Talent Lineup – The Nourish Collective

Seane Corn

Yoga Teacher, Author & Public Speaker

Seane Corn (she/her) is an internationally-acclaimed yoga teacher, author, and public speaker who has been at the forefront of yoga, activism, and community service for 30+ years. Known for her social activism and impassioned teaching style, Seane is raw, honest, articulate, and spiritually inspired in her self-expression. Her leadership and commitment to justice for all beings, plus her many years as a yoga teacher, have galvanized thousands to practice, pray, find more purpose, and activate change from the inside out. A longtime student, Seane models authenticity in her yoga journey and is considered an artist in her craft.

Seane has chosen to use her platform to help bring awareness to global issues, including social justice, sex trafficking, HIV/AIDS awareness, and animal rights. She was named National Yoga Ambassador for YouthAIDS, and received both the Global Green International Environmental Leadership Award and the Humanitarian Award from the Smithsonian Institute. She co-founded the organization Off the Mat, Into the World, which trained leaders in community activism. Seane also co-founded the Global Seva Challenge, which raised over $3.5 million by activating yoga and wellness communities in fund and awareness-raising efforts. Her first book Revolution of the Soul was published in Fall 2019. Her online program, gn With Source, has a global reach of thousands and has been a touchstone of community support.

Shayla Stonechild

Indigenous Wellness Advocate

Shayla Oulette Stonechild (she/her) is a proud Red River Métis and Nehiyaw iskwew (Plains Cree woman) from Muscowpetung First Nation, and a leading voice in Indigenous wellness, empowerment, and representation. As the Founder and Host of the Matriarch Movement - an online platform, podcast, and non-profit - she creates spaces for Indigenous women and Two-Spirit people to access healing through Indigenous-led wellness practices while amplifying voices across Turtle Island.

A global yoga ambassador for lululemon and the first Indigenous woman featured on the cover of Yoga Journal, Shayla has over 800 hours of yoga teacher training and has led transformative, large-scale wellness events across North America. Her work includes the “Four Directions Yoga Flow” at BC Place Stadium for National Indigenous Peoples Day, a 500+ person class on the Las Vegas Strip in collaboration with lululemon and Ironman, and most recently, teaching at the Los Angeles Dodgers Stadium. She also serves on lululemon’s Global Advisory Board for mental health, advocating for Indigenous representation and inclusion in the wellness industry. In 2025, she collaborated with Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts in New York City for Peloton’s Power of Presence series.

Beyond wellness, Shayla is an award-winning media personality and storyteller. She appeared on Season 9 of The Amazing Race Canada, hosted APTN’s Red Earth Uncovered, and co-hosted ET Canada’s Artists & Icons: Indigenous Entertainers in Canada, earning two Canadian Screen Awards. She brought Indigenous storytelling to the forefront as a champion on CBC’s Canada Reads, where her selected book “A Two Spirit Journey” ultimately won the national competition which led her two national book deals with Simon & Schuster further, the first being her debut memoir “Between Two Worlds”.

Her contributions have been recognized with the 2022 Indspire Award and the 2024 Dreamcatcher Foundation Award for Health and Wellness. With over 50 brand collaborations - including Adobe, Peloton, and Sephora - Shayla continues to champion language revitalization, matriarchal leadership, and Indigenous rights. Featured by outlets such as CBC, etalk, and APTN, she is shaping a global movement rooted in healing, visibility, and Indigenous sovereignty.

Alana Maas

Chef and Chopped Canada Winner

Raised in a food-centric family, Alana graduated from Dubrulle Culinary School in 2002, worked in some of the most demanding kitchens in Vancouver, and quickly earned recognition as a leading and coveted chef in the city, successfully running the kitchens at Cru Restaurant and The Hart House.

A Chopped Canada winner, her confidence and trust in herself is contagious. Board member of the Les Dames d’Escoffier chapter of Vancouver, Alana is committed to empower women in her profession. She has an approachable intensity and will call it the way she sees it with a smile, and will give detailed feedback that makes you feel good about learning from your mistakes. This is proof that nurturing mothers make great teachers…and chefs. Has the most uncanny ability to know what’s in house and where everything is.

Chef Quang Dang

Executive Chef, Owner QD Catering + Hospitality

Chef Quang (pronounced Wang) Dang began his culinary career at Joe Fortes Seafood and Chophouse and further apprenticed at the Metropolitan Hotel before moving to West Restaurant, where he worked as junior sous chef. West won the Vancouver magazine Restaurant of the Year award in 2004 and 2005 during his tenure. After three years at the renowned seafood-centric C restaurant, where he worked with Chef Rob Clark, O.C., Quang became executive chef at the Metropolitan Hotel’s Diva Restaurant. He returned to West as executive chef for seven years, was executive chef at Whistler’s Araxi Restaurant, then became corporate executive chef for their parent company, Top Table Group. More recently, he has been executive chef at D.I.C.E.D., a culinary social enterprise organization.

Early in his career, Quang quickly established himself as an advocate of sustainability and a champion of West Coast cuisine, a role that he continues to undertake in defining his approach to modern cookery. Quang went on to compete in a number of international food competitions such as the Bocuse D’Or in Lyon, France; the National Chaîne des Rôtisseurs in Winnipeg; and as a Canadian representative at the European Seafood Exposition in Brussels, the largest of its kind. “Every day brings a new adventure,” he says, “defined by the seasons and the extraordinary ingredients available to us in the Pacific Northwest. It is my privilege to have worked alongside the finest culinary and service brigades in Canada.

Andrea Mueller

Contemporary Artist & Art Instructor

Andrea is a vibrant, paint-splattering tornado of creativity! With a degree in Fine Arts from the prestigious Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto, she is a seasoned artist who has been painting the town of Whistler in all the colours of the rainbow for over two decades, as well as teaching for over a decade. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of art because it has been proven that even a single session of creativity brings positive emotional change. Cumulative benefits from regular engagement in the arts include mindfulness, stress relief, self-esteem and confidence, mind space and connectivity. In a world where hustle and bustle can drown out our connection with Mother Nature, Andrea's work offers a welcome escape from our busy urban lives, rekindling our emotional connection with the environment.

