- Staff
- Board of Directors
- Advisory Members
- Volunteer Team
Maisaloon Al-Ashkar – Executive Director
Maisaloon (she/her/hers) is a 23-year-old with a wise and sassy Capricorn(sun)-Leo(rising) combination. Her ancestors of Palestinian farmers, liberation strugglers and refugees inform her unapologetic diligence to disrupt all systems of oppression. She is a Muslim woman who was born and raised in Jordan, and an immigrant-settler on the stolen homelands of xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), […]
Emily Gorham – Education Program Coordinator
Emily (she/her/hers) is passionate about transformative educational experiences for youth, through a peer-to-peer popular education model, as a way to create a more just, equitable, inclusive, and loving future. She thrives collaborating with diverse communities and, as an activist and educator, is deeply committed to anti-oppression frameworks: anti-racist, anti-colonial, anti-capitalist, and feminist approaches to name […]
Adrienne Yeung – Operations and Project Coordinator
Adrienne (she/her/hers) is a queer cis femme Chinese-Canadian settler who brings a diverse range of academic and lived experience to the Check Your Head team. In the Master of Public Health, Social Inequities & Health program at Simon Fraser University, she explored the tools for resilience that queer people of colour use to shape their […]
Gavin Liang – Communications Intern
Gavin (he/him/his) recently completed his Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Print and Digital Publishing at Simon Fraser University. Growing up as a queer Chinese settler, much of his interests centres around media representation and approaches to building inclusive and accessible initiatives often through art and activism. Over the years, Gavin has been […]
Dakota Shelby – Youth Building a New Economy Youth Peer Leader
Dakota (they/them/theirs) is excited to be a Youth Peer Leader and facilitator with Check Your Head. They have been with CYH since 2017 where they participated in the Poverty and Income Inequality cohort which sparked their interest in facilitation. Over the last few years Dakota’s interest in social justice has developed, and their focus is […]
Janani Ravikularam – Workshop Youth Peer Leader
Janani (she/her/hers) is an immigrant-settler living on and sustained by the occupied and stolen land and waters of the Coast Salish people. She feels grateful to be a part of the Check team as a Youth Peer Leader and is so excited to learn from other youth and all their wisdom. She’s driven by a […]
Anita Shen – BC Youth For Health Youth Peer Leader
Identifying as queer, an immigrant, and a former youth in care, Anita (they/them/theirs) is currently a nursing student. They are interested in social determinants of health, environmental justice, migrant justice, and sex worker rights. They are actively working to decolonize their perspective while living on the stolen land of the sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and […]
Morgan Switzer-Rodney – Food Justice Youth Peer Leader
Morgan(she/her/hers) is a young Black, kinky, queer femme, full-time activist and part-time artist residing on the stolen lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, S’ólh Téméxw, Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw, and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ peoples. She has been co-curator of a salon series called Black Chat for the last 3 years, making space for Black folks to simply exist and be Black […]
Geetika Kaur Bhasin
Geetika (she/her) is a “third culture kid”, who grew up in three different countries but has settled in Vancouver since coming here five years ago for her tertiary study. She holds a B.A. in English Literature and a B.Ed degree specializing in Secondary Education. She is currently in her first year of teaching. Geetika is […]
Rodney Stehr
Rodney (he/him/they/them) is a lot of things (most importantly, a Cancer) and is grateful for the many mentors and friends who help him do the work and research that he does. Rodney currently works at the BC Centre on Substance Use where he has the privilege to work with a team of great researchers to help […]
Kirsten Whitney
Kalhwa7alap Nsnekwnúkwa7 SKirsten nskwátsitsa T’ít’q’etmeckan. Hello, friends/relatives/people, my name is Kirsten I grew up in the community of T’it’q’et which is adjacent to the town of Lillooet, BC. T’it’q’et is one of 11 communities that is part of the St’at’imc Nation. My traditional name is Qwezqwazíźken (bluebird). My pronouns are She/Her/Hers. I graduated in 2017 from […]
Erdene Batz
Erdene (she/her/elle) is a Golden Goddess hailing from Mongolia. She has recently completed her undergrad in Journalism at Concordia University. During her studies, she has worked with support centres around Montreal as a peer supporter and active listener. Drawing from her background of intersectional identities, she is continuously and with intent working to smash patriarchal oppression […]
