Speakers
David Stubbs, David Stubbs Design
David Stubbs is an award-winning designer, educator, and advocate recognized for transforming educational environments. Creator of VS’ Shift+, the first patented system of educational furniture components, David revolutionized the industry in 2013 by prioritizing agility, inclusion, and student-centered learning.
His expertise, captured in his book Hinge and Pivot: Transforming Learning through Physical Space, highlights how innovative design can foster inclusion, agency, and well-being.
David’s recent work includes designing the SPACE storage systems by VS, which are redefining utility and efficiency in classrooms. Through his professional development series, Streamlining Education, he empowers educators to optimize storage, declutter classrooms, and create environments that inspire creativity and engagement.
His contributions have earned him accolades from A4LE, IIDA, USGBC, and the EPA, culminating in the 2024 Educational ICON Award from Learning by Design magazine. With a career rooted in innovation,
David continues to lead conversations on reshaping educational spaces, inspiring educators and designers to unlock new possibilities for teaching and learning.
www.DavidStubbsDesign.com
Damian Crowell, Ministry of Education and Child Care
Damien has been with the Education & Child Care Capital Branch for over 9 years working in a number of different roles and is currently the Executive Director of the Branch that is now within the Ministry of Infrastructure. Prior to joining the Ministry, Damien spent 8 years working for engineering/planning consulting firms in Vancouver. This experience encompassed administrating capital and obtaining regulatory approvals for infrastructure projects.
He has an undergraduate degree in Geography from the University of Victoria, and an MBA from the University of Warwick. Also, he is a Registered Professional Planner. Damien is looking forward to continuing to be part of the great team we have here at the Ministry and working with school districts and the broader sector to create value for students across BC.
Diana Studer, HDR Architects
Diana Studer is a registered Architect at Iredale Architecture. Prior to joining the firm, she was the Project Manager for HDR for Vic High. Diana has completed both the RAIC Syllabus program and the BCIT ABET program.
Jim Mann, HDR Architects
Jim Mann is a retired Architect and was the Project Architect for HDR for Victoria High School.
Kate Ulner, Herold Engineering
Kate Ulmer, P.Eng is a senior structural engineer and Principal with Herold Engineering Limited and has been the structural engineer on fifteen school seismic upgrade projects and eleven new school projects across the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.
Lee Blanchard, Architect AIBC, B.A, M.Arch, Principal, Thinkspace Architecture Planning Interior Design
Lee is an architect with over 15 years of experience. He completed his undergraduate degree at Simon Fraser University and received a masters of architecture from the University of Calgary in 2007. Lee has deep experience in K-12 Project Definition Reports (PDRs) and school design, with projects such as the SĆIȺNEW̱ SṮEȽIṮḴEȽ Elementary School, and design-build schools including Stitó:s Lá:lém totí:lt Elementary / Middle School in Chilliwack, Belmont Secondary School in Sooke, and Qayqayt Elementary and École Fraser River Middle Schools in New Westminster. He also designed the Maddaugh, Edgewood and Douglas Elementary schools, and Sullivan Heights Secondary School.
Lindsay Slater, Senior Architect, AIBC and Associate, Thinkspace Architecture Planning Interior Design
Lindsey has an undergraduate degree in Environmental Design, a master’s degree in architecture, a certificate in Leadership from Simon Fraser University and is working towards getting her ALEP certification. Lindsey has 15 years of experience and has worked on a variety of project typologies. She led the SĆIȺNEW̱ SṮEȽIṮḴEȽ Elementary School project through schematic design to the end of construction and acted as the Project Manager and Project Architect. She is currently leading the 200-million-dollar, Smith Campus Middle School project with the Langley School district(SD35). She has also worked with the University of the Fraser Valley, the Archdiocese of Vancouver and the Surrey School district recently.
Mark Kaercher, District Principal of Capital Planning, SD62 Sooke
M. Ed. Educational Leadership;
Certificate in School Management and Leadership;
B. Ed (secondary) with specialization in Middle School.
Mark has over 20 years experience working in Public Education and
16 years as an educational leader at all levels of public education.
Sarah Bjornson, StudioHuB Architects
Sarah has over 20 years of experience as an Architect, with extensive experience in higher education, K-12 school and early
childhood learning design. She enjoys the challenges of multi-stakeholder client projects that demand a high level of user
engagement and public consultation and has led projects up to $110 M. She is an active mentor with the AIBC as well as a past
president of the Pacific North West Region of the A4LE and is one of the Principals of studioHuB Architects.
Education
- Dalhousie University, M.Arch (honours)
- Dalhousie University, BEDS (honours)
- University of British Columbia, BA, Sociology
Professional Affiliations
- Member, Architectural Institute of BC
Rance Mok, Architect AIBC, CPHD, RHFAC, Associate Principal, hcma architecture + design
Rance has over 13+ years of experience designing and delivering schools.