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Meet the Team

Visha Thamboo (she/her)

Associate Director, Student Engagement & Development

About Visha: My role as Associate Director, Student Engagement and Development is to focus on orientation planning and transitioning BCom students to UBC Sauder. I also strive to build programming that fosters student leadership and involvement, both in and outside of the classroom. I graduated from UBC with a BA in International Relations in 2016, where I loved creating meaningful experiences and interactions for my peers through Orientations, Residence Life, the Student Leadership Conference and student clubs. I loved it so much that I decided to make a career out of it! With my experience of hosting small intimate events, to large-scale Orientations, I hope to help you re-imagine your degree and push you to make the most of your time here at UBC Sauder. 

Fun Fact: Giraffes are my favourite animal!

Lana To (she/her)

Manager, Student Engagement and Onboarding

About Lana: My role is to support BCom, DAP, and RHL graduate students to ensure a seamless transition to UBC Sauder, helping them kickstart and flourish within their own academic journey! Before taking on this role, I was an Academic Advisor at OSAS and worked as Student Information Support and Academic Advisor at the UBC School of Kinesiology. I hold a BKIN and MEd in Higher Education from UBC. 

Fun Fact: I pick dessert over any other food any day. I am a huge dessert lover. 

Hammond Yau (they/them)

Student Engagement and Development Advisor

About Hammond: I’m one of the Student Engagement & Development Advisors on the team. I look after the Student Experience Grant and The Spark! I graduated from UBC with a BA in Psychology and also completed my Diploma in Adult Learning and Higher Education. 
Fun Fact: Average daily screen time is 8.5 hours.

Elsa Doxtdator-Jansson (she/her)

Indigenous Student Engagement Advisor

About Elsa: My role as Indigenous Student Engagement Advisor is to support Indigenous Sauder students through creating programming that builds community and uplifts Indigenous students' personal and professional development. Before joining OSAS team, I was the Program Manager for the Indigenous Business Leadership Executive MBA at Simon Fraser University. I graduated from UBC Sauder with a BCom Specializing in Marketing and a Concentration in Sustainability and Social Impact. 

Fun Fact: I volunteer as a ski instructor with Indigenous youth in Whistler!

Celine Li (she/her)

Student Engagement and Development Advisor

About Celine: My role as Student Engagement and Development Advisor is to enhance the learner experience through developing programming that supports learners’ personal and professional development. I have spent most of my career as a higher education professional with a focus in program design and development. I am an UBC alumna with a Bachelor’s of Science in Food, Nutrition and Health. I also hold a Graduate Diploma and a Master’s of Education degree, both specializing in Instructional Design from Athabasca University, where I fostered my passion in creating and implementing innovative programming that are both engaging and impactful to support the learner journey. 

Fun fact: I am a food nerd who loves experimenting with home projects—from fermenting my own miso to perfecting coffee brewing techniques! 

Lauren Venema (she/her)

Student Engagement and Development Advisor

About Lauren: My role as Student Engagement and Development Advisor involves leading the Imagine Day Orientation program, Student Experience Grants, and a variety of other events throughout the year to support students in their journey at UBC Sauder. I graduated from UBC Sauder in 2015 with a BCom degree, specializing in Marketing, and I have worked in the faculty in various event planning and student engagement roles since. I care deeply about the students in this school and am passionate about creating a culture in which every student feels like they belong.

When not at work, you’ll find me working at athletic events around the province, climbing ropes at the gym, volunteering at church, meal planning, making banana muffins for the family or running around at a park with my two young girls.

Fun fact: My dad was the pilot for the Royal Family. 

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