Staff

Lee Joy (they/them)
Executive Director

lee is a queer intersectional feminist working to break down the systems of oppression that inhibit equality. they moved to nelson in 2020 and is grateful for the amazing people and land that surround this valley. they became involved with the wkwa in 2021 and became executive director in january 2023. lee is excited to be supporting the west kootenay women's association in its ongoing efforts to serve the community.

lee has a passion for learning and has studied fine art, biology, english literature, environmental studies and most recently began a marine service technician apprenticeship. When not studying or working, you may find them reading, tinkering, basking in nature, or cuddling with their dog and two cats.

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Mikyla Bergman (she/her)
Interim Programs Manager
Mikyla is a local in the vibrant Nelson community, deeply connected to the wild beauty of the Kootenays. With a background in counselling and currently completing a degree in social work, Mikyla is dedicated to lifelong learning and personal growth. Her approach is grounded in culturally aware, trauma-informed and person-centred practice; she believes in meeting people where they’re at. As a settler colonizer, Miklya is committed to listening and learning from Indigenous voices, recognizing our shared responsibility to care for the land while continuing to expand reconciliation efforts at the Women's Centre. Whether snowboarding, hiking, or spending time in nature, she feels most at home in the mountains. Mikyla’s love for the outdoors is matched by a passion for travel as a way to expand her understanding of diverse cultures, perspectives, and ways of life. Mikyla’s experiences continue to deepen her understanding of the world, challenge beliefs, and inspire her ongoing commitment to social justice. At home or abroad, Mikyla is driven by a desire to connect, understand, and contribute to building inclusive, compassionate communities.
Jade Forsyth
Drop-in Coordinator

Originally from England, Jade landed in Nelson in 2021, drawn to the artistic, outdoorsy spirit and strong sense of community that makes this town feel like home. She is grateful to live and work on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Sinixt, Ktunaxa, and Syilx peoples. With a background in counselling, community work, and hospitality, she brings a trauma-informed, person-centred approach to her work at the Women’s Centre. 

Jade is passionate about creating spaces where people feel welcomed, respected, heard, and free to show up exactly as they are. She believes that everyone deserves access to support, connection, and community, and that sometimes the simplest things, a safe space, a listening ear, or a sense of belonging, can make a meaningful difference. 

She values community care, creativity, and shared experiences, and is committed to continually learning about intersectional feminism, and the different experiences and barriers that shape people’s lives. Outside of her work, she enjoys learning through human connection and conversations books, particularly those that challenge her perspective and deepen her understanding of the world around her.