(she/her)
Kyla Painter is Executive Director of the Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association (FRAFCA) in Surrey, British Columbia. She has held her current position since 2022, although has been with FRAFCA for 12 years. Prior to her role she served as Interim Executive Director, Assistant Executive Director, Manager of Youth Services, Youth Safehouse Manager, and as front-line youth worker across her tenure with FRAFCA. While her passion is working within the Friendship Centre Movement, she has been working in the Non-Profit industry for 14 years.
Kyla is a second generation settler who resides on the shared, unceded traditional territory of the Coast Salish People including Kwantlen and Katzie First Nations. Kyla completed her certificate in Non-Profit Management at Simon Fraser University and received her Diploma in Addictions & Community Support Work from CDI College. Kyla carries a wealth of life experience that she brings to her work as well. Kyla is an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working in the industry. Kyla is skilled in conflict resolution, proposal writing, community organizing, and program management as a strong business development professional. Kyla exudes strength and natural tact as a leader, and in managing complex teams & challenges and works from a strength-based approach. During her career Kyla has gained outstanding skills with regards to understanding human resources challenges, being an active participant in annual strategic planning, policy development, coaching of teams, managing contracts and relationships with funders and procurement of funding.
During her career, Kyla has planned & developed annual fundraisers, built stellar teams of leaders and front-line staff, and provided ongoing dedication to Surrey’s Urban Indigenous Populations. Driven by her commitment to advocate and make change for a better community she takes pride in her abilities to communicate, strategize and lead teams in a healthy and meaningful way. Kyla is devoted to following the Friendship Centre movement in the work she does. Kyla finds interest and passion in the beauty of conflict resolution and is enthusiastic about her work with Mediate BC. She looks forward to working with Mediate BC in areas of policy, fundraising, JEDI and working with both Urban and Rural communities.
Kyla is completing her master’s degree at the University of Victoria and will gain her MBA in Advancing Reconciliation in 2025. Kyla is excited for the opportunity to enhance her skills and knowledge and towards the very important work of Reconciliation.
Kyla is a dedicated mother and wife and in her spare time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors and camping in her trailer all through British Columbia finding various bodies of water.
Mediate BC serves communities across the lands of many Indigenous peoples, unceded, unsurrendered, and treaty. We are committed to advancing Indigenous sovereignty, inherent rights and self-determination. In order to do this, we commit to deepening our understanding of the histories and cultures of Indigenous peoples and the ongoing effects of colonization. Further, we commit to developing meaningful dialogue and relationships founded on respect.
