Our Management Team

Dr. Sally Zhao obtained her Ph.D. in ESL (English as a Second Language) Testing and Assessment and an MA in Language and Communication from Cardiff University, UK, an M.Ed. in Teaching English for Specific Purposes from University of Exeter, U.K., and a BA in English Language and Literature from Lanzhou University, China. Sally has experience in teaching ESL, English Language and Communication, LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada), and ELT (Enhanced Language Training) courses. Sally started her career at TIES in 2005. Since then, she has been in different roles within the organization as ESL volunteer tutor, LINC instructor, ELT instructor, LINC Manager and Executive Director Designate. On November 1, 2014, Sally became the Executive Director of TIES, a title that later changed to Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

With more than 10 years of experience in teaching English as a Second Language, 8 of which have been spent at TIES, Richard believes in taking a wholistic approach to his students’ individual successes, encouraging their professional as well as personal development. Richard earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Calgary, with a major in Latin American History and a minor in Spanish. With a passion for language, he also received his TESOL diploma, and has most recently excelled in the position of PBLA Lead Teacher in TIES’ LINC program, where he coached LINC staff to meet the standards of excellence required by the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks. After successfully fulling the role of Drop-in ESL and Volunteer programs Manager with TIES from July 2018-January 2019, Richard brought his rich teaching experience, effective program management experience, and sound relationship building skills to his role as Director as of February 2019.

Born in Nepal, Suman Khanal obtained his Masters in International Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, New Hampshire. He also received his Masters in Business Administration from Lincoln University, California and is working on his Doctorate. He also earned his post-graduate diploma in Community Based Development from St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Suman served as the Chief Executive Officer for the National Federation of Community Credit Unions in Nepal for nearly 7 years before he moved to North America. In the United States, he served as Financial Literacy Program Director for America’s Credit Union Museum and for nearly 5 years he served other non-profit organizations as they helped immigrants in their settlement and integration. Suman has travelled to over 20 countries and provided short term consultancies in the area of Community Economic Development and Assets Building for poor and disadvantaged people, especially in Senegal, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Pakistan, and others. Since 2003 he has been a Certified Development Educator with the Association of Asian Confederation of Credit Unions. After finishing his assignment with McBride Career Group as an instructor for career planning/job search and job maintenance, Suman joined TIES in September 2013 as a Program Coordinator for Financial Literacy and the Welcome Resources Information Program, and served in this position until he became the Manager for Settlement Services and Facility Operations.  In 2017 he expanded his work portfolio to include a new title, Management of Settlement Services and Employment Training, and assumed the role of Director in 2018. His mission is to help immigrants and low income citizens enjoy a meaningful life in their community.

Cesar recently obtained his PhD at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia writing on notions of power and authority vis-à-vis the state in a borderland Muslim society in the southern Philippines.  His interest in the challenges of minority integration has gained practical expression in his long-appreciated role as Program Development Manager at TIES, where he took on the responsibility of developing new programs that respond to the changing needs of Canada’s newcomers.  He has taught at universities in Canada, Australia and the Philippines, and has presented on the topic of minorities at conferences in North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania and the Pacific.  His academic background is supplemented with private sector experience, having served for five years as a training department manager in an American corporation, as well as experience in language programming, previously filling the role of ESL and LINC coordinator for other immigrant-serving organizations.

Robert Toth is an is an experienced branding and marketing professional with over 20 years of work in the communications field with companies in agricultural, insurance, homebuilding, and not-for-profit. He is also a first-generation Canadian with cultural roots in Hungary. Robert’s immigrant story of leaving the former Yugoslavia with his family and only two suitcases, drives his passion to elevate the work that The Immigrant Education Society does in the community helping newcomers establish roots and find a purpose in Canada. Robert has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary and an Advertising and PR Diploma from MacEwan University. Robert is also focused to giving back to the broader community of Calgary through his volunteer work as the Chair of the Board for Antyx Community Arts and as the Vice-Chair for the Calgary Fetal Alcohol Network (CFAN).

Eva Su was born in Taiwan. She obtained her degrees from San Francisco State University, a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication and Master of Arts in English (TESOL). Eva also taught in a pre-academic program in San Francisco State University for one year and a junior college in Taiwan for four years before moving to Canada in 2004. Eva joined The Immigrant Education Society (TIES) in January 2005 as a teacher for the ELT Program and later became the manager of the Drop-In ESL and Volunteer Programs from August 2005 to March 2011. Currently, Eva holds the position of Manager of Human Resources and Office Operations.

