91资源

Emily Mlieczko is the Executive Director for the 91资源 (ECEBC), where Emily leads the association to support advancement of the ECE profession.

Before starting in this position Emily worked in rural BC in a variety of early years programs in both 100 Mile House and Prince Rupert.  After many rich experiences, including exposure to advocacy for the families she served, Emily decided to focus her attentions on the need to be a strong voice for the ECE sector. Her education, passion, understanding and commitment to make thing better for children, families and educators continue to guide her in work today.

Sue is ECEBC’s Director of Programs and Operations. Known for her relationship based and ethical practice. ECEBC’s mission of advancing sector professionalization, education and uplifting ECE voices aligns with Sue’s values and beliefs. She has worked in a variety of roles, including manager of licensed child care programs, ECE instructor at Vancouver Community college, 91资源Ethics Guide and Regional Coordinator of BC Child Care Resource & Referral programs. She is passionate about empowering leadership and creating healthy equitable communities with the 91资源team and board.

Aksa oversees the research on the Peer Mentoring Program for Early Childhood Educators in BC. Aksa started working with the program in 2017, first as a Graduate Research Assistant with Dr. Laura Doan, and between 2022-2024, Aksa assumed the responsibility of managing the program. Aksa holds a Master’s in Education and a Masters in English Linguistics, Language, and Literature.

Aksa is passionate about creating a safe and ethical space, where ECEs feel connected to the research, and where they feel heard, valued, and empowered to share their knowledge and experiences, to help create positive change in the field.

Annette Joined 91资源as Education Manager in November 2022.  Her 25 years of working in the early years sector has allowed for a variety of diverse opportunities within her work. She has worked as Manager of Child Care Programs, Course Facilitator, Practicum instructor and CCRR consultant. She is passionate about providing educational opportunities to elevate and uplift our Profession and is thrilled to contribute to 91资源- an organization which facilitates this growth and activates change.

Annie began working for 91资源in October 2018. She is the coordinator for the Bursary program, Education Services and Conference. She has Early Years qualifications, a BA in Child and Youth Care, and a post graduate certificate in Reflective Practice. She has two important accomplishments, gaining her degree and writing a play that was performed at the Millennium Dome in London in the year 2000. Annie’s areas of professional interest include increasing pay for ECE’s and having a graded pay scale to ensure financial stability for these amazing educators.

Cari is a dedicated advocate and educator committed to supporting children and families. As the Program Coordinator for ECEBC’s Let's Talk 91资源 Touching (LTAT) Program, Cari leads this essential initiative to strengthen children’s understanding of personal safety and increase abuse resistance. Through LTAT, she ensures that early childhood educators across the province are equipped to create safe, supportive environments for young learners.

Cari also serves as a StrongStart Educator for School District #28, providing guidance and resources to families as they transition from early learning into the school system. Her commitment to early childhood development and inclusive education makes her a compassionate advocate and a strong supporter of families.

Cari lives and works on the unceded land of the Lhtako Dene, honoring the land and its communities in all that she does.

Danielle has been deeply passionate about the early years since her youth, which naturally led her down her path into the profession of Early Learning and Child Care.  She has worked in a variety of ELCC programs and has owned and operated an in-home childcare program.  Danielle holds a highly respected image of the child and the educator at her core, believing ECE’s deserve to feel supported within a profession where their voices are heard. Guided by her passions, Danielle is excited to work as a Program Assistant for the Education and Bursary departments alongside the 91资源team and board.

Greg was born in Australia and has been working in the field of Early Learning since 2020. He spent his first two years as an Early Childhood Educator in the East Kootenay region before moving to Vancouver in 2022. His passion for Early Learning stems from a belief that children and families play an essential role in building healthy and happy communities and that relationships are at the heart of ethics, politics, and social justice.

Heather joined 91资源in 2024 and works in support of the Peer Mentoring Program. She has been fully engaged in the Peer Mentoring Program since 2019 and credits the network for helping shape her professional endeavors and personal learning journey. As a purpose-filled organizer, her approach to the programs administrative functions is characterized by iteration, collaboration, and care.

Helena has been an Administrative Assistant for 91资源since 2018. She supports the Bursary and Membership programs as well as the Leading in Changing Environment project. Helena received her certificate from Vancouver Community College coming to 91资源as a practicum student. As her knowledge grew about the work of ECEBC, so did her strong appreciation for the organization’s dedication to Early Care and Learning and a respect for ECE’s and students, and to chose to stay on as a team member.

Jupiter has been Accounting Assistant for 91资源since 2021, providing support to the Accounts and Office Administrator. He is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in accounting. Jupiter has over 10 years of experience in financial administration, data processing, documentation review, bookkeeping, and has a broad understanding of workflow and accounts analysis.

