Vancouver

Richelle Walkley has worked in the Interior Design industry for over seven years and has been an NEWH Vancouver Committee member since 2020. Before that, she studied Interior Design and Business Entrepreneurship at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Her past roles on the board include Scholarship Director as well as Social Media Committee Chair. She has recently taken on the role of Chair-Elect and will also step in as Volunteer Coordinator to ensure volunteers receive the direction they need to create succession for NEWH Vancouver’s future Board of Directors.

Richelle currently works as an Architectural & Design Specifications Representative for Formations, a Westen Canadian owned distributor of architectural millwork products.

Richelle’s original intent for being involved with NEWH was to expand her network and look for educational and career opportunities within her local region. After four years of commitment as a board member, it is apparent through her work as Scholarship Director and involvement with the student community that her true passion comes from helping students and young professionals enter the Interior Design and Hospitality industries and promote them to become future leaders! When Richelle is not working or fulfilling her NEWH board duties, she can be found in the mountains snowboarding, hiking, biking or playing volleyball at one of Vancouver’s beautiful beaches.

Michael Evans has been directly involved with the A&D industry in Vancouver since 2020, but as a second generation A&D industry representative, he has a keen familiarity with the design community. Michael has been involved with NEWH since January 2023 and has stepped into a new role as Membership Director for the 2024 board. Michael is passionate about giving back to the design community and is particularly inspired to help students and young professionals to network and become familiar faces in the industry. When he’s not working or volunteering for NEWH, you may find Michael at a coffee shop, craft brewery or being active outdoors.

A keen interest in design and architecture led Carolyn Robinson to a career connecting creative ideas with practical solutions. After earning a Design Management Certificate from BCIT, she spent 15 years in the tile and stone industry, bringing beautiful products to the A&D community.

In early 2024, Carolyn shifted to the hardware side of building materials, as Business Development Manager at Taymor Industries, a Canadian-owned company providing quality door and bath hardware for new construction projects.

Having enjoyed many wonderful NEWH Vancouver events over the years, she’s excited to take a deeper dive as Board Secretary for 2026, fostering connections and supporting emerging designers.

Harris has been in the countertop industry for four years starting his career with the industry in sales for fabrication and installation services. Harris pivoted to countertop slab sales as the Territory Manager of British Columbia for Canadian manufacturer HanStone. He recently returned to fabrication joining the team at Apex Granite. Apart from work he is an avid musician and Folk-Pop music recording artist and snowboarder.

Tammy has been in the flooring and paint industry for many years. First as a co-owner of a flooring store, then as an owner of a Benjamin Moore paint store. In 2016 Tammy moved into the specification world, and is currently the Account Executive for Tarkett Commercial and Tarkett Hospitality. Tammy enjoys hiking, kayaking, cooking and reading when not cheering for her son when he is competing in sports. She is an avid Football and Basketball fan, her son being her favorite player.

Rebecca Bertrand brings over two decades of experience to the Interior Design industry. An NCIDQ-certified designer, she spent more than 12 years in hands on design before moving into her current role as an Account Executive with Milliken, supporting both commercial and hospitality flooring solutions.

Her long-standing commitment to NEWH includes serving as Secretary, Membership Director, Chair Elect, Steering Chair, and Chapter President. She will continue her leadership journey as the Vancouver Chapter’s Executive Advisor for 2026. Rebecca’s dedication to NEWH is rooted in her passion for supporting the scholarship program and watching emerging designers grow into the industry’s next generation of leaders.

Outside of work, Rebecca is an avid traveler, soccer player, and skier, and she’s a devoted foodie—be sure to ask her about her food focused Instagram adventures.

Heather LaRoy opened her interior decorating business, The Best Nest Interior Decorating, in 2017 after finishing her diploma in interior decorating. Since then she has worked on a variety of projects from condos, to new build homes and office buildings. Though the majority of her work consists of large scale renovations, she is most in her element when helping clients to simply redecorate their homes. She prides herself in her ability to listen to a client and provide them with a unique design plan that both meets their needs and transforms their space into a home which reflects who they are and how they live.

In 2022 she leaned into her love of wallpaper and fabric and opened James Crossing, an online store that features bold wallpapers and fabrics created by independent artists in the UK. Through representing James Crossing and attending various industry related events, she became involved as a volunteer at NEWH Vancouver. In the Spring 2025, she took over the position of treasurer for NEWH Vancouver and in 2026 she will be taking on the roll of Scholarship Director. She is excited to dig into planning events for the students like the Student Roundtable and looks forward to encouraging students on their road to becoming Interior Designers.

A Registered Interior Designer with more than 17 years of experience, Jennifer is a leader who is passionate about design. A team player with a commitment to elevating design, Jennifer leads by example with her dedication and attention to detail. Jennifer has been volunteering within the design community since her time in design school and she is excited to become more involved with NEWH and join this year’s Vancouver Region Steering Committee! In her spare time, Jennifer loves to travel, play tennis, and explore the local Vancouver social and outdoor scenery.

James is the Western Regional Manager for Lightform Canada, with over 25 years of experience in sales, design, and relationship-led leadership. He has a long history of volunteer work in the design community, serving as both Programs Chair and President for the IES Vancouver Section, as well as Sponsorship Chair for the Ottawa Regional Society of Architects. In these roles, James focused on building the partnerships and educational programs that drive member engagement and keep professional communities connected. He is passionate about connecting people, supporting emerging talent, and helping create welcoming spaces for education, opportunity, and meaningful industry relationships.

Chanelle brings a passion for interior design and community building to her work with NEWH. As a Specifications Designer at Arborite, she ensures design projects run smoothly by coordinating materials, products, and timelines. She also serves as NEWH Vancouver’s Social Media Director, where she creates engaging content, promotes chapter events, and helps strengthen connections within the local design community.

Chanelle is dedicated to supporting emerging designers and fostering a welcoming, collaborative environment for professionals in the industry. Outside of work, she enjoys hitting the golf course and snowboarding, combining her love of adventure with her energetic, team-focused spirit.

Tammy has been in the flooring and paint industry for many years. First as a co-owner of a flooring store, then as an owner of a Benjamin Moore paint store. In 2016 Tammy moved into the specification world, and is currently the Account Executive for Tarkett Commercial and Tarkett Hospitality. Tammy enjoys hiking, kayaking, cooking and reading when not cheering for her son when he is competing in sports. She is an avid Football and Basketball fan, her son being her favorite player.

Michael Evans has been directly involved with the A&D industry in Vancouver since 2020, but as a second generation A&D industry representative, he has a keen familiarity with the design community. Michael has been involved with NEWH since January 2023 and has stepped into a new role as Membership Director for the 2024 board. Michael is passionate about giving back to the design community and is particularly inspired to help students and young professionals to network and become familiar faces in the industry. When he’s not working or volunteering for NEWH, you may find Michael at a coffee shop, craft brewery or being active outdoors.