VICTORIA B.C. – B.C. Green leader Sonia Furstenau announced today that the party has nominated deputy leader Dr. Lisa Gunderson as its candidate in Oak Bay-Gordon Head for the next general election.
“I am delighted to share the news that the party has nominated Dr Lisa Gunderson as our candidate for the riding of Oak Bay-Gordon Head,” Furstenau said. “Lisa is a clinical psychologist and anti-racism/equity consultant and educator, who brings out the best in everyone she meets. She is a true optimist, committed to empowering people, especially the marginalized and excluded. With strong credentials and experience in mental health, education, and business, Lisa will be an exceptional MLA for her community.”
“It is with gratitude that I accept the party’s nomination for Oak Bay-Gordon Head,” Dr. Gunderson added. “Nearly 12 years ago, my family and I emigrated from the United States and made our home in Victoria. My husband and I sacrificed a lot to raise our children in a country that represents the values we hold dear. I am so proud to be taking this step toward holding public office in that country, and in this province of British Columbia.
“I have spent my career fighting injustice and creating spaces of equity, understanding, compassion, and love. As a B.C. Green MLA, I will continue that work from a new platform. I will use my background and experiences as a racialized woman, an immigrant, a clinical psychologist, an educator, and businesswoman to improve public policy, improve access to vital services, and empower people whose voices aren’t often heard.”
The B.C. Green Party opened nominations for the next general election on Dec. 9, 2022 to prepare for the possibility of a snap election. More nominations will be announced in the weeks and months ahead.
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Lisa Gunderson bio (below)
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Lisa Gunderson
Dr. Lisa Gunderson is an award-winning educator and equity consultant focusing on issues that affect underserved populations. She holds a PhD in clinical child psychology from the University of Southern California with a focus on racialized youth. Known as Dr. Lisa or DrG, Dr. Gunderson is considered a “bridger” in her communities.
Dr. Gunderson founded and operates One Love Consulting (OLC) which provides services to ministries, businesses, educational institutions, and private/public organizations focusing on mental wellness, racial equity, and racism. She also provides peer consults and clinical supervision at the W̱SÁNEĆ school district and for other organizations who work with Indigenous, Black and other racialized persons.
Dr. Gunderson is a community leader who speaks to local schools and organizations on a regular basis, and represents her child’s school on the Victoria Council of Parent Advisory Council. She served on the Greater Victoria Police Diversity Advisory Committee, co-founded the Girls and Femmes with Afro-Textured Hair group, and is a former board member for the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Center Society. She also served as a member of the Planning, Transportation, and Economic Development Advisory Committee in Saanich. She has a special place in her heart for youth and is currently collaborating with the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre Black Youth Empowerment (BYE) Bystander Intervention Program.
A former California tenured professor and associate program director for CityU Canada’s Masters of Counseling program, Dr. Gunderson provided key subject matter expertise to the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General during the development and implementation of provincial training on fair and impartial policing.
Dr. Gunderson has received numerous awards for her work and teaching over the past twenty-five years. Most recently in 2022, she received a Cultural Diversity Award for her work in promotion and education towards creating an inclusive and equitable society.
Dr. Gunderson is a first generation African American of Jamaican ancestry and grew up primarily throughout the United States and Jamaica. She lives in Victoria with her family and enjoys baking, movies, reading, and traveling.