Our Team
Westplan is proud to be locally owned and operated, with ownership split between our two Principals, Teunesha & Mark. Our team is tiny but mighty and has extensive experience working on projects of all shapes and sizes throughout BC. Our mission is to provide meaningful and progressive community planning and development services.
Principal
Teunesha Evertse
Teunesha Evertse RPP MCIP (she/her) is a Principal at Westplan Consulting Group with over eight years of professional planning experience.
Since 2016, her work experience has varied across the industry from development consulting for a social enterprise that develops affordable housing throughout BC, to municipal planning, to a management role at a local planning and development consulting company. This diverse range of experience allows Teunesha to bring a unique lens to each of her projects; whether it be a small variance permit or a large master planned development. She understands the importance of coordinating and communicating projects effectively with her clients, politicians, municipal staff, regulatory agencies, stakeholders, Indigenous communities and the community at large.
Teunesha is a Registered Professional Planner with the Canadian Institute of Planners and has a Master of Community Planning degree from Vancouver Island University where she was also a QES Scholar. Since graduating, Teunesha has continued playing a central role at VIU by mentoring, collaborating and educating the upcoming planning professionals.
Principal
Mark Holland
Mark Holland RPP FCIP (he/him) is a Principal at Westplan Consulting Group with over thirty years of experience in urban planning and landscape architecture. Mark offers a unique and effective combination of private and public sector skill sets to lead projects from early visioning to policy development, to design and approvals and from financing to construction. A commitment to relentless innovation has driven Mark to challenge and push past the norms in all aspects of his work. He has won numerous awards and is credited with many innovations in Canadian Planning including sustainable communities, Agricultural Urbanism, creating urban vitality through Urban Magnets and many other progressive concepts.
Mark has also made significant contributions as a planning educator. He began as an instructor in the University of British Columbia’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture in the early 2000s. Since then, Mark has been a frequent speaker on topics related to planning and sustainability at the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University. Perhaps his greatest influence on planning education is the role he played in launching the Master of Community Planning degree at Vancouver Island University (VIU) in 2014. Ever since, he has played an instrumental role in the school, driven by a commitment to ensure that the next generation of planners is prepared to help communities create their future.
Mark is a Registered Professional Planner with the Canadian Institute of Planners and was inducted into the College of Fellows in 2022.
Planning Assistant
Mailyn Lai
Mailyn Lai (she/her) is a Planning Assistant at Westplan Consulting Group with over a year of experience in community planning, bringing a fresh perspective with a commitment to innovative and inclusive planning. She is a graduate student of the Master of Community Planning program at Vancouver Island University where she was the recipient of the 2022 PIBC Annual Student Fellowship Award. Mailyn holds an undergraduate degree in Communication as well as a certificate in Sustainable Development and in Urban and Regional Studies.
Mailyn is passionate about addressing climate change and facilitating meaningful community engagement. She believes that forming strong relationships within communities are built on a foundation of transparency and trust. She is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in her field in order to provide the best possible service to her clients.
Mailyn is a student member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and looks forward to contributing to the planning profession.
Planning Assistant (Subcontractor)
Aidan McCulloch
Aidan (he/him) is a current student in the Masters of Community Planning program at Vancouver Island University. He holds an undergraduate degree in Geography from the University of Victoria with a concentration in Urban, Health, and Development. His previous work experience has involved supporting master planned projects through rezoning and developing neighborhood consultation strategies.
A passionate advocate for sustainable development, Aidan firmly believes in finding innovative solutions that can accommodate population growth while simultaneously preserving and enhancing the sense of community. His dedication to the principles of sustainability, social equity, and community well-being drives his work and academic pursuits. He is a student member of the Canadian institute of Planners.
Our Values
Contextual Solutions
We always ask ourselves what is best for your project and it's context? We put our clients needs at the center of everything we do.
Progressive Practice
We stay on top of best practices, new theories and innovative thinking. We are always learning.
Collaborative Systems
Our biggest strength is our teamwork and inclusive communication. We respect our client's point of view and skills.
Testimonials
“Teunesha is a very experienced planner and delivers results with a no-nonsense attitude. She is able to distill complex issues and deal with a myriad of municipal policies to help achieve our goals and obtain development approvals. We have come to rely on her expertise and professionalism to help us navigate long, complex municipal approval processes.”
Jeany Lee, Director of Acquisitions & Asset Management
Seacliff Properties