MLI HOMESTAY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Local Coordinator, Innisfil and South Barrie, Ontario
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- Local Coordinator, Bruce Grey, Ontario
I am happy to be the new Local Coordinator for Bruce Grey. I have been involved as a host family for the past 6 years, enjoying the students we welcome into our home and love the connections that last long after they leave to return their home country. In June of 2023, I retired after 32 years of teaching a variety of high school subjects including music, geography, foods, and law, to name only a few. Most recently, I started Adriene's Canning & Jamming and enjoy making a large assortment of canned goods. My husband, Eric, and I love to be outside (hiking, biking, and gardening) along with tending to our honey bees. I love being busy with playing musical instruments, scrapbooking, knitting, cooking and visiting with our two grown children.
Job Titles:
- Chief Sales Marketing Officer
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- Manager, Programme Development and Planning
I was born and raised in Japan. Moving to Canada was very exciting but at the same time, it was the biggest challenge in my life. I have struggled to adopt the cultural differences, weather and food here. Through the challenges that I have experienced since I moved to Canada, I have grown up and learned to accept the differences. Now I can enjoy the great diversity of cultures in Canada!
I am excited to support every single student who is willing to take a shot and come to Canada. I am very happy that I can coordinate programmes that introduce this beautiful country.
Job Titles:
- Manager, High School Programmes
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- Local Coordinator, Burnaby, British Columbia
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- Local Coordinator, Windsor, Ontario
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- Local Coordinator, Brockville, Ontario
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- National Senior Manager, Student Care
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- Local Coordinator, Calgary, Alberta
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- Local Coordinator, Collingwood, Ontario
I have spent 22 years in education. I was a teacher in both elementary and high schools, after which I became a Principal of Schools. Later, I held various positions at the school board level where I was Principal of Curriculum and Special Education, and Principal of Information Technology. In addition, I was a member of the senior administration team at the Muskoka Board of Education and Trillium Lakelands District School Board. In 1995, Mike Ruby and I founded MLI. My role at MLI has been to work with my business partners and staff to build and manage the company's operations. In addition, I am also very involved in sales, marketing and product development.
Job Titles:
- Market Sales Representative
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- Local Coordinator, North Vancouver, British Columbia
I have a degree in Economics with a specialty in Urban studies from UBC. I have worked in the tourism industry since 1985 and have lived and worked in both B.C. and Ontario. I had the pleasure of being part of Expo 86 and the build of the event in the year leading up to it. Since then I have continued to work in tourism in all facets of the industry including operations, sales, marketing and consulting work. I lived in Toronto for 10 years and worked with the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, where I first began to work with Mike Ruby. I then moved back to B.C. and worked as a consultant for a regional tourism association, Thompson River University, as well as consulting work for small tourism businesses in B.C. I joined MLI in 1997 and have never looked back! I speak French and English.
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- Local Coordinator, Ottawa, Ontario
My name is Christian Salmoral and I was born in Toronto, Canada. I am the daughter of immigrant parents who arrived from Spain in 1969. I was born shortly thereafter and have strong roots and dual citizenship to both Canada and Spain. I love living in a country that is progressive, multicultural and accepting of differences & diversity.
I obtained my B.A in Psychology & Social work from Carleton University and graduated in 1995. I have dedicated the majority of my life and career working with children and adults alike in areas of cognitive development, mental health, advocacy and community services.
In my spare time you will find me doing what I love most and that is spending time with my family (and dogs) in nature, participating in sports and cooking. I am also an avid puzzler who is always up for a challenge. The more pieces the better.
I have travelled extensively and embrace a multicultural and inclusive environment.
I love helping others and am invested in doing the best I can to help those who need it.
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- Local Coordinator, Laurentians, Québec
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- Local Coordinator, North Vancouver, British Columbia
Christine grew up in England, areas of Asia, and parts of the Middle East. Christine, her husband and two teenage daughters now live in the Mount Seymour of North Vancouver. They all enjoy skiing, camping, travelling , entertaining, and spending fun times with family and friends. Christine has a wealth of international experience both personally and professionally. The main focus of her career has been to bring communities together to generate employment and educational opportunities. Here in Canada, she has a background developing education end employment programs for immigrants and vulnerable populations. Christine has owned her own catering business in the North Shore for many years. She has taken a step back from her professional career and now focuses her time in her ceramics and her family.
