Our Team

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.

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.

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.

Born in India and raised in Sweden, I transplanted my roots to Cochrane in 2014 as an immigrant along with my family. Currently in university for Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Mount Royal University. I am fuelled by a passion for continuous learning and intellectual growth. Simultaneously, my commitment to community service has been a constant thread in my journey since settling in Cochrane, allowing me to establish meaningful ties within the community. This dual commitment underscores my dedication to academic excellence and active participation in the betterment of the community that I now call home.

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 came to Canada in December 2011. I graduated from Humber College in Toronto and moved out west for better opportunities and to further my career. I arrived in Cochrane in July 2014 for work. I worked 2-3 jobs and volunteered whenever possible. This helped me grow and learn from my fellow Cochranites. Living and volunteering in this town for almost 10 years has not only given me an opportunity to pursue my passion for helping various organizations, businesses, non-profits, youth, newcomers, seniors, veterans, LGBTQ2S+, and Indigenous communities, but it has also enabled me to collaborate with people and organizations to work towards building a better, more inclusive community.

Currently, I serve as a Board member of the Cochrane Society for Housing Options (CSHO), a Board Member of Community Futures Centre West, and an Ambassador of the Cochrane Immigrant Services Committee (CISC). I am proud to call Cochrane my home. I firmly believe that with dedication and perseverance, anything is achievable when you put your heart and soul into it.

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 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.

I am a proud daughter of Indian immigrants, who moved to Canada in 1976. I am now living and raising my own family in the beautiful space of Treaty 7 territory known as Cochrane.

By day, I work as an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisor at the University of Calgary and my educational background is in political science and sociology. My life and path have been shaped by the wisdom and inspiration of many cultures and people.

I am honoured to be part of CISC, to learn from the experiences and insights of newcomers, and to help shape a better way forward for everyone who is lucky enough to make Cochrane their home.

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".

An immigrant from the glorious Caribbean country of Jamaica, I moved to Canada in 2013 with my husband and 3 kids. We have called Cochrane home ever since. As a certified HR professional, the evidence of disparity between cultural practice is not only seen within the work environment but also in the community we call home. As a volunteer within various non-profit organizations, I enjoy connecting with individuals, but also sharing the knowledge I have learnt as an immigrant. I believe the more information we can provide to those coming into our community the greater the opportunity for them to understand the community they live in and just how to become engaged, which can provide the sense of belonging as many migrate without family and friends close by.

As for me, I love watching a great movie, connecting with people, eating vanilla ice cream and chocolate cake. Most importantly, I believe in giving back through volunteering. I see volunteering as an opportunity for one to play role in making change in a life, in a community and who knows even… Nope but maybe, just maybe the world. I love what we do at CSIC and can’t wait to see how we connect with all the newcomers and immigrants to our community. We ensure they all feel belong!!

Born in Trinidad and Tobago. I have been a Canadian Citizen for over 20 years. I worked in management in Municipal and Regional governments for close to 10 years. I have also worked in management in private organizations for a little over 5 years. I enjoy gardening, reading, hiking, cycling, skiing and any other sports that are fun.

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.

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.