Dr. Deanna L. Gibson

Professor at the University of British Columbia Okanagan

Dr. Deanna L. Gibson is a Professor at the University of British Columbia Okanagan and an internationally recognized leader in microbiome research. Her work focuses on how diet and environmental exposures shape the gut microbiome and drive inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with the goal of developing more effective, biology-based therapies. Her research sits at the intersection of immunology, microbiology, and metabolism, with a particular emphasis on how the microbiome influences host immune responses, gut barrier function, and key signaling pathways that maintain intestinal health. Dr. Gibson’s work has advanced our understanding of how disruptions in the gut ecosystem contribute to chronic inflammation and disease relapse in IBD. A central theme of her program is moving beyond symptom management toward identifying root biological mechanisms that can be targeted for long-term remission. Her research integrates human clinical studies, advanced multi-omics, and experimental models to uncover how diet—including ultra-processed foods—and environmental exposures alter the microbiome and its interaction with the host. In addition to her academic work, Dr. Gibson is the founder of Melius Microbiomics, a biotechnology company developing next-generation microbiome-based therapies, including bioengineered microbes designed to restore critical host–microbe signaling pathways. Her program spans discovery to translation, with a strong focus on developing innovative, mechanism-driven treatments for IBD. In 2025, she was awarded the Crohn’s and Colitis Canada Women in Research Award, recognizing her leadership and contributions to advancing new therapeutic strategies for people living with inflammatory bowel disease. Through her research, mentorship, and public engagement, Dr. Gibson is helping redefine how we understand and treat IBD by placing the gut microbiome at the center of disease prevention and recovery.

Amanda Eggleton

Remedial Massage, Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach ReAlignment Lab

Originally from Australia, Amanda started her therapeutic journey as a Registered Remedial Massage Therapist after graduating from college in 2008. Living an active life since childhood, she has always been involved in sports and outdoor activities. However, after sustaining two different knee injuries during the same winter, Amanda started suffering from chronic back and neck pain. After many treatments had proved unsuccessful, Kyle’s coaching in strength training and mobility, coupled with massage therapy and chiropractic care, Amanda finally started to feel stronger and pain free. It was through this experience of a collaborative health care approach to treat chronic pain and dysfunction that Amanda realized the benefits of the combined modalities into which the concept of ReAlignment Lab was born. In 2020, Amanda gained her Personal Training Certification to enable her to offer a unique combination of Massage Therapy and Movement Coaching to help clients achieve the same success she had in overcoming pain and dysfunction.

Amanda continues to widen her knowledge on all aspects of the human body. Her recent graduation in Nutrition Coaching and Sports Nutrition Coaching, along with current studies into Chronic Pain and Menopause means she can offer her clients a complete lifestyle approach to optimize their health and wellbeing.

Anna Mrozik

5Rhythms® teacher and life coach

Anna is a 5Rhythms® teacher and life coach who creates a safe and energizing space for people to reconnect with their bodies through movement. She believes in the healing power of the 5Rhythms practice as a pathway to emotional release, presence, and self-expression. As a coach, she integrates tools that embrace mind, body, and spirit to support holistic transformation.

In her session, participants will be gently guided through movement to awaken the body, clear the mind, and ground into the moment.

Instagram: embodyandempower.annamrozik

Facebook: EmbodyandEmpowerAnnaMrozik

Astrid Cameron Kent

Certified Healing Foods Specialist & Wellness Expert

Astrid specializes in fermentation and her journey began in 2000, when she started promoting and distributing local cheeses and other regional products in this region among local chefs and retailers. She is the founder of Slow Food Sea to Sky, which was originally known as Slow Food Whistler. Astrid was an early pioneer and advocate for the local food movement in the region. She encourages chefs and retailers to access and use local food producers and farms as their suppliers.

Britt Stephenson

Yoga Instructor, Breathwork Facilitator & Reformer Pilates Teacher – The Bhavana Studio

Meet Britt Stephenson, Lulu Lemon Ambassador and founder of The Bhavana Studio. With 300 hours of training in Hatha, Yin, and Yoga Nidra, along with Reformer and Mat Pilates and breathwork, Britt leads with an intentional and grounded approach to movement. As the founder of The Bhavana Studio in Whistler, she is devoted to helping people feel their absolute best through movement in all forms movement of the body through physical practice, movement of the breath through conscious regulation, and movement of the mind toward clarity and presence. Her classes are designed to build strength, create space, and leave you feeling connected from the inside out.

Bruce Worden

General Manager and Executive Chef

Bruce brings a wealth of culinary expertise and a passion for flavour to his role as the General Manager and Executive Chef at Milestones. Originally from Niagara, Ontario, Bruce made the move to Whistler in 2014 with his family. With over 18 years of experience as a chef in the Niagara region, he honed his skills teaching and working at esteemed establishments like Queen's Landing and Pillar and Post, earning accolades at many four- and five-diamond locations. Bruce thrives on pushing culinary boundaries and crafting flavourful dishes that delight the senses. His commitment to the community is evident through his involvement in charitable causes and his role as a featured chef at numerous events. Bruce is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and passion for cooking, whether through mentoring aspiring chefs or teaching the art of culinary craftsmanship.

Catherine Roscoe Barr

Wellness coach, author and founder of The Life Delicious

Catherine Roscoe Barr is a neuroscience-based wellness coach, lifestyle journalist, veteran fitness professional, founder of The Life Delicious, and bestselling author of FEEL BETTER NOW: The Life-Changing Power of Simple Pleasures. She offers keynote speeches, corporate workshops, coaching circles, and co-ed retreats that give anyone seeking more balance and joy in life a revolutionary approach to reclaim their wellbeing. Merging cutting-edge neuroscience with mindfulness-based practices, this flexible framework gently guides you to map out a transformative and consistent path to sustainable health, authentic pleasure, and empowered living. Before settling on the West Coast, Catherine lived in Sydney, Toronto, Oregon, Montana, and practically everywhere in Alberta. She currently lives in Vancouver with her fabulous husband, delightful daughter, and adorable dog.

Charli Be

Sound Practitioner

Charli is an accredited Sound Practitioner whose work is shaped by her studies in Holistic Voice Work, Sound Therapy, Yoga Nidra, and Sonic Somatics™. Hailing from the "Land of Song”, her Welsh heritage is the foundation of a deep-rooted connection to music and song, which now informs her practices with creative, sound-based therapeutic modalities.

Her sessions support deep rest, creating space for the complexities of life to move through the body. These practices are shared as an invitation into presence, a pause that offers the opportunity to nurture a greater capacity to feel, and live more fully in the world.

Ciara Kiyoko

Business Coach and Human Design Mentor

Ciara is a Business Coach and Human Design Mentor who guides entrepreneurs to build businesses that are deeply aligned with how they're wired to work and lead.

After 15 years leading teams and launching new ventures, Ciara left corporate to found Kiyoko Verde — a wellness brand blending strategic business mentorship with subconscious work and Human Design to help founders forget what they've been told to do. Her clients build from their own intuition and personal vision of success.

