Our Team

Meet the Plan Institute team. Click on our images to learn more or to connect!

Stephanie Debisschop

Executive Director
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Stephanie Debisschop
Executive Director
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Stephanie joined Plan Institute in 2012 to coordinate the education and awareness program of the Registered Disabilities Savings Plan, a savings vehicle developed and campaigned for by PLAN to assist Canadians with disabilities on their long-term financial stability. She has since moved into the role of Executive Director of Plan Institute. Stephanie has a Bachelors degree in Political Science and a Masters degree in Human Security and Peace-building, and has spent 15 years working with nonprofit organizations on disability issues, as well as working internationally on community integration initiatives. Stephanie has a strong belief in the right to full and equal citizenship for all those within the community, and is thrilled to be a part of the Plan Institute team.

Team member Rachael

Rachael Plant

Director of Grants and Programs
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Rachael Plant
Director of Grants and Programs
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Rachael joined Plan Institute in September 2021. Previously, she worked for a small non-profit in the UK developing communication tools for people with disabilities and also held a grant writing role at a feminist multi-service charity based in Toronto. With a background in publishing, she strongly believes that accessible information can empower individuals to live in safety and security.

Yaya Wang

Accountant
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Yaya Wang
Accountant
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Yaya started out as Plan Institute’s Accounting Administrator in 2012, and has since become the main Accountant. She has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Diploma from BCIT in Accounting. She loves working with people, travelling and is teaching herself how to bake.

A picture of Program Manager Liss Cairns

Liss Cairns

Program Manager
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Liss Cairns
Program Manager
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Liss is a neurodivergent nonbinary person who has had lifelong mental health related disabilities and is currently their wife’s caregiver. They graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Psychology from SFU and were provided with their first professional disability-centered experience through the university’s cooperative education program in 2017. Through the various personal and professional experiences with disability Liss has had, their passion for impacting meaningful change and supporting an intersectional and holistic approach to disability management and services has only grown stronger.

Liss is the Program Manager at Plan Institute, where their work includes managing PI’s free national Disability Planning Helpline Service; managing the Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning workshops; supporting the Access RDSP program in collaboration with Disability Alliance BC (DABC) and BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS); and assisting with the Disability Without Poverty movement wherever possible. Liss is also on the Board of Directors for DABC as Treasurer and has completed two terms as Health Mentor for the UBC Interprofessional Health Mentors Program.

Khair Hamzah

Program Coordinator
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Khair Hamzah
Program Coordinator
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Khair joined Plan Institute in January 2022 with a desire to make positive impacts with his community footprint. Khair has a Bachelors degree in Engineering and after years working in project management on large-scale industrial mega-projects, he decided to transition to more value-driven work in the non-profit sector. Khair strongly believes in the merits of financial literacy and future planning and is excited to bring his experience and passion to his role as Plan Institute’s Program Coordinator.

Solana Vannus

Program Coordinator
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Solana Vannus
Program Coordinator
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Solana joined Plan Institute in August of 2025. She brings a background in supporting and caring for individuals in the disability community, including six years as a family liaison and mental health support worker. Her education consists of certification in mental health and addictions, an Associate’s degree in Arts and Science, and a Bachelor’s degree in Professional Communication from Royal Roads University. Solana believes deeply in building community and uplifting the voices of those who need to be heard. In her free time, you can find her reading an audiobook or petting her beloved cat, Petunia.

Ivy Edad

Communications Manager
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Ivy Edad
Communications Manager
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Joining Plan Institute in August 2025, Ivy is a passionate writer and community organizer. They are dedicated to advocating for disabled and queer communities. Their professional communications background includes work with the Vancouver Pride Festival, the Vancouver Mural Festival, and ACCESSFest.
Drawing from their lived experience as an immigrant, a queer person, and a person with a disability, Ivy creates communication strategies that center and uplift equity-deserving communities. In their free time, they enjoy poetry, tarot reading, and astrology.
A picture of Coordinator Sahra Kohistani

Sahra Kohistani

Coordinator
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Sahra Kohistani
Coordinator
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Sahra joined Plan Institute in September 2024 with a deep passion for creating positive change in the community. With a background in project management, she has dedicated her career to empowering marginalized communities. Sahra believes in fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion in every project she leads. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and exploring new adventures, always seeking meaningful connections with both nature and people.

A picture of Administrator Hannah Sullivan Facknitz

Hannah Sullivan Facknitz

Administrator
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Hannah Sullivan Facknitz
Administrator
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