Current board members
The B.C. Farm Industry Review Board (BCFIRB) is made up of part-time members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, supported by BC Public Service staff.
Gunta Vitins
Chair
Appointment term: December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2029
Leadership roles
Gunta Vitins served as vice chair of BCFIRB from November 2023 to December 2024. Prior to that, she was chair of the BC Egg Marketing Board for 6 years, from November 2017 until November 2023. She has also held several leadership positions in industry organizations in Canada and the U.S.
Work experience, skills, and expertise
With over 30 years of experience, Gunta has worked extensively in business and industry development, sales and marketing, trade, product development and regulatory affairs at national and international levels. She has spearheaded innovative initiatives in both the public and private sectors.
Gunta has worked with agricultural producers, processors, multi-national corporations, educational/research institutions, and governments including the BC Ministry of Agriculture. Her work in the private sector included senior management positions at Pro Organics and SunOpta Inc., companies recognized as global leaders in organic and natural foods worldwide.
Representing the interests of food distributors and retailers, she played a key role in the BCFIRB 2004/2005 Specialty Review of the B.C. supply-managed sectors. This effort led to significant growth in specialty production to meet market demand, positioning British Columbia as a leader in market responsiveness and innovation.
Gunta’s dedication to the advancement of agriculture extended to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Organic Value Chain Roundtable, where she served as industry chair, chair of the Market Development Working Group, and as a representative of the food distribution sector from 2007 to 2015.
Gunta received the Canadian Health Food Association’s Organic Achievement Award (2007) and the Certified Organic Associations of British Columbia (2005) in recognition of her leadership and achievements in the organic industry.
Education
Gunta holds a B.Sc. and a Diploma in Agriculture and an MBA from McGill University. Gunta also has a B.Ed. from the University of British Columbia.
Volunteer work and interests
In addition, her volunteer activities included board memberships and leadership roles with several organizations, such as the:
- Canada Organic Trade Association
- US-based Organic Trade Association
- Pacific Agricultural Certification Society
- Certified Organic Associations of British Columbia
Neil Turner
Vice Chair
Appointment term: June 24, 2022 to July 31, 2026
Leadership roles
Neil Turner has held senior positions across private businesses, governments, academic institutions, and environmental non-governmental organizations. These roles have showcased his leadership in project and program delivery. His roles have included contributing as an executive and working as a senior scientist.
Work experience, skills, and expertise
With over 30 years of experience, Neil has worked extensively in British Columbia and internationally, applying his expertise as a professional agrologist, scientist, strategic planner and consultant. His career includes providing technical and scientific support in Russia, Brazil, and the UK, offering expert opinions in those regions.
Neil has worked at a senior level in government and transitioned to the private sector, where he applied his scientific expertise and consulting skills to various initiatives. His diverse experience spans multiple sectors and regions.
Neil and his partner have developed and now manage a certified organic market garden business in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. This venture exemplifies his commitment to sustainable agriculture and environmental practices.
Education
Neil holds a B.Sc. in Agriculture from the University of Guelph and an M.Sc. with Distinction from the University of London, specializing in rural resources and environmental policy.
Volunteer work and interests
In addition to his professional achievements, he actively volunteers as a firefighter, serving his local community with dedication and care. He is also a member of the:
- Comox Valley Land Trust
- Certified Organic Associations of British Columbia
Pawanjit (Pawan) Singh Joshi
Member
Appointment term: March 11, 2019 to July 31, 2026
Leadership roles
Pawan Joshi is a practicing lawyer with Joshi Lawyers.
Work experience, skills, and expertise
Pawan was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 2008.
In his role with Joshi Lawyers, he focuses on family law, land disputes, insurance law, and civil litigation. Before moving to Canada, he practiced law in India for several years in the areas of family law and civil litigation.
Pawan is actively engaged in his community through several roles:
- Supervising lawyer with Pro Bono Students Canada
- Supervising lawyer for Archway Community Services – Family Legal Advocacy Program
- Volunteer lawyer for Access Pro Bono BC Clinics
- Member of the CBA-BC Lawyer Referral Service
Previously, Pawan contributed to other organizations, including:
- Board member for the College of Dental Technicians of B.C.
- British Columbia Public Interest Advocacy Centre
- The Punjab and Haryana Bar Council
- Agricultural Workers’ Advisory Committee
- Farm Workers’ Program (funded by the Law Foundation)
Pawan holds memberships in several professional organizations:
- Law Society of British Columbia
- Canadian Bar Association
- Punjab and Haryana Bar Association (India)
Education
Pawan earned a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and a Bachelor of Laws from India. Additionally, he successfully completed his Canadian Bachelor of Laws requirements through the National Committee of Accreditation, Ottawa.
Volunteer work and interests
In addition to his professional experience, Pawan serves as a volunteer board member with both provincial and national cricket organizations. He also volunteers to manage a cricket club in Delta, BC.
David Zirnhelt
Member
Appointment term: November 25, 2019 to July 31, 2026
Leadership roles
David Zirnhelt spent 10 years in the provincial legislature of British Columbia, serving on the Treasury Board and Executive Council. During his time in office, he held several ministerial positions, including:
- Minister of Economic Development, Small Business and Trade
- Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
- Minister of Forests
- Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
He is also currently a Director of the Cariboo Cattlemen’s Association.
