Pecha Kucha New West

Home
Canada
New Westminster, BC
Pecha Kucha New West

Derived from the Japanese term for "chit chat." 20 slides. 20 seconds. 100% fun! PechaKucha Nights are presented in over 550 cities worldwide.

Started in Tokyo in 2003, PechaKucha Night is a unique evening of storytelling where each presenter shows 20 images for 20 seconds each, a 6 minute and 40 second shot of ideas and inspiration. PechaKucha New Westminster has been presenting events since January 2013.

05/24/2026

Our All-Candidates Pecha Kucha was a smashing success! Thank you to our Volume 39 presenters! It was truly fantastic. More photos to come!

05/20/2026

Our final speaker announcement for Saturday is Mayor Patrick Johnstone (Patrick Johnstone):

Patrick has been showing up for New West for 20 years, as a volunteer, a community leader, curling team member, and joyful cyclist – especially along the Fraser River. An environmental geoscientist by trade, Patrick decided to get involved with local government after advocating for stronger environmental protections and better transportation options and witnessing first-hand how citizens could shape policy in their own city.

Patrick was elected Mayor in 2022, after serving two terms on Council. A willingness to forge partnerships is how Patrick’s Council has been able to meet legislated housing requirements, secure funding for hundreds of new affordable housing units, and advance work on urban reforestation and a more community-centred approach to homelessness. In tough economic times, New Westminster has also seen significant Provincial investment in transportation, a doubling of hospital capacity, ground broken on two new schools, and several major affordable housing projects.

Come and find out what the mayor will be speaking about on Saturday! Register here: https://pechakucha-new-west.bloomtickets.ca/event/770?PechaKuchaNight-NewWest-AllCandidatesEdition(Volume39)

05/19/2026

Only two more speakers to go! Today we are highlighting Lucas Steele:

Lucas is a lifelong resident of New Westminster, a graduate of New Westminster Secondary School, and a local business owner with strong roots in athletics, coaching, and recreation. Through these experiences in sports and helping others, Lucas developed a passion for community and leadership — a journey he describes as moving from competition to community and leadership.

Originally recruited to play football at Simon Fraser University, Lucas chose to pursue his passion for powerlifting and coaching. As a competitive powerlifter representing Team Canada, he has learned the value of discipline, resilience, confidence, and mental strength through sport.

Lucas has coached Hyack football, the New Westminster Royals, and powerlifting at Simon Fraser University, while also founding the NWSS Lifting Club to help students build confidence and community through fitness. He has led fitness and recreation programs at Douglas College and works in fitness and recreation in New Westminster and across multiple Lower Mainland municipalities.

Through athletics, business, coaching, and mentorship, Lucas is passionate about helping others discover their strengths, build confidence, and create meaningful connections through community.

Tickets are going fast. Secure a seat by clicking this link: https://pechakucha-new-west.bloomtickets.ca/event/770?PechaKuchaNight-NewWest-AllCandidatesEdition%28Volume39%29&fbclid=IwY2xjawR5dRRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFtTnJpMUVmdWFiVTlUekhnc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlqDa54puU9fNIDF23Qv6-9AaTrv0ueg2xePQT7fLvysFNc8BkGNwFjyGtL3_aem_XwtQenHpLGWsrIDFZF2EmA

Hope to see you all there!

05/18/2026

Up next is Michelle Hak-Hepburn:

Michelle is a parent, postsecondary educator, and enthusiastic manager of an adult soccer team. In all of these roles, she’s skilled at finding common ground in seemingly opposite viewpoints and helping people recognize when they’re on the same team.

Currently, Michelle works in postsecondary education, where she brings people together to advance sustainability teaching, learning and engagement . In the past, she delivered climate change workshops in high schools across nine BC school districts, as well as organizing community gardening classes, an extension of her lifelong interest in plants and urban biodiversity.

With two kids of her own in one of New West’s overcrowded schools, Michelle is keen to find alternatives to the stuffy and hot portable classrooms many students are stuck with. She’d also like to reduce the traffic congestion so common at school drop-off by finding more sustainable ways for kids to get to school, whether that’s designating safe walkways, or arranging reliable bus service for students from Queensborough.

Ease of transportation is actually one of Michelle’s favourite parts of living in New West. “I can walk to everything I need - including Latin American grocery stores for special ingredients to make Peruvian food at home. And on the street, everybody says hello.”

