Executive Director

Favourite Children’s Book: Smelly Socks by Robert Munsch

Owen has been with LBN for over 10 years and has grown tremendously from the positions he’s held here! Outside of LBN, Owen holds a degree in Behavioural Neuroscience and previously researched the onset of mental illness in adolescents. He believes in the importance of equitable access to education and healthcare.

Assistant Executive Director

Favourite Children’s Book: Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett

Kim taught elementary school in the beautiful Okanagan Valley for several years before transitioning to Operations Management for a development company in Kelowna. Her heart has always been in education, passionate about helping children reach their potential by creating a warm, supportive learning environment. She is excited to contribute to LBN by helping to bridge the gap of access for all children who would benefit from early intervention.

Human Resources Manager

Favourite Children’s Book: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Julia is currently studying Human Resources at Seneca college. She carries with her an extensive background in recruitment and employee relations. Julia also shares an immense passion for helping others achieve in their professional careers. She understands the importance of educational equality, and in creating equal opportunities for all children to succeed. Her hopes with LBN are to encourage youth to get involved with their community.

Operations Manager

Eric studied Geography and History at UBC. He is passionate about understanding how places and their pasts continue to shape the world. Eric is excited to help improve children's literacy, and to assist youth develop into positive role models. In his spare time he enjoys mountain biking, swimming and skiing.

Program Manager

Favourite Children's Book: Stephanie's Ponytail by Robert Munsch

Lexi is currently double majoring in Social Justice and Psychology at The University of British Columbia. Over the past decade, Lexi has dedicated her time to volunteering both locally and internationally. She is a firm advocate for the idea that access to quality, adaptive education is essential for a child's personal and academic growth. Her distinct passion is in child advocacy, with a particular emphasis on mental health and support for individuals with disabilities. 

Program Supervisor and Administrator

Favourite Children’s Book: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Nelson has volunteered with LBN since 2021, starting as a mentor and then moving into Program Coordinator and Executive Coordinator. With a Bachelor of Science degree and aspirations of a career in dentistry, Nelson is passionate about building communities, empowering youth, and helping to provide accessible education. Outside of LBN, you might find him napping, building computers, or reading web novels when he should be sleeping.

Administrator for Special Projects

Favourite Children's Book: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Through the various roles Quizzy has played in LBN, she found herself growing more connected to the values and mission of the organization. She hopes to contribute to the goal of providing accessible education and resources to empower the new generation of youth and strives to be a leader that others can rely on. Outside of the LBN, you can find her buried under a blanket reading her favourite books or in a cafe sipping overpriced coffee.

Program Director Co Chair, Teacher Liaison

Favourite Children’s Book: Heidi by Johanna Spyri

As a retired elementary school teacher I saw many children that just needed some extra support to become better readers. This program offers just that! Children that are a little behind in their reading skills can get the extra support they need to become better readers through this program.

Program Director Co Chair, Teacher Liaison

Favourite Children’s Book: The Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum

Marlene is a retired elementary school teacher who most recently taught literacy, numeracy and ELL for the Surrey School Board. Prior to that she had the opportunity to teach adults as an ELL instructor for new immigrants and refugees. She also created and implemented an English in the Workplace programme to support employees in the development of their language skills. She is excited to be collaborating with such a dedicated community as LBN.

