Elisa Lee (she/they), MA, BEd, BSc, BA, has been mentoring youth for over 20 years. She remembers how BIG it felt menstruating for the first time, and how she had so many questions about growing up, “So, I can have a baby now?? Are these changes in my body normal? Am I normal? What do I do about this crush? What’s high school going to be like?” Remembering this time motivates them to design powerful curriculum and foster empowering culture at Fire and Flower.
Elisa shared her childhood with the mighty salmon and moose of northern British Columbia on Haisla territory, and currently resides on the land of the Sto:lo Peoples at Yarrow Ecovillage in Chilliwack.
In 2012, Elisa had the rare opportunity to do a “Walk-back Ceremony” in the Apache tradition where she reclaimed and experienced the coming-of-age ceremony that she never got as a youth. This life-changing rite of passage inspired them to complete a Master’s degree in Environmental Education focusing on women’s coming-of-age rites of passage. She then trained as a nature-based guide in youth rites with Rites of Passage Journeys, and in adult vision quests with The School of Lost Borders. In addition to nature-based ceremonies, Elisa also facilitates community grief rituals, and sacred sexuality for The Body Electric School.
Jenn has worked in Vancouver’s not-for-profit community for over 20 years. She is a well-respected leader who strongly values doing transformational work with great people.
Prior to joining Fire & Flower, Jenn served as the Executive Director of KidSafe, as well as the Provincial Director of the BC & Yukon Chapter of the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada (now merged with Make-A-Wish Canada). Jenn also founded Inspire Partnerships and has had the pleasure of working with many not-for-profit clients including the Adler University Vancouver Foundation and the Rare Disease Foundation of Canada. Jenn has extensive fundraising and management experience, having also served as the Director of Special Events at Arts Umbrella and the Arts Club Theatre Company.
Jenn deeply appreciates the meaningful relationships with colleagues, mentors, donors and families that she has met and served over the years. She is grateful every day for the health and wellness of her two sons and feels lucky to have found Fire & Flower.
Before joining Fire & Flower, Francesca served in various roles at the University of British Columbia, including Admissions, Recruitment and Advising, and Community Engagement. During her time there, she gained invaluable experience in organizational management and leadership, developing strategic partnerships, and fostering impactful learning environments. In addition, Francesca has a rich background in nonprofit development, having worked as a Grant Research Specialist and Development Consultant, where she focused on securing essential funding for community-driven initiatives.
Francesca holds a Bachelor of Music in Orchestral Instrument Performance and Political Science from the University of British Columbia, reflecting her active involvement in Vancouver’s arts community as a musician. She also serves on the Board of Directors at the Community Arts Council of Vancouver, championing local arts initiatives.
Currently based in Montreal, Francesca is pursuing a Master of Public Policy and Public Administration at Concordia University, where she focuses on gender equity and environmental policy. Her unique skill set and passion for advocacy empower her to lead Fire & Flower in its mission to support and uplift girls and non-binary youth.
Beatrice is a performing artist and administrator with a passion for bringing joy to others. Though she currently resides in Toronto, ON, Beatrice was born and raised in North Vancouver, BC. When she isn’t answering emails, Beatrice is a professional dancer with credits including: the 2015 Parapan Am Games Opening Ceremonies, “The Great Big Boo” dance captain (Western Ontario Tour), “Century” music video (Feist), Wong Cho-Lam at Fallsview Casino, and “The 4th R” (Canadian Tour). Beatrice is also a trained web developer, and loves combining her analytical and creative skills to upkeep the website you’re looking at now!
Beatrice is elated to be a part of the Fire & Flower community, contributing to programs that she wished she had growing up. Having spent time as a dance teacher, Beatrice has seen the impact that providing a nurturing environment can have on youth. It is a joy to watch young people flourish and grow, and she feels privileged to be a part of that!
Meet Rodolfo, our numbers guru and passionate financial expert. His career started in hospitality, managing restaurants, and evolved into working with early-stage startups and small businesses to implement accounting software, streamline financial processes, and ensure HR compliance. A Business Administration grad with a specialization in Accounting, his tailored approach helps us take the complex and make it simple. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, exploring new cuisines, and playing The Sims.
Amber is an experiential and outdoor educator born in BC and currently residing on the wild wet
coast town of Tofino. Growing up she had a strong call to adventure which has taken her across
many countries and landscapes, exploring big questions along the way like what it means to
transition to womanhood in this world and what community really means. She has completed
her BA in International Development and Environmental Studies, and has spent time working in
international education, including teaching, and eventually found a place in nature-based and
alternative education. A self-proclaimed feminist and advocate of women, Amber became
especially involved while volunteering with vulnerable women at a local shelter and crisis line in
Vancouver and from there developed a passion for education around women’s health and
rights. Growing up with so little knowledge of and love for her own body and female power, she
loves being able to mentor and guide young girls along a more restorative and empowered path
to womenhood.
