Our Team

Originally from the UK, Morag has called Canada home for over 30 years. She has over 25 years of experience in community economic development and environmental stewardship.

Emily has worked at the Skills Centre since 2012. The thing she likes most about working here is the support each employee gets, creating a good work-life balance.

Lori brings years of experience working in finance and accounting to the Skills Centre to support the team and our programs.

Alison was born and raised in the West Kootenays and is now raising her own family in this beautiful area. Working for the Skills Centre for the past seven years has provided her with an opportunity to help and support people in the community and make a difference in their lives.

Dan helps people tell their stories. He has worked at the Skills Centre since May 2021 and leads all the communications and marketing activities.

Sandi was born in Trail and has lived in the West Kootenays all her life. She has recently joined our team as administrative support and with over 20 years of office experience, she will be one of the friendly people who will greet you when you contact the Skills Centre.

Kelsey moved to the West Kootenays in 2021 and brings with her more than 10 years of experience managing industrial offices handling all the administrative work, everything from reception and customer service to site tours, communications and document management.

Robert moved to Canada in 2022 to pursue his post-graduate degree in accounting at Selkirk College. Originally from the Philippines, he has also lived and worked in the Bahamas and Saudi Arabia.

Edward and his wife and two children immigrated to Canada in November 2023 from the Philippines. This fulfilled a family dream even though they had never visited Canada before.

Karina has been working with job seekers for 14 years at the Skills Centre. She says she never gets tired of hearing people’s stories and working on making positive steps to change.

Heather moved to the Lower Columbia region 10 years ago to take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. She choose to stay at home with her kids, after working in Law Enforcement for 8 years.

Zoë proudly brings her lived experience to her role at the Skills Centre. She was a stay at home mom, returned to school as an adult and really got into the workforce in her late thirties.

Tina grew up in the Lower Columbia. She brings her experience working as a teacher and working and volunteering with teens to her role.

Bethel joined the Skills Centre in 2019, and she immediately felt it was the right place because she is able to assist all clients with their very unique training needs.

Frank is a seasoned professional with 30+ years of experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors. His style is to collaborate with a focus on strategic and operational priorities.

Through his career and experience, he gained a passion to positively impact people’s lives. He supports workplace wellness by empowering people with knowledge, tools and encouraging communication.

Mary was born and raised in Trail, BC and lives in the Trail area with her young family. Mary obtained a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University and a Bachelor of Laws with Great Distinction from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law.

Rhys Andrews has lived in the West Kootenay region for 50 years including as an infant in Trail, while his dad taught at the Crowe, and then the remainder in Castlegar, graduating from SSHS.

René arrived in the Kootenays in April 2018 when he joined Kootenay Savings Credit Union as Senior Manager, Treasury & Risk Analytics where his role comprises investment, liquidity and financial risk management.

Roelof Helberg grew up, studied and started his career in South Africa. He relocated to Flin Flon, Manitoba in 2009 and then to the Trail area in 2012.

Wake Williams grew up in Trail and is self-employed as a consultant, coach and trainer drawing on his expertise in human resource development and management.

Liz recognizes the value of training, education, and community initiatives in empowering individuals to reach their full potential.

Dhiraj Chatpar is an entrepreneur who relocated from Dubai to Trail with his family in November 2019. He established Plex Canada Consultants Inc.

Sara Cameron (they/them/she/her) is a resident of Trail where they reside with their wife and many pets. Although they are not originally from the area they have come to feel at home within the community that is Trail.