Meet our team
The Team
Interim Executive Director
After living and working in France, Japan and Australia, he found his way to Vancouver and to the rewarding world of children’s literacy. As someone who believes in the power and possibility of language, he is excited by the chance to contribute to his community in a way that closely aligns with his education and experience. Alistair holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Bishop’s University and a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Ottawa. Alistair spends his free time playing softball, doing crosswords, and cheering on (often in vain) his Ottawa Senators and Toronto Blue Jays.
Contact Alistair Nagle by email
Volunteer Manager
Sonja joined ONE TO ONE after several years of working in postsecondary education as an administrator and psychology instructor. With a love for reading and a strong advocate of literacy for all, she is grateful for our ONE TO ONE volunteers who dedicate time and energy to helping young learners on their reading journeys. Sonja holds a BA in Anthropology and Gender Studies and a Masters and PhD in psychology. In addition to being a volunteer ONE TO ONE tutor herself, you can find Sonja volunteering every October at the Vancouver International Writers Festival and every July at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival.
Contact Sonja Embree by email
Interim Program Manager
Zahida joined the ONE TO ONE team in 2015 and has influenced the organization’s provincial expansion. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia and brings an extensive background in education, curriculum development, service-learning, and non-profit management. Now based in Victoria, Zahida is able to put into practice her literacy teaching knowledge with her young bookworm daughter. She spends her free time running, hiking, painting, and enjoying Island life.
Contact Zahida Jaffer by email
Volunteer & Events Coordinator
Omar joined the ONE TO ONE Literacy team as Volunteer and Events Coordinator in October 2023. Omar has been working as a Volunteer Coordinator in the non-profit sector for the last three years, working in organizations such as the John Howard Society in Ontario and the Massey Theatre Society in New Westminster. Having moved to Vancouver recently, Omar is excited to build strong roots in the Metro Vancouver community through his work with us at ONE TO ONE Literacy.
Contact Omar Ali by email
Interim Executive Director
After living and working in France, Japan and Australia, he found his way to Vancouver and to the rewarding world of children’s literacy. As someone who believes in the power and possibility of language, he is excited by the chance to contribute to his community in a way that closely aligns with his education and experience. Alistair holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Bishop’s University and a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Ottawa. Alistair spends his free time playing softball, doing crosswords, and cheering on (often in vain) his Ottawa Senators and Toronto Blue Jays.
Contact Alistair Nagle by email
Volunteer Manager
Sonja joined ONE TO ONE after several years of working in postsecondary education as an administrator and psychology instructor. With a love for reading and a strong advocate of literacy for all, she is grateful for our ONE TO ONE volunteers who dedicate time and energy to helping young learners on their reading journeys. Sonja holds a BA in Anthropology and Gender Studies and a Masters and PhD in psychology. In addition to being a volunteer ONE TO ONE tutor herself, you can find Sonja volunteering every October at the Vancouver International Writers Festival and every July at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival.
Contact Sonja Embree by email
Interim Program Manager
Zahida joined the ONE TO ONE team in 2015 and has influenced the organization’s provincial expansion. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia and brings an extensive background in education, curriculum development, service-learning, and non-profit management. Now based in Victoria, Zahida is able to put into practice her literacy teaching knowledge with her young bookworm daughter. She spends her free time running, hiking, painting, and enjoying Island life.
Contact Zahida Jaffer by email
Volunteer & Events Coordinator
Omar joined the ONE TO ONE Literacy team as Volunteer and Events Coordinator in October 2023. Omar has been working as a Volunteer Coordinator in the non-profit sector for the last three years, working in organizations such as the John Howard Society in Ontario and the Massey Theatre Society in New Westminster. Having moved to Vancouver recently, Omar is excited to build strong roots in the Metro Vancouver community through his work with us at ONE TO ONE Literacy.
Contact Omar Ali by email
Lower Mainland
Content Advisor
Afton is excited to contribute to ONE TO ONE as a Transition Support Specialist. She is passionate about her work in the not-for-profit sector and particularly about bringing the joy of reading to children. She gets plenty of story time practice with her daughter, who is just starting to read. Afton holds a BA in Social Justice from the University of Victoria and a Diploma of Marketing Communications from BCIT. In her spare time Afton enjoys volunteering!
Trainer
Andrea holds qualifications in Journalism, English, Library Science and ESL. She spent 18 years working in South African community libraries, serving the learning needs of ESL families who experienced inadequate education under the Apartheid system. Andrea went on to work for the British Council in the UK, where promoting literacy was the core mission. She believes reading is the most important life skill and the foundation for all other skills, and sees regular one-to-one mentoring as the most effective way to ingrain these skills for life.
Trainer
Catherine has taught English for over 2 decades. She worked in Mexico and in the US before settling in Vancouver. She has two young adult children who went through the Vancouver public school system. Catherine has presented many workshops helping parents learn how to talk with their children about body science and sex education. She visits the library every week.
Thompson-Okanagan
Brianne Niznikowski
District CoordinatorDierra Maynard
District CoordinatorThe Islands
Board of Directors
Co-Chair
Co-Chair
Vice-Chair
Treasurer
Director
Director
Director
Director