another practicing CPA business partner, Chad Chang co-founded Purpose CPA in 2019 to “help
good people build good businesses.” A digital-first accounting, technology and advisory practice that
acknowledges environmental and social impact, and with sights on B-Corp certification.

Over the last 11 years, Chad has been practicing as a CPA both inside and as an external resource to
small and medium sized businesses as large as $100M annual revenue acting in senior leadership roles
overseeing finance, information technology, health & safety, and involvement with human resources.
During this time Chad founded the Construction Forum with the Chartered Professional Accountants
of BC (CPABC) in a volunteering capacity, with the purpose of creating best practices for CPAs intent
on transforming an industry that has lagged other industries in productivity and efficiency.

In the 10 years prior, Chad has experience in the mission critical parts of businesses as large as billion-
dollar multinational firms to small owner-managed private companies. In addition to volunteering
and accepting a guest board director position with a Vancouver based health non-profit for four years.
Holding positions in project management and business analysis, to sales and marketing, to general
technologist, he understands how they are all important towards company growth and viability.

As a Director of Construction, Dani has over 20 years of experience in the real estate development industry with over 10 years being in senior management level. Realizing pretty early on, that she was a minority in her position, she felt strongly about supporting other women and immigrants on their path to success. She felt that her role as a construction professional had to extend past office hours so she focused on being an industry leader, mentor and supporter. Over the years Dani volunteered as a mentor at YWCA and BCIT SA, but also sat on numerous industry councils supporting women and education in the Lower Mainland construction industry. Later in her career, Dani founded a networking group called Next Generation Leaders, which promotes connection opportunities for younger construction personnel with more experienced management personnel in order to promote growth through networking.

During COVID, Dani decided to celebrate a milestone Birthday with an online fundraiser to support a school in Tanzania, which Jeff has volunteered at. The fundraiser was a success and most of the money needed was raised but unfortunately due to travel restrictions the water well project had to be put on hold. Fortunately not having the time to travel, started the conversation of establishing a charity. Today that idea is a reality and it’s called NEST

Jeff Pilat is a mechanical construction project manager. He has 25 years experience in the mechanical divisions of the construction industry in British Columbia, Canada.  Jeff is known to excel at problem solving and loves a good challenge. In 2017, Jeff decided to take some time away from the construction management life and travelled the world for 35 months. It was on that journey where he discovered a passion for volunteer work. While volunteering, Jeff recognized he was able to adapt a lot of the same processes, management skills, and leadership qualities he implemented in Canada, into the projects he was involved with in Africa, and Southeast Asia. He was able to use his strengths for different tasks halfway around the world which felt invigorating, and breathed more life and purpose into his soul. Jeff fell in love with the communities, people, and places he volunteered in. He formed strong bonds and friendships that still exist today. 
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One of the most important lessons in life Jeff has learned is: dreams come true for the dreamer who has the courage to breathe their life into existence. Jeff has been fortunate enough to live his biggest dream so far which was travelling the world, having numerous once in a lifetime experiences, and creating many everlasting memories along the way. Jeff’s next big dream is NEST, and its success of helping disadvantaged and underserved communities all over the world. A fun fact about Jeff is he summited Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2018 with his friends from the Move The World charity to raise funds for their support of the Sower’s Academy in Ghana.