Job Titles:
- Payroll Specialist and Accountant
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- Local Coordinator, North Vancouver, British Columbia
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- Local Coordinator, Red Deer, Alberta
My name is Daisuke Takeda.
I've spent over 10 years graduated from high school in Toronto and have a bachelor degree from the University of Western Ontario.
I have been working in the student service field in the educational institution since graduated from university and am very excited to assist Japanese market with sending more students to Canada!bI am more than happy to share my own experience in Canada which may resent more with what your students/children would experience once they study abroad in Canada.
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- Local Coordinator, Perth / Smith Falls, Ontario
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- Local Coordinator, Sudbury, Ontario
My name is Devon and I've lived in Sudbury for 30 years. I am married and we have 2 girls. We love to travel and getting outside as a family to enjoy the Great North.
Sudbury is such a wonderful community to raise a family and has so much to offer.
As I enjoy living a full and busy life, I work part time at my family's Financial Services Firm, I also help out at my daughters' school and I am also an occasional supply
teacher. My family has been hosting students for 5 years. I have also previously worked as a local manager, supporting international students at home and school. When the
Job Titles:
- Local Coordinator, Brampton / Mississauga, Ontario
My name is Ella, I was born and raised in Iran. I got my master degree in software engineering in Iran and then moved to Canada in 2003. I am lucky to be a mother and my partner is a musician. As I enjoy living a full and busy life, Since 2007 I have been working as an IT professional in major Canadian Bay street firms. I enjoy working with people, consulting and understanding their needs. I also like baking and cooking along with dining out and getting ideas of different ways of cooking and creating new tastes. Living in Toronto, as one of the most diversified cities in the word, has given me the opportunity to be exposed to different cultures and ethnicities. I have been hosting international students from different parts of the word and it has been a joyful experience. Last but not least, I am very excited to be part of the MLI organization as a local coordinator.
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- Local Coordinator, Peterborough and Lindsay, Ontario
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- Local Coordinator, Muskoka, Ontario
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- Local Coordinator, Barrie and Orillia, Ontario
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- Local Coordinator, Windsor, Ontario
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- Local Coordinator, Orangeville, Ontario
My name is Jennifer and I am the Coordinator for the Orangeville area.
I enjoy living in Orangeville with my 2 sons and our dog Trixie. I love spending time with my 2 granddaughters and 1 grandson.
I very much enjoy my position as a local coordinator. I love meeting new people and having the opportunity to enrich the lives of many families. My background is Gerontology so working with students is an exciting new challenge for me.
Job Titles:
- Community Engagement and Social Media Specialist
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- Local Coordinator, Bruce Grey, Ontario
My name is Jodie Rogers and I am married with three children, ages 18, 15 and 12. I have a background in corporate sales and marketing and my family moved to Bruce Grey County from Mississauga in 2021. I work from home and enjoy the freedom that entrepreneurship offers. We have 3 acres, where we have started to learn about homesteading. We have egg-laying chickens, meat birds, bunnies, fruit trees, a big vegetable garden and a loyal Australian Shepherd named Bailey. My husband and I lived in Japan for six years and can completely appreciate the importance of a successful homestay. Some of our best memories were when we were invited into the homes of Japanese families. In 2021, we hosted our first homestay student (yes, she was from Japan!). It was a joy to see our own children benefit from the experience as much as the student we hosted. We look forward to building strong relationships with host families in the area so that together we can offer our exchange students a great Canadian experience!
