CONTACT US
BOARD MEMBERS
Geoff Hague – Chairman/Treasurer
Geoff obtained his Chartered Accountant designation in 2007 while working at a downtown accounting firm specializing in small-business accounting and auditing. In 2008 an opportunity to work much closer to home brought him into Dominion Lending Centres’ head office in Port Coquitlam. He is now the Accounting Controller at Dominion Lending Centres (and its subsidiaries The Mortgage Centre and Mortgage Architects), where he oversees all accounting, auditing, and taxation functions for Canada’s largest network of mortgage brokers. As the I AM SOMEONE Society’s Treasurer and Vice-President, Geoff takes pride in providing complete, accurate, and transparent financial information to the Society’s Board of Directors and to all its stakeholders.
Geoff is an avid music fan and multi-instrumentalist (with a special affinity for the piano and electric bass-guitar), though most of his spare time is now spent with his two young boys, five-year-old Owen and three-year-old Ben. He still manages to squeeze in regular runs and bike-rides in the north side of beautiful Port Coquitlam. Geoff would love to see bullying become a non-issue by the time Owen and Benjamin enter the school system.
Debby Murillo
Debby has a degree in Child and Youth Care Counselling and has worked in the Coquitlam School District as a Youth Worker or an Education Assistant since 1991. Debby has been a foster parent for many years. Debby has put in many hours volunteering and fundraising in the Port Coquitlam community over the years, working at Good News Bears at Riverside Community church, Port Coquitlam Circle of Change, fundraising for the Vancouver All Stars Cheerleading, Challenge day, and most recently, the I Am Someone Ending Bullying Society.
In 2009 Debby found the Port Coquitlam Youth Society, a group of like–minded individuals from the community, whose main goal is to empower youth, by supporting and guiding them and providing an avenue to cultivate their talents and skills.
She loves to play volleyball, go camping with family and friends and be active outdoors. Debby is passionate about making the world a better place one act at a time and tries to live by Gandhi’s saying “We need to be the change we wish to see in the world.”
Trisha Howard
Trisha Howard is a high school counsellor in School District 42. She has been working in this capacity since 2007. Prior to that she was a high school English and French teacher. She has her Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Victoria. In conjunction with her education she has extensive training in suicide risk assessment, violence and threat risk assessment and non-violent crisis intervention. She is a certified trainer for ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training).
Trisha was a member of the BC School Counsellors Executive as the Technology Chairperson for 2 years and from that role has been a co-chair of a Ministry of Education working group for school counsellors.
Trisha is a passionate advocate for the mental health needs of children and youth and is a member of her Local Action Team with the Doctors of BC.
Outside of work, Trisha is a mom to two young boys and a wife to a wonderful partner. They lead a busy life with family, sports, and travel.
Michelle Tremblay
Michelle Tremblay, founder of MPower Lives Company, is highly recognized as a powerful speaker, great motivator and compassionate leader.
She is dedicated, committed, and inspired to mpower change by shifting the ‘bullying culture’ through educating children, youth, adults and seniors to feel confident, valued, and responsible in our world today.
She has worked with over 10,000 participants across Canada from young to old; mentoring, training, coaching, speaking and teaching through various elementary, middle, high school, and college locations, non-for-profit agencies, employment counselling and facilitation through private government contracts and Corporate Businesses.
Michelle is a Certified 2nd Degree Black Belt with 18 years of Karate training; Karate BC insured member registered World Karate Federation Member; 2010 – 2014 Fit 4 Defense – Bully Prevention Master Trainer/Instructor; 2006 NCCP Level 1 & 2; 2009 Certified Life Coach Practitioner ; 2010 Provincial Instructor Diploma, VCC; 2010 – 2015 Okanagan College Instructor (Summer Camps, Continuing Studies & ESA/Management & MMS Contracts); 2014 Effective Speaking Coach; 2006 JCI National Chair Effective Speaking Program; 2013 Nominee – “Kelowna’s Most Favorite Female Athlete” ; 2006 National SPOKE Award; 2007 Fellowship Award of JCI Canada; Keynote speaker; 2016; 2015 “The Unmaking and Making of a Bully” & “Anxiety in our Youth Today” – Dr. Neufeld Institute, 2016 Self-Employment Business Program – Douglas College; 2016-2019 Soroptimist Tri-Cities Member; 2016 Volunteer “IamSomeone” Organization; 2017-2019 Director – “IamSomeone Organization; 2018 Finalist 14th Annual Small BC Business Awards – Service Category; 2016 Emergency First Aid CPR – AED Level C; 2016 Yoga for Flexibility & Strength – 2016 Yoga for a Healthier Lifestyle – Online World Learning Institute; 2016 Self-Regulation & 2017 Compassion Fatigue Certification – Dominion Institute; a completed criminal record check
Lisa Kabatoff – Vice-Chairman
Lisa has worked in the Telecommunication industry for 26 years in various roles within Customer Service, IT and Marketing. She is currently in a Marketing management role working in mergers and acquisitions at TELUS. She has a Bachelor Degree in Geography from Trinity Western University.