Teacher Liaison & Indigenous Program Director

Sharon A. Johansen is from the Heiltsuk Nation. She graduated from the ITEP (formerly NITEP: Native Indian Teacher Education) at UBC with a bachelor’s in education and then obtained her Master of Education from UVIC in the Leadership in Language and Literacy Program. Sharon taught in her hometown of Bella Bella until she became a District Curriculum Specialist Teacher for Prince Rupert School District 52. After that, she was a District Cultural Resource Teacher for Campbell River, SD 72 while continuing to incorporate the BC Teacher Standard 9 and the First People Principles of Learning into her curriculum. Serving on a Board for the local Health Centre, she is very enthusiastic about the environment and brought a community-wide recycling program into her community. Sharon has worked with IZWATAG, an Indigenous non-profit organization, to work on a curriculum to support the environment. Currently, Sharon is an Elementary Learning Support Teacher back in her hometown of Bella Bella. Her continued goals are to reach all students while incorporating the local Gvi’las (laws of our ancestors) and Indigenous Worldview. Sharon has now joined the Learning Buddies Network as a Teacher Liaison, LBN Champion, and Consultant. She looks forward to networking with the LBN team to serve the students of her community.

Teacher Liaison & Indigenous Program Ambassador in Bella Bella

Maritza has a science background from Rutgers University in the USA. She lived in various countries in Latin America working in sustainable development. During that time, Maritza collaborated with a diverse group of stakeholders from various communities and backgrounds. Her experiences taught her to appreciate the value of other cultures, and the importance of a strong educational foundation for children. She obtained her Bachelor of Education from Lakehead University in Ontario and taught at the elementary/junior divisions for several years in Alberta. As a teacher, she has always been passionate about instilling a sense of wonder through books and fun activities and projects. She is continuously innovating her teaching practice with a focus on literacy and numeracy. Maritza strives to integrate STEM and the Arts into her classroom. As a new resident in Bella Bella, she is excited to be contributing to the community through the LBN.

Teacher Liaison

Favourite Children’s Book: Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

Pauline is a retired teacher who enjoyed a fulfilling career with Langley School District. She holds a BEd. in Early Childhood Development from the University of Alberta. Her MEd. focus was Curriculum and Instruction and included work in the areas of Differentiated Instruction, Social Responsibility, and Positive Behaviour Support. During her career, Pauline worked with children with wide-ranging needs and abilities including undertaking a pilot project which involved identifying and designing programming to support gifted learners. Throughout her career, Pauline has been dedicated to supporting all areas of child development. Both as a professional educator and as the parent of a child with profound learning disabilities, Pauline understands the critical importance of early intervention in the development of literacy and numeracy skills.Since retiring Pauline felt that she had more to contribute and was looking for just the right opportunity. She was incredibly impressed by both the mission and the impact of the LBN organization and is very pleased and excited to join the team.

Teacher Liaison

Favourite Children's Book: The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds

Diana is a lifelong student and educator, currently working as a primary school counsellor. She has a bachelor's degree in Special Education, a master's degree in Psychology and Counselling, and continued her education with PhD studies in the field of Educational Psychology. She is always enrolled in a course (or two) to explore the way we learn, think, and feel. Diana has taught grades K-12 in a variety of settings and subjects over the past 25+ years. She has lived and taught all over the world, including the USA, the UK, Germany, and Dubai. Diana has 2 children, both living in the USA, who she visits a few times a year. In her free time she loves to get outdoors, hiking and walking her German Shepherd, or snuggling up with her cat, her husband, and a good movie. Diana is excited for the opportunity to learn and grow as a teacher liaison with LBN.

Teacher Liaison

Favourite Children's Book: What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada

Sabera is excited to join the dedicated team at Learning Buddies Network.

Sabera has dedicated her entire profession to helping children and youth gain confidence and become the best versions of themselves. Over her many years of classroom teaching, she has been given the opportunity to teach in every elementary grade. Sabera appreciates how each student develops their understanding of the world and creates their unique personality over the years. She believes that teaching through connection and storytelling is transformative in all age groups.

She was drawn to Learning Buddies Network because of its experience with pairing buddies and mentors to help with confidence both socially and academically and reach students where they are at in an approachable and gentle way. She enjoys watching how the dynamic relationship formed between mentor and buddy becomes reciprocal over the sessions. 

Sabera has two creative daughters who keep her on her toes and consistently inspire her to see the world through their youthful eyes!