Job Titles:
- Local Coordinator, Avon Maitland North, Ontario
My name is Julie Pyke. I was born and raised in Huron and Bruce Counties. I grew up in Lucknow and have lived in Wroxeter for the past 31 years. I have a husband of 31 years. A daughter Jenna who is 28 and lives in Hamilton and works as a nurse. I have a son Justin 24 who is a Pig Farm worker and still lives at home. I also have a 4 year old Grandson Oshawa who lives with my son part time. We also have to labs Maggie and Millie and a cat named Molley. I have worked for AMDSB for the past 33 years as an EA. I spent 6 years working as an ESL EA and the past 4 as an EA online. In my free time, I liked to do puzzles, read and watch Netflix. I also love camping up north during my summer holidays. I am excited to start the job as Local Coordinator for the Northern part of AMDSB.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator, High School Programme
I was born and raised in Utsunomiya, Tochigi, Japan where it is known as "Gyoza Town". This is a story over thirty years ago, but the high school I attended was strongly involved with the exchange programs. Every year the school hosted a student from overseas for the whole school year and as a return, a few students were sent to the USA to attend high schools at different locations. From the intercultural experience I had with the exchange students, I had interest in the world outside of Japan and was determined to go overseas. I was fortunate enough to travel to different countries and areas as a professional tour guide. After I got married and came to Canada, I've taught Japanese to Canadian students, and to Japanese-Canadian Second Generation children. My son who is about to start university was born and raised in Canada but because he has studied Japanese since he was a small child, the language we use together is always Japanese.
Job Titles:
- Local Coordinator, North Bay, Ontario
Hi! My name is Kayla, and I can't wait to be a part of your international studies experience. I was born in North Bay, ON but have travelled to many other countries as a tourist, as a university student, and as a teacher.
Job Titles:
- Director of Sales - Global
Job Titles:
- Student Care Administrator
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- Local Coordinator, Metro Vancouver, British Columbia
- Student Care Supervisor
My name is Linda Utas a mother of 4 children ranging from the ages of 26 to 18 and a wife to Dr. Don Utas for the last 29 years. I have a Bachelor of Education degree and taught in the education system for 10 years before staying home to raise my children. During that time, I was also a professional power skating coach. I have been actively involved in my community as a volunteer and on committees, in all the organized sports my children have played over the years. Currently, my youngest daughter is a Junior National Water Polo Player so we are still very involved in sports. Over the past several years I have been the coordinator for the Valley Women's Network, as well as running a small business
out of my home. Our family enjoys travelling to experience cultures from around the world. We currently have two homestay students from different cultures and are enriched by the experience.
I am thrilled to be part of the local coordinators team. Together we can offer opportunities to international students and host families that will create lasting memories and relationships.
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- Local Coordinator, Thunder Bay, Ontario
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- Local Coordinator, Okotoks, Alberta
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- Local Coordinator, Avon Maitland South, Ontario
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- Local Coordinator, Thunder Bay, Ontario
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- Local Coordinator, Victoria / Sooke, British Columbia
My name is Lynette Johner. I have been happily married for 35 years with three grown children and one granddaughter. I enjoy the simple things in life, full of energy, high-spirited and have a passion for old cars and travel. I love being surrounded by my friends and family, the more the merrier. I have worked with children and young adults in many aspects of life from daycare to home care support to foster parent to many years as a homestay family. We have hosted students from around the world and it was a great experience for our whole family. It taught my children many different cultures and how to accept the differences in people.
Job Titles:
- Local Coordinator, Collingwood, Ontario
Hi, my name is Marketa, and I am a single mom of two children. My son Marek is 19 and my daughter Meg is 13. Our family started hosting international students 13 years ago, when my son was 6, and just after Meg was born, so I can say we are a seasoned and experienced host family. I love a busy house and we enjoy welcoming new students into our family, getting to know them, learning about their home country, and sharing with them all the experiences during their stay in Canada. I recently accepted a position of a local MLI coordinator in Collingwood Ontario and I am looking forward to be involved with even more students!
I grew up in Prague in the Czech Republic and moved to Canada when I was 28. I have two language degrees from the Charles University in Prague. Although we are a multilingual family, the language used in our home at all times is English. I lived in several countries before I moved to Canada and I have experience with different cultures. This has proven very helpful when helping our students to adjust and understand life in Canada.
