The Douglas College Alumni Advisory Committee

Clint Thomson

Alumni Advisory Committee Member

Clint graduated from Douglas College with an Associate of Arts Degree in 2010, having first connected with the College though its summer music programs while still in secondary school. Following Douglas, Clint earned an Honours Degree from SFU, a Master’s degree from the University of Western Ontario and has pursued further courses and certifications at several other institutions. Clint now works for UBC as a Research and Evaluation Analyst. While his educational and professional journeys have taken him many places, Douglas College remains a special place for Clint. As a member of the AAC, he hopes to help the College grow and maintain connections with its many alumni through exciting events and initiatives. In his spare time, Clint is an avid jazz upright bassist, distance runner, and cyclist. 

Jenny-Lynn Mejia

Alumni Advisory Committee Member

Jenny-Lynn is an alumna of 2011 with a Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing from the Faculty of Health Science from Douglas College.  As a proud mother of three, Lynn learned early on what it takes to never give up when it gets tough.  After school, she has since been employed as a registered nurse. Lynn chose Douglas College because she believed that everyone deserves an equal chance at post-secondary education at a reasonable cost. The education she received at Douglas prepared her for the realities of life, blessed her with knowledge to care for others and herself. Taking a step forward in her education, Jenny-Lynn is currently working towards the Advanced Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Human Resources Management at Douglas. She wants to encourage others to keep learning, always striving for knowledge. She believes that learning is a continuous journey that better equips us to handle obstacles and find joy in life. 

Douglas College has always supported Lynn’s education as a recipient of bursaries and grants, and she looks forward to repaying that generosity in full. As of 2023, Jenny-lynn has been serving as the co-chair of Douglas College’s Alumni Advisory Committee and she looks forward to helping strengthen the connection with the alumni family.

Karunvir Samra

Alumni Advisory Committee Member

Karunvir Samra is currently employed as Legal Counsel for BorderPass, a digital platform which makes the immigration process simpler, more affordable, and more transparent. 

Karunvir received his Juris Doctor at Bond University in August of 2020, where he graduated with distinction. Before law school, Karunvir completed his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting at Douglas College in 2018. During his time at Douglas College, Karunvir was a member of the Men’s Basketball team from 2013 to 2018. Over his five-year career at Douglas College, Karunvir accumulated two provincial bronze medals, a provincial gold medal, and a national silver medal. 

Karunvir believes that contributing to the community is vital. As such, he enjoys coaching youth basketball, sitting as a member of the Douglas College Alumni Advisory Committee, and working with various non-profit organizations, including Access Pro Bono Society of BC and Legal Services Society. 

During his free time, Karunvir likes to spend time with family, friends and his dog – Honey. He also enjoys playing basketball, golf, and video games whenever his busy schedule allows.

Saran Jha 

Alumni Advisory Committee Member

Saran's journey began in the heart of Kolkata, a city with a rich cultural tapestry on the eastern coast of India. Growing up in a place where every street tells a story, Saran nurtured a symphony of interests from a young age, with a spirit grounded in his Bengali heritage, often referred to as the bearer of the world's sweetest language. 

The voyage of learning took a promising turn when Saran secured a seat in one of India's premier institutions for his Bachelor in Computer Science. Saran's zest for knowledge brought him to Douglas, a haven that furnished him with the skills to conquer the professional realm. His pursuit of excellence never wavered, earning him the International Award of Distinction and an opportunity to intern with the BC Public Service as a Software Engineer. 

Today, he works as a Senior Integration Engineer at Mastercard, a role that is a testament to his hard work, determination, and the rich educational lineage of Douglas.  Engaging with the Alumni Advisory Committee as its Co-Chair, Saran envisions a nurturing ground where the alumni not only reconnect but forge ahead, helping each other to be the best versions of themselves.

John Paul (JP) Escala 

Alumni Advisory Committee Member

John Paul (JP) Escala is a Science and Physical and Health Education High school teacher at Archbishop Carney Regional Secondary School. He is an assistant coach for the school’s seniors Varsity Basketball team and Track and Field.  JP graduated from Douglas College with various credentials, including ECE Certification and Diploma (Special Needs), Sport Science Diploma (Health and Recreation) and Bachelor of Physical Education and Coaching (Kinesiology). He also earned the Bachelor of Education (Secondary: PHE) from the University of British Columbia.

As an Alumni Advisory Committee member, JP believes that connecting Douglas Alumni not just about communicating the perks of what Douglas can offer, but also about building a relationship where alumni will not be afraid to go back to either work for the school or continue to attain post degree programs. 

Bhavneet Bhangu

Alumni Advisory Committee Member

Bhavneet, a CPA, is a partner at Dusangh & Co, an established accounting practice with 25 years of history in Surrey, BC. Prior to joining Dusangh, Bhavneet gained extensive experience at two renowned global accounting firms, KPMG and Grant Thornton, where she specialized in providing comprehensive accounting and taxation services to owner-managed businesses across the Lower Mainland. She completed Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Accounting from Douglas College in 2017, earned her CPA designation in 2019 and later pursued LL.M. in Taxation from the University of British Columbia, graduating in 2021. In addition to her professional roles, Bhavneet shares her expertise by teaching accounting to MBA students at a university in Vancouver.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Bhavneet is actively involved in volunteer work, dedicating her time to various social causes and supporting her alma maters. She serves as a Director at the CPA Surrey/Langley/Delta/White Rock Chapter and is a member of the Douglas College Alumni Advisory Committee. Being an education enthusiast, Bhavneet also volunteers for CPA Financial Literacy initiatives, contributing to financial education efforts in her community.

Allyn Edwards

Alumni Advisory Committee Member

Allyn graduated from Douglas College in 2011 with a Bachelor of Business Administration – Accounting and an Accounting Management Diploma.  During his time at Douglas, Allyn volunteered as the Accounting Representative for the Douglas College Business Association and the Student Ambassador with the Office for New Students.

Since graduating, Allyn has gone on to earn his CPA, CGA accounting designation and has held a variety of roles within the construction and transportation industries.  He is currently the Assistant Director, Corporate Finance at local New Westminster company Southern Railway of British Columbia, which he has called home since 2019.

Allyn joined the Douglas Community in 2019 as a volunteer board member for the Alumni Association and now proudly sits on the Alumni Advisory Committee.