Welcome to Bakau's Leadership Corner
Koshiki, Katya and Cicely Belle
Hi!
We’re Bakau’s leadership team - Cicely Belle, Koshiki and Katya.
Does anyone else feel like the past few years have been, well, a lot?
As a leadership team at Bakau, we constantly strategize, organize, and ideate against a backdrop of social, political, and economic upheaval. Our commitment to anti-oppressive values and collective liberation keeps us grounded and allows us to think beyond traditional business norms.
We find ourselves constantly inspired and buzzing with ideas and also facing exhaustion from the creative ideation required to resist capitalist blueprints. Yes - we are a for-profit business, and we believe there are ways to do our work ethically, sustainably and gently.
Koshiki Tanaka
she/her
Koshiki, born in Japan, moved to Ireland at 11 and later settled in Vancouver in 2014. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Human Rights and an LL.M in Peace Operations, Humanitarian Law, and Conflict. Currently pursuing certificates in Mediation and Negotiation, she passionately engages in peacebuilding. With a diverse background spanning Japan, Ireland, Spain, and Canada, Koshiki brings unique perspectives to her work.
She has volunteered with organizations like Amnesty International and The David Suzuki Foundation and serves as a Board Member of the Vancouver Association of Restorative Justice. During her university years, she interned in Spain, conducting research on the Abolition of the Death Penalty. Outside her human rights pursuits, Koshiki explores creative ventures like painting, writing, and brainstorming documentary and podcast ideas.
Cicely Belle Blain
they/them
Cicely Belle Blain is a Black/mixed, queer femme from London, UK, now based in Vancouver. They are noted for founding Black Lives Matter Vancouver and subsequently being listed as one of Vancouver's 50 most powerful people by Vancouver Magazine in 2018 and again in 2020, BC Business's 30 under 30 and one of Refinery29's Powerhouses.
Cicely Belle is the CEO of Bakau Consulting, the Editorial Director of Ripple of Change Magazine, and the author of Burning Sugar (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2020). They also instruct Executive Leadership at Simon Fraser University and serve on the board of the Tegan and Sara Foundation.
Katya Potapova
she/her
Katya Potapova, originally from Yakutsk, now resides on Turtle Island in Vancouver since 2014. Despite joking about trading permanent frost for permanent rain, she genuinely loves living on the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh lands.
Dedicated to serving those seeking community and meaning, Katya's journey has taken her through event production, fundraising, and communications. She thrives when collaborating and supporting others and actively mobilizes for climate action. An INFJ, Enneagram 2, and Pisces in both Moon and Sun, Katya describes herself as a big softy