Our Team

Jenn Flynn has been with APPLE Schools from the very beginning, wearing many hats along the way. She has been a school health facilitator at Lee Ridge School, the Fort McMurray regional manager, then APPLE Schools manager until earning the the executive director title in 2016.

She studied physical education at the University of Alberta and has a comprehensive understanding of working with children to get them excited about moving. She brings to APPLE Schools a high level of enthusiasm for promoting health and thoughtful leadership that has expanded the organization to a growing number of schools across four provinces. In 2017, she was recognized by Alberta Magazine as a Top 40 Under 40 for her ability to take a small research project to a national, award-winning charitable organization. Jenn stays active by spending time outside with her two children, riding her bike, and playing ringette. She loves to read, eat delicious food, travel, and watch sports. Go Oilers!

Cari Foster joined APPLE Schools as the organization’s first-ever philanthropy and donor relations officer. She comes with ample experience in advancement, alumni relations, and event/project management.

Her wealth of experience in donor and stakeholder relations, fund development, and brand awareness will lead and help shape APPLE Schools’ development efforts to meet its ambitious goals.

“Education in health eating, active living, and mental wellbeing for our children and students is crucial to the development of healthy adults and communities. Continuing to build and create new strong relationships with like-minded, supporters and donors to the APPLE Schools mission is a passion for me and I am really excited to join this team.”

In her free time Cari likes to spend time with her family, getting outdoors as much as possible – hikes with their dog Hilton, camping, and kayaking. “The best way to end your day is sitting beside the campfire!”

Amelia Souliere’s journey with APPLE Schools began in 2008 as a research coordinator for the ground-breaking research project that proved APPLE Schools’ impact on communities. As APPLE Schools’ initial research project evolved and expanded into Fort McMurray, Amelia became a school health facilitator at St. Elizabeth Seton School until 2013. Ten years later, Amelia is thrilled to be back working for such an incredible project!

She holds a Bachelor of Physical Education and Recreation from the University of Alberta in her arsenal. Prior to returning to APPLE Schools, she was a grant writer and executive assistant at YWCA Edmonton. She has always valued health promotion so the opportunity to be part of this meaningful work that benefits youth and families brought her back to the team. Amelia aspires to lead by example for her three daughters to show that physical activity at any age is an essential part of a healthy life. Her spare time is filled with playing, coaching, or watching ringette, ball hockey, soccer or whichever other physical activity is happening that season.

With over 15 years of marketing and communications experience along with a strong background in graphic design, Molly IS the communications department here at APPLE Schools!

Her previous work experiences range from working in another small non-profit to more recently working for the corporate communications department in a mid-sized municipality, helping to support its Recreation and Parks department.

With