chevron-pattern
Team-photo-2024

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. 

team members

Danya Pastuszek
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.

Authored Content

Bobby MacPherson
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.

Authored Content

ALISON Homer
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.

Authored Content

Astrid Arumae
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.

Authored Content

Christiana Iheanacho
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.

Chuk Odenigbo
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.

Authored Content

CLAIRE LEWIS
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.

Authored Content

Daren Okafo
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.

Authored Content

duncan field
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.

Authored Content

HEATHER KEAM
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.

Authored Content

ISAAC HEWITT-HARRIS
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.

Authored Content

Jaime-Stief-neutral-background
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.

Authored Content

jana
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.

Authored Content

JORGE3-2
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.

Authored Content

justin
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.

Authored Content

Kate Berezina
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.

Authored Content

Kathryn Colby
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. 

Authored Content

KIERAN3-2
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.

Authored Content

LAURA3-1
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.

Authored Content

LISA3-4
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.

Authored Content

Mairead Stewart
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.

Authored Content

LISA3 (2)
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.

Authored Content

LISA3 (3)
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.

Authored Content

NATASHA PEI
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.

Authored Content

Tamarack Logo
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.

Authored Content

ORPAH CUNDANGAN
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.

Authored Content

Owen Henderson
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.

Authored Content

Robin Wisener
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
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.

Authored Content

Ruté Ojigbo