Meet Our Team

Nathan has proudly been employed in the Human Service field for 10 years. During his career he has worked as a Community Access Support Worker, Residential Support Worker, Supportive Roommate, and Employment Services Job Coach. He currently is an Employment Specialist, and expresses to each of his students how imperative it is to have a positive attitude when searching for employment. Nathan believes mistakes ARE allowed- it is how we use those situations as teachable moments for growth that is important. In his free time you can catch him organizing events with friends, hiking, planning a itinerary for a future trip, and most importantly making his daughter smile.

My name is Alejandro Rios. I was born in Acapulco, Mexico, and immigrated to Canada in 2014. I began my professional education as a lawyer in Monterrey, Mexico, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Calgary. I had the opportunity to join Columbia College in 2021 as a Community Support Worker and later transitioned into a Job Coach position in the Employment Partnerships program. Currently, I have the pleasure of working as an Employment Specialist, supporting individuals in obtaining and maintaining meaningful employment.

Amanda has been a part of the Columbia team for the past 18 years, working within Community Disability Services – Community Access Services, Residential Services, and Employment Services. With an educational background in Social Work, Amanda is passionate about working with community partners to create opportunities to improve the lives of the people we serve.

Originally from the Philippines, migrated to Bournemouth, England in 2004 and moved to Calgary last 2013. Erwin Joined Community Social Services Department-Columbia Training Center as a Community Support Worker last August 2013. After a few months he moved to Employment Services as a Job Coach and now enjoys the role of Employment Specialist. Erwin has a Bachelors in Human Behavior Technology from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Furthermore, he Completed a Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce at The City and Guilds of London Institute.

Ann Samuel is a dedicated professional with a background in Education and extensive experience working with vulnerable populations. She has leveraged this into making a meaningful impact in this sector.

For 4 years, she served as a protection officer with the international committee of the Red Cross working directly with displaced communities and individuals in crisis situations to provide essential services and re-integrate displaced individuals back into the community. In this position, she demonstrated a commitment to upholding dignity and the right of the vulnerable

Building on this, she spent the last two years working at Trellis, a support organization with a focus on youth, through her diverse experience, she has honed interpersonal experience, skills, cultural sensitivities, and an understanding of challenges faced by the population we serve. She is passionate about continuous learning and using herskills and expertise to drive change.

Rachel is an Inclusive Support Specialist. A graduate of Diploma in Disability Studies program with a great passion for providing connective human service support. As an Employment Specialist at Columbia Training Centre, matching students with roles that suits their skills, strengths, and interest is her priority. Haven provided various kinds of support in the disability sector for many years, she aspires to be a Social Worker that stirs up positive communal changes that benefits all people.

Fannie has worked in the Employment Service Department for the last 10 years. Her role is to support and educate our students by teaching them essential working skills. She is a dedicated individual who is determined to see our students succeed in life and their career goals.

I graduated from the beautiful University of the Fraser Valley. After graduation, I had the privilege of traveling around the world as I taught ESL (English as a Second Language). Upon returning to Canada, I was certified and worked as a Health Care Aide. My career journey has always been driven by a desire to support people in the community. Because meaningful employment has always been important to me, supporting others as they seek employment is very exciting. Sustainable sewing is a passion for me, if I am at home, I am sewing creations I plan to share with fellow enthusiasts on my own YouTube channel coming soon.