She has trained with some of the most respected voices in the Human Design space, including Jenna Zoe and Erin Claire Jones, and holds certifications in Life Coaching and Psych-K (Psychological Kinesiology). Ciara's approach is equal parts practical and intuitive, shaped by years in the corporate world and one recurring frustration: business strategy is rarely tailored to the founder executing it. Hers is.

Ciara is based in Vancouver and works with clients globally through one-on-one coaching, online programs, and in-person events. She also facilitates the Business Circle, a community membership for entrepreneurs integrating Human Design into how they run and grow their businesses.

At Nourish Whistler, Ciara will be leading a Human Design Circle, an interactive experience designed to understand your unique blueprint and begin using it as a practical tool in your everyday life and work.

Crystal Rainbow Borrelli

Third generation yogi

Crystal Rainbow was raised off grid on a remote island on the West Coast. She is a third generation yogi and teaches yoga locally, along with international retreats. She teaches 200hr and 300hr Yoga teacher trainings around the world. Crystal is an author, writing "Within the Divine Realm" the mythical stories and sacred mantras of the gods and goddesses of yoga. She is the creator of “Sacred Realms Oracle Deck” for teachers to draw inspiration for their teachings and students to embody.Crystal is passionate about teaching others how to be in relationship with nature through the lens of yoga.

Darren Melhus

Fraser Valley Bonsai

Darren Melhus is a bonsai artist and educator, with over 25 years experience and a passion for building the bonsai community in BC. Through Fraser Valley Bonsai, he teaches hands-on workshops ranging from beginner “Make a Bonsai” sessions to more advanced classes and guided design work, all focused on clear, practical learning.

His approach blends traditional Japanese techniques with a relaxed West Coast perspective, helping people build confidence while developing quality trees over time.

Darren is also the President of the BC Bonsai Society, where he supports a growing community of enthusiasts through meetings, demonstrations, and shared learning.

For many, bonsai offers more than just a hobby — it’s a creative outlet, a way to connect with nature, and an opportunity to meet others through clubs and workshops. Darren’s goal is to make that experience accessible, enjoyable, and meaningful for everyone.

Dorothy Kudla

Author & Founder, Coach, Speaker

Dorothy Kudla helps people slow the spin and come back to themselves. With over two decades in leadership development, she is the founder of Full Circle Connections and the author of Six Functions, One Vision: A Practical Guide for Modern Leaders. Dorothy’s work is rooted in self-leadership and centres on three practices: self-awareness, situational awareness, and intentional action. Known for straight talk, warm delivery, and tools that feel usable in real life, Dorothy brings a love of challenge and learning to everything she does. She has completed multiple marathons and climbed impressive peaks, including Mount Kilimanjaro, and is currently exploring how AI can support clearer thinking, better decisions, and more ease without adding to the noise. She splits her time between Toronto and Whistler, and does her best thinking near a trail, a lake, or a chairlift.

Dorrie Cyr

Author & Founder, Coach, Speaker

Dorrie’s wanderlust for wellbeing, as a healing practitioner and committed professional for the past three decades, has led her to become a Certified Crystal Sound Healer, a graduate of Copper Vessels Professional Sound Healers Academy in 2022. Rooted in ancient traditions and guided by intuition, Dorrie invites you to come as you are, reconnect with your body’s innate wisdom, and make room for new rituals to take root. Let this be your invitation to slow down, soften and return to yourself.

Dr Landon McLean

Certified Naturopathic Doctor

Dr Landon McLean is a board certified naturopathic doctor. His passion is in preventative health and nutrition with a focus in digestive health and stress management.

His education started when attending the University of Waterloo Health Studies program, completing his honours bachelor of science in 2007. Over the period of earning his degree, he took many courses in health and nutrition. This allowed him to develop a solid base and passion for health promotion and clinical nutrition.

Dr Landon firmly believes in the ability of prevention and education to act as tools to improve and empower your health and wellness.

Dr Landon then began his studies at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2010. This 4 year program gave Dr Landon the tools to help you restore your health and prevent further issues. He completed a one year internship at the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic in Toronto ON, the largest clinic in north america. During this time he saw over 300 patients with varying concerns. He also completed a 4 month internship at an HIV/AIDS clinic in Toronto ON. He worked as a TA for the 2nd and 3rd year health psych program to help improve and sharpen his counselling skills. Dr Landon completed his degree in 2014, becoming a licensed Naturopathic Doctor.

Dr. Claire Wilson, ND

Naturopathic Doctor – Hormone + Pain Optimization

Dr. Claire Wilson is a Naturopathic Doctor and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP) with advanced training in pain management regenerative injection therapies and innovative menopause/perimenopause care through The Menopause Society. Claire integrates support for energy mood cycle management and other menopause-related symptoms such as hot flashes and sleep interruption. At this talk she will explore common concerns like poor sleep hot flashes mood shifts and joint pain offering insight into how hormones can influence your overall state. Expect clear takeaways to help you feel more balanced and set yourself up for success in preventative women’s wellness.

Dr. Jenny Turner

Consulting Sports Medicine Physician
MBBS, MSc Sports Med, MSc Musculoskeletal U/S

Dr. Jenny Turner is a distinguished sports medicine physician and founding fellow of the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK. With an undergraduate degree from the University of London and a Master’s in Sports and Exercise Medicine, Dr. Turner began her career after an inspiring season as a ski doctor in Australia. Her advanced training includes orthopaedics, rheumatology, and rehabilitation, followed by a second Master’s in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, equipping her to offer specialized diagnostics and treatments, including PRP and ultrasound-guided injections.

With extensive experience in elite sports and community practice, Dr. Turner has treated Olympians, elite athletes, and individuals with everyday musculoskeletal concerns. Driven by a lifelong passion for sports, she combines her expertise with innovative treatment options, empowering her patients to achieve their health, recovery, and performance goals and return to the activities they love.

Emily Gibson

M.Ed

A well-being and trauma-informed practice educator, intuitive guide and facilitator with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals, communities, schools and organizations across Canada, Aotearoa New Zealand and Central America.

Emily offers professional education, workshops, coaching, curriculum development and consulting. Through her work, she helps people cultivate greater well-being and self-awareness through holistic and evidence-based practices. She also teaches professionals how to weave trauma-informed approaches into their work to create interactions and environments where people feel safe to engage.

She has developed a continuing education certificate in trauma-informed care for healthcare professionals, hosts a community of practice focused on reducing burnout and facilitates a monthly well-being membership. Emily also designs experiential resources that support child and youth well-being, most recently expanding the University of Auckland’s Centre for Arts and Social Transformation online art-based resource, Te Rito Toi.