Work experience, skills, and expertise
For 45 years, David has operated a family ranch in Big Lake, B.C. Over the past 30 years, he has consulted with various community interest holders on agriculture and forestry projects. David’s consulting work focuses on economic development initiatives in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region, which include:
- Conducting feasibility studies
- Developing business plans for agriculture ventures
David’s extensive experience includes reviewing all aspects of both large- and small-scale infrastructure projects, as well as business and operations plans. These skills were honed during his time on the Treasury Board and in his ministerial roles.
Education
David holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts with a focus on political science and public administration from the University of British Columbia.
Volunteer work and interests
In his spare time, David leads a multi-generational ranch in the Cariboo.
Jane Pritchard
Member
Appointment term: August 1, 2023 to July 31, 2029
Leadership roles
Dr. Jane Pritchard served as executive director of the Plant and Animal Health Branch, director of the Animal Health Centre, and chief veterinarian for the province of BC during her 17-year tenure with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
After retiring from the BC Public Service in 2021, Jane continued her leadership journey as interim registrar for 18 months at the College of Veterinarians of BC (CVBC), the licensing and regulatory body for veterinarians in the province.
Jane is currently the president of the council for CVBC, having been elected first as a member of the council.
Work experience, skills, and expertise
Born in British Columbia, Jane gained extensive experience working across Canada, as well as in Europe, China, and Alberta, where she briefly farmed mixed cattle and grain. Her diverse career path reflects her commitment to agriculture and veterinary science.
Throughout her career with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Jane held various key positions, such as:
- Manager of the regulatory unit with oversight of dairy farms, bees, fur farms, and game farms
- Executive Director of the Plant and Animal Health Branch
- Public health veterinarian
Her work focused on advancing plant and animal health and ensuring regulatory oversight in these sectors.
Education
Dr. Jane Pritchard graduated from the Ontario College of Veterinary Medicine in Guelph, Ontario.
Wendy Holm
Member
Appointment term: July 12, 2021 to July 31, 2026
Leadership roles
Wendy Holm served as president of the BC Institute of Agrologists and held director positions with:
- Vancity Credit Union
- Vancity Community Foundation
- The Okanagan Valley Tree Fruit Authority
Internationally, Wendy led two projects that brought Canadian dairy farmers and Canadian cooperators to Cuba to support sustainable milk production and strengthen farm cooperatives. She has also led 58 groups of Canadian farmers, students and chefs to Cuba to share knowledge on food security and organic farming.
As a professional speaker, Wendy has delivered keynote addresses to agricultural organizations across Canada.
Work experience, skills, and expertise
Wendy has over 40 years of professional experience in Canada and internationally as a Canadian Agrologist, agricultural economist, farm journalist, writer, educator, and speaker.
Her monthly columns in support of sustainable Canadian farm policy earned her 10 national journalism awards from the Canadian Farm Writers Federation.
Wendy received 2 Queen’s Medals (1992, 2002) for her service to the community and was honored with Farm Credit Canada’s Rosemary Davis Award in 2009 for her passion for agriculture.
Wendy is the editor and contributing author to two published books: Water and Free Trade (Lorimer, 1988) and Damming the Peace: The Hidden Costs of the Site C Dam (Lorimer, 2018).
Education
Wendy holds an M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics from the University of British Columbia (1974) and a Master of Management in Cooperatives and Credit Unions from Saint Mary’s University (2014).
She is a Distinguished Alumni of UBC and was named BCIA Agrologist of the Year in 2000.
Wendy has taught third year courses in sustainable agriculture at the University of British Columbia and graduate courses in emerging global economies at Saint Mary’s University.
Volunteer work and interests
Wendy is a member of the Canadian cooperative community and founding member of a local worker cooperative. She is a regular contributor to public discussions on resource policy, sustainable food systems and water sovereignty.
Abra Brynne
Member
Appointment term: May 20, 2025 to May 15, 2027
Leadership roles
Abra has served on many boards, frequently in leadership roles. These include SeedChange Canada, where she served as Board Chair, the Kootenay Country Store Cooperative (Board President & longtime Director), Co-Chair of the Standards Review Committee of the Certified Organic Associations of BC, and was a member of the Agriculture & Agri-foods Canada Expert Committee on Organic Agriculture.
She is also a founding member of Kootenay Local Agricultural Society, the BC Food Systems Network, Food Secure Canada, and the Canadian Association of Food Law & Policy,
Work experience, skills, and expertise
Abra Brynne has been deeply involved in farming and food systems her entire life, beginning with a childhood on a farm in the Okanagan Valley, where her family belonged to a local tree fruit marketing cooperative. She has worked closely with farmers and on food systems for thirty years, with a focus on value chains and the regulatory regimes that impede or support them.
Abra is a sought-after agri-foods system consultant and has served as a policy advisor in the fisheries, meat, cannabis, and organic sectors. She was part of the team that produced a food flow study for Metro Vancouver, founded and was the Executive Director of the Central Kootenay Food Policy Council, served as the Policy Advisor at FarmFolk CityFolk, worked as a senior advisor on fisheries policy transition with EcoTrust Canada, and has held numerous short and long term contracts all related to food systems and agri-food sectors.
Education
Abra has a Bachelors of Arts degree in Classics (First Class) from the University of Victoria and is currently pursuing an Interdisciplinary PhD at Dalhousie University, with a focus on the intersection of Indigenous food sovereignty and farmland.
Volunteer work and interests
Abra regularly participates in conference organizing with the Canadian Association of Food Law & Policy and sits on the strategic planning committee of the Canadian Association of Food Studies. She has volunteered with Kootenay Organic Growers Society for more than 25 years. She also regularly mentors civil society actors other graduate students undertaking food systems or policy research.