Klemtu Reading Teacher Liaison

Favourite Children’s Book: We are all Wonders by R.J. Palacio

Angela is a passionate educator with 13 years of experience, having started her teaching journey later in life while raising her two children, Abbey and Will. Her teaching career has taken her across BC, including time in Bella Coola during the pandemic, Comox, and Vancouver in both private and public schools. She is currently teaching Grade 1 and 3 in Klemtu, and brings creativity and compassion to her classroom, fostering a love of learning in her students.

Outside of teaching, Angela loves spending time outdoors with her two fur babies, Bailey and Maple. Whether hiking, whale watching, or gardening, Angela is happiest when she’s exploring nature and creating new adventures.

Bella Bella Reading Teacher Liaison

Favourite Children’s Book: The Wolves in the Walls by Neil Gaiman

Yau! My name's Jeanette but my traditional name is H̓búkvs T̓ux̌vsíwís.

I was 20 years old when my mother, who is a principal, called me up to ask "Can you come in, we really need someone for coverage" and 21 years later, here I am. I spent 16 years as an Educational Assistant and 2 of those years in a Speech and Language assistant program which is my job title now. My specialty is teaching k4-k5 aged children how to read using meaningful games and activities through Joyful Literacy.

IT Consultant

Favourite Children's Book: The Snowman by Raymond Briggs

CC is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science majoring in Cognitive Systems plus Master of Management at the University of British Columbia. She has been with LBN since 2020, and has had the role of Reading and Math Mentor, Executive and Program Coordinator, Cantonese and Mandarin translator, and member of the Program Team prior to taking the role of IT Consultant. With her passion in working with children and benefiting society, CC seeks to incorporate her multidisciplinary knowledge and skills to support LBN's mission, scalability, and program quality maintenance.

IT Consultant

Favourite Children's Book: The Three Robbers by Tomi Ungerer

Jimmy is a software engineer who holds a Dual Degree in Bachelor of Science in Computer Software & Communications Engineering. Previously working in NetEase, Inc. as the Technical Department Manager and Deputy General Manager, he wrote the first Chinese web mail service and online auction program. Later co-founded a software company, Jimmy has rich experiences in software development, installation & configuration of database and operating systems, analysis, design, and development of large-scale software systems. He is passionate about building a sustainable backend environment for LBN to grow and expand.

Marketing & Communications Manager

Favourite Children’s Book: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

Since becoming a part of the organization in 2020, Kaitlyn has grown to love LBN's mission and close-knit community where mentorship extends beyond its programs. Having volunteered in numerous positions from Mentor to Executive Coordinator, Kaitlyn now hopes to leverage her passion and experience in her roles as a board advisor and Communications Manager to uphold LBN's values and advance its vision. While still in the midst of exploring her passions, for now, Kaitlyn hopes to pursue a career in the medical field where each day is spent creating an impact on the world and its individuals. In her spare time, she enjoys immersing herself in the whimsical dimensions of books and films, continuing her taekwondo training as a black belt, and carrying the team in online PC games!

Program Systems and Development Consultant

Favourite Children’s Book: The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

Kris is currently studying Computer Science at UBC and has been involved with the Learning Buddies Network since 2019. Over the years, he’s held a number of roles within the organization, starting out as a Math Mentor and eventually volunteering as an Executive Coordinator and a Member of the Program Team. Passionate about creating inclusive spaces and communities, youth engagement and leadership, and reducing barriers to education, he looks forward to leveraging his skills and experience within the organization to continue supporting volunteers, buddies, and ultimately the Learning Buddies Network mission.

Program Systems and Development Consultant

Favourite Children's Book: The Brothers Lionheart by Astrid Lindgren

Natalie is a Business Law & Economics student, Judiciary Panelist, and Peer Tutor at the UofA. She is passionate about helping students achieve their academic goals and building a supportive community for young people that fosters growth and learning. Natalie has volunteered with Learning Buddies since 2019, and she is excited to work further with the organization to help provide elementary school students and volunteers with opportunities to collaborate and acquire new skills.