As another avenue for supporting well-being, Emily integrates intuitive and spiritual practices including astrology, tarot and Reiki to encourage reflection, clarity and connection to one’s inner guidance. Her facilitation style is grounded, compassionate and experiential, inviting participants to explore well-being through both evidence-informed and intuitive ways of knowing.

Emily holds a Master of Education with first-class honours from the University of Auckland, where her research explored Māori approaches to trauma-informed practice in mental health education. Her work has been shaped by collaborations with Indigenous communities and by teachings from Elders across Turtle Island.

Emily Kane

Kinesiologist, Yoga Teacher, and Alternative Healing - Yogacara Whistler

Emily Kane is a passionate yoga teacher, educator, and owner of Yogacara Whistler, a studio in the heart of Whistler Village. With a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of British Columbia, nearly 25 years of personal yoga practice, more than 13 years of teaching experience, and advanced studies in India, she brings a deep understanding of the body and movement into her teaching. Emily is also the author of The Energy and Art of Restorative Yoga and leads yoga teacher trainings, retreats, and workshops locally and internationally. Her teaching integrates kinesiology, traditional and progressive perspectives, creative sequencing, and therapeutic approaches to create accessible and deeply transformative practices.

Erin Stone

Chef and Owner of Molly's Meals

Originally from the small town of Whanganui, New Zealand, Erin moved to Whistler in 2006. She was introduced to different foods and flavours while travelling and living in other countries around the world. Erin has worked in several Whistler kitchens including Elements, Stonesedge, North Arm Farm, The Raven Room and Lucia Gelato, and was part of the opening team for some of them. She now runs her own chef-prepared, meal delivery service, Molly's Meals. Cooking has always been her passion, but it also gave her a career with plenty of rewards and opportunity. "There is nothing better than the satisfaction of creating an amazing meal for someone. Food brings people together and I love being able to do that."

Heather Hendrie

Award-winning author

Heather Hendrie is an award-winning author and mental health advocate whose work uses humour to smash stigma around menstruation, sexuality, and the stories we’re usually told to keep quiet. She is the creator of the Awfully Hilarious [https://www.awfullyhilarious.com] anthology series—including Amazon #1 bestsellers Awfully Hilarious Stories We Never Tell[https://www.amazon.ca/Awfully-Hilarious-Stories-Never-Tell/dp/1738803503/], and Awfully Hilarious Pillow Talk[https://www.tidewaterpress.ca/buy-pillow-talk-abh/]. Her work has received recognition from the Canadian Book Club Awards and was recently featured by the CBC in its 50 Books to Read This Season list.

Heather is currently writing the memoir Where the Eff Is My Red Tent!? [https://caitlinpress.com/Books/W/Where-the-Eff-is-My-Red-Tent], a bold and deeply personal account of her thirty-year journey to a diagnosis of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and her advocacy for menstruating people navigating mental health and hormones.

A registered clinical counsellor and founder of True Nature Wilderness Therapy[https://truenaturewildernesstherapy.com/], Heather lives in Whistler, British Columbia, where she blends nature-based therapy with storytelling, community building, and radical honesty.

Books: https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=heather+hendrie

Heidi Whent

Yoga and mindfulness teacher

Meet local yoga and mindfulness teacher, Heidi Whent. She facilitates yogic practices that engage both new and seasoned practitioners alike. Her offerings are open and authentic, encouraging you to come back home to your body and the present moment.

As an avid outdoor adventurer, Heidi finds inspiration and connection in nature’s changing seasons that are an integral part of her teachings. It is through her dedication to personal practice that she guides from a place of sincerity and humanness.

You can find Heidi guiding yoga and mindfulness in the Sea to Sky corridor.

Founders and comedians

Ira Pettle

Ira Pettle is a Canadian born performing artist, entertainer, arts educator, and creative.

Inspired by his debut record, A Little Bit, co-written with Juno award winning singer/songwriter, Norman Foote, Ira’s newest production, A Little Bit LIVE! fulfills a long-awaited dream to put his love of storytelling and song into a musical theatre experience for young audiences.

Having originally trained as an actor, he is a key player in BC’s performing arts scene, most notably in Whistler, where he was named the 2019 Champion of Arts and Culture at the Whistler Excellence Awards. Known as ‘DJ Ira’ throughout the Sea to Sky corridor in BC, he is already one of Canada’s most sought-after family entertainers and this next chapter of his life’s work is sure to make a big splash across multi-generational audiences. A graduate of the acclaimed Second City Conservatory Program in Toronto, with a Master of Education, Ira is supported by more than 25 years of experience performing, producing and teaching theatre.

Rebecca Mason

Rebecca Mason is the co-founder of Laugh Out LIVE!, a Whistler-based comedy brand. In addition to performing, she teaches improv and communication-based workshops, blending her background in theatre with her experience as a business coach, a role she’s held since 2017. Rebecca holds a Bachelor’s degree in both Theatre and Honours Economics, and has trained extensively in performance and comedy around the world, including at the renowned Moscow Art Theatre School in Russia, and in New York, Los Angeles and Vancouver.

Jane Herrlich

Dance and Zumba Instructor

Join Jane Herrlich, a local dance and Zumba instructor from England, for a fun, high-energy Zumba class that will get you moving, sweating and smiling! With a passion for dance and fitness, Jane brings an upbeat and inclusive vibe to every class. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or just looking to try something new, this session is all about joy, movement, and nourishing your body through dance. Come ready to move and leave feeling energized and empowered!

Jenn Welsh

Health and Wellness Professional

Jennifer is a passionate health and wellness professional with a diverse background in Yoga, personal training, nutrition and most recently, massage therapy. Born in Chicago, Illinois, USA and then raised in Mississauga, Ontario, Jennifer moved to British Columbia at 12 years old and has since made beautiful Whistler her home for the past 10 years. After graduating high school in White Rock, BC, she pursued a BA with a double major in History and Environmental Studies at UVic in Victoria, BC. Her journey into health and wellness then began in 2004 when she became a certified yoga teacher, followed by becoming a personal trainer in 2011. In 2024, she achieved her long-time goal of becoming a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT), turning what she calls her “Pandemic Pivot” into a life-changing opportunity to work with her clients in this new and exciting capacity. As the founder of HabRituals, a holistic health and wellness company, Jennifer integrates all of her expertise to guide clients toward optimal health and living their best lives. Her mission is to provide comprehensive support, empowering individuals to thrive through personalized wellness practices, creating Habits for Today and Rituals for Life. When she’s not helping others achieve their health goals, you’ll find Jennifer exploring the great outdoors. Whether it’s road-tripping through BC or the USA, SUP surfing, mountain biking, skiing, or hiking with her fur babies, Mala and Buddy, she is always embracing the beauty of nature. A book lover at heart, she also enjoys curling up with a good book and a mug of chai in her downtime.