Amber is also an herbalist, yoga teacher, scuba diver, and acro-yogi. She strongly believes in
the power of nature to teach and heal, and that our relationship to the earth is a direct reflection
of our connection to ourselves and others. Her other interests and areas of study include
somatic & dance therapy, eco-pyschology, and rites of passage work. In her spare time, you
can probably find Amber out surfing the waves, making herbal medicines, hiking through old growth forests, or dancing on the beach.
Abi is a 5th year History and Sociology student at the University of British Columbia on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musequeam) First Nation. She is passionate about making spaces for young folks to thrive, learn and grow into their best selves! Abi has previous camp experience working as a camp counsellor and head lifeguard for Power4Teens in Toronto, Ontario in 2022. In this role, she led engaging, creative activities for campers aged 9-16, all while focusing on youth empowerment and confidence. She loves being able to connect with people one-on-one and in group settings, making sure that everyone knows they are valued and accepted! Abi is eager to meet folks where they’re at, bringing the excitement and energy or calmness that situations call for. Eager to support youth through this foundational time in their lives, Abi is excited to share in the learning, laughing and coming of age process youth are set to embark on. Since pursuing her studies, Abi has had the opportunity to work in front-facing museum roles, working as a Museum Interpreter at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, and as a Museum Intern at the Tofino Clayoquot Heritage Museum. Since high school, Abi has had a passion for education and working with youth, and hopes to pursue a Bachelors of Education upon completing her BA. While in school, Abi likes to sing with her a cappella group and do arts and crafts, especially cross stitching and collaging. When she’s not collaging, you can probably find Abi playing board/card games, cooking lots of yummy foods, or outside geocaching (which is maybe her favourite pastime!)
Althea is a student at Capilano University and is working towards a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. She aspires to be an elementary school teacher and has had a passion for education since the 12th grade. That year, she had a teacher that truly changed her. He showed her that there are many ways to teach and that there are always ways to accommodate the different needs of each student. Since then, she’s been committed to being that mentor in other people’s lives that shows that level of compassion and understanding. Althea currently teaches preschool at Fresh Air Learning and her favourite thing about it is that it combines two of her great passions: education and the outdoors. Althea has grown up hiking, camping and backpacking with her mother and has been taught from an early age the importance of living harmoniously and respectfully with the earth. Althea has always found time spent in the forest to be capable of curing mental wounds and serves as an Oasis from a sometimes harsh reality. Althea’s other great passion is the care of animals. She has 4 rescue dogs: Crawley the Husky x, Luna the border collie, Maya the pit bull x, and Ivan the Belgian shepherd. She sincerely believes that each living thing on this earth deserves love and deserves a place where they belong. She also believes that everyone deserves a second chance.
With over 25 years of experience working with children, Rose is passionate about helping girls & gender-diverse youth embrace their uniqueness, creativity, and confidence. As a certified yoga teacher, sound & reiki healer, and clarity coach, she creates safe and inspiring spaces where youth feel seen, heard, and celebrated for who they truly are. Through movement, mindfulness, and self-expression, she encourages them to trust their inner voice, honour their individuality, and know that they don’t need to fit into anyone else’s box to be accepted. Rose understands firsthand what it feels like to not fit in, having grown up feeling out of place until she learned that being different and authentic is something to cherish. Now, she’s dedicated to guiding women of all ages toward self-acceptance, inner radiance, and the belief that they are enough, just as they are.
I am grateful to be a visitor on the traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, who today refer to themselves as Sahtloot, Sasitla, Ieeksun and Puntledge people. From a place of gratitude and humbleness, I have spent the past several years learning from those who have called this place home since time immemorial – specifically the Anishinaabe and Mohawk people in what is now known as Ontario, and most recently from the Ktunaxa, the Syilx, and the Sinixt peoples in the Kootenays.
I have spent the past several years working in various outdoor schools in both BC and Ontario as a mentor, educator and outdoor guide – bringing people of all ages into the natural world to share what has so generously been shared with me. I have studied with the PINE project, Dominion Herbal College, and most recently received my BA in Indigenous Environmental Studies and Science. I am currently a BC certified teacher.
