Leadership
Sean Rodman
Executive Director
Sean Rodman
Executive Director
For over twenty years, Sean has worked in the non-profit field in leadership and advancement roles. He has also written 7 young adult fiction novels, which have been critically well-received and have collectively sold over 20,000 copies to date. Finally, Sean is an experienced presenter and has engaged youth of all ages on issues related to creative writing, literacy and publishing. He feels lucky that Story Studio lets him combine all his passions in one amazing place. Best. Job. Ever.
Rebecca Ruiter
Program Coordinator
Rebecca Ruiter
Program Coordinator
Board of Directors
Paisley Aiken
Director / Founder
Paisley Aiken
Director / Founder
Paisley is an English teacher, mom of three and the founder of Story Studio. She has a passion for reading, ideas and hearing stories from the people she is fortunate enough to meet. (Read an article by Paisley about Story Studio.)
Michael Christie
Director
Michael Christie
Michael Christie is a multi-award winning author, most recently of the bestselling novel Greenwood. His books have been longlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize three times, and his essays and book reviews have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Globe & Mail. He lives in Victoria, where he cares for his two children, which usually involves a good helping of storytelling.
Simone Conner
Director
Simone Conner
Simone Conner has over 15 years of experience working and volunteering in the non-profit sector. Storytelling has played such a vital role in all parts of her life, and with a passion for empowering and inspiring youth, she is honoured to be a Director for Story Studio which aligns with her values and allows her to bring her skills to make a positive impact.
Anirban Mandal
Director
Anirban Mandal
Anirban currently works with the provincial government in Victoria BC. He loves the outdoors and mostly unwinds by hiking, running and playing soccer. Most of the space in his house is occupied by books, as he is a bookworm, and loves reading whenever he can.
Shelley Motz
Board Secretary
Shelley Motz
Shelley Marie Motz is a certified change management professional (CCMP) with more than 20 years’ experience leading communications projects in the public, private and non-profit sectors. She holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the University of Victoria, and is passionate about harnessing the power of stories to create a more just, equitable, and compassionate society. Her poetry, essays, articles and book reviews have appeared in various publications including the Globe & Mail. In 2016, she was awarded the CANSCAIIP Prize for Best Children’s Picture Book Manuscript for her unpublished story, Solomon’s Football.
Sarah Tarnopolsky
Chair of the Board
Sarah Tarnopolsky
Chair of the Board
Sarah has over ten years of experience working in non-profit communications and fundraising. She is currently Manager, Communications for Alumni & Development at the University of Victoria. Her own passion for storytelling, books and literacy led her to join Story Studio’s board of directors in 2017. Sarah has served as Chair since 2019.
Stephen Tax
Director
Stephen Tax
Steve is professor of Marketing at the Gustavson School of Business, University of Victoria. His teaching and research focus on designing and delivering memorable customer experiences and the power of storytelling. He is a supporter of the local theatre community.
Lynn Works
Treasurer
Lynn Works
Lynn has over 20 years of professional experience working for businesses in diverse industries. With a focus on helping companies improve their operational performance and stakeholder engagement, she has worked in financial services, corporate retail procurement, manufacturing, and post-secondary education. She has volunteered in many school districts to bring creative content to schools and has a passion for the increased role of sustainability in businesses.
Interested in joining our team? Check out our job listings here!
