Our instructors

Rahim Thawer

Rahim Thawer, MSW, RSW, CCS holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Social Work at the University of Alabama. He is an instructor at the School of Social Work at the University of Alabama and provides services as a psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and consultant through Affective Consulting & Psychotherapy Services.

Based in Toronto, Rahim is a multifaceted professional who works as an instructor, psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, consultant, public speaker, podcast host, and author. His research focuses on how anti-racist, queer-affirming psychoanalytic frameworks can support social workers, trainee therapists, and organizational leaders.

Rahim’s approach to behavioural health emphasizes examining the intersections of mental health and systemic oppression. As a settler and visitor on Turtle Island, he reflects deeply on what it means to live ethically on this land. A dynamic public speaker and published author, he combines serious discourse with humor, sass, and a playful touch of pink to engage his audiences.

His published works include The Mental Health Guide for Cis and Trans Guys (New Harbinger Press) and the forthcoming The Politicized Practitioner (Blue Cactus Press). He is also a Fellow at the Mark S. Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies at the University of Toronto, a member of the Counselors for Social Justice (American Counseling Association), and the Ontario Association of Social Workers.

Rahim’s professional interests include using psychoanalysis to explore unconscious barriers that hinder the successful and sustainable implementation of DEI initiatives within nonprofit and healthcare settings.

Tajaira Thiessen

Tajaira Thiessen, BSN, MN-NP, is a Lecturer in the Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner program at the University of British Columbia and a practising Nurse Practitioner with Fraser Health Authority. Her clinical focus is in cardiology, with experience in cardiac surgery, electrophysiology, cardiac consult services and heart function and atrial fibrillation clinics.

Tajaira integrates her clinical expertise into her teaching, contributing to evidence-based curriculum development and pedagogical innovation. She supports inclusive, practice-ready education while fostering leadership, equity and global citizenship among future nurse practitioners.

Irein Thomas

Arthur Thuot

Arthur Thout, HBA, MFA, is the facilitator at StoryCorp, a company that delivers storytelling workshops to businesses and government. He has helped organizations in healthcare, energy, technology, government, aerospace, education and financial services tell their stories.

A dynamic and engaging facilitator, Arthur has been recognized for teaching excellence by departmental and university awards from the University of Florida, where he taught professional communication as well as beginning, intermediate and advanced fiction-writing. He teaches storytelling at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute, and has previously served as the European, Latin American and Asia-Pacific project director for a media agency.

Arthur has written for Pharmaceutical Executive, Oil & Gas Financial Journal, Corporate Board Member, Forbes Africa, Fortune en Español and Bloomberg Businessweek México on topics ranging from Chinese traditional medicine entrepreneurs to Argentinian board games.

Lianping Ti

Tiffany Timbers

Tiffany Timbers, PhD, is an assistant professor of teaching in the UBC Department of Statistics, and Option Co-Director and an instructor for the UBC Master of Data Science (MDS) program. After obtaining her doctorate in neuroscience at UBC in 2012, Tiffany carried out data-intensive postdoctoral research in behavioural and neural genomics at Simon Fraser University. During this time, she also gained valuable experience teaching computational skills to students and scientists through her work with Data and Software Carpentry, the SFU scientific programming study group, and teaching a course in computation in physical sciences at Quest University. Learn more about Tiffany on her personal website.

Fenneke Tjallingii-Brocken

Fenneke Tjallingii-Brocken works with purpose-driven leaders and organizations to create conscious workplace cultures that enhance internal effectiveness and external engagement. With over 20 years of experience in mindfulness and a systemic coaching approach, she helps clients navigate challenges, build resilience, and achieve their goals. Known for her deep connection with clients, she specializes in leadership coaching, team coaching, mindset, communication, and stress management. She holds multiple certifications, including Professional Certified Coach (ICF), and is an expert in fostering conscious leadership and self-discipline.

Samuel Tobias

Conor Topley

Conor Topley, BCom, is an instructor at the UBC Sauder School of Business where he teaches courses on business fundamentals and career preparation. He brings with him a diverse background in sales, marketing and operations having worked for organizations that include Apple, PwC and Unilever.