I love to be in wild places and spaces and to lean into the mystery of all that is by diving
into my own Celtic and Mediterranean ancestry and traditional ways of being. I feel most nourished being in the mountains, where I feel held by the trees, the waters, and the stones. I am a lover of plants and herbal medicine and always will be a curious student of the ways to work with them. Lately I have been fascinated working with natural fibres and am enchanted by the creations manifested when the relationship between animals, plants, and my hands come together. I can often be found tending to my garden, spinning wool, climbing mountains, and with my nose deep in the pages of a book with a nice cup of tea.
Samar Shata, MCP RCC is a psychotherapist in private practice at Alyson Jones and Associates in West Vancouver. She was a featured speaker at TEDxWomen in 2015, where she spoke of the art of transforming fear into action. Samar leads from her keen sense of understanding and proactivity. She brings that enthusiasm and belief to her counseling practice, working with people of all ages in different settings to offer them guidance through periods of challenge. She is also a meditation facilitator, dance therapist and the Founder and CEO of Well Institute.
Lisa is passionate about rites of passage, especially for young girls becoming women. She deeply, fully and completely believes that as we strengthen and empower women, we will create a more compassionate, balanced and diverse world. We are needed! As a Master Celebrant, Lisa works with families of the heart, your chosen family, to design ceremonies that acknowledge your life journey then sweetly supports and guides you to your next steps.
Makenzie Correa holds a Master’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Toronto and has experience working in non-profits, marketing, and event planning. Since her teenage years, she has dedicated herself to supporting youth, firmly believing in the transformative power of positive mentorship. Makenzie is passionate about making a difference in young people’s lives and remains committed to empowering the next generation, she hopes to continue this through her work on the Fire and Flower Girls Board.
Aman is a policy connoisseur with over 10 years of public service experience in policy development and program management. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in International Relations and Economics from the
University of British Columbia and a Master of Public Policy (MPP) from Simon Fraser University.
As a daughter of Punjabi immigrants, Aman has a keen interest in understanding the intersection of economic and educational systems and the lived experiences of equity groups. She has previous contributed to organizations such as the Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, and the Canadian Council for Youth Prosperity. She was also selected for the 2022
Radius Fellowship at SFU, which highlights individuals advancing the work of social innovation and systems change.
Brian Paterson is an arts marketing specialist and passionate outdoor explorer who is grateful to offer his insights and time to Fire & Flower.
Brian is a partner at Murray Paterson Marketing Group, a boutique agency dedicated to the arts + culture sector, where he works with a range of clientele including Bard on the Beach, Knowledge Network, the Museum of Anthropology, and Vancouver International Film Festival, among others. A classically trained actor, Brian discovered a broader stage for his talents by marrying his intimate knowledge of the arts with his skill and passion for marketing.
Laura is an entrepreneur and innovation strategist with a proven track record of building and scaling companies across diverse sectors, including biotech, media-tech, fintech, and retail. Her career spans corporate leadership, venture capital, and startup ecosystems, equipping her with a broad, interdisciplinary perspective to drive purpose-driven growth and sustainable impact.
Specializing in transforming ideas into high-impact ventures, Laura leverages innovation, digital transformation, and strategic partnerships. Her ability to connect the dots across industries and ecosystems enables her to uncover opportunities others might miss, crafting innovative, sustainable pathways for growth. She is passionate about creating abundant, fair, and sustainable systems that generate shared value while enhancing human well-being.
Laura believes in the power of a growth mindset to unlock human potential and drive positive change. She joined the board of Fire & Flower inspired by her two daughters, Martina and Guadalupe. Their journeys reinforced her belief in the transformative impact of strong support networks, mentorship, and honoring the uniqueness of every individual — essential tools for empowering girls as they navigate life’s challenges and opportunities.
Cari Randa-Beaulieu (she/her) is a Certified Professional Gerontologist and Art Therapist. Her work as Provincial Coordinator, Knowledge Mobilization at the Alzheimer Society of B.C. is grounded in cognitive accessibility and dementia-inclusive design principles, co-creation approaches, and community-engaged participatory action research. Cari brings three years of research project management experience along with seven years as an art therapist in long-term care, assisted living and community settings. Her last few years in long-term care sparked an interest in policy analysis and program design and evaluation.
Cari has honed her skills for connecting with diverse collaborators in community, health care, and academic settings.
Beyond her work serving
older adults, Cari loves to garden, bike, and create all kinds of things. Her favourite memories include sandstone, salty air, and the sound of waves. She values kinship, authenticity, and uplifting others. Cari considers herself very lucky to have had her
life shaped by a few different mentors and whole-heartedly appreciates the mission of Fire & Flower to empower youth and celebrate all the unique facets of journeying into young adulthood.
