Events & workshops

Karlene Headley-Cooper (she/her) is a Physical and Health Education teacher and Assistant Athletics Coordinator at Crofton House School in Vancouver. Prior to moving to Crofton House School, Karlene was a Senior Instructor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto where she taught fundamentals in fitness, exercise, physical activity and communication. In 2024, Karlene was inducted into the University of Toronto Sports Hall of Fame for her achievements and contributions to the Varsity Blues squash and softball teams. Karlene was also a member of the Great Britain women’s softball team for ten years (2005–2014). During that time, she played in four World Cups, five European Championships, and also coached various GB national teams from U13 to women’s (2007–2016).

Kevin Cheung is a UBC Biology graduate, educator, and entrepreneur with experience building his own education and media ventures. Through his work teaching and mentoring students in the sciences, Kevin combines his academic background with a passion for health, fitness, and helping others achieve their goals.

Erik Medina is a Dynamo Fencing athlete and coach with an extensive background competing internationally for both the Cuban National Team and Team Canada at prestigious events like World Cups and the University Games. Drawing from his high-level competitive experience, he now coaches athletes to top national and international podiums, including Canadian National Championship titles and major U.S. tournament medals. Combining elite athletic insight with proven coaching success, Erik understands firsthand the crucial role performance nutrition plays in sustaining peak athletic performance on the fencing strip.

Dr. Natasha Gandham, MD, FRCPC, is a board-certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist currently practicing at Three Story Clinic and part-time at Vancouver General Hospital. She completed her Psychiatry residency at the University of Toronto and specialized fellowship training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia. She is also a Clinical Instructor at UBC and brings three years of previous experience in acute and outpatient care at BC Children’s Hospital. Her clinical interests include anxiety and mood disorders, with a particular passion for early intervention and collaborative, evidence-based care for young people and their families.

Grade 10 student passionate about feminism, speaking on diet culture’s disproportionate impact on women’s nutrition.

Dr. Jennifer Black’s research broadly focuses on the social determinants of health and dietary choices. Her work examines how attitudes and behaviours surrounding eating, cooking, food selection, body image, and body weight are shaped by sociocultural and neighbourhood-level factors. Drawing on her background as a registered dietitian, Dr. Black’s research integrates methods and theories from nutrition education, public health, sociology, and geography to better understand the complex social and environmental influences on health and nutrition.

Sunny Zheng has been a Team Leader with Vorwerk Thermomix for 12 years. Founded in 1883 in Wuppertal, Germany, Vorwerk is the world’s third-largest direct selling company. Their mission is to help people enjoy a healthier, more convenient lifestyle. Vorwerk’s products are imported directly from Germany, and several Michelin-starred restaurants in the Vancouver area use Thermomix in their kitchens.

Trista is an educator, artist and inventor, who has been teaching the intersections of technology and Indigenous ways of knowing for over ten years. She is a proud citizen of the Métis Nation of BC, and loves exploring the nature and forests around her home on the unceded territory of the Musqueum nation, in Vancouver.