Jenna Scott

MS, Clinical Associate Professor, UBC

Jenna Scott is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Medical Genetics at the University of British Columbia, where she co-directs the MSc in Genetic Counselling program and has led curriculum and directed studies since 2012. With a Master’s degree in Human Genetics from Sarah Lawrence College (1994), Jenna brings over 25 years of experience as a clinical genetic counsellor and more than a decade as an educator and consultant in health professional genetics education.

Driven by a passion for using genetics to improve health outcomes, Jenna also explores wholistic approaches to wellness. She has trained in Shiatsu massage with a foundation in Traditional Chinese Medicine and, after 12 years of Hatha yoga practice, became a certified Bikram Yoga instructor in 2023.

Since 2020, she has served as a consultant for Genome BC, contributing to the Genomics Education for Health Professionals portfolio. Jenna brings a rich blend of scientific expertise, integrative health practices, and a deep commitment to education and collaboration in the evolving field of medical genetics.

Kristin Campbell

Yoga Instructor, Wise Crone at ageingwell.ca, and Co-Founder of Everwell Water Kefir Co.

Kristin is masterful at holding a steady and consistent energy. Her frequency is both grounding and uplifting simultaneously. Grounding in the sense that it reminds you to be in the body. Uplifting in the sense that her authenticity is refreshing, taking you to a real and honest place within yourself. With passion, precision, and a dose of mama-bear love, her classes are engaging, intuitive, educational, and transformative.

Kyle Chapman

ReAlignment Lab

Growing up in New Zealand, Kyle pursued every sport a young boy dreamed of. Wanting to gain more strength and size, Kyle found his way into the new ‘playground’ of the gym. After High School, he decided to follow his interest in fitness to Massey University in Palmerston North. Gaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport and Exercise, he started personal training whilst completing a Graduate Diploma in Exercise Science.

During his personal training career he spent time with numerous national sporting teams, including the Manawatu Jets NBL team and the Central District’s Stags cricket team. In an effort to increase his cardiovascular fitness, Kyle discovered mountain biking, which then led him to Whistler in 2015. His passion for racing enduro MTB saw the evolution of his fitness training regime to encompass strength and functionality, whilst lasting the needed kilometers and hours ascending the vast mountain climbs of Whistler.

Through his personal enduro-riding experience, Kyle discovered he could help train people to not only be strong and mobile, but also be able to endure demanding activities in the mountains. And, by pushing people beyond their perceived limits, they could also acclimatise in preparation for the harsh elements.

Despite being in the fitness industry, it wasn’t until Kyle met Amanda (the other half of ReAlignment Lab) that he discovered the benefits of massage therapy. Using massage to help decrease muscle tension and restrictions, Kyle was able to increase his body’s range of motion and conquer previous chronic injuries. This new experience incited his interest further in learning how to reclaim movement and mobility through the unique combination of massage and functional training. With continued study and research into biomechanics and body alignment, Kyle discovered more about the physiological benefits of improved strength and efficient movement patterns. Many of these teachings and techniques have become the foundation for the deep core values of ReAlignment Lab.

Laura Douglas

Certifired Wim Hof Method Instructor

Laura Douglas is a certified Wim Hof Method instructor and the founder of We Dip Whistler, offering breathwork and cold exposure experiences designed to enhance resilience, mental clarity and overall well-being. A lifelong adventurer and educator, Laura discovered the power of cold immersion during a transformative journey of self-growth. Now, she helps others harness the benefits of breath, mindset, and the cold to build strength from within.

At Nourish Whistler, Laura will guide participants through a unique breathwork and cold plunge experience, unlocking the body’s natural potential for energy, calm, and connection.

Lily Chandra

Founder of Brahmi Rituals Skincare and Cosmetic Energy Healing

Lily is the founder of Brahmi Rituals skincare and Cosmetic Energy Healing which rejuvenates the skin and cells using energy healing. She can work with the body as if it were clay to reshape the cells and skin. She developed her method 12 years ago and is the only one in the world with this knowledge. Brahmi Rituals and Lily Chandra have been featured in Forbes, Vancouver Sun and OK Magazine.

Lisa Richardson

Freelance Journalist

Lisa Richardson is a notebook-filler, relentless scribbler, and curious listener based in Pemberton. A freelance journalist for more than two decades, and perennial recipient of Pique’s Favourite Writer award, she is known for her ability to ask spacious questions, and her love of bringing people together around ideas and creative practices —on the page and in real life. (Some of her initiatives include co-founding Slow Food Cycle Sunday and the Society of Secret Poetry Appreciators.) Her columns, creative writing and workshop offerings arise out of a conviction that imagination, attention, slow-maxxing and cooperation are skillsets we most need to cultivate to bring about more resilient and life-giving futures.

Current priorities include writing for Arc’teryx in their community impact world, Meander magazine on regenerative cultures, Edible Sea to Sky to uplift local food and farmers, and offering journalling workshops, while also making space for family life, mountain adventures, regular gym dates to practice doing hard things, and a novel writing side quest.

Luke Burton

Certified Music Therapist

Luke Burton is an accredited music therapist, and registered clinical counsellor, with a master’s degree in music-centred psychotherapy. He is also a certified yoga teacher, a certified soul-centred facilitator, has trained in Transpersonal psychotherapy, and is a master of facilitating group music-making. Luke's passion is creating spaces where people remember how to take up room — through sound, through play, and through the surprising joy of making something beautiful together. Learn more at www.adventuresinharmony.ca

Meaghan Sutter

Kinesiologist & Personal Trainer, Peak Training + Rehab

An entrepreneur, Kinesiologist and Certified Personal Trainer, Meaghan loves getting the community of Whistler strong and fit. She has extensive experience training clients of all ages and uses strength and mobility coaching to help them optimize performance while reducing injury and decreasing pain. After moving to Whistler and building a successful practice in 2015, she opened Peak Training Studio in Function Junction in 2019.

Monica Sander Burns

Forest Therapy Guide, Partner of Society of Trees

Monica Sander Burns is the founder and director of Society of Trees, an organization delivering transformative nature-based experiences to empower people and organizations to rise to their potential, sustainably.

Monica is a certified Forest Therapy Guide with the Global Institute of Forest Therapy (GIFT) and designs her signature Nature Immersion programs to restore depleted energy reserves, support overwhelmed nervous systems, and rekindle joy, wonder awe and imagination.

Her work has been featured on Netflix, Condé Nast Traveller, BC Global News, and The Weekend Australian, reflecting her growing influence in the field of nature-based wellbeing.

