Paul Zuurbier
Executive Director

Paul provides growth focused leadership and enjoys initiating new projects which benefit the community. He thrives on the positive energy of working closely with the Project Literacy team, volunteers, learners, and community organizations. Paul believes literacy is a reflection of our values. The meaning we give to words, reflect our sense of belonging and significance.

Elaine Johnston
Senior Education Coordinator

Elaine is Project Literacy’s longest serving staff member. She is the driving force behind many of our best tutor and learner matches. Her incredibly warm spirit is a welcome to anyone who walks through the door. When not at work Elaine is busy playing tennis, bird watching and hiking.

Pat Pobuda
Education Coordinator

Pat is a retired elementary school teacher with over 30 years of teaching and community experience. She moved to Kelowna from Enderby in 2021 to start a new chapter in her life and to continue her love of helping people learn. Pat coordinates several part-time programs taking place throughout the year including: the One to One In-School Reading Support Program for students in grades 1-4, the Summer Reading Program, Immigrant Parents as Literacy Supporters (IPALS) Program and the One-to-One Adult Tutoring Program. She also provides ongoing educational support to our tutor-learner pairs, conducts occasional group learning opportunities, and tutor training workshops. She is so excited to be a part of Project Literacy and their mandate to help those in need!

Bart Lambrecht
Education Coordinator

Bart brings with him a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics & TESOL , two decades of hands-on curriculum, content, and classroom experience in Canada, China, and online experience in Iran. Having been an international student himself, and then having worked in three major academic cultures, he has learned why a proper orientation and acculturation process is so important to the success of people entering a new society or for working with them. Bart coordinates the Senior Digital Literacy program as well as leading an exciting new initiative (details TBD!) in partnership with KCR Community Rescources.

April King
Office Administrator

April enthusiastically oversees the day-to-day running of the Project Literacy Learning Centre, bookkeeping and event planning for Project Literacy. Her ambitions have taken her in several fascinating directions across Canada and abroad – soaking up arts & culture wherever she goes. With a background in theatre and a passion for the English language she brings a creative spark to Project Literacy. She is so pleased to be a part of such a dynamic team and loves the chance to help those seeking a new, literate chapter in their lives.