meet the minerva staff
Meet our small but mighty team.
Tina Strehlke
CEO
As CEO of Minerva BC, Tina leads a team of thoughtful, talented change makers who develop, empower and promote women’s leadership. Tina first discovered Minerva in 2001 when working as an employment counsellor at Training Innovations - a leading BC career development company specializing in in-person and online career solutions. She referred her clients to Minerva’s Women Helping Women Work program because it offered mentorship and connection with accomplished women leaders. After 15 years of developing her expertise in leadership, career development, adult learning, HR and communications, she joined Minerva BC as the Programs Director in 2016. She assumed the CEO role in October 2017. Tina has a BA in International Relations from UBC and an MA in Communications from Royal Roads University. She has lived and worked in Germany, Costa Rica, Guyana and Taiwan. Tina’s strengths are seeing the big picture, empathic thinking, and quick learning.
tinas@minervabc.ca
Trina Prior
DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS & ENGAGEMENT
Passionate about equity and values-based leadership, Trina joined Minerva BC in January 2020 as the Director of Partnerships and Engagement. She has worked in the non-profit sector for over 20 years in the areas of fund development, community engagement, research and granting. Previous work has included positions at Vancouver Foundation, Canada’s largest community foundation, as well as at BC Children’s Hospital. She is a graduate of the Master of Philanthropy and Non-profit Leadership program at Carleton University, and also holds a Graduate diploma in Social Innovation from the University of Waterloo and a BA in Communication from Simon Fraser University. Trina is an avid traveler and cyclist who likes to combine her passions whenever possible with multi-day endurance cycling trips.
trinap@minervabc.ca
Katie Baker
director of programs
Katie joined Minerva BC as the Director of Programs in 2019. Originally from Prince Edward Island, Katie moved to Vancouver in 2006 to play for the National Field Hockey team and had the honour of captaining the team for three years. Growing up playing sports she learned first-hand how important role models, coaches and mentors are for personal growth and development, and is excited to pass this on through her work at Minerva BC. As a communications and engagement professional and Certified Executive Coach, Katie has worked in a variety of industries, including consulting for major energy, infrastructure and transportation projects. Her strengths include developing others, positivity, empathetic thinking, and communicating effectively.
katieb@minervabc.ca
Ashley Milbury
youth programs manager
As Minerva's Youth Programs Manager, Ashley's strengths are rooted in respectful relationship-building and creating meaningful connections—to people, purpose, and place. Ashley lives from a foundation of values-based leadership and brings a strong sense of her values to all that she does. She cares deeply about emboldening the next generation of women leaders to find their voice and use it. Originally from Nova Scotia, she completed her Masters of English Literature in Montreal, where she recently returned after 8 years on the west coast. She lives with her human partner and three-legged kitty, Kitty.
Carol Markwei
program facilitator
Sarah Greenwood
program facilitator
Storytelling and community building have always been a passion for Carol. She comes to Minerva BC as a Facilitator with extensive experience in program development, facilitation, project management, premium customer experience, and technical systems. Carol is consciously curious with a passion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Outside work, she loves hosting dinner parties, watching Korean Dramas, and connecting with other fans to discuss shows. If you ever need a good K-drama recommendation, you know who to contact!
Sarah has a passionate curiosity for learning and helping others learn. As a career strategist, facilitator, and curriculum designer, Sarah appreciates the deep connections and learning that can take place when people are willing to be vulnerable and challenge themselves. Sarah facilitates leadership programs at Minerva, including Learning to Lead™ and Women Leading the Way™. When not working, Sarah can be found training for her next triathlon, adventuring in the local mountains with her family, and getting on her mountain bike as often as possible.
Maria Abrams
PROGRAM FACILITATOR
Maria is an avid and curious learner who deeply values the transformational impact of learning. She has 15+ years of experience in leading people and projects in the adult education, career development and health care sectors. With expertise in designing, developing and facilitating meaningful learning experiences, Maria strives to create spaces that foster change for both learners and stakeholders. Maria facilitates leadership programs at Minerva, and helps research, design, and evaluate programs. Maria has a BA in Psychology from SFU and a MA in Leadership and Training from RRU. When not working, Maria enjoys a good book, and outdoor adventures with her family.
maria@minervabc.ca
Saiyami Takale
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
A passionate trekker, mountaineer, and yoga instructor from India, Saiyami is the newest addition to the Minerva team. After having a few adventures in the mighty Himalayas, she moved to Vancouver to get a taste of the North Shore Mountains and to pursue an MBA in Marketing. She holds a deep love for stories which stems from being forced to watch copious amounts of movies as a child, which is now much more than just a hobby. Forever curious and hungry to learn new things, Saiyami believes that Marketing is a refined form of storytelling and when done well stays with you for life! Traveling, art in all its forms, nature, and photography get her super enthused!
saiyami@minervabc.ca
Vibhuti Wadhwa
YOUTH PROGRAMS COORDINATOR
Months after she was born in India, Vib moved to the UAE for four years. Since then, she has lived in Slovakia, Canada, Venezuela, Panama, and the US. Growing up in all these countries helped her recognize the value of political and economic stability and strength. Vib is passionate about combining policy and economic analysis with programming development and execution to further advocacy and create positive impact on communities. She is eager to support young women leaders as they carve their space and create platforms for their communities. Vib has a double major in Economics and Political Science from the Faculty of Arts at UBC Vancouver, and 4+ years of experience in program development and execution, project management and team leadership. When not working, Vib can be found reading, dancing, baking or on a run.
vibhuti@minervabc.ca
Anushka Oberoi
PROGRAMS COORDINATOR
Having been born in India, raised in Canada, and studied in England, Anushka brings a global perspective to her role as Minerva BC's Programs Coordinator. While earning her Master's Degree in Social Policy from the London School of Economics, Anushka developed an interest in global population health, specifically around the issues of inequality faced by self-identifying women. Her 3+ years of work experience at non-profits and think tanks have taught her the importance of providing sustainable and long-term solutions for local communities. As a new Vancouver resident, Anushka can be found exploring all that BC has to offer, bringing her dog Kabira along for the ride.
anushka@minervabc.ca
Minerva BC is growing!
Watch this space for opportunities.
Minerva BC is a Vancouver-based charity that is
dedicated to advancing the leadership of women and girls.
Our office is located on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
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