Born and raised in the Lower Mainland, Lisa currently resides in Port Moody with her husband Alan. Giving back through volunteering with local charitable causes is important to Lisa. She has volunteered with TELUS Days of Giving, Rotary, PADS, and the College Park Community Association where she is the fundraiser chair and recently hosted a successful event for their local Grade 12 scholarship fund. She is thrilled to be on the Board of Directors of the I AM SOMEONE foundation to help end bullying in her community and beyond.
Samantha Vanemmerik
Samantha graduated from Riverside Secondary school in 2015. During her time there, she started an anti bullying club, headed the club that raises money for Free the Children and was involved in numerous leadership opportunities which resulted in thousands of dollars raised. Samantha is currently attending Simon Fraser University on a full ride scholarship.
Samantha sits on the I AM SOMEONE Board and is looking forward to further expanding and educating community members and youth about the positive impact the charity can have on people’s lives. Being a young person herself, who has witnessed first hand the effects bullying has on youth, she is committed to helping I AM SOMEONE continue to make a difference in peoples lives.
Chris Eastman
Having been with the City of Port Coquitlam since June of 2007, Chris has worked front lines with youth as a Recreation Leader and a Program Assistant. During this time he has developed numerous programs to highlight the positive contributions of 10-18 year olds in the community. Chris sits on the Green Recycling Energy Action Team and looks for opportunities to reduce impact to the environment, and also is again supporting Port Coquitlam’s second annual Grand Prix cycling race. Chris also sits on the I AM SOMEONE Board and brings the much needed ‘youth spotlight’ to the society. His passion for getting youth involved at I AM SOMEONE’s core is priority and he strives to ensure that we engage our youth in every aspect of our programs, events, and operations.
Jeff Burke
Jeff is the proud co-owner and founder of Spin Key Media and partner in snapd Tri-Cities, both based in Coquitlam, where he also resides with his wife and business partner, Coriana and their two pugs. With strong ties to the community both personally and through companies, Jeff has been a sponsor and supporter of various excellent causes such as Wheel 2 Heal, Coquitlam 125 and the Coquitlam Express.
Jeff was asked in January to join the I Am Someone board of Directors and jumped at the opportunity – it was a perfect fit for a cause he truly believes in.
Andrea Jabour
Andrea has a degree in Tourism Management and another in Communications (Public Relations) but careers with the Calgary Flames and the PNE have always kept her busy in the crazy event planning and facility management business. She moved to BC to manage short track speedskating and figure skating World Cup events at Pacific Coliseum in the years leading up to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. After the Games, Andrea returned to Calgary and helped open TELUS Spark, the new science centre, but her heart was still on the coast so back to BC it was! Now the Marketing Manager at the Evergreen Cultural Centre in Coquitlam, she has thoroughly enjoyed getting involved in the Tri-Cities community and the I AM SOMEONE Society board seemed like just the right fit. With a 9-year-old at home this cause is important to Andrea as she believes that empowering kids with tools to help deal with issues of bullying is a major key to success.
In her spare time, Andrea is a key attendee at local events with her family and enjoys trips exploring BC and beyond!
Christina Cummins
Christina graduated from the Early childhood education program in 2005 and since then have been operating and managing her own childcare business in Port Coquitlam. She nurtures young minds daily and values the importance of educating children about the negative effects of bullying.
Prior to running her own childcare business Christina graduated from law, taking a particular interest in family law and the protection of children.
Over the years she has volunteered with children in the community as well as other countries. In 2009 Christina spent two weeks with a school program in Costco Rica, organizing school supplies and activities. Christina also went to Haiti for a month in 2012 where she volunteered her time at an orphanage and a medical clinic. She has a passion for children in the world as a whole.
With two young teenagers at home she feels very strongly about being a part the I AM SOMEONE board and helping to make a positive impact on youth.
HONOURARY MEMBERS
Greg Moore – Past President
Greg Moore is the Mayor of the City of Port Coquitlam and Chair of the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors. Greg was elected as Port Coquitlam’s 15th Mayor in November 2008 and as Chair of Metro Vancouver in December 2011.
Greg is a founding member of I Am Someone, along with I Am Someone Greg is active in many other community organizations, including Homes For Good Society, Hawthorne Care Facility and on the United Way of the Lower Mainland Campaign Cabinet.
Greg is a lifelong resident of Port Coquitlam with over 10 years municipal government experience. He has a Masters of Business Administration, with an emphasis in Digital Technology from Royal Roads University and a Bachelor Degree in Urban Geography/Planning from Simon Fraser University.
Gary Mauris – Past President
(still to come)
Andrea Howorth – Executive Director
Andrea has a background in marketing, sales and events and has most recently focused her career efforts with non-profit organizations. She spent 10 years working as a Sales Manager for Whistler Blackcomb and was responsible for over $11M in sales. In 2010 after having 2 children she decided to start her own business working from home taking on various contract work. Her contracts have included Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation, City of Coquitlam, Coastal Sound Music Academy and more!
She became involved with IAS in 2015 and for 2 years was the Project Manager for The Ultimate Online Auction raising over $20K each year.
As a long-time resident of Port Coquitlam, she has strong connections in the community and business world in the Tri-Cities. She is passionate about volunteering and has donated her time to many events for BC Children’s Hospital Foundation and Cops for Cancer.
In December 2016 she was offered the position of Executive Director and happily accepted. She believes in the cause and the importance of the texting 211 program to help ending bullying.