Nicki McKeon

Founder of Wild Vedas Adventure Based Wellness

Nicki is a hiking guide, yoga teacher and registered Ayurvedic Practitioner who has been guiding transformative outdoor journeys since 2011. Growing up in Australia, her career has had her living across New Zealand, the UK, Bali and now Canada, as well as having guided numerous programs across Asia and South America. She has held space for thousands of adventures of self reflection, awareness and growth using nature and community as tools for transformation. Nicki's programs prioritize playfulness, community, authenticity, and a deep curiosity for self-discovery, connection with others, and exploration of the world around us.

Sam Roberts

DISC Advanced facilitator

Sam Roberts is a Whistler-based facilitator who has spent the past decade designing and leading engaging learning experiences across Canada, USA, and Australia. She works with individuals and groups to build practical skills that support healthier, more sustainable ways of working and living, that are grounded in real-life.

An accredited DISC Advanced facilitator, Sam is passionate about helping people better understand themselves and each other. Her sessions are known for being interactive, thoughtful, and tailored to the learner. Participants often describe her approach as warm, practical, and empowering.

After experiencing burnout earlier in her career, Sam reshaped her approach to life and work. She believes well-being and performance are not opposing forces, but deeply connected. Her work now focuses on helping people create sustainable habits, clearer communication, and systems that support both personal well-being and meaningful success.

Samantha Rahn

Sommelier

Samantha has spent her entire adult life in the mountains, immersed in food and wine. It started in Banff where she wrote her first award winning wine list back in 2001 for the Maple Leaf Grille. After meeting her taller half racing snowboard cross in 2007, she was imported to Whistler by him, and served as Wine Director at Araxi Restaurant until her retirement from full time restaurant work in 2018. Samantha was awarded BC Sommelier of the Year from both the Vancouver International Wine Festival and Vancouver Magazine in 2013. After leaving Araxi, Samantha worked as Fine Wine Ambassador and Private Client Services Manager with Select Wines and sister agency Icon Vins Fins until spring 2024. As an active participant in Whistler Cornucopia since landing in Whistler in 2007, and being Cornucopia Ambassador for well over decade, Sam is now in second year in her expanded role as Cornucopia Festival Sommelier. She is also proprietor of Samantha’s Garden, which offers food, beverage and hospitality services and consulting. Samantha lives in Pemberton with her guy Jamie and their two beloved tabbies, Francis and Fleurie. Sam is also a dedicated mountain bike coach in the Whistler Bike Park, very busy backyard vegetable farmer and avid sports fan.

Sarah Ware

Registered Dietitian

Sarah is a compassionate clinician, motivated to think outside the box and challenge conventional ideas to provide innovative and optimal care to her clients. She loves collaborating with people and getting to know her clients on a personal level. By taking the time to understand their unique characteristics and lifestyle, she is dedicated to helping them find the best approach to achieve their health goals. Sarah firmly believes in the power of individualized care and recognizes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

Sarah began her post-secondary education at the University of Calgary, initially studying pre-medicine. However, her passion for nutrition led her to transfer to the University of British Columbia where she completed an honours degree in dietetics. She completed her formal internship training at the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster and earned her Certified Diabetes Educator soon after. Sarah has gained diverse experience in various healthcare settings including hospitals, Diabetes Education Centers, multi-disciplinary primary care facilities, and long-term care facilities.

Sarah finds immense job satisfaction in those “aha” moments with her clients, where small adjustments or insights can have a profound impact on their overall well-being. She understands the significance of these moments and relishes the opportunity to guide her clients towards improved health and sustainable energy. Sarah’s commitment to holistic wellness also led her to become a BCRPA-certified Personal Trainer, empowering individuals to create fitness plans that complement their nutrition goals.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Sarah is a creative enthusiast. She fills her days off with DIY projects, painting, food photography, cooking, and dancing. Her greatest motivators are her two amazing boys, who constantly inspire her to embrace life to the fullest and enjoy every moment.

Shannon Frame

The Collective Alchemy

Shannon Frame from The Collective Alchemy, is devoted to helping people come home to themselves. A breathwork facilitator, Yoga Nidra instructor, and Trauma of Money Coach, her work centers on guiding individuals back into a relationship with their own inner safety, wisdom, and self-trust.

Drawing from somatic practices, nervous system regulation, and subconscious healing, Shannon supports people in quieting the thinking mind and releasing the patterns, beliefs, and conditioning that keep them feeling stuck or out of alignment. Her work helps individuals reduce stress and anxiety while expanding their capacity to experience more ease, clarity, connection, abundance and self-trust in their lives.

Known for her grounded presence and intuitive and honest facilitation style, Shannoncreates spaces that are both deeply supportive and powerfully transformative. Through breathwork, guided rest, and embodied self-inquiry, she invites people to slow down, regulate their nervous systems, and reconnect with the deeper truth of who they are beneath the noise of conditioning and expectation.

Shaped by both professional training and her own personal healing journey, Shannon’s approach bridges soul, embodiment, and science. She believes that when we cultivate safety and trust within ourselves, we unlock the ability to live with greater alignment, courage, clarity, and purpose.

Based in Whistler, Shannon works with individuals and groups through workshops, corporate wellness experiences, retreats and private transformational containers, both in person and online.

Master Sun Ying

Tai Chi Instructor

A luminary in the world of Tai Chi, Master Sun Ying is an expert whose prowess is matched only by her dedication to the art. Born with an innate talent for the ancient practice, she was chosen at the age of eight to train with the esteemed Beijing Wu Shun team. Under the tutelage of masters, Sun Ying honed her skills with unparalleled diligence and commitment, propelling her to become the highest-ranking member of the Beijing Wu Shun team and earning her admiration and acclaim on the global stage. Sun Ying now resides in Whistler, where she continues to impart her profound wisdom and expertise. Her classes are revered as transformative experiences, where students not only refine their physical technique but also cultivate inner harmony and balance.

Tani Hamagishi Allen

Ignite Pilates & Yoga

My name is Tani Hamagishi-Allen and Ignite Pilates & Yoga is a space for movement & mindfulness amidst the backdrop of Whistler to enrich experience.

With over a decade teaching group classes and private sessions, facilitating special events and wellness incentives, with an evolving personal practice, I specialize in Pilates, Yoga and Sound Bath.

My language as a teacher is one of encouragement, empowerment, connection and an invitation to notice - whether through the historical context of Pilates, the elements of nature in the landscape of the mind, or the vibration after the sound.

Our depth of experience lays within the opportunity to notice. Taking time to land. Time to connect.