Kerry Watts is a Project Manager overseeing ECEBC's education projects. She has been working alongside 91资源staff, other consultants and community partners to redevelop two of ECEBC's core professional development programs: Best Choices - the Ethical Journey and Let's Talk 91资源 Touching. As part of this work, Kerry has also been coordinating the revision of the 91资源Code of Ethics and the development of an exciting new online learning management system - the BC Early Years Professional Development Hub. Kerry has spent over 25 years working with children, youth, families and communities and is thrilled to support the early care and learning sector through her work with ECEBC.

Having grown up in the Kootenays, Klara spent most of her childhood playing in the forest and streams on her family’s property and believes that all children should be able to experience joy of learning outside. She has many years of experience working with children in a broad range of settings, including forest schools, childcare centres, continuation schools, youth correctional facilities and homes for street youth.

Klara is a life learner, who has studied early childhood education, outdoor education, cultural anthropology, international development, yoga and compassionate communication.

Klara loves spending time with her husband, daughter and their dog in nature - going for beach walks, forest hikes and bike rides. She also enjoys spending quiet time cooking, crafting and reading.

Lilly has been working with the Education Support Fund department for 5 years. She enjoys supporting the students as they apply for bursaries, knowing that she is making a contribution to early childhood educators in BC.

When not working, Lilly enjoys cross-stitch. She is an ordained priest in the US, and is currently starting a community land trust in BC, as she wants to live and work on a farm once again.

Laura joined the 91资源in March 2021, bringing with her 8 years’ experience caring for children. Within her role as Bursary and Project Assistant, she supports students with their Education Support Fund applications. Laura advocates for an increased understanding of early childhood educators’ professionalism. She believes supporting future educators will contribute to recruitment and retention within our sector.

Marichu Celi is the Accounts and Office Administrator for ECEBC. Before she migrated to Canada, she had become consultant of the Asian Development Bank on micro insurance and of the German Cooperative Development on risk-based capital. At present, she is also a volunteer and a member of the board of directors of One-Filipino Cooperative of BC and an Associate Member of Professional Business Accountants (PBA) Society of Canada.

Nicole has been in the Early Years field for over 15 years, gaining valuable experience across various childcare centres, CCRRs, Strong Starts, and municipal services. She is currently in the third year of her ECCE Bachelor's Degree Program. Nicole’s deep passion for social justice in childcare drives her commitment to advocating for the ongoing development of Early Childhood Educators, children, and families in our communities. She is looking forward to working alongside all the 91资源team members and supporting the Education Support Fund Department.

Priya is a highly motivated and goal-driven executive who comes to 91资源with 18 years of extensive experience in Accounting. Before she migrated to Canada, she was a Finance Manager at V.K. Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd in Sri Lanka, where she improved and managed organizational systems and practices cost-effectively. Priya and holds a Diploma Certificate in Accounting & Business Studies from the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka.

At present, she is furthering her education with a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business Management at Acsenda School of Management in Canada.

Shawn Nygren joined the 91资源staff in 2016 as the Membership and Engagement Coordinator.

She has worked in the Early Care and Learning sector since 1982 with children and families in a variety of capacities, including being an educator in the Comox Valley and Lower Mainland. Shawn’s belief that ECE is a profession and ECE’s are professionals are what informs her work.  As well as having her ECE education, Shawn holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in photography. You may have seen her photographing at conference, had her visit and take photos at your childcare program or at and 91资源event. 

Sonia Tavares is the Conference Coordinator for ECEBC. Her main focus is coordinating and overseeing the 91资源Annual Conference. Sonia has been a past 91资源board member. She has been an ECE for over 28 years and has worked in a variety of roles in program research, policy development, implementation and evaluation. Sonia loves contributing to the important work of 91资源and bringing the many educators together at annual conference!

Tammy Dewar is a long-time child, family, educator, and community supporter who is continuously amazed by the innate wisdom and passion of the people she has worked, grown, and journeyed alongside. Her professional fortune expanded when she joined 91资源in 2022 to nurture the Leading Change initiative, which has been a natural springboard into her new role as the Peer Mentoring Program project manager. Tammy could not be more delighted or grateful to be part of an initiative that cultivates networks of compassion, connection, and care.

With a deep passion for the early years sector, Tunde brings over 30 years of experience as an Early Childhood Educator (ECE). She has supported children and families through her work with the Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR) program and hands on at child care centers on the North Shore and Vancouver.

Tunde has long been an advocate for the importance of quality early childhood education and continues to champion the sector through her new position at ECEBC. She is excited to contribute to ECEBC's mission by supporting the professional development of early childhood educators and helping them access critical resources and funding to advance their careers. Tunde is committed to empowering educators and enhancing the quality of care and education for young children across the province.