meet
our team
Tamarack Institute is a remote organization, which is great for quality of life and for the environment. Our teams live and work within and around the communities we proudly serve. Please reach out directly to start a conversation.
Danya Pastuszek
President and CEO
Contact
Linkedin
About Danya
Danya is the Tamarack Institute's President and Co-CEO. She champions collective impact and data strategy. She's dedicated to fostering inclusive, thriving communities.
Bobby MacPherson
Chief Operating Officer
Contact
Linkedin
About Bobby
Bobby is a collaborative leader with expertise in strategic operations, equity-driven practices, and fostering innovation to support community impact. Passionate about creating transformative change, they are committed to building sustainable and inclusive solutions through collective action.
Alison Homer
Director, Learning, Evaluation, and Systems Change
Contact
LinkedIn
About Alison
Alison builds a culture of learning, reflection, and continuous improvement within Tamarack’s networks for change. She supports her teammates to surface and share success stories that amplify and accelerate community change. Alison enjoys mountain biking and snowboarding in Revelstoke, BC.
Astrid Arumae
Manager of Communities, Building Belonging & Climate Transitions
Contact
Linkedin
About
Astrid works across both Building Belonging and Community Climate Transitions networks, and is looking forward to building meaningful relationships with our existing member communities, supporting them on their local journey, nurturing partnerships and growing our network in Quebec and in Atlantic Canada.
Astrid is based in Herring Neck, NL.
Christiana Iheanacho
Senior Community Animator, People and Culture
Contact
LinkedIn
Christiana Iheanacho (she/her) brings a people-centred approach to Tamarack's operational strategies. She leads people and culture initiatives that support team members. Off duty she enjoys spending time with family and exploring creative projects.
Chúk Odenigbo
Consulting Director, Evaluating Impact
Contact
Linkedin
About
Dr. Chúk Odenigbo (PhD) is the Consulting Director of Evaluating Impact with over a decade of experience in environmental activism, adult education, project management, community engagement and co-designing towards the future. Chúk’s work is not only informed by his academic background but also by his lived experiences as a Black Francophone in what is currently Canada.
Claire Lewis
Director, Resource Development
Contact
Linkedin
About
Claire, a certified fundraising executive, leverages 15 yrs of experience to foster partnerships at Tamarack. She enjoys family time, cycling, and neighbourhood exploration.
Daren Okafo
Consulting Director, Collective Leadership
Contact
Linkedin
About
Daren Okafo is the Consulting Director of Collective Leadership at the Tamarack Institute. Originally hailing from Dublin, Ireland, Daren has spent his entire 30-year career working in community development and engagement, learning alongside communities throughout Canada, Europe and Africa.
Duncan Field
Associate Director, Skills for Change
Contact
Linkedin
About
Duncan Field, Associate Director part of Tamarack's Skills for Change team, spearheads e-learning course development and consulting contracts, leveraging his background in Psychology, Philosophy, and Law.
Heather Keam
Consulting Director, Asset-Based Community Development
Contact
Linkedin
About
Heather leads ABCD strategies at Tamarack with 22 years of community dev exp. She's a lifelong learner, volunteer, and advocate for community belonging.
Isaac Hewitt-Harris
Senior Community Animator, Skills for Change
Contact
Linkedin
About
Isaac supports community development, enjoys wildlife photography, and hiking, and brings his passion for the outdoors to Tamarack's initiatives.
Jaime Stief
Senior Community Animator, Digital Sales, Engagement, and Learning
Contact
Linkedin
About
Jaime, a Community Animator in Digital Experience, holds a Bachelor's in Communications and Sociology and a Master's in Communication Studies. Passionate about social justice, she enjoys outdoor activities and travelling.
Jana Harris
Director, Finance and Operations
Contact
Linkedin
About
Jana manages Finance & Operations at Tamarack, blending her international experience with her love for community building and adventure.
Jorge Garza
Associate Director, Communities Building Belonging
Contact
Linkedin
About
Jorge holds a Master's in Urban Planning and specializes in equitable futures, and is devoted to empowering communities at Tamarack.
