About Us

Taraneh is a first-generation immigrant of Iranian ancestry, a registered clinical counsellor, certified expressive arts therapist, and writer. She is grateful to live and work on the unceded lands of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh people.

Although new to climbing, Taraneh brings two decades of experience in program design and facilitation, and years volunteering with youth and arts-based nonprofits locally and abroad. 

She joined BIPOC Rocks to connect with a community that welcomes queer and BIPOC folks from all walks of life.

Manny is a first-generation Black Canadian of Jamaican descent who lives, hikes, and climbs within the unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples. His journey with BIPOC Rocks began as a participant in two of our workshops before he became a mentor with the Be Boulder mentorship cohort. Now, as a board member, Manny continues to grow alongside the community, helping create opportunities for others to learn, connect, and find their place in climbing.

A boulderer for nearly a decade, Manny enjoys introducing newcomers to climbing, sharing his knowledge, and encouraging responsible climbing practices. Outside of climbing, he works in healthcare technology. At BIPOC Rocks, he helps strengthen connections among BIPOC climbers, leads the Youth Action Committee, and contributes to making the outdoors a more welcoming and accessible space for people of diverse backgrounds.

Julia is a queer immigrant from rural China and now lives in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish). Having grown up in poverty and faced barriers to access herself, she founded BIPOC Rocks to create space and community for underrepresented climbers.

Julia brings over three decades of experience in project management, graphic design, and data and records management. She holds certifications with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and American Mountain Guides Association; credentials she pursued specifically to open doors for others, because she knows it’s vital for climbers to be led by people who share their lived experience.