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Lasha was born in Saskatoon, grew up in Edmonton and has worked as a professional journalist for 35 years in Vancouver.  Always the patriot, she is about as Western Canadian as you can get. Lasha has a strong interest in mysticism and can often be found researching all manner of esoteric literature. She received her Masters of Fine Arts degree in 1988 from UBC and writes newspaper columns, feature articles, poetry, film scripts, movie reviews, novels and short fiction. She lives with her spouse outside of Mission, BC and enjoys baking, pickling, jam making and listening to the yelping coyotes and hooting owls long into the night.

I was born in Northern B.C. and spent most of my life in the Lower Mainland before making the move to Penticton in 2026. I am so excited to be a part of the PROP team and to have this opportunity to serve our members throughout the Interior.

I have been a Respiratory Therapist since 2019. During the first seven years of my career, I worked in acute care at Vancouver General Hospital and Richmond Hospital, where I gained valuable experience in ventilation and critical care. While I appreciated the clinical challenges of acute care, I found myself wanting more opportunities to build meaningful connections with the people I was caring for.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my current role is meeting with members, learning about their unique healthcare needs and goals, and working collaboratively with both them and my team to help them achieve those goals. Supporting members in maintaining their independence and quality of life within their communities is incredibly fulfilling.

Outside of work, I enjoy swimming, hiking, reading, and (attempting to!) crochet.

Mahshid Gharaati is the Financial Controller at Technology for Living (TFL) in Vancouver, with over 15 years of experience in accounting, financial reporting, and process improvement. She holds a master’s degree in accounting and joined TFL in August 2025.

She is passionate about working in the non-profit sector. Her experience with Invictus Games 2025 further strengthened her commitment to purpose-driven work.

Outside of work, Mahshid is an abstract artist inspired by nature and enjoys camping and exploring the outdoors.

I started my journey with TFL back in October 2024 as a part-time Finance Support Clerk. I was new to Canada back then and was studying Post-Degree Diploma in Accounting. As someone new to the country, it took a bit of time (and patience!) to land a role that really clicked with me, so I’m super grateful TFL gave me that chance. What was supposed to be a 3-month contract turned into something much longer (over a year!), and I’ve honestly had such a great time along the way even just being in the office twice a week. I am truly amazed and inspired in the wonderful and very inclusive work environment that the organization has to offer. Thankfully, in January 2026, they’ve given me the opportunity to work with the organization full-time. Now, I’m incredibly grateful to step into a role as a Junior Accountant. I look forward to continuing to learn, grow, and contribute to an organization that is deeply committed to helping its members live their lives to the fullest.

I graduated from the Biomedical Engineering Technology program at BCIT in May of 2023. Since October of 2024, I’ve been with Technology For Living and I am quite honored and thankful to be a part of the organization. It’s a very rewarding experience being able to provide the assistance and services that we do to promote the independence of our members. In my spare time, I enjoy playing video games, buying collectibles and playing sports.