Our Team

About Me: I am inspired by the courage and wisdom of the young leaders who come to Minerva. I am passionate about creating spaces where young people can explore how to step into their fullest, most confident selves and connecting them with friends and mentors who will support their growth for years to come.

Core Values: empathy, inclusion, growth

Favourite Snack: popcorn (the more butter, the better)

About Me: After more than a decade working in student recruitment, admissions, and alumni relations, I am excited to leverage my experience to serve Minerva. When young people create a life they love through self-discovery, grit, and compassion, the world is a better place. My role is to expand and develop partnerships so that more women and girls can benefit from our programs.

Core Values: connection, humour, kindness

Favourite Snack: mochi donut or a can of OG Pringles

About Me: I’ve dedicated my career to advancing economic inclusion by supporting equity-deserving populations through a range of programs, such as mentorship and skills building programs, micro-grants, and social innovation labs. I’ve worked especially closely with women, newcomers and refugees, and youth. I’m always inspired when feeling the power in a room of people working towards self-empowerment, collectively challenging the status quo and truly understanding the influence they have.

Values: joy, openness, authenticity

Favourite Snack: prosciutto and salami 

About Me: I am passionate about creating opportunities for people of all different backgrounds to establish meaningful connections to inspire and uplift one another. I believe that providing youth with safe spaces to exchange ideas and share their personal stories assists with building skills in leadership and confidence while simultaneously building supportive relationships. By fostering these connections, we can aim to cultivate communities where everyone feels valued and empowered to thrive and grow.

Core Values: equity, compassion, confidence 

Favourite Snack: honey dijon chips (the Kettle ones!)

About Me: I am passionate about helping women and girls have greater involvement and influence in leadership and decision-making spaces. I love the personal and systemic transformation we facilitate and nurture through our work.

Core Values: connection, purpose, curiosity

Favourite Snack: plain M&Ms

About Me: I find fulfillment in contributing to an organization committed to dismantling gender-based barriers. I love that the work we do necessitates building relationships to foster collaboration, amplify diverse voices and create a collective awareness to reshape societal norms.

Core Values: empathy, responsibility, adventure

Favourite Snack: a rich, gooey, brownie

About Me: I am honored to support women and girls at different stages of their leadership journey, leveraging my skills and experiences to facilitate meaningful programs in service of them realizing their full potential. Witnessing the remarkable transformation in their confidence and growth is incredibly fulfilling serving as a reminder of the impact of genuine support and empowerment through community.

Core Values: love, trust, integrity

Favorite Snack: butter cookies (with tea)

About Me: I love working at Minerva. Every day I have the privilege of collaborating with a talented team, tackling challenges I care about, and leveraging my strengths to empower women in their career journeys.

Core Values: contribution, learning, growth

Favourite Snack: chocolate chip cookies

About Me: I work with teams and communities to shape strategies that turn ideas into action, especially where equity, storytelling and systems change meet. I’m driven by a love for collaboration and a deep belief in the power of aligned partnerships to create meaningful momentum. Nature is where I reconnect, reflect and return with a fresh perspective and a wide-open sense of possibility. 

Core Values: curiosity, collaboration, adventure

Favourite Snack: mint chocolate as a side kick, but popcorn is the main event

Gillian has more than 25 years of business strategy, operations, and team development experience in the automotive, natural health, technology, and non-profit sectors. Her committed leadership of the Minerva Board has positively influenced the strategic direction since 2021.

Jessie is a citizen of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). A grandmother, mother, auntie, and sister, she leans on the wisdom gained from her lived experience, educational attainment, professional practice, and elder teachings to inform her passion for being a relationship holder and a connector.

As the BC Mining Leader for PwC Canada, Mark is responsible for providing strategic direction to the BC mining practice, which includes assurance, tax, consulting, and deals.

Aanu is an integral member of the KPMG Private Enterprise practice and has over fourteen years of experience servicing clients in the public sector practice including advanced education institutions, school districts, local governments, and not-for-profit organizations.

Rhogene has over 19 years of experience in the corporate, professional services, and not-for-profit sectors across a variety of industries and specialties, including telecommunications, policy think tanks, legal and business advisory services, major stadium sports and entertainment productions.

Candice is a proud member of the Gitwangak band from the Gitxsan Nation in Northern BC. She uses her passion for small businesses and entrepreneurship, along with her background in business management to advance the Indigenous innovation ecosystem. Candice is also an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Management at UBC Okanagan.

Christie Sparklingeyes, of Cree and European roots, uses a heart-centered trauma-informed approach grounded in reciprocity for the work she is called to do in service of community and Reconciliation. She is a trusted advisor, mentor, coach and consultant and her energetic light shines brightly to guide others on the collective pathway to cultivating robust culturally diverse teams. She is known for being a warm and welcome bridge between Indigenous and corporate communities.

In addition to over 15 years of professional experience in legal, governance, privacy and sustainability, Catherine brings a strong commitment to community service, gender equality, and inclusion. She serves on the board of the Women’s General Council of Canada, and is one of the executive sponsors of MEC’s Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee.

Aleya brings more than 15 years of experience in consulting, education, human development, and global affairs to the Minerva Board. She holds an MBA from the London Business School and currently helps develop, coach, and retain senior talent at McKinsey.

Manu is a senior leader having worked in the information technology and services industry, financial services and telecom for the past 25 years. He has lived across Canada, the US, China, India and France. He has a passion for technology and people, and using business as a force for good.