Our Team

Kristina Hiemstra
Director

Kristina Hiemstra, Director, has been with IPCE since 2003. She grew up in Sweden and holds a Bachelor of Social Science from Linköping University. In advance of working for the University of British Columbia she was with the Burnaby Board of Trade. When not working she enjoys being with her family.

Katia Despot
Senior Education Manager
(Currently on Leave)

Katia was born and raised in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia and moved to Canada in 2002. She graduated from the UBC Sauder School of Business specializing in Human Resource Management. Katia loves traveling and spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys practicing yoga, reading and swimming.

Jo Nam
Senior Education Manager

Jo initially joined the IP team as a UBC Sauder School of Business co-op student, and has returned for a full-time position. She has a major in Business and a minor in Philosophy, all at UBC. She likes to read a lot and listen to music.