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, 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.
Mina Petrous
Exchanges CoordinatorMina is our Youth Exchange Coordinator. He brings a multicolored baggage of experience having worked in the administrative field, and the management sector, passing by the entertainment industry. Having majored in Sociology in Montreal, he moved to Ottawa to pursue his Master of Education. Very passionate about education and sports, he has a sweet spot for soccer coaching to which he allocates three evenings a week. A lover of family time, when he is not coaching, he is spending time with his fiancée and his in-laws.
Danielle Lefebvre
Youth Exchanges CoordinatorDanielle is an experienced membership services professional, having represented national and regional organizations on Community Development and Training & Education. Danielle has built her career prioritizing community and civic engagement work, with a focus on French services, youth empowerment and promoting cultural diversity and inclusion. She is a graduate of Agriculture & International Development Studies of the University of Guelph – Alfred Collège Campus. She has participated in cultural exchanges and family homestays in Dominican Republic, Egypt, England, France, Ghana, Romania and Togo.
Mei-Ling Patterson
Specialist, Marketing and CommunicationsMei-Ling is a Specialist, Marketing and Communications at Experiences Canada. She began her passion for youth development working as a bilingual Youth Leader for the organization’s Career Choices, Youth Forum on Allyship, and Money 101 programs. She is passionate about climate and environmental justice and holds a BA (Honours) in Environment and Urban Sustainability with a minor in French Studies from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). She’s also a MASc candidate at TMU in the Environmental Applied Science and Management program. When she’s not busy writing her thesis she volunteers as the Chief Communications Officer at Shake Up The Establishment. She also enjoys yoga and meditation.
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.
Megan Hagel
Programs & Development CoordinatorMegan started at Experiences Canada as a summer student on the Events and Programs team and is excited to take the opportunity to stay with the team part-time as a Program and Development Coordinator. Megan is currently in her fourth and final year of her degree in Global and International Studies, with a specialization in Economics and Policy at Carleton University. Having worked internationally and studying global interconnection, she places a high value on her experiences from travel. Outside of work, Megan enjoys spending time with friends, hiking and yoga.
