Taiga Adventure Camp Board of Directors
Shannan Schimmelmann
Shannan is a long time resident of the Northwest Territories, and has a long history of community involvement. In fall 2003, Shannan and Kirsten Carthew co-founded the Get Your Groove On! workshop series, which was developed out of specific concern for the issues confronting young girls, and inspire a generation of powerful young northern women. Shannan has enjoyed the evolution of the workshop series into Taiga Adventure Camp and is excited to be part of the camp development and delivery.
For the past eight years Shannan was employed by the Government of the Northwest Territories, in the area of business development and program delivery. Shannan has had the opportunity to travel regionally throughout the territory, and is familiar with the political, social, economic and cultural realities present in individual communities. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administration degree as a next step in her career development.
Shannan strives to be the kind of person she admires; dedicated and honest with the ability to inspire others to follow their dreams and be optimistic about the future.
Kirsten Carthew
Kirsten is from Yellowknife, NT. Together with Shannan Schimmelmann, Kirsten co-founded both the GYGO workshop series and the Taiga Adventure Camp. She is a champion of the north and the people who live here and has worked as a volunteer in several capacities, particularly with elders and youth. Kirsten's background is in the Arts and Communication. She has worked as a writer, director and producer in radio, television, theatre and film in Canada, the United States and the United Arab Emirates. She is a graduate of the film programme at Simon Fraser University and the Canadian Film Centre. Her work has earned awards and recognition from several film festivals, Women in Film and Video, Praxis and the National Screen Institute. Kirsten is currently undertaking a MSc and MA joint degree at the London School of Economics and the University of Southern California.
Kirsten is grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Taiga Adventure Camp, and the even greater opportunity to deliver such important programming to young women throughout the NWT.
Florance Peddle
My name is Florance Peddle, Director for Child and Youth Services at the YWCA Yellowknife. I have been employed with the YWCA since October 2000. I have been married for 24 years and was blessed with two children. A son 22 years and a daughter who is 18.
In 1991, I obtained a Degree in Early Childhood Education. I was employed as an EA and then on to Substitute Teacher for the first year and was then offered a job to work for Social Services in Botwood, Newfoundland. I worked for Newfoundland Health & Social Services until we left for Yellowknife in 1996.
Thinking I wanted a change of career, I went to work for a law firm in town until I was offered a position with YWCA Yellowknife. I love working at the YWCA, you get to see everyday the change that the Y helps make in a lot of lives here in Yellowknife.
Amy Jenkins
Amy comes from a rural community in southern Ontario, and was drawn to Canada’s north in 2002. She has always been committed to work that promotes community development, inspires environmental appreciation, and addresses the issues facing women and youth. Amy connected with TAC through her experience managing other territorial youth camp programs. Additionally she brings a range of other experiences to her role on the board, including an Environmental Science degree, commercial pilot’s licence, experience with NGO management, various roles coordinating projects locally to nationally, as well as her latest role as a new mother. Amy is devoted to living a fulfilling and balanced life rich in experience, friends and positive memories, and is committed to inspiring other young women to do the same.
Ella Mawdsley
Ella is grateful to belong to a board committed to leadership and confidence for young northern women. Ella works to promote healthy lifestyles through her volunteer efforts with the NWT Council of Sport & Recreation, as a fitness instructor at the Racquet club and other personal projects.
Ella was raised in Fort Smith, but currently lives in Yellowknife, working as the Promotions Manager for Up Here publishing. She has a degree from the University of Lethbridge in business management with a concentration in marketing.
