Our instructors

Alexandra Findlay

Andrea Fruhling

Andrea Fruhling, COC, is the founding director of Doubleknot Works, a private mentor coaching practice, and is a mentor coach and instructor for the UBC Certificate in Organizational Coaching at UBC. Andrea is also the instructional designer and a lead instructor for both the Career Coaching Masterclass course, and the Certification in Hope-Action Theory & Practice course, which is offered to career professionals globally. She is the only Hope-Action Theory expert-level trainer in the world, and a leader for the International Coaching Federation’s Career Coaching Community of Practice.

An expert in organizational coaching, career development and creativity, Andrea develops and delivers programs for career professionals and coaches, and provides leaders and organizations the tools they need to increase their impact and create a culture where people can thrive.

Andrea has delivered webinars, keynote presentations and workshops for national and international career development conferences, organizations and associations. Her work is practical and engaging, with a focus on creativity, active strengths-based learning, team engagement and hope.

Jose Ricardo García Martinez

Florian Gassner

Dr. Florian Gassner, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Teaching in the UBC Department of Central, Eastern and Northern European Studies. He’s a former Fellow of the New Europe College in Bucharest, and has represented the German Academic Exchange Service at the Donetsk National University in Ukraine. His research focuses in the cultural history of Central and Eastern Europe.

Mike Gelbart

Mike Gelbart, PhD, is an assistant professor of teaching in the UBC Department of Computer Science, and Option Co-Director of the UBC Master of Data Science (MDS) Program. He joined UBC in 2015 and was part of the team that designed the MDS curriculum. He holds an undergraduate degree in physics from Princeton University, and a PhD from the machine learning group at Harvard University. Outside of UBC, Mike is an advisor at Vanedge Capital, a Vancouver-based early-stage venture capital fund for technology startups. Learn more about Michael on his personal website.

Don Genova

Don Genova is a BC-based award-winning freelance food and travel journalist. Over the years he has contributed to such publications as the Globe and Mail, National Post, enRoute, and Western Living. He is a regular contributor to Flavours magazine and Gulf Islands Aqua. Don is a veteran radio and television contributor, including many regular spots with CBC Radio and independently produced documentaries for the Food Network. His latest radio column with CBC Victoria is called Food Matters, and delves into the world of sustainable eating in British Columbia. His first book, Food Artisans of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, was published in April 2014.

Don earned a Masters of Food Culture from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy in 2007. He also holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science from the University of Waterloo and is an Honours Graduate of the Humber College Radio Broadcasting Program.

Don's Blog: http://blog.dongenova.com

Twitter: @dongenova

Nahid Ghani

Melanie Gorman Ng

Mitchell Gray

Mitchell Gray is the founder of Word Merchant Communications, a writing and editorial consultancy. He holds Master of Arts (political science) and Master of Journalism degrees from the University of British Columbia. Mitchell is an award-winning writer with experience in news, magazine, online, academic, business, creative non-fiction and fiction writing. He has also recently completed his first feature-length screenplay. Mitchell has a background in writing coaching and curriculum development and has helped many students refine their skills in written English and academic argumentation.

Rochelle Grayson

Rochelle Grayson, co-founder of ArtSites.ca, is a consumer and digital media executive with 20 years of business, technology, and education experience. She has led and launched several innovative digital media initiatives, working with a combination of both small and large companies, as well as highly analytical and creative individuals. Rochelle is equally comfortable discussing digital media business models, social media trends, online community building, and internet and mobile technologies.

For the past five years, Rochelle has been teaching courses in the Social Media at the University of British Columbia. She is also the industry chair and program advisor for the UBC Certificate in Digital Strategy and Award of Achievement in Social Media.

Since 2008, Rochelle has been nominated as one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network, been named “The New Executive Cool Hunter” by Canadian Business Magazine, been included as one of Vancouver’s Top Forty Under 40 by Business in Vancouver, and listed as one of Vancouver's Top 10 Technology Women.

Rochelle holds an MBA in Finance and Business Policy from the University of Chicago, and Master Certifications in Product Development Management and Business Facilitation.

Rochelle Grayson is the 2015 recipient of the UBC John K. Friesen Excellence in Teaching Award.