Veronica Woodruff

Author and public speaker

Veronica Woodruff lives on Líl̓wat Nation territory in Pemberton, BC. She has a background in environmental science and holds a Master of Arts in Leadership, with her thesis focused on breaking silos related to disaster risk reduction. She has worked with governments, non-profits, consultancies, and academic institutions, and is also an entrepreneur who has launched several successful businesses. Her work explores how complex social systems interact with the natural world and how they are shaped by culture, norms, and collective blind spots.

An experienced facilitator and public speaker, Veronica is known for engaging audiences by making complex scientific ideas accessible.

Her first book, Blind Drunk: A Sober Look at Our Boozy Culture (2025), examines society’s deep and often unquestioned relationship with alcohol, blending personal story, cultural analysis and research with a strong emphasis on mountain culture.

Chef Steve Fecho

Executive Chef, Thunderbird Café & Catering

Steve Fecho is the Executive Chef at Thunderbird Café & Catering at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler. Fecho’s culinary journey began in a very unlikely place — the Navy. In between detecting submerged bombs, he took on part-time kitchen duties and discovered a passion for food. After a foray into culinary school, he pursued a two-year apprenticeship at Westin Bayshore, followed by a formative role at Vancouver’s famed Lumière under Chef Rob Feenie. He later honed his fine dining skills at the prestigious Vancouver Club. Fecho went on to own and operate his own bistro in Squamish before bringing his talent and mentorship to the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler. An advocate for local and Indigenous food culture, he embraces seasonal ingredients, traditional preservation methods and the rich flavours of the land – from xúsum berries to smoked salmon.

Chef Tinh Truong

Chef de Cuisine, Rimrock Cafe

Tinh brings a wealth of culinary experience to Rim Rock Café, having built his career from the ground up. He began in 2010 as a dishwasher at Joey’s, where his work ethic and drive quickly earned him a promotion to line cook. Over the years, he sharpened his skills at Cactus Club Café—playing a key role on the opening team of the English Bay location—and went on to work in esteemed fine dining kitchens like Forage at the Listel Hotel and the Hyatt Regency Vancouver as Senior Chef de Partie. Tinh’s culinary path continued to rise as he joined the opening team at the now Michelin-recommended Anh and Chi, where he served as Lead Chef. He then took over as Executive Chef at Tocador.

In 2021, Tinh moved to Whistler and find his home at Rim Rock Café. Starting as Chef de Partie, he quickly mastered every station in the kitchen and was promoted to Sous Chef. Tinh is proud to be part of a team that feels like family, sharing a commitment to quality, consistency, and the guest experience. Outside of the kitchen, he enjoys life in the mountains with his wife, son, and their two dogs, Rick and Penny.

Amanda Jane Herries

Wellness facilitator

Amanda Jane Herries is a wellness facilitator with over 20 years of experience in natural health, herbal medicine, and holistic practices. She creates immersive, nature-based experiences designed to support deep rest, reconnection, and nervous system reset.

Carmen Laslett

Zumba Instructor

Carmen has been sharing her passion for fitness and dance for over 30 years, teaching many formats of group fitness. She is a longtime Whistler local and was the first to start teaching Zumba in the Sea to Sky Corridor. Carmen has always loved to dance and teaching has given her the outlet to share her passion. Her motto is that there are only two rules in Zumba; keep moving and enjoy the party! Zumba really does change lives, connecting people through music and friendship.

Colleen Felgate

Registered Clinical Counsellor & Somatic Experiencing Practitioner

Colleen has worked in private practice as a counsellor in Whistler for the past 6 years. She has trained in many specific approaches including: Internal Family Systems (IFS), The Gottman Method, EMDR and Somatic Experiencing. She specializes in helping individuals heal from trauma, relationship issues, chronic pain, life transitions as well as anxiety and depression. Colleen offers an empathic and validating approach that incorporates psychoeducation to help her clients understand where their patterns and beliefs began. She also offers a somatic approach to attend to the activation that is still being held in the body. Within a non-judgemental and supportive space, Colleen and her clients collaborate to process past wounds and attain goals that improve self-worth and self-confidence

Chef Maggie Wallace

Sous Chef Thunderbird Café & Catering

Chef Maggie Wallace has been making bannock since she was ten years old — now, she’s sharing her perfected recipe and deep respect for Indigenous cuisine with guests at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre’s Thunderbird Café. A proud member of the Lil’wat Nation, Wallace found her culinary path through a community-driven, pre-apprenticeship program and has since completed Level 2 of her Red Seal chef certification through Camosun College. Her cooking is rooted in tradition but aimed at the future, showcasing the raw beauty of local ingredients and advocating for a deeper appreciation of First Nations cuisine. Whether it’s bannock or game-forward fare, Wallace blends culture with creativity and passion. She is part of a growing movement reclaiming Indigenous foodways and making space for the next generation of chefs to thrive.

Robert Conrad

Astronomy Educator

Robert Conrad is a Canadian astronomy educator and amateur astronomer who has served as President, Observing Director, and Education Co-director of the Vancouver Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC). Professionally, he combines astronomy with a background in learning and development consulting, which strongly shapes his teaching approach. He has also taught continuing education astronomy courses at Simon Fraser University (SFU) and regularly delivers workshops, lectures, and public outreach programs.

A central focus of Conrad’s work is teaching starhopping—a traditional observational technique used to locate celestial objects by navigating between visible stars. • He has developed structured methods and long-term projects (e.g., “Starhopping on Steroids”) to improve how amateurs learn this skill. • His instruction emphasizes understanding the sky’s motion, spatial relationships, and planning observations rather than relying solely on automated telescope systems.

Stephen List

Kinesiologist and Fitness Instructor

Practicing Kinesiologist with 10 years experience working within health, fitness and physical activity promotion. Combing evidenced based protocols with individualized programming to ensure safe, effective, fun and sustainable exercise programs. Training Approach: "Let your training build you, not break you. Train with intention, in a structured and progressive format that challenges your capacity, prepares you for life outside the gym and helps you make the most of each day" Interest in exercise oncology, how exercise prescription can help people living with cancer improve their helath and functional capacity. MSc in Sport and Health Science - University of Exeter, UK BSc in Exercise and Health Science - University of Exeter, UK THRIVE: Cancer and Exercise Training for Health and Fitness Professionals

Arbutus Routes

Bike Guides

The Arbutus Routes team is a tight knit group of passionate people who love bikes and the outdoors. We are proud to have a group that has worked together for many years, leading tours in Whistler, Pemberton, Squamish, and the Sunshine Coast. Our team brings local knowledge, a commitment to safety and a focus to delivering a top level experience on the trails. Our experienced guide teams have advanced training such as GSMBC/PMBI bike coaching certifications, Wilderness First Aid, OFA lvl 3, OEC First Aid, Leave No Trace and Outdoor Leadership degrees. Backed up by our first class shop team we bring years of experience in retail bike shops and bike servicing.