Job Titles:
- Manager, Student Care East
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- Local Coordinator, London, Ontario
Hello ! My name is Matthew Dengate, and I am very excited to be a part of the MLI team! I have lived in London, Ontario my entire life and have the privilege to continue to enjoy this beautiful city. Growing up, my family was a part of international hosting programs for more than 10 years so I have always had a number of different students in and out of my house. It was such an amazing experience for me and I am really excited to be on the other side of it now- supporting students and families through this great opportunity! I have always had a passion for working with youth and helping them develop their full skills. I also believe that hosting is such an amazing opportunity to learn and grow through the experience of different cultures. I am a recent graduate of Western University with a political science degree and am married to a beautiful woman, who has also worked for MLI. We are expecting our very first child this July and are very excited about that new adventure. We have 2 pets at home, a very high energy Australian shepherd and a much quieter and to herself tabby cat. Some things I enjoy doing are hiking, playing and watching baseball and hockey as well as travelling to new towns and beaches to explore different areas of our great province! I am so excited about the opportunity to be the London Local Coordinator and connect with students and families through this amazing journey.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator, High School Programmes
I was born and raised in Osaka and Kobe, and it was when I was 15 that I first experienced a two-month stay in Oxford, UK to study English. Everything looked different and I really enjoyed the life there so much, and gradually felt like studying at university overseas. My old fashioned father didn't want me living abroad full time, however, I was lucky that he sent me to London two months each for eight years in summer instead. After graduating from university in Japan, I had a job to support very talented interns from foreign universities mainly from the US who wanted to be architects, and I felt so fortunate that I could communicate and support them, and also learn from them in English.
Later I've got married and have two kids now and in my life journey, I moved to Canada. We were lucky enough to get to know so many generous Canadian who helped us a lot and later became our friends. We have been here for nine years and we love living in Vancouver and love Canada. My children are now grown up. The older one is going to college to study Computer Science and the younger one will be in Gr.11 this year. I assume you're around the same age.
Job Titles:
- Local Coordinator, Kitchener, Ontario
I love my family, skiing, golf, running, volunteering and building businesses. I have owned and operated a number of businesses and held senior positions in the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, and worked with a four season resort business in British Columbia. As a volunteer, I have played a leadership role sitting on a number of national, international and regional tourism marketing boards. I am currently a chair of the Canadian Tourism Commission Emerging Markets Committee.
Job Titles:
- Student Care Administrator
My name is Michelle Karnine. I am married and have 2 beautiful adult daughters. My husband and I grew up in Penticton, a small town in the South Okanagan. Over the last 30 years, we have had the pleasure of living in multiple provinces and abroad in Europe. We love travelling, meeting new people and experiencing their cultures and food.
I appreciate and value all the hard work, on every level, that goes into supporting students as they embark on a new adventure far from home. While living in Belgium, my oldest daughter completed her Grade 12 in Switzerland, living with a host family that she has since gone back to visit. Now that our daughters are grown, we have settled in the beautiful city of Victoria, on Vancouver Island. I have worked in a variety of Administrative roles, most recently with the Ottawa Catholic School Board. I look forward to now supporting this MLI-CISS team.
Job Titles:
- Local Coordinator, Carleton Place, Ontario
Hi! My name is Nancy, and I am married with two teenage daughters. We love to travel and spend as much time as possible during the summer at our waterfront property. We live on a farm with horses, chickens, a dog and a cat. We like to hike, swim, ride horses, run, ATV, and watch movies together.
In addition to my role as Local Coordinator, I also work as an Administrative Assistant with the Catholic District School Board. I started my career as an Educational Assistant, moved to Early Childhood Educator and most recently into administration. I appreciate the path my life has taken.
I love the fact that my work with MLI will allow me to meet fascinating young people from all over the world. I am looking forward to helping our students get to know Canada.
Job Titles:
- Local Coordinator, Sunshine Coast, British Columbia
- Student Care Supervisor
My name is Nissa Francisco, and I was born and raised in Canada. I currently reside in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and am the mother of a life-loving 8-year-old who keeps me very busy.
