Our Team

Tannis is the Associate Vice President, Academic Innovation.

Tanya Elias joined VCC in July 2024. Over the past 15 years she has used her communication, change management and problem-solving skills to successfully lead a series of major projects that have improved organizational performance across a variety of industries. She enjoys tailoring project and change management methodologies and facilitation techniques to meet specific organizational needs. She often combines her unique ability to leverage data with cross-functional collaboration to translate strategic vision into actionable plans. She is a Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP) and has completed an MEd from Athabasca University and an EdD from the University of Calgary which focused on workplace transformation, change and learning.

Blair joined the Centre for Instructional Development in September, 2009. He has been with VCC since 1990 and has held several positions, including working closely with Frank Fornelli (retired) to help create and manage the "Purple Door" self-paced computer lab. He has a diploma in Computer Information Systems from Langara and has also completed the Instructor Diploma Program.

Blair's teaching experience includes his time in the former Business & Computer Studies Department as well as at UAG Único in Guadalajara Mexico, where he taught introductory computer courses to students of the Bilingual Administrative Assistant Program.

John became our eLearning Media Developer in May 2011. Before working at VCC, John spent over 20 years in the high-tech sector as an art director, graphic designer, web designer, and technical writer. Early in his career, he taught computer graphics courses for the VSB evening program, and contributed in front of and behind the camera on two award-winning educational TV series for BC's Knowledge Network.

John has a Fine Arts diploma from Emily Carr College of Art + Design (1989). As student and staff at ECCAD, he contributed to published research in computer-based visual literacy projects under Dr. Tom Hudson. John continues his active interest in art, technology, and new media. For over 25 years, he's also developed his love of storytelling, blogging about his family and personal history, competing in a few local and international fiction contests, and publishing his first novel in 2009.

Todd joined us in the fall of 2017. He previously worked in administration and communications for both the City of Ottawa and the Province of Ontario, before opting for the gypsy lifestyle of professional musician. From 2007-2017, his work as a percussionist took him on many adventures and offered innumerable life lessons. In addition to his part-time work at VCC, Todd continues to manage other internationally touring musicians, as well as teach music lessons and perform in local theatre productions. He has studied at McGill, UBC, SFU, and Humber College. His greatest teachers are his children, who keep him busy doing their laundry and challenging his understanding of philosophy and ethics. Todd is an avid cyclist as well as an amateur of the fine sport of squash.

Emily joined the CTLR team in 2022. She started at VCC in 2010 as a tutor in the Learning Centre and also as faculty teaching Chemistry 11/12. Her most recent role was as Coordinator for the Learning Centre from 2016-2022, where she supported student academic success through designing and leading a variety of workshops on learning strategies for students across the College, implementing new services, and leading the department in various strategic initiatives.

Emily has a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from the University of British Columbia, a B.Sc. in Chemistry from Oregon State University with a minor in Spanish, the Provincial Instructor Diploma, and a Certificate in Online ELearning/Instruction. Emily’s interests lie in how learning works, holistic learning, student-centered / active learning, curriculum design, and Indigenization/decolonization/reconciliation and EDI. In her spare time, Emily likes to hike with her kids all over the lower mainland, bike, try new recipes, and read.

Fionna Chong (she/her) is an immigrant settler of Chinese descent, originally from South East Asia. She currently resides on the unceded territories territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. An engineer by profession, a baker by trade, and with a degree in contemplative approaches and inquiry in education, she has taught at Vancouver Community College in the Baking & Pastry Arts and Community & Career Education fields. Fionna's most comfortable and natural habitat is behind the scenes, making food for people and helping to move gatherings and projects forward. She is a serial curiosity hound whose guiding light is Carl Sagan’s The Pale Blue Dot. As such, she believes in worlds of connections and shared spaces, where the complexities of navigating these spaces are challenging and life-giving at the same time.

Francesco joined the CTLR team in February 2019. He has been with VCC since 2010 and has worked as an Instructor in the EAL, LINC, and Business Management departments. He also served as Coordinator for VCC’s Learning Centre from 2016 to 2017.

Francesco’s interests include learner autonomy, collaborative learning, curriculum development, and online/blending learning. He holds a B.A. in Communication (SFU), a Diploma in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) (University of Cambridge), an M.A. in TESOL (Sheffield Hallam University), and the BC Provincial Instructor Diploma (VCC).

While working in Brazil in the 2000s, Francesco rediscovered his love for soccer, and you can now find him on the field 4-5 days a week playing and coaching "the beautiful game".

Radhika joined the CTLR team in 2025 and brings a background in health for 30 years. As a graduate of VCC’s Nursing Unit Clerk program, she found her flair for teaching and pursued the role in the Health Unit Coordinator program for the last 25 years, and in educational leadership for the last 15 years. One of the highlights of her career was preparing graduates for a major role transition in the health field that started in 2019. Radhika's passion for curriculum design, development, and the intersection of technology and culture, has guided her involvement in numerous innovative projects within the School of Health Sciences. Radhika holds a Master of Arts in Learning and Technology from Royal Roads University (2013), the Chair Academy in Leadership and Development (2012), and the Provincial Instructor’s Diploma (2005). She is commitment to lifelong learning, and is currently completing a Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design (2025).