Ricardo R. Trujeque

Ricardo Trujeque (he/him), BCom, MSM, is an entrepreneur and dedicated educator with a 25+year career at the intersection of technology, communications, and education.

Ricardo has co-founded several software as a service (SaaS) companies that span digital media content production/distribution, marketing automation, language assessment, disaster resilience assessment and, currently, immersive environments for training and education. He has led ideation, planning and product management working closely with teams across operations, marketing, software development, sales, and operations bringing transformative solutions to market. He has also worked as a consultant for several private and public organizations internationally.

A renowned course author and seasoned lecturer, Ricardo has been a long-time collaborator with UBC, contributing to the creation of cutting-edge educational programs and content. Since 2021, he has spearheaded the development and delivery of highly successful programs at UBC Extended Learning, focusing on AI, Data Management & Analysis, Digital Transformation, Cloud Strategy, Digital Media, and Simulation. These programs have attracted nearly 500,000 student enrolments, underscoring their impact and popularity.

Eric Tung

Eric Tung has an MA in English from UBC and has been teaching at UBC since 2004. As a Principal Consultant at Prolepsis Consulting, Eric designs and delivers customized business, proposal, and technical writing workshops to numerous organizations, including engineering, construction, and consulting firms. In addition to writing workshops, he also designs and delivers custom courses on leadership development, business transformation and change management, strategic communications, customer service, presentations, facilitation, negotiation, sales, team building, train-the-trainer, and other workshop topics.

In addition to training, Eric is also a Senior Change Management Consultant, where he advises firms on large-scale organizational-wide changes. He has extensive experience leading and implementing transformation programs and projects, and works with both internal staff and external customers to assess and support organizational readiness. Eric coaches staff across all levels and works extensively with both public and private sector organizations.

Heather Turnbull

Sinan Uluc

Pheroze Unwalla

Alejandra Urizar

Jennifer Van Evra

Jennifer Van Evra has been working as a Vancouver-based freelance writer for over a decade. Her work has appeared in many publications, including The Globe and Mail, Equinox, Mother Jones, Elm Street, Canadian Wildlife, The Georgia Straight, Vancouver magazine and The Vancouver Sun. She also works as a producer, reporter and broadcaster with CBC Radio. Jennifer won the UBC Continuing Studies John K. Friesen Excellence in Teaching Award in 2013.

Shelley-Anne Vidal

Shelley-Anne Vidal (she/her/hers) is an experienced educator, facilitator, and inclusive leadership coach with over 15 years of experience designing and delivering interactive, learner-centred workshops and courses in both in-person and online environments. Since beginning her facilitation work in 2009, Shelley has taught across a range of topics including Job Search, Intercultural Communication, Entrepreneurship, and the Foundations of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Shelley holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration & Leadership from Royal Roads University, along with certificates in Executive Coaching, Intercultural Studies, and Career Development Practice. She is also a graduate of the Provincial Instructor Diploma Program and brings a strong foundation in communication through her Bachelor of Arts degree from Cheyney University.

Currently, Shelley serves as a Post-Degree Diploma Instructor at Langara College and as a facilitator for the Intercultural Studies program and Certificate in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the Centre of Equitable Systems Design. She is also the Founder of Phenomenal Black Women Networking & Social (PBWNS) and the Inclusive Leadership Coach and Community Builder behind Affirming Community Together (ACT) by Vidal, where she supports individuals and organizations in building inclusive, affirming, and values-driven communities.

Shelley is deeply passionate about community engagement, social justice, and creating learning spaces that are inclusive, practical, and transformative. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys spending time with her young daughter, supporting community activism, meeting new people, travelling, and reconnecting with nature through long walks.

Stephen Wade

Alannah Wallace

Alannah Wallace (MA) is a PhD candidate in the Attentional Neuroscience Laboratory in the UBC Department of Psychology. She studies the electrophysiology of the visual attention network and the use of behavioural strategies to optimize control of attention and/or compensate for stress on an executive system due to environmental and/or neurobiological factors.

Wanda Warkentin