Who’s on our team?
Karen Mason (she/her) is co-founder and executive director for SOAR, and former executive director of Kelowna Women’s Shelter in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. A seasoned non-profit leader, communicator, and community collaborator, Mason brings 35+ years of career experience in the private, public, and non-profit sectors to her work advocating for survivors of IPV, conducting knowledge translation and mobilization activities, and supporting research, development, and dissemination of promising practices. Mason has training in trauma-informed practice and advanced strangulation prevention, and is a member of the Pink Concussions Partner-Inflicted Brain Injury Task Force, the ENIGMA International Consortium Working Group on Brain Injury in Intimate Partner Violence, the Women’s Health Research Cluster, and the Canadian Concussion Network’s Advisory Council.
Dr. Paul van Donkelaar (he/him) is co-founder and scientific advisor for SOAR. He is also a professor in the School of Health and Exercise Sciences at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus in Kelowna, B.C., Canada. His research focusses on the basic mechanisms of sensorimotor control and the cerebrovascular, neurocognitive, and sensorimotor aspects of brain dysfunction resulting from traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Since 2016, he has focused much of his research on better understanding brain dysfunction in women who have experienced intimate partner violence-related BI.
Kelsey Helm (he/him) is director of operations for SOAR. A seasoned and respected operator, Kelsey has extensive start-up to enterprise experience, and a strong background in portfolio & program management and strategic planning. Over his 20+ year career, Kelsey has managed programs and planning across 500+ person organizations, and supported external, key stakeholders to implementation of complex initiatives. As director of operations for Wheelhouse Ventures, he managed investments in multiple, seed-stage companies, oversaw the design, development, and construction of the Kelowna Innovation Centre, and established and supported the operation of a venture capital corporation.
Teagan Milligan (she/her) is the project coordinator (research and engagement) for SOAR. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in global health at McMaster University and holds a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Dalhousie University. With previous experience as a community support facilitator for people with severe brain injuries, Teagan has worked directly with survivors facing these challenges. Teagan also has research experience in the Cognitive Health and Recovery Research Laboratory, where she focused on spatial neglect symptoms post-stroke or unilateral brain injury.
Kathryn Kriitmaa (she/her) is a Registered Clinical Counsellor in private practice, who also facilitates SOAR’s Together We Thrive online, peer support group for survivors of intimate partner violence-caused brain injury. With a focus on integrative and holistic care, Kathryn uses a trauma-informed approach, and works with survivors through a relational lens. As a person living with a traumatic brain injury, she brings a unique perspective to supporting survivors. Previously, Kathryn worked at Kelowna Women’s Shelter, supporting women experiencing intimate partner violence.
Nujhat Jahan (she/her) is the project coordinator for finance and fundraising at SOAR. She holds a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (Power, Conflict, and Ideas) from the University of British Columbia (Okanagan), along with both a Master and Bachelor of Social Science in Criminology from the University of Dhaka. With over five years of experience in academic research, Nujhat specializes in gender-based violence and trauma victims. She previously conducted research on traumatic brain injury and intimate partner violence as a Research Assistant as well as served as a Research Coordinator at UBCO in a community-based health project.
