Staff
Experiences Canada staff are available Monday through Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm (Eastern Standard Time) to answer any and all of your questions.
Gail Bowkett
Acting Chief Executive OfficerGail Bowkett is the Acting Chief Executive Officer at Experiences Canada. Gail brings more than 20 years’ experience in program management, international development, international relations, advocacy, policy research and analysis to this role and is passionate about the effective delivery of Experiences Canada’s programming and development activities. Gail has managed programs and conducted policy research on a number of issues including international higher education, skill development, experiential learning, research, science and innovation policy. Gail holds a Master of International Business Administration degree from the Schulich School of Business at York University, and an Honours Bachelor degree in Russian language and literature from Carleton University. In her free time Gail enjoys spending time with her family and friends, biking, reading, baking and travelling.
Claire Laliberte
Senior Director of Finance and OperationsClaire is a Chartered Professional Accountant with over 30 years of experience who has worked in the non-profit sector for the last 10 years. As an Executive leader in finance and operations, the focus is to build strong infrastructure to ensure policies and procedures maintain the heart of the business. Resources are always stretched and staff wear many hats, but the satisfaction comes when the youth experience an exchange in another province, in another culture, in another language…and it changes their lives forever. Claire has a strong interest in the youth of today having raised three children and welcoming a grandson into the family fold. She enjoys the outdoors, golfing, biking, gardening and travel. Claire has been a painter for over 25 years and can get lost in the colours on a canvas.
Darren Prashad
Senior Manager, Youth Exchanges and PartnershipsDarren has dedicated his career to helping bring peoples’ sustainable travel dreams come true both in the for profit and nonprofit sectors. He believes in collecting moments and not things and encourages all travelers to do the same. Darren’s interest in travel began over 20 years ago when he moved to Honduras after growing up in Ottawa. His father was posted with the Canadian foreign service, and he had the opportunity to travel throughout the country and learn about Canadian aid and development projects. Since then, he has traveled to over 30 countries and is always looking for new adventures. Darren has worked in the tourism sector for 12 years. He has also worked in corporate social responsibility with an international non-governmental organization focused on bringing clean water to undeveloped countries. Most recently Darren combined his passion for travel and sustainability and worked for the Students On Ice Foundation as the head of expedition logistics. Problem solving and getting things done are his specialties. His personal motto is “adventure is the best way to learn”.
Kellen Turner
Youth Exchanges CoordinatorKellen is an Youth Exchanges Coordinator at Experiences Canada. Having spent the last 4 years in Marketing and Coordination, they are passionate about understanding and engaging others, believing that ‘you must connect with people if you want to work with people’. With a Diploma (Honours) in Communications – Digital and Radio Broadcasting, Kellen brings a unique perspective on Outreach, specializing in developing ideal targets and brand identity. They understand the importance of empowering and supporting youth, having spent the last 5 years as a volunteer youth basketball coach. Outside of work, Kellen is an active supporter of social justice and 2SLGBTQI+ initiatives, loves music, and enjoys spending time with their cat.
Monika Hutchings
Marketing and Communications CoordinatorMonika started her journey at Experiences Canada as a summer student on the Marketing and Communications team and is thrilled to be joining the team full-time as a Marketing & Communications Coordinator. Monika is a recent graduate from Carleton University, where she received a Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies Honours (B.CoMS) with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. She completed a 4-month co-op term as a Communications Coordinator for the Innovation Hub and stayed on part-time during her final year of studies to create communications content that highlighted the inspiring stories of Carleton student entrepreneurs. Outside of work, Monika loves attending concerts and music festivals with friends.
Meet Our Group Organizer (GO) Champions
Stephanie MacKay
GO Champion
Meet Stephanie MacKay from Grande Prairie, Alberta. With 20 years of teaching experience, she currently teaches Inclusive Education to a dynamic group of high school students. Steph is passionate about providing unique learning experiences outside the classroom and would love to help you plan life-changing experiences for your students. She has been involved with a number of exchanges for all age groups – from grade 6 students to grade 12 students, including a group solely composed of special needs students in 2024. She is happy to help in any capacity.
Eric Angen
GO Champion
Eric Angen is a retired elementary classroom teacher (Special Ed.) with 27 years of experience working with students with Severe Learning Disabilities in Montreal. He has organized 14 projects involving student travel. He is deeply committed to student travel, especially for disadvantaged youth. He has been a volunteer at Experiences Canada since March of 2020.
Kathy Chmelyk
GO Champion
Kathy Chmelyk is a retired teacher who lives in Fraser Lake, BC which is situated on the traditional territories of the Stellat’en and Nadleh Whut’en people. She has 30 plus years of teaching experience. In 1992, Kathy organized her first school exchange and since then has led several exchanges (virtual and in-person), throughout Canada.
