Job Jam 2023

Flash talk speakers will include:

• Kristina (Kris) Campbell, science and medical writer from Victoria who has spent the past decade covering microbiome science and gut health for online and print media throughout Europe and North America.
• Kaytee Davis is the founder and Designer at Ok Thanks Studio in Victoria, BC. Kaytee is a multi-disciplinary designer with a knack for branding and web design that intertwines the two to create fully branded, user-centric web experiences. Kaytee founded Ok Thanks Studio in 2021 after leaving her comfy Product Design job in tech to have a more immediate hand in helping small and medium sized businesses, while also aligning to her vision for flexibility and authenticity in her work and life. In the short two and half years, Ok Thanks Studio has had the opportunity to work with local clients including Sheringham Distillery, Elate Cosmetics, Sherwood, Cook St Liquor and larger names such as Esther Perel, Wool and The Gang, and Girlboss’ Sophia Amoruso.
• Lucas Kavanagh is a science writer and media producer. He is a co-founder of and the content director at Avo Media, a science-focused production and consulting company. Lucas’s background is in earth and ocean science, with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Victoria and a master’s degree from McGill. For more than a decade, he has distilled complex scientific concepts into engaging media. Working both with organizations, and directly with scientists, he’s helped facilitate clear communication through writing, curriculum, mobile apps, live webcasts, podcasts, and videos. Combined, these projects have reached over ten million of people worldwide.
• Gillian Easdon, freelance writer who has worked as a copywriter, content specialist, marketing manager and more.
• Julie Gordon  Julie Gordon is a writer and communications leader who works at the intersection of public education, storytelling, engagement, and strategy to support projects that advance social, cultural and environmental justice . With more than two decades of experience working with governments, not-for-profit groups, Indigenous communities, and education sector clients, Julie aims to help clients to articulate their unique messages and realize their communications goals.
• Shelby Levesque is a writer and creative thinker who has written on topics as diverse as technical subjects, cybersecurity, sleep science and more!
• Barbara Myers is an urban planner and writer who has written and researched in the areas of sustainability, high performance buildings and professional practice. 

Flash talk speakers will include:

• Ceara Crawshaw is the founder and CEO of Pencil & Paper, a specialist UX design company. 
• Alex Kennedy is a lead designer with Swank Creative.
• Kathryn Pascuzzo is a creative marketing professional with talents in graphic design, strategic marketing, social media, project coordination, and more. She is the founder and CEO of Swank Creative. 

With two decades' experience as a naval architect and professional engineering, Callum Campbell is the founder of Greenline, a ferry company with a mission to unlock the coastal transport systems that BC needs to thrive. He'll share his experience bringing his passion into focus.

Jam was born at an early age in Toronto, Canada. He has spent most of his life as an educator and organizer, creating sustainable programs in remote communities across Canada, Afghanistan, the West Indies and Southeast Asia. Jam is an avid slow traveller exploring places to connect with people and learn from others; he loves hiking, reading and art havens.

He currently works as an Education Learning Specialist, listening to Knowledge Harvesters and Elders across Canada to weave a curriculum on Indigenous Science for educators and students.

In his spare time, he studies Indigenous Language Documentation at UVIC and writes a personal memoir called MinutesofYearsPast.

Over the course of his 30+ year career, UVic alum Michael Rensing helped guide BC to reduce its carbon fuel emissions and explore alternative energy options through his various roles in the public service. Today, he leads works as a consultant providing strategic guidance to companies looking to support the low carbon economy.

Patricia Barkaskas (UVic '05) has practiced law in the areas of child protection (as parent's counsel), criminal, family, as well as civil litigation and prison law. She is Métis from the Lac Ste. Anne Cree/Métis and Red River Métis communities.

She has worked closely with Indigenous peoples in their encounters with the justice system and has worked for Residential school survivors as a historical legal researcher for the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. Patricia is currently the Strategic Advisor to the Dean for the National Centre for Indigenous Laws at UVic and the Academic Director of the Allard School of Law Indigenous Community Legal Clinic at UBC.

Jayesh Vekariya (UVic '19) is one of the founders of Joni, a Victoria-based company that offers organic, sustainable menstrual products that uses 5% of sales to improve access for communities across Canada. 

Sarah Rhude is a lnu’sqw, Mi’kmaq/Algonquin/French woman on her mother’s side, and mixed European, settler ancestry on her father’s side. She is one of the co-founders of Aunty Collective, which provides a digital platform for Indigenous artists and professionals to highlight their specialized skill set and creations. As an artist, medicine maker, educator, student, mother and community member, Sarah is rooted in land-based teachings and Indigenous ways of being and knowing.

Sarah Rhude is a lnu’sgw-Mi’kmaq/Algonquin/French woman on her mother’s side, and mixed European, settler ancestry on her father’s side. Sarah was born in Sioux Lookout and was raised in Anishinabek territory, in and around Northern Ontario, as well as many territories within what is now known as Interior British Columbia.

For the last twenty-four years, Sarah had the honour to work, live, and learn in and amongst the Coast Salish, Nuuchahnulth, and Kwakwaka'wakw territories and peoples. Developing relationships with and learning from and with the land, plants, animals, water, and people, and working with traditional materials from the land to make art, medicine, and regalia affirms her strength as Mi'kmaq visitor who carries their own Indigenous laws while honouring the laws of the lands in which they are a visitor.  

Sharing teachings, artistic and culturally based skills, and the knowledge and stories Sarah carries are paramount in all the work she does.

Sarah, a two-spirit mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, artist, educator, academic, performer, advocate, and activist is passionate about furthering Indigenous governance, particularly with regard to our right to access land-based education and the enactment of our sovereign creative practices. Sarah is an owner and managing partner of Aunty Collective Art, Culture and Learning Hub here in Lekwungen territory.