Cliff was born in Calgary, where he graduated from SAIT with a diploma in Computer Technology. His career has required him to travel the globe extensively, setting up joint ventures and constructing manufacturing plants, and with over 25 years of progressive facilities and project management experience he brings a number of unique skills to enhance security, building services and maintenance for the Society's physical assets. Cliff joined TIES in December of 2016, and currently holds the position of Facility and Operations Manager.

Jana Ciobanu has over ten years' experience at TIES, during which time she has filled a diverse number of roles, including volunteer, English language instructor, and PBLA Lead. Jana has taught all CLB levels and demonstrates a clear understanding of the CLB framework and its application in classroom planning. In 2015 she completed the PBLA Foundation Course and became a Lead Teacher. As a PBLA lead, Jana has provided PBLA training to our instructors and helped implement PBLA at TIES. With her ESL/LINC teaching background, Jana has had the opportunity to instruct a wide variety of students from various backgrounds. She has taught ESL with English Programs for Internationals in the USA and Translation and Interpretation at the Free International University of Moldova. She has also worked in program management with international organizations. Aside from her rich work experience, Jana also has a solid educational background. She graduated from the Educational Department at the University of Calgary and acquired a Master’s Degree in TESL. Jana also studied Adult Education at the University of South Carolina and received a Bachelor of Arts in English and French at Alecu Russo University in Moldova. Jana always looks forward to working with our clients and hopes to help them call Canada home.

With over 8 years of experience at TIES, Kerry Howard has held numerous roles prior to taking on the role of LINC Program Manager including LINC Program Instructor, PBLA Lead, and LINC Program Supervisor. Through these roles, Kerry has developed a detailed understanding of all CLB levels through the courses he has taught as well as the instructors that he has coached as a PBLA Lead and supervised as a LINC Program Supervisor. Kerry has attained a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and English Literature from Memorial University of Newfoundland as well as a Master of Arts (TESL) from the University of Birmingham. Kerry is committed to assisting TIES’ clients in their path to settlement in any way that he can. 

Irina has been with TIES since 2013, and has fulfilled different roles in the LINC and Drop-In ESL programs including: LINC Program Supervisor, LINC Program Instructor, LINC Program Coordinator, Volunteer Program Coordinator, Calgary Learns Programs Coordinator and Drop-in ESL Program Coordinator. Besides supervisory experience, Irina has vast experience teaching English at the primary, secondary, and university levels and has successfully completed SIT TESOL and CCLB PBLA certificate courses. Irina holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and French Linguistics, a Master’s Degree in English Linguistics/International Studies from Moldova State University and acquired an A.E.C. certificate (Program Scholar) at the Centre for Continuing Education at Vanier College in Montreal. Currently, Irina holds the position of Manager, Drop-in ESL and Volunteer Programs and is delighted to provide support to clients and volunteers at TIES.

After earning his Bachelor Degree in Sciences in Senegal, Racine pursued and graduated from the Specialized in System and Software program at EPITA-France (School of Computer Sciences and Advanced Technologies). Racine started teaching computer software and applications to youth and adults, as well as in corporate settings, in Paris, before moving to Canada in 1995. Driven by his passion for IT and a profound desire to help others, Racine has more than 10 years of experience as a computer and network instructor in several educational institutions in Canada, such as I.S.I. (Institute Superior Informatique), Institute Demers, Delta College and CDI College in Montreal. Before joining the Society in February 2013 as Computer Programs Coordinator, he worked as IT System Analyst at BELL and at Guest-Tek, and IT Support Analyst at HP . He has been Manager of Computer and Accounting Programs at TIES since March 2014.

Whitney has worked with TIES since 2016, including her previous role as Supervisor, e-LINC & Special Projects. She holds a B.A.(Hons.) in English and History from the University of Manitoba, a Diploma in New Media Production and Design from SAIT, and is currently enrolled in a Certificate in Adult Learning specializing in e-Learning at the University of Calgary. Whitney has worked across a diverse number of organizations in Winnipeg and Calgary, and possesses extensive experience in social marketing and research. She has had a lifelong desire for travel and for learning from other cultures, and is passionate in her drive to help newcomers make a successful start in Canada.

Ronni Abraham was born in Calgary and raised across the Canadian prairies. She comes from Metis and Mennonite heritage. She holds a Master’s Degree in Developmental Psychology from the University of Manitoba. She began her career as a university professor with a research focus that included the development of empathy and social determinants of wellbeing for children, women, and families. She shifted her focus to community-based work to create innovative programs that celebrate the power of the ordinary—family, play, community—to help people create joyful lives and hopeful futures. She served in leadership positions in several Calgary agencies and is delighted to be supporting TIES' mental health and wellness projects in her current role.