I graduated from Queen's University with a Bachelor of Art's in Gender Studies and Political Science and went on to complete my Master's ‘degree at York University in Public Policy Administration and Law. I have spent several years working in the non-profit sector, providing various services to diverse communities across the GTA.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator, High School Programmes
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- Local Coordinator, North Barrie, Orillia and Angus, Ontario
My name is Patie Ramnarine and currently live in Innisfil, Ontario. I completed my post secondary education and continued with my studies in Business and Law Management through Anglia Ruskin University (UK) and Trinidad. I moved to Canada at the age of 22 where I stared off working as a factory worker but continued to pursue better opportunities and education. I continued my studies at Seneca College where I attained my Diploma in Child Educator and continued with completion of Medical Terminology and Personal Support Worker. I am currently employed with the Simcoe County District School Board for the past 6 years where I've held several titles as Education Assistant, Designated Early Childhood Educator, Office Assistant and unqualified Teacher. I continue to pursue opportunities that are challenging and making a difference within society and look forward to this new chapter with MLI students and families.
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- Local Coordinator, Durham West, Ontario
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- Coordinator, High School Programmes
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- Coordinator, High School Programme
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- Local Coordinator, Greater Toronto Area, Ontario
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- Local Coordinator, Guelph, Ontario
My name is Shanice and I recently moved to Guelph after living in Toronto since 2010. Prior to that, I was living in the United States.I graduated from Humber College specializing in Protection, Security and Investigations. In addition to my role as Local Coordinator, I also work in financial services as a Risk Manager. When I am not working, I enjoy the outdoors. You might catch me and my family at the beach or a park, skating or on the ski/snowboard slopes. After being a part of this program as a host, I wanted to be involved with the process of building bridges, connecting, and creating memories for other families.
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- Local Coordinator, Montreal, Quebec
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- Local Coordinator, Guelph, Ontario
My name is Shauna and I am one of the Local Coordinators in Guelph. I was born and raised in Guelph and although I left for a few years, I knew that Guelph was where I needed to return to raise my family. I have three amazing children, a giant lap dog and a cat who rules us all. I love to travel and have been fortunate enough to travel to some amazing places! I love good food, especially cheese, baseball is my favorite sport and I spend any (rare) extra free time reading. I love warm weather because one of my favorite sayings is "Life is better in flip-flops" and warm weather means flip-flop season and sunshine! I am passionate about helping people and making a difference in the lives of others. I look forward to meeting my students and host families am excited to make Guelph home to these students through my work with MLI.
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- Local Coordinator, Nanaimo / Ladysmith, British Columbia
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- Local Coordinator, Cornwall, Ontario
My name is Skyler Chretien. I am the father to my beautiful daughter, Grace, who is 4 years old and to my step-son, Vance, who is 10. I love spending a lot of my time with family and friends and I enjoy playing sports such as, basketball, softball, golf and tennis. I live in Cornwall, Ontario, where I was born and raised. It is a great place to live, as we are close to some major cities as well as the United States border. I went to College in Cornwall, where I received my Social Service Worker Diploma and then graduated from the University of Ottawa a few years later with a Bachelor's Degree in the Social Sciences. I have worked in various settings as a Social Service Worker, and for the last 5 years I have been working in Employment Services with the Eastern Ontario Training Board. What I love about being a local coordinator: seeing the special relationships that are formed between students and their host families. I love hearing the stories about the families who continue to connect with their former students, once they've returned home.
Job Titles:
- Local Coordinator, Ottawa, Ontario
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- Local Coordinator, Cornwall, Ontario
Hi, my name is Tina. I am married, Mom to two grown children and proud Nana to Mia, Connor and grand pup Ozzie. I cherish the time I spend with my family and friends; I enjoy travelling and I practice yoga in my free time. I was born and raised in Cornwall; it is a great place to call home. We are situated along the beautiful St. Lawrence River, and it is only a short drive to the bustling cities of Ottawa and Montreal. I studied Dental assisting at college and worked in an oral surgery practice for twenty years before moving to the educational field. I have been employed by the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario for the last seventeen years as an Administrative Assistant. I currently work at St. Joseph's Catholic Secondary School in Cornwall in the Student Services office. My husband Denis and I have been hosting students for the past nine years and have made lasting friendships with our students and their families. It is very gratifying to know that as their host family we contributed to their success and made lasting memories during their time spent in Canada. I look forward to meeting new international young people from all over the world in my role as Local Coordinator with MLI and hope that I can make a difference in their lives too.
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- Local Coordinator, Hamilton, Ontario
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- Local Coordinator, Ottawa, Ontario
Job Titles:
- Coordinator, High School Programmes