Rebranding Project Coordinator

Favourite Children’s Book: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

Riali is a student at the University of Toronto and is excited to be working as the project coordinator for LBN's rebranding initiative. She started on the research assistant team where she was motivated by the impacts of LBN to stay within the organization. Riali is passionate about education and hopes to help build an environment where educational growth is fostered.

Canada Helps Administrative Consultant

Favourite Children’s Book: A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Julia studied English Literature and Political Science at UBC. Having been an avid reader since she was young, she found a special joy in passing the love of reading on to others. During her time as an elementary school teacher, she found that she was particularly passionate about social emotional learning. Julia’s motto when working with children is to do her best in “providing children with a toolbox of skills they’ll be able to use for life” both academically and in social-emotional wellbeing. Julia believes in accessible and holistic education over all else.

LBN Trivia Night Coordinator

Favourite Children’s Book: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl & Quentin Blake

Hello! My name is Prabveer, and I am currently in Grade 11! I joined Learning Buddies Network in 2023 as a Reading Mentor at K.B. Woodward Elementary. Ever since I joined, I have loved it here! I have met wonderful staff who have supported me in every way they could! Currently, I am a Program Coordinator, Regional Officer, and On-Call Executive Coordinator! In the future, I would like to become an elementary school teacher in the future, as I have had a passion of working with kids ever since I was 7 (I feel teachers are a big part of a person's education & life). I look forward to my position, as a LBN Trivia Night Coordinator, and to supporting LBN's mission!

Fundraising Support Consultant

Favourite Children’s Book: No David! by David Shannon

Brett volunteered as a math tutor with LBN from 2017 to 2019 and is excited to take on his new position. He holds a degree in political science with a minor in commerce from UBC. Throughout his community involvement, including volunteering and leading social work projects, he has gained valuable experience. Over the years, Brett has learned the importance of building connections and providing opportunities for the underprivileged. In his free time, you can find him playing volleyball, basketball, or soccer at the nearest community park, or occasionally at the driving range. He enjoys hearing people’s stories and is always happy to make a new friend!

Program Supervisor

Favourite Children’s Book: Tupsu: A Squirrel Who Was Afraid by Melody Carlson

Cara started with LBN in 2018 and is currently a program supervisor. In her youth she was a competitive gymnast turned coach, and she draws on her 10 years of coaching experience and time as an English Language teacher in Russia, Croatia and Italy to help her in her role at LBN. She holds a BSc in Food Nutrition and Health from UBC and works in clinical trial research at BC Children’s Hospital. She is pursuing a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology to enable her to work as a therapist in the future.

Program Supervisor

Favourite Children's Book: The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch

Keerat is currently a PhD candidate at McGill University, with a focus on Surgical Education, particularly in emotion regulation. She holds a BSc. in Biochemistry from McMaster University. Keerat joined LBN in 2022 and has since had multiple roles, including being a mentor, executive coordinator, and being a program team member. As a Program Supervisor, Keerat hopes to support LBN's mission and values by helping mentors to improve their buddies' self-esteem in academic spaces, while also inspiring volunteers to develop their own leadership skills! 

Program Supervisor 

Favourite Children's Book: Matilda by Roald Dahl 

Preet is currently double majoring in Economics and Statistics at the University of British Columbia. She believes in the importance of equitable access to education and, as an aspiring public policy analyst, wishes to reduce barriers to education access. Preet has volunteered with Learning Buddies since 2021 and is excited to continue creating an inclusive and supportive community that grows the love of learning in young people.

Program Supervisor

Favourite Children’s Book: Karlsson on the Roof by Astrid Lindgren.