Jess Finnegan

Personal trainer

Jess is a passionate trainer, committed to designing fun and inclusive classes that make fitness enjoyable and accessible for everyone. She specializes in core strength, focusing on developing functional movement patterns that enhance performance in our sports outside of the gym. Jess’s approach is rooted in making training accessible while still challenging, helping individuals build strength and mobility that translate to real-world movements.

Alejandra "Ali" Aguirre

Certified Fitness Instructor

Guided by a passion for health and wellness, Ali is a certified fitness instructor with decades of experience — and a former Nike sponsored athlete, Lululemon ambassador, and contributor to The Huffington Post. She doesn't just teach; she lives what she preaches. Her mission is to inspire people to live healthier, happier lives, rooted in a genuine belief that a healthy body and mind are the foundation for a full and joyful life. An intuitive teacher who leads from the heart, Ali designs programs that help clients build consistent habits and deliver sustainable, realistic results. Having taught practically every fitness format over the years, she currently specializes in Pilates, stretch, meditation, and breath-work — offering a mindful approach to wellbeing. Her style is encouraging and non-competitive, and her authenticity creates a welcoming atmosphere that fosters genuine connection and community. She finds joy and restoration in nature — ocean plunging year-round, mountain biking in the forest, sunrise meditations, hiking and more. Nourish your mind, body, and soul with live classes, rental videos, and programs — all online at www.fitnessali.com.

Makenzi McLeod

Kinesiologist + Certified Personal Trainer

Makenzi is a kinesiologist with extensive experience in acute and chronic rehabilitation. She strives to help educate clients on the benefits of movement to live a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Originally from Calgary, but left a life in Ontario with a degree in Kinesiology from Brock University, Makenzi followed the calling of the mountain playground and headed back. With a passion to enhance the well-being of others through movement and a love of snowsports, Whistler provided the location and opportunity to learn and grow her skillset. After starting her career working with motor vehicle and workplace accident victims, Makenzi saw the importance of utilizing a holistic approach to therapy, focusing not only on the physical injuries, but how it affected the individuals’ mental, social and psychological well-being. With peak interest being in concussion rehabilitation, her goal is to change how concussions are perceived and treated, by educating her clients with the latest research combined with improving symptoms with the overall aim of getting them back to a life they can thrive in and enjoy. Makenzi takes her personal philosophy of ‘be your own hype man’ and strives to uphold its values in her work and all aspects of her life. She takes her positive attitude to not only develop herself personally and professionally, but also uses it to guide her clients to living their best lives, and being their own biggest fans. If you don’t find Makenzi singing and dancing to the latest hits, you can find her on the mountain enjoying the fresh pow, enjoying time with her friends, or finding a new challenge to conquer.

Austin Hodinsky

Winemaker & Vineyard Manager

Austin Hodinsky is the Winemaker and Vineyard Manager at River Stone Estate Winery. Originally from Coldstream, Alberta, he joined the estate in 2020 and became an apprentice to founder Ted Kane, growing into a key contributor across all aspects of production. In 2025, he completed both the Oenology and Viticulture certificates from Washington State University. Helping guide the winery through a range of vintages and contributing to the development of River Stone’s award-winning wines, Austin brings a deep respect for estate-driven wines, and continuing Ted’s iconic winemaking style of fresh, aromatic whites and terroir-driven, old-world style reds.

Christa-Lee McWatters

Vice President of Gate 22 Winery and Adega on 45th Estate Winery

The daughter of BC wine pioneer Harry McWatters, Christa-Lee McWatters grew up immersed in the province’s emerging wine industry and has spent more than three decades building her own career in wine leadership. Christa-Lee was involved in the family’s vineyards from an early age, helping plant vines on the Black Sage Bench in the early 1990s alongside her father and sister. She helped build the family’s wine enterprise, ENCORE Vineyards, taking on leadership roles in sales, marketing, and operations before becoming CEO following her father’s passing in 2019. She guided the company through its acquisition by Five Vines Cellars and continued to oversee its portfolio of wine brands and downtown Penticton winery.

In 2024, Christa-Lee joined Gate 22 Winery as Vice President, and in 2025 expanded her role to include Adega on 45th Estate Winery in Osoyoos following its acquisition by Gate 22. She now oversees day to day operations for both wineries while continuing to champion quality, sustainability, and the growth of British Columbia wine. Christa-Lee has remained actively involved in the broader wine and hospitality community throughout her career. She has served on the boards of Wine Growers British Columbia, the Canadian Vintners Association, Bottleneck Drive Winery Association, Okanagan Wine Festivals Society, the BC Hospitality Foundation, and Les Dames d’Escoffier BC Chapter. Through mentorship, collaboration, and advocacy, she continues to contribute to the strength and future of the BC wine industry.

Ryan McKibbon

Black Hills Estate Winery

Ryan McKibbon leads the winemaking team at Black Hills, bringing over 14 years of experience across Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa. A hands-on winemaker with a deep appreciation for site-driven wines, Ryan has worked with renowned Pinot Noir producers Felton Road (NZ) and Crystallum (SA) before returning to Canada to focus on the South Okanagan. Since joining Black Hills in 2022, he has played a key role in crafting expressive, precise wines that reflect the region’s unique growing environment.

Sylvia Shanoss (Mumsie)

Member of the Samahquam First Nation

A member of the Samahquam First Nation, part of the Stl'atl'imx Nation. Sylvia shares powerful teachings through storytelling and drumming, carrying forward cultural traditions rooted in connection, relationship, and lived wisdom – reminding us that we are all related.

Tina Pashumati James

Senior Ashtanga Teacher, Advanced Jivamukti Teacher and Wellness, Environmentalism and Animal Advocate

A former mountaineer, marathoner, competitive equestrian rider and longtime Whistler ski patroller, Tina has dedicated her life to wellness, environmentalism and animal advocacy. A vegan and plant-based advocate for decades, she also spent eight years working with Bear Smart to help protect Whistler’s bears.

For 20 years, Tina built community through Loka Yoga, blending Bhakti teachings with Indigenous ceremony in both England and Canada. A cancer survivor herself, she works with those navigating cancer, depression, anxiety and PTSD, bringing compassion, Ahimsa and deep respect for nature into her teachings.

Tina is an authorized Senior Ashtanga teacher with 28 years of study under Manju Jois and an Advanced Jivamukti teacher for 15 years. She leads annual life programs in India, mentorships, retreats, sweat lodges and vision quests with her Elders, and also officiates wedding ceremonies in BC.