Hope to see you all on Saturday! Reserve your seat by following this link: Register here: https://pechakucha-new-west.bloomtickets.ca/event/770?PechaKuchaNight-NewWest-AllCandidatesEdition(Volume39)

05/15/2026

Our seventh speaker on May 23 is Ken Armstrong (Ken Armstrong for New West Council):

Ken has lived in New Westminster since 2002, and Queensborough since 2008. He is a lawyer, and works at a small firm in downtown Vancouver, and has been the managing partner of another small firm.

Throughout his adult life he has been actively involved in the community. He has served on the executive of the New Westminster Bar Association, including as President, and has represented lawyers of New Westminster to the provincial and national councils of the Canadian Bar Association. He was president of the CBA (BC Branch) and was named King’s Counsel in 2020.

He has been an active youth sports volunteer in New West for over two decades: as a baseball and soccer coach, elite level baseball umpire, and board member; he was named a Life Member of Little League BC in 2019.

Find out more about Ken on May 23 at the Sapperton Community Hall. Register here: https://pechakucha-new-west.bloomtickets.ca/event/770?PechaKuchaNight-NewWest-AllCandidatesEdition(Volume39)

05/13/2026

Also speaking on May 23 is Bereket Kebede (Bereket Kebede):

Bereket Kebede በረከት ከበደ (he/him) is a father, team builder and volunteer who brings people together by hosting joyful cultural events. He’s known for his efforts to inspire more civic engagement amongst youth, particularly in the African diaspora communities. Part of the reason he chose to raise his kids in New West is that, remarkably, it reminds him of growing up in Addis Ababa, a large city with many communities. “Their histories show many identities, resilience, and the challenge of preserving traditions while moving forward.”

Given his attraction to cities with diverse populations, it’s no surprise one of Bereket’s strengths is finding common ground between groups with diverse or seemingly conflicting views. It’s why he’s drawn to leadership roles where respectful collaboration is key to being productive. Currently, Bereket is the chair of the Douglas College Board, president of the African Sports and Cultural Alliance, and a board member of the Hogan's Alley Society.

Want to find out more about Bereket? Join us on May 23 at the Sapperton Community by registering at: https://pechakucha-new-west.bloomtickets.ca/event/770?PechaKuchaNight-NewWest-AllCandidatesEdition(Volume39)

05/11/2026

Our next candidate speaking on May 23 is Jaydee Dimmer-Drew:

Jaydee lives in Sapperton with their sweet, sassy partner; their silly and sensitive Brussels Griffon, Samus; and their mischievous cat Puck. They love gaming, art markets, drag shows, and getting the buzz on the newest cafes.

At many beloved local events and street festivals, including New West Pride, Jaydee’s work brings New Westies together and curates vibrant, accessible hubs for community connection and belonging.

They get to spend their day doing what they love: active, immersive place-making. Energetic chats over coffee with business owners, artists and entertainers, public servants, and residents of all walks of life. Leading events that unite people and cultivate a thriving local culture. Championing pop-ups, public murals, busking, and other strategies to enrich local life in New West.

A proud q***r community builder, Jaydee brings a unique perspective to their vision for a happier, more sustainable community, deeply rooted in principles of belonging, empathy, innovation, and collaboration.

Jaydee may be a busy bee but they always make time to meander the Quay, enjoy our lush local parks, and sample New West’s thriving local culinary scene.

'Click on this link for tickets: https://pechakucha-new-west.bloomtickets.ca/event/770?PechaKuchaNight-NewWest-AllCandidatesEdition(Volume39)

02/06/2026

Our last speaker is Keith MacLachlan:

Keith is a jazz drummer who also plays trumpet and vibraphone because he has too much time on his hands (not true).

As a lifelong student of jazz, he has led his own small combo groups as well as playing in local big bands, and has been fortunate to share the stage with such luminaries as Mike Allen and Bruno Hubert. He has written about and interviewed many jazz greats, including Stanley Clarke, Fred Hersch, Champian Fulton and Spike Wilner.

Most recently he produced the album ‘Fire Waltz’ by the Bruno Hubert Trio (2024) on the Cellar Live label. A proud father of two, Keith works in information technology by day to support his kids and his music habit.

Click on this link for tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/pechakucha-night-new-west-volume-38-tickets-1977515591367?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn_li6PHMGYcllzGtOtZfkOIoTpW-O3CM_pWz04eYds9wqLhtgtoTtJQSa4hE_aem_4kwMK9gfz_TEohVrjlPmOg

Address

318 Keary Street
New Westminster, BC
V3L 3L3

Website

http://www.pechakuchanewwest.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Pecha Kucha New West posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Pecha Kucha New West:

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in New Westminster?