Kamola is currently completing her undergraduate degree at UBC, with a major in Biology and a minor in Nutritional Sciences. In the past, she has been actively involved with LBN as a Reading Mentor and a Program Coordinator. She is super excited to be back in the role of a Program Supervisor. Kamola feels fortunate to be part of such an inspiring group of people who are passionate about delivering LBN’s mission and values. Outside of school and work, she enjoys playing music, running, reading, and enjoying the beautiful ski runs here in BC!

Program Supervisor

Favourite Children’s Book: The BFG by Roald Dahl 

Samantha is at UBC studying Microbiology and Immunology and has been with LBN since 2019. She has developed many skills since starting out as a mentor, and loves sharing her passion for learning with little buddies and their mentors. Samantha is excited to continue working with LBN and support children’s personal and academic growth.

Vice-President

Favourite Children’s Book: The Pippi Longstocking series by Astrid Lindgren

Margaret Kalaski is a former national track and field coach and retired Special Education Department Head at Vancouver’s Eric Hamber Secondary School. She continues to support student learning though private practice and her involvement with the Learning Buddies Network.

Treasurer

Travis is designated as CPA, CA, CFA, and CBV. He obtained his BMath and Masters of Accounting at the University of Waterloo before working at Grant Thornton LLP in both Assurance and Transactions Advisory roles. Travis has multiple family members teaching elementary school in Ontario and is motivated to give back to students by his experience seeing the impact dedicated educators can have.

Secretary

Favourite Children’s Book: The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

Tina has over 2 decades of experience working at large law firms and multinational corporations in Hong Kong and Vancouver. She hopes to bring her legal and organizational experience to Learning Buddies Network. Tina believes strongly in the importance of education and growth opportunities for young children in order for them to recognize their self-worth. She’s actively involved as a volunteer in several community organizations.

Director

Joshua Millard is a former Director of Operations and Programs at Learning Buddies Network. He has an undergraduate degree from the University of British Columbia with a double major in Political Science and Philosophy. With years of operational and management experience, Joshua brings an important understanding of organizational stewardship and Learning Buddies programs to the Board table.

Director

Favourite Children’s Book: The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham

Ian is a retired biochemist and businessman. He has served LBN as an Executive Coach and Management Consultant since 2013. He is an expert on Collaborative Leadership, and enjoys supporting the multigenerational community of LBN.

Director

Favourite Children’s Book: The Fox With Cold Feet by Bill Singer

Peter is a Software Engineer, and has extensive professional experience working with large scale software systems. He is passionate about reducing process complexity and increasing automation in a maintainable way.

Advisor

Favourite Children’s Book: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

Since becoming a part of the organization in 2020, Kaitlyn has grown to love LBN's mission and close-knit community where mentorship extends beyond its programs. Having volunteered in numerous positions from Mentor to Executive Coordinator, Kaitlyn now hopes to leverage her passion and experience in her roles as a board advisor and Communications Manager to uphold LBN's values and advance its vision. While still in the midst of exploring her passions, for now, Kaitlyn hopes to pursue a career in the medical field where each day is spent creating an impact on the world and its individuals. In her spare time, she enjoys immersing herself in the whimsical dimensions of books and films, continuing her taekwondo training as a black belt, and carrying the team in online PC games!

IT Committee Member

Favourite Children’s Book: Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

After falling in love with LBN's mission in 2019, Janelle is ecstatic to support LBN in its expansion as its IT Manager. She is deeply passionate about leveraging novel innovations in STEM to tackle systemic inequities, such as homelessness and inaccessible education, and is inspired to have this opportunity to automate staff processes and manage LBN's IT systems. Janelle is also a 2023 Schulich Leader and an incoming software engineering student at McGill University. In her spare time, you can find Janelle napping, cooking burnt food, or mapping out the vision for Project Empathic, a youth-led organization to spread kindness and eradicate stigma against unhoused people.

IT Committee Member

I am a passionate environmental advocate and competitive programmer who is studying at Lord Byng Secondary School and will be graduating to attend Johns Hopkins University next year. I hope to use programming and new technology to help build a better community.