Annette Angell
Annette believes strongly in the power of popular education to build collective knowledge and action. After finishing her Bachelor of Environmental Studies (B.E.S., minor in International Development Studies) at York University, she began working in the non-profit sector overseeing public health education campaigns and investigating complaints for the College of Opticians of BC. Since then, she […]
Teri dela Rosa
Teri lives to challenge the ways we solve problems within organizations. Why? Because she believes every knot can be untangled. Teri places a high value on taking a creative, innovative, and long-term approach to facing challenges and improving programs, and she is delighted to be joining Check Your Head to help support their long-term mission. Prior […]
Naureen Ali
Naureen is a Chartered Professional Accountant working at the University of British Columbia, and has experience in financial reporting, analysis and business strategy. She recently completed her Masters in Education with a concentration in Society, Culture and Politics in Education. During her graduate program she realized she wanted to find ways to connect financial literacy and […]
Sofia Vitalis
Sofia was born and raised on the unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw, and mi ce:p kʷətxʷiləm Nations. Sofia has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Simon Fraser University, where she realized her passion for thinking reflectively and seeing the world through an intersectional lens. She has honed-in on these passions through the work she does […]
Sarah Coates
Sarah is proud to join Check Your Head’s proud history and visionary future as a board member. She is a high school teacher in Vancouver with a decade of classroom experience, and has been working with youth outside of the classroom in coaching and mentorship capacities for two decades. She is passionate about finding ways […]
Ishita Khosla
Bio coming soon!
Catherine Ludgate
Catherine Ludgate is a senior manager of community investment at Vancity credit union. Here, Catherine provides support to and participates in partnerships dedicated to social justice and financial inclusion, including the Living Wage for Families Campaign and the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition. She oversees microfinance work at Vancity, helps design various inclusive banking programs, and […]
John Kay
Advisory Members aka Wizard’s Council Since 2012, John has guided Realize Strategies to become a leader in impact-driven strategy and executive search. He values innovative approaches to finding solutions and supporting impact-driven businesses to succeed in their missions. Prior to joining Realize, John held several senior positions in the private and public sectors both in […]
Deanna Ogle
Deanna describes herself as a Jane of all Trades. She has worked all sorts of jobs ranging from cleaning hotel rooms to direct service in women’s organizations to organizing campaigns. This diverse work history has given her a solid tool kit that allows her to accomplish a lot with very few resources. Most recently Deanna […]
Catherine Gordon
Catherine is currently the Director of Human Resources for Canuck Place Children’s Hospice. Prior to that she worked for the David Suzuki Foundation leading their HR function, the BC College of Teachers and Rocket Gaming Systems in Canada. Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, she started her HR career in London, U.K. at a recruitment agency, Goodman […]
Nina Rossing
Nina (she/her/hers) is an immigrant settler on the lands of sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) nations. She’s currently a grade 11 student at kitsilano secondary and is passionate about social and climate justice.Nina is excited to expand her knowledge and skills here at CYH. She wants to help share hope and inspire others […]
Blueberry McCallum
Blueberry (she/her/hers) is an white-passing Queer Indigenous artist and activist that lives on the stolen homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, S’ólh Téméxw, Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw, and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ peoples. Her traditional homelands are from the Treaty Six territory of the Métis and Cree peoples. Blueberry is passionate about advocating justice for Indigenous communities, climate change, sex worker rights, […]
Annike Hancock Barkholt
Annike (she/her/hers) is half Danish, half Canadian and has just recently returned to Vancouver for this school year, after having lived in Denmark for the last 7 years. On the side she is super into fashion and design, and is excited about learning how to bring more sustainability and ethical procedures into the industry. She […]
Stefan Urloiu
Stefan (they/them/theirs) is an 18-year old student currently in their first year at UBC in the Natural Resources Conservation Program. Born and raised in Coquitlam, they are a Romanian settler living on the stolen homelands of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. They are passionate about approaching climate justice through an intersectional, […]
Teresa Tang
Teresa( she/her) is really excited to join Check Your Head as a youth peer facilitator! She is a 4th year Sociology student who grew up in Hong Kong and this is her fifth year living in Vancouver. She likes to spend her weekends under the sun and explore vegan restaurants in the neighbourhood. She is […]
Iris Lee
Iris (she/her/hers) is an undergraduate student completing her Bachelor’s degree in International Studies with a concentration in international security and conflict as well as a minor in sociology. She is passionate about raising awareness on social inequalities not just within North America but around the world as well. Once she’s done her degree she hopes […]
Sana Fatima
Sana (she/her/hers) is a UBC graduate that majored in Sociology and completed a minor in Law & Society. She loves to write, travel, find new places to eat, and snack on breakfast foods at any given time of the day. Through both her academic work and community involvement, Sana seeks to learn more about intersectional […]
Justinne Punzalan
Jestinne (she/her/hers) was born and raised in the Philippines. She immigrated to Canada when she was seven years old with her family and now resides as a settler on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples. She is currently completing her Bachelor of Social Work degree at the University of Victoria. Jestinne pursues the […]
Kai Yang
Kai (she/her/hers) is a Chinese-Canadian settler passionate about storytelling. As an aspiring novelist and creative writing major at UBC, Kai is interested in exploring how stories create empathy, and through empathy, social change. Kai is particularly interested in exploring topics related to racial and economic justice, and looks forward to learning from diverse perspectives as […]
Grace Guy
Grace (she/her/hers) is an enthusiastic teacher and learner from Yellowknife, in the Northwest Territories. Deeply interested in engaging with learning through literature and storytelling, Grace hopes to contribute to an ever-changing world of stories that construct everything from our self-image to the structure of society. When she’s not in school, Grace can usually be found […]
Louisa Hsu
Louisa (she/her/hers) is wrapping up her Geography degree at UBC and has just started to explore her interests in sustainability and peer-to-peer engagement. She is excited to join as a Youth Peer Facilitator and looking forward to grow and learn with the participants! In her free time, Louisa enjoys hopping on a bus and exploring […]
Daniela Roman
My pronouns are she/her/hers, I am a 21 year old born and raised in Ecuador. I came uninvited to these stolen lands of the sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) nations three years ago. I am currently majoring in Sociology and Anthropology at Simon Fraser University. I identify as a queer artist and I use […]
Harshita Rathore
Harshita Rathore is presently a freelance sustainability workshop facilitator and her expertise lies in facilitation and course creation. Before coming to Canada, Harshita spent most of her time in hospitality field training and mentoring staff. Harshita has recently obtained her master’s degree in Education from the University of British Columbia, and also holds an MBA […]
Pamela Chavez
She is Pamela. She is in her fourth year of a Political Science major, and minor in Sociology at UBC. She is from Ecuador and loves to talk about anything related with Latin American culture. Her favorite activities are dancing and writing in a creative way anything that comes to her mind. She is very […]
Robyn Lee
Robyn (she/her) is excited to be apart of the Check Your Head youth peer team. She is a Korean-Canadian settler and feels grateful for the chance to work with other Youth Peer Leaders to help build meaningful educational experiences with high school students in Vancouver. She is passionate about local history and interested in connecting […]
Emily Rees
Emily grew up on the territories of the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabeg nations. She moved to Coast Salish territories (Vancouver) in 2016 to attend SFU. She is passionate about the social determinants of health, creating communities of care, and relationship building. Emily is looking forward to learning and sharing knowledge and skills as a facilitator with […]
Athina Leung
Athina is a queer Indonesian settler-immigrant living and learning on the stolen lands of the Coast Salish people. She is interested in social justice and anti-oppression and decolonial forms of activism. As a psychology student, she hopes to bring together the things she has learned here and in academia to help people.
Anh Vu
Anh (she/her) is currently studying International Studies, with a minor in Global Asia at SFU. Born and raised in Vietnam, having lived in China prior to coming to Canada, she is avid for language learning and cultural understanding. Driven by interests for social justice, decolonization, immigration, LGBT+ & gender equality, climate justice, and health equity, […]
Freya Savage
Freya (she/her/hers) is a white settler woman living on the stolen home lands of the sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) peoples. Freya recognizes that she must remove herself from her comfort zone and be open to criticism and learning every day in order engage in the process of decolonization. Freya is passionate about justice and believes that engaging and thoughtful […]
Melissa Hao
Melissa is a rain loving Vancouver homegrown youth. Currently a student at UBC, she is studying psychology and sociology. She is excited to be bringing awareness to social justice topics through CYH and is looking forward to meeting new people though the volunteer program. Animal welfare and LGBTQ activism holds a special place in her […]
Andrew Ng
Andrew is an SFU student in the French Cohort Program, specializing in French and political science. Particularly interested in food, climate and migrant justice when it comes to Check Your Head’s themed workshops, he is also passionate about making a contribution to LGBTQ2+ rights, disability rights, and rights for those struggling with mental health diagnoses. He […]
Yuxuan (Ashly) Chen
Yuxuan (Ashly) is a third year UBC student currently majoring in Mathematics. She came to Vancouver three years ago after finishing high school in China. Passionate about being an educator, she hopes to start her Bachelor of education after graduating. Through repeated exposure to social justice and political information in the general media, she has […]
Em
Em is a recent graduate of Prince of Wales Mini School and is now studying psychology and social justice at the University of British Columbia. They spent their high school years chairing the Vancouver School Board Sustainability Conference, coordinating for the BC Heritage Fairs Society, and working for Metro Vancouver Youth4Action. Through these opportunities, Em […]
Rafa
Born and raised in Brazil, Rafa (Ha-fa) is currently studying Sustainable Agriculture at UBC. Having lived in Costa Rica prior to coming to Coast Salish Territories, Rafa is deeply passionate about issues that surround the interface between Agriculture, Conservation and Development. A plant nerd native to the tropics, he hopes to learn more about the […]
Areeka
Areeka is completing a degree in International Relations and Religion and Literature, with academic focuses on decolonization and migration. She identifies as a ‘third culture kid,’ and based on her experiences balancing identities as an American-Pakistani Settler, her sense of belonging extends beyond cultures and borders. Through her community-activism and her role at CYH, Areeka is actively involved […]
Abbie Wang
Abbie is a Grade 11 student attending Magee Secondary School in Vancouver. She is passionate about psychology, open to divergent ideas and excited about new ways of thinking. She wants to educate herself through Check Your Head about social justice issues as well as create an impact within the community through her work. She believes […]
Sarah Day
Sarah Day was born and raised in Vancouver, and is now a student at UBC hoping to major in International Relations. Previously, she has facilitated workshops across the Lower Mainland on mental health and listening skills. As a Check Your Head facilitator she is excited to join with other volunteers in equipping youth with the tools […]
Noni Nabors
Originally from Treaty 7 lands (Calgary, Alberta) Noni moved to Vancouver for university. She studied Sustainability & Food Systems at UBC and graduated in 2017. Currently she works at the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm running three weekly farm markets. She believes there are better, most just ways of living together and […]
Lincoln Saugstad
I’m a fourth year university student, currently completing a degree in Sustainable Policy Studiesat Kwantlen University. I have a wide array of interests having completed a certificate in Fine Arts at KPU, a Horticulture Technician Certificate at VIU and the Global Stewardship program atCapilano University. I otherwise spend my time exploring my place in the […]
Rachel Cheang
Born and raised in Singapore, Rachel is now pursuing a major in Human Geography and International Relations. She is interested in the intersection of urban systems and food systems through a social justice lens. Rachel has worked as a youth counsellor, conducting workshops focused on mental health and self-awareness, and co-founded a social enterprise back […]
Daniela Gallegos
Daniela is a third year UBC student pursuing an Honours degree in Political Science and minoring in International Relations. Her top three hobbies are dancing, cooking, and talking about…. anything. She was born and raised in a low-income household in Ecuador, studied in a public high school, and did not know English one year before coming to Vancouver! […]
Stephanie Langdeau
Stephanie is an SFU graduate who studied rhetoric and writing as well as minored in education. She currently helps facilitate the Let’s talk and Communication workshops at SFU while working closely with international students as an EAL peer. Being a consummate learner, Stephanie is thrilled for the chance to engage in dialogues on such important […]
Tina Madani Kia
Blog Coordinator Tina is a third year student studying Immunology and Physiology at the University of British Columbia. She and her family immigrated from Iran to Canada when she was five years old. She became passionate about feminism and social justice through her first Tumblr blog, and since then she has been passionate about writing and […]