Justin Williams
Associate Director, Public Policy & Government Relations
Contact
Linkedin
About
Justin leads Public Policy and Government Relations, leveraging his expertise in research and advocacy to drive positive change and community engagement.
Kate Berezina
Community Animator, Accounts Receivable
Contact
Linkedin
About
Kate, Community Animator in Accounts Payable, ensures smooth expense workflows and fosters vendor relationships with her accounting expertise.
Kathryn Colby
Manager of Communities, Communities Ending Poverty
Contact
Linkedin
About
Kathryn is honoured to support BC communities ending poverty at Tamarack. She holds a master’s degree in the community development discipline of Human Security and Peacebuilding, alongside 20+ years supporting marginalized communities and cross-sector partnership development and collective impact. She lives rurally on Tla’amin lands after 20 years in K'emk'emeláy (Vancouver) and understands how communities of all sizes hold power to solve complex social issues, together.
Kieran Maingot
Manager of Communities, Climate Transitions
Contact
Linkedin
About Kieran, a sociology graduate, advocates for climate action, and is passionate about contributing to Tamarack's sustainable climate transitions.
Laura Schnurr
Director, Community Climate Transitions
Contact
Linkedin
About
Laura holds a B.Comm & M.A. in Global Studies. She champions climate action and social innovation, balancing advocacy with family life across continents.
Lisa Attygalle
Consulting Director, Community Engagement
Contact
Linkedin
About
Lisa, Consulting Director, pioneers authentic community engagement strategies. She's an advocate for simplicity and creativity in community change. Off-duty, she co-owns a community café.
Mairead Stewart
Community Animator, Research and Writing
Contact
Linkedin
About
Mairead is a part of the Youth Futures team. Their work covers themes of community building and collective practice. Mairead holds a BA in Multimedia Studies from McMaster University and an MDes (Master of Design) in Digital Futures from OCAD University.
Maureen Owens
Manager of Communities, Ending Poverty
Contact
Linkedin
About
Maureen holds two Bachelor’s degrees, focusing on Health Promotion and Education. She advocates for equity and community involvement in poverty reduction. Outside work, Maureen enjoys skiing and hiking.
Mike Des Jardins
Senior Community Animator, Communities Building Youth Futures
Contact
Linkedin
About
Mike, a certified Ontario teacher, provides leadership and support for Communities Building Youth Futures staff and member communities. He champions youth leadership and fosters community innovation. Outside work, he enjoys hiking and spending time outdoors.
Natasha Pei
Associate Director, Communities Ending Poverty
Contact
Linkedin
About
Natasha Pei serves as the Associate Director of Communities Ending Poverty, leveraging her 13 years of experience in community development to promote justice and equity through place-based, community-led systems change.
Njoki Mbũrũ
Manager of Communities, Building Belonging
Contact
Linkedin
About
Njoki is a storyteller currently a part of the Communities Building Belonging team where she is focused on forming trust-centred relationships with new potential or existing partners who are committed to cultivating a sense of belonging in their communities.
Orpah Cundangan
Learning Lead, Ending Poverty
Contact
Linkedin
About
Orpah, Learning Lead, champions equity in poverty reduction, drawing from 10+ years in non-profits. She enjoys cooking, singing, painting, and volleyball with loved ones.
Owen Henderson
Senior Community Animator, Project, Grant Administration & Executive Support
Contact
Linkedin
About
Owen (he/him), Community Animator, works to empower his colleagues with project management, granting, and administrative support. He strives to approach all aspects of work conscientiously and with empathy. He enjoys long-distance running and playing guitar.
Robin Wisener
Director, Special Projects
Contact
Linkedin
About
Robin leads special projects connecting Tamarack communities, the power of place, social finance and social enterprise toward reducing poverty in all its forms. Robin is on loan from her position in policy development in social innovation at Employment and Social Development Canada.
Rochelle Ignacio
Director, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Contact
Linkedin
About
Rochelle, Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, brings a background in community building, anti-racism, and creating inclusive spaces for equity-deserving communities.