Our UBC Learning Exchange staff team is made up of a talented and experienced group of people committed to building greater ties between the University of British Columbia and Vancouver communities.
For our staff, learning is a two-way street.
This means we work to bring about new connections and partnerships that lead to new experiences for community members, students, faculty, and staff – learnings we never could have discovered on our own.
Learn more about us through the short biographies in this section. Contact information is also listed if you have specific questions or are interested in learning more about a Learning Exchange program or initiative.
Staff Profiles
- Kathleen Leahy, Director
- Chris Koch, Operations Manager
- Mark Smith, Community Programs Manager
- Dionne Pelan, Coordinator, Computer and Drop-In Programs
- Lisa Okada, Coordinator, ESL Conversation Program
- Rana Supaporn-opas, ESL Program Assistant
- Eliza Javier, Operations Assistant
Margo Fryer is now the Senior Advisor, Student Learning Initiatives in the Office of the Vice-President, Students and can be reached at margo.fryer@ubc.ca or 604.822.1602 (tel).
Kathleen Leahy – Director
Kathleen Leahy
Kathleen Leahy is the Director of the UBC Learning Exchange. Having first joined the Learning Exchange team in July 2007, Kathleen brings over 20 years of experience of community development work with children, youth, families and social profit organizations. She is delighted to be playing a leading role in developing community-university engagement initiatives and programs in collaboration with the Learning Exchange staff team and patrons, UBC faculty, students, and staff and community organizations.
Kathleen holds a diploma in Social Sciences, a diploma in Counselling Skills, and has completed three years of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Women’s Studies at the Simone de Beauvoir Institute at Concordia University. Although her professional involvement in community organizations has provided her with a variety of rich learning experiences, Kathleen has also benefited from her volunteer leadership in the community. These experiences have provided her with a range of non-traditional, experiential knowledge and skills with which to lead the Learning Exchange team.
Contact Info:
Kathleen Leahy
Tel: 778.945.1028
Email: kathleen.leahy@ubc.ca
Chris Koch – Operations Manager
Chris Koch
Chris joined the UBC Learning Exchange as Operations Manager in the spring of 2009. He manages the budgets, communications, facilities and administrative processes of this dynamic unit. Previously a student life coordinator with SFU Student Development and an analyst with UBC Student Financial Assistance and Awards, Chris enjoys creating synergies between organizational systems and the people they serve.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from UBC and is a frequent student of the French and Italian culinary arts programs offered by UBC Continuing Studies.
Contact Info:
Chris Koch
Tel: 604.682.6940
Email: chris.koch@ubc.ca
Mark Smith – Community Programs Manager
Mark Smith
Mark is the Manager of Community Programs at the UBC Learning Exchange. He oversees community based programs, including the ESL Conversation, Computer Skills and Computer Drop-in programs and initiatives. Mark first joined the UBC Learning Exchange in 2009 as the ESL Program Coordinator where he developed a keen appreciation for the strengths and talents of community members.
Mark’s previous work experience includes teaching ESL, and managing community-living support teams for people moving out of institutional care. Mark holds a Master of Arts in English Literature and Drama from the University of Glasgow in Scotland. He was a registered nurse in the UK. He also has TESL certification and a BC Provincial Instructors Diploma. Mark is currently undertaking a Masters degree at SFU, in Educational Leadership.
Contact Info:
Mark Smith
Tel: 604.408.5182
Email: mark.smith@ubc.ca
Dionne Pelan – Coordinator, Computer and Drop-In Programs
Dionne Pelan
Dionne is the Coordinator of the Learning Exchange Computer and Drop-in Programs. She has worked at the Learning Exchange since it opened in the fall of 2000. In addition to overseeing the afternoon Computer Drop-In, Dionne develops and facilitates computer skills training. More recently, she has been training volunteers to lead their peers in learning and enhancing computer skills. Dionne stresses the effectiveness of facilitating learning in a rewarding and fun environment.
Dionne holds a certificate for Native Criminal Justice and is working towards her BC Provincial Instructors Diploma.
Contact Info:
Dionne Pelan
Tel: 604.408.5179
Email: dionne.pelan@ubc.ca
Lisa Okada – Coordinator, ESL Conversation Program
Lisa Okada
Lisa is the Program Coordinator for the ESL Conversation Program at the UBC Learning Exchange. Lisa is thrilled to be working with the variety of communities that make up this dynamic program: the ESL learners, facilitators, and community partners. She has over ten years of experience working in non-profit environments with immigrants, youth and marginalized communities in the field of community development, facilitation, employment, and life skills development.
Lisa holds a Masters of Education in Adult Education from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Sociology and Women’s Studies from the University of Victoria and has worked overseas in Japan and Thailand.
Contact Info:
Lisa Okada
Tel: 604-408-5183
E-mail: lisa.okada@ubc.ca
Rana Supaporn-opas, ESL Program Assistant
Rana is the Program Assistant of the ESL Conversation Program. She joined the UBC Learning Exchange in 2011 as a volunteer facilitator of the Computer Skills and ESL Conversation Programs. She also volunteered for the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program of Canada Revenue Agency, BC at tax clinics of the Immigrant Services Society of BC. Rana enjoys supporting and working with ESL learners, volunteer facilitators and the communities of the Learning Exchange.
Rana holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Assumption University in Thailand.
Contact Info:
Rana Supaporn-opas
Tel: 604.682.6921
Email: rana.supaporn@ubc.ca
Eliza Javier – Operations Assistant
Eliza is the Operations Assistant at the Learning Exchange. She joined the team in 2011 and has a wealth of experience in administration and marketing, including in community organization settings. Her role at the Learning Exchange supports a broad range of administrative, financial and operational activities, and she is thrilled to be part of a team that contributes to and facilitates community-university engagement.
Eliza has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing Management. She has also worked in Manila and Los Angeles, and enjoys forming new ties in every community she is a part of.
Contact Info:
Eliza Javier
Tel: 778.945.9034
Email: eliza.javier@ubc.ca
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