Volunteers Take The Stage (virtual)

Volunteers Take The Stage!
CMVan volunteers are a group of diverse, inspiring, creatives that work in silence behind the scenes to produce our gatherings every month. This month’s theme of 'abundance' brings their voice to the front of the room.

Dr. Kari Marken - A PhD and former high school drama teacher who now teaches creativity at the Sauder School of Business as well as running her own educational design consultancy.


Marga Lopez - A Mexican immigrant with extensive international experience as a communication designer who is now the national president of Design Professionals of Canada when she isn’t running her own design practice or teaches young designers at the Wilson School of Design at KPU.


Heidi Christine - Heidi is a rare born and raised Vancouverite and someone who not only has a strong creative and artistic side, but was a math and science nerd who studied electrical engineering! These days she is the Head of Community for an online gaming startup.

This month's live musical guest is Indigenous (Osoyoos Indian Band) songwriter and music journalist Francis Baptiste.

Baptiste's debut LP, Snəqsilxʷ (Family), features songs sung in Nsyilxcən [nah-silk-sen], the endangered language of the Syilx [see-ilks] people. Approximately 50 elders can fluently speak Nsyilxcən. For Baptiste, his journey in learning the language and teaching it to his son begins with this album. Family (Snəqsilxʷ) is his effort to preserve and connect with this vital part of his heritage. Baptiste is also a music journalist who writes for Exclaim, Permanent Rain Press, and Vancouver Weekly. Currently, he lives in Vancouver, BC.