Our team

With a degree in Business and Finance from Dalhousie University, I bring over two decades of diverse experience in public service-including immigration, financial planning, business ownership HR, and career development. I am also trained in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and I'm a member of the Career Development Association of Alberta (CDAA) and Career Professionals of Canada (CPC).

For the past four years, I have proudly served as a Director and Board Member of the Cochrane Chamber of Commerce, while continuing to support individuals with disabilities in their transition to employment. I'm passionate about community building and helping people reach their full potential where they live and work.

My Masters in Community and Cultural Studies focussed on welcoming newcomers to communities.

This passion has followed me into retirement where I continue as an Ambassador with CISC, as well as other efforts in the community and beyond. I try to promote welcoming and inclusive thinking and behaviour in myself and others, including when raising my own children, and now sharing this spirit with my grandchildren. I love learning about other cultures. We can all learn so much from each other.

I am a trained Dental Surgeon and have also completed a Health and Human Services diploma from Bow Valley College in Alberta. My educational background, combined with hands-on experience working with individuals from diverse cultural and social backgrounds, has strengthened my communication skills, adaptability, and people-centered approach.

I am proud to be associated with CISC and motivated to contribute my professional knowledge, lived experience, and commitment to service in support of the organization’s mission to strengthen individuals, families, and communities.

I am passionate about creating a positive, caring and friendly environment for these kids. Outside of my work, I love cooking, cleaning and caring for people.

I am a proud mother to my two not-so-little “Minions,” Tiena and Tiemo, and I cherish my roles as a wife, sister, daughter, and loyal friend to those I hold close.

I am the founder and travel curator of Ashantee Travel, a business I have successfully operated in Canada for the past two years. My journey in the travel industry spans over 16 years, during which I have developed deep industry knowledge and a passion for curating meaningful, well designed travel experiences, expertise I bring into my work every day.

Since moving to Cochrane in April 2022, I have been proud to call this vibrant community home. I value the strong spirit of collaboration and engagement here and look forward to contributing to Cochrane’s continued growth by fostering connections between immigrants and long-time residents, whether through initiatives like Cultural Cooking Without Borders, culturefest, or the many community events that make Cochrane special.

Upon arriving in Canada, I began assisting newly arrived Ukrainians, understanding firsthand the challenges of settling in a new country without knowing the language. This led me to become a case manager for newcomers, helping clients with their settlement needs.

Although I work in Calgary, I find Cochrane to be a warm and supportive community where I feel at home. I am passionate about supporting newcomers in Cochrane and helping them integrate into this wonderful community.

My academic background includes Journalism, Marketing, and Advertising, with a professional focus on documentary and product photography. I worked as a photographer for several years and previously owned and operated my own photography studio, where I collaborated with individuals and organizations to produce clear, purposeful, and visually engaging work.

In addition to my photography background, I am also a visual artist, working primarily with watercolour as my media of choice. My artistic practice is informed by careful observation, storytelling, and an appreciation for subtle details. This creative perspective strongly influences how I approach visual communication, emphasizing authenticity, clarity, and thoughtful composition.

For the past two years, I have been volunteering with CISC, where I contribute my skills in support of the organization’s mission. I bring a calm, empathetic approach and strong attention to detail to my work. I am deeply motivated by a genuine passion for helping people and believe in fostering meaningful human connections through care, respect, and collaboration.

I am deeply committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within our communities.

Since moving to Cochrane with my family in 2017, I have developed a strong connection to the community. As an immigrant, I understand the complexities and challenges that newcomers face when adapting to a new country and culture. I am passionate about using my lived experience and professional expertise to help support the successful integration of newcomers and to contribute meaningfully to the continued growth and inclusivity of the Cochrane community.

My husband jokes that he knew he needed to move me back here shortly after we were married, as this was clearly home to me. Now 27 years married, we have raised our three children in Cochrane as well.

In my spare time, hiking, snowshoeing, and backpacking in our beautiful Rocky Mountains are some of my favourite activities.

I am humbled and at the same time, proud to be part of this wonderful team of people who tirelessly seek for an opportunity to serve others.

As an immigrant, I understand the challenges of settling into a new country and building a new life, including finding employment and feeling connected to the community. This experience inspired my passion for helping others navigate similar journeys. I am grateful to support newcomers through my volunteer work with organizations such as CISC, where I strive to make a positive and welcoming impact.

With these trainings, I apply the learned knowledge into my work to best serve the clients. I am passionate and committed in supporting and improving the lives of new immigrants by helping them settle and integrate into their communities. Some of my strengths in building inclusive and diverse communities shine by focussing on community partnership, collaboration, being a liaison in the school, research in existing gaps, information sessions, local events and policy support services. In addition, I am the Chair of the Cochrane Immigrant Services Committee, Advisory Board. A team of passionate, enthusiastic members who all strive in building an inclusive and diverse community. The work done and the outcomes achieved by CISC in Cochrane was recognized and praised by MLA Peter Guthrie at the Legislative Assembly. As a counsellor, I support my clients to become more empowered and fulfilled with who they are as people while remaining healthy, grounded, and connected through a wholeness system. Aside from work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. Also, I love horseback riding and hiking.

In Canada I started my own business, providing financial management and bookkeeping services. My mission is to help business owners, entrepreneurs and nonprofits to focus on their field of work while I take care of all their financial processes.

Another project that I embraced in Canada is the support for Brazilian immigrants through my Instagram profile "Canada Simplificado".

Later, my love for the Rocky Mountains brought me to Cochrane.

Like many newcomers, I know what it feels like to arrive somewhere unfamiliar, to navigate systems you don't yet understand, and to build a life from scratch in a new country.

That experience stays with you, and it shapes how you see the people around you who are going through the same thing.

Volunteering with CISC feels like a natural way to give back. I believe that everyone deserves to feel welcome where they live, and that small acts of support can make a real difference in someone's journey.

Professionally, I have spent around 30 years working in information technology, from software development to cloud infrastructure, supporting organizations of all sizes along the way. As an Ambassador, I hope to put some of that experience to practical use in support of CISC's mission.

In my always seemingly elusive downtime I enjoy playing the guitar, cooking, and exploring this beautiful province.

My husband Gerard and I didn’t speak English. We depended on our daughter Agnes (then 14 years old) to speak for us. Our son Bram was then 12 years.

In The Netherlands I was a teacher. My diplomas didn’t count here! So I started as a cleaning person in a motel in Sundre. Then I found a job there as an educational assistant. Working with children from all ages and different countries, languages and cultures. And also with children with special needs.

I just love working with kids and did so until my retirement. End 2020 we moved to Cochrane and we love it here!