Our Team

I am a proud African Canadian, born and raised in Nova Scotia, and part of the 11th generation of my family living in Canada. I moved to Alberta 27 years ago and have been a resident of Cochrane since 2020.

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.

I’m an old-time Cochranite, moving here on Canada Day 2000 with my husband Ken, and kids Eric and Natasha. While working at FCSS, I helped start the seeds of CISC, gaining more support and members in 2015. 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 was born and raised in Nigeria and immigrated to London, United Kingdom at the age of 17. There, I earned a college certification in Information and Communication Technology, followed by a degree in Computing and Multimedia from the University of Westminster, London.

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.

I arrived in Canada in 2022 with my family, fleeing the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Back in my home country, I was an English teacher for over 15 years and always dreamt of living in an English-speaking country.

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 family were refugees from Hungary (with 2 small kids and 2 suitcases) during the Revolution of Nov. 1956 when the communist Russian Red Army marched into the country.

I can remember the many years of struggles my parents endured in Canada … immigrating to a new country, learning a new culture, struggling to learn a new language, and learning new job skills. There was no social assistance of any kind back then. I also remember the several fights my brother and I reeived from Canadian kids because we couldn’t speak English.

I grew up in Montreal, moved to Toronto in 1978 and then to London, Ontario in 1988. I worked for 25 years in the corporate world and then 20 years in my own business. My spouse and I moved to Cochrane, AB in Feb 2022 to be close to the mountains and we absolutely love it here!

I speak fluent English, Hungarian and conversational French. I am honoured to be a part of the Cochrane Immigrant Services Committee (CISC). I look forward to meeting with many newcomers and immigrants and to help you in any way I can so that your assimilation and integration into our community can be as easy as possible.

I was born in Brazil and later moved to Canada to pursue my studies, ultimately choosing to immigrate permanently. I have been living in Canada for the past ten years. 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 a community-focused professional with a strong interest in supporting newcomers and building inclusive, welcoming communities. Having experienced the challenges of transition firsthand, I understand the importance of guidance, empathy, and access to the right resources when settling into a new environment.

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 was born and raised in Thailand, where I lived until my early twenties before relocating to Australia and eventually settling in Canada in 2011. I am fluent in both Thai and English and hold the Chartered Professional Accountant designation (CPA-CMA) in Canada. 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.

Aside from a couple of years in Calgary, I have lived in Cochrane in Treaty 7 territory since my family moved here in 1979. In all of those years, I have been excited to watch our town grow and to welcome new faces, many of whom have become dear friends. 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.

As an immigrant myself from the Philippines in this beautiful country I now call home since 2003, I am always grateful for all the help that were extended to me as I settle in and eventually find my place to be of help to others, specially to the newcomers. I have been a member of CISC since 2017 and the opportunity which this organization offers to grow and to serve has been amazing. 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.

I immigrated from Brazil to Canada in 2015 with my husband and three daughters. While in Brazil, I obtained an professional accounting designation and accumulated over 15 years of professional experience in financial management and banking.

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".

Aman Sandhu is an accomplished executive leader and Professional Engineer with over two decades of experience in compliance, operations, and strategic leadership within the oilfield services industry. Known for his ability to navigate complex regulatory and operational environments, Aman brings a rare blend of technical expertise, innovative thinking, and practical problem-solving to every challenge he undertakes.

Originally from Punjab, India, Aman has called Canada home since 2001. Alberta has been the foundation of his oilfield career, where he has lived for the past 22 years, while travelling extensively across Canada. This broad exposure has shaped his adaptable leadership style and given him a deep understanding of diverse teams, regions, and business environments across the country.

Currently, Aman serves as the Managing Director of Mila Dental in Cochrane, where he applies his broad leadership skill set to business growth, operational excellence, and community-focused service delivery. Beyond his professional roles, Aman is highly engaged in community development. He proudly serves as an Ambassador with the Cochrane Immigrant Services Committee (CISC) and volunteers with various organizations, championing inclusion, mentorship, and civic engagement.

My name is Jeannette Timmer.

I’m Dutch and came to Canada in 1995. 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!

I moved to Canada from South Korea and now proudly call Cochrane home. Adjusting to life in a new country has been both challenging and meaningful, and it has helped me appreciate the importance of community, connection, and support for newcomers.

My background is in English education, and I currently work in customer service, where I enjoy meeting people from different backgrounds and helping them feel welcome. I am passionate about learning, languages, and reading, and I love spending time at the local library and participating in community activities.

I am honoured to be part of CISC as an ambassador. I hope to share my experiences, support other newcomers, and contribute to building a welcoming and inclusive community for everyone who chooses to make Cochrane their home.

My name is Rachael James Imeh. I am an Education Assistant working with Calgary Board of Education where I support students with Special Needs in the classroom. 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 started my work at Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, with my focus based on the Rural Projects in Brooks, Chestermere, Cochrane and Airdrie. I have completed my Level 3 certification with Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies(AAISA). 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.