Please join this special session to learn about the key findings of PIBC's State and Future of the Planning Profession Study. Moderated by Andy Yan RPP, FCIP with the following presenter and panel. Registration opens May 6. 2026.

Our Presenter
 - Dr. Roslyn Kunin

Our Panel
 - Lesley Cabott RPP, FCIP
 - Patricia Maloney RPP, FCIP
 - Oleg Verbenkov RPP, MCIP
 - Carl Funk RPP, MCIP
 - Nathan Manhas - Planning Student
 

Lesley Cabott RPP, FCIP
Lesley has over 30 years of experience working with Indigenous, northern, and remote communities. She is a Principal with Stantec and leads the planning practice in the North and British Columbia. Lesley believes planning is about people. Her passion for communities and people has been recognized and awarded many times, including as a Member of the College of Fellows. Lesley is privileged to represent Planners from coast to coast to coast as the President of the Canadian Institute of Planners.
 

Patricia Maloney RPP, FCIP
Pat has been a planner for over 47 years. She is also a consultant, an adjunct professor at Vancouver Island University's Master of Community Planning program, sits on the Professional Standards Board (PSB) and is the Chair of the Standards Advisory Committee. In this role, Pat is deeply invested in determining the role of planning in the future, the definition of planning, the competencies we will use to regulate the profession, the impacts of AI on the profession and the code of ethics and professional conduct that will guide future planners.

Oleg Verbenkov RPP, MCIP
Oleg is the Principal at Pacific Land Group and is an expert in land use and development planning with over 30 years of combined public and private sector experience. He is frequently the lead consultant on interdisciplinary consulting teams and is a skilled facilitator and consensus-builder in handling challenging assignments with site conditions, complex negotiations or competing visions.

Carl Funk RPP, MCIP
Carl Funk is the Director of Industrial Planning and Development at Beedie, where he oversees the entitlements and development of industrial projects across the region. Prior to joining Beedie, his development experience spanned multifamily residential, commercial, affordable housing, and heritage revitalization projects. Carl is a Designated Urban Planner and is actively involved on Boards including NAIOP and the Burnaby Board of Trade.

Nathan Manhas - Planning Student
Nathan Manhas is a second year Master of Community and Regional Planning student at UBC. He has a background in childcare, public engagement, and community programming. For the past year, he has been working with Adin Research & Planning, contributing to reports, recommendations, and presentations for clients. His recent SCARP Studio Project investigated the implementation of Bill 44 and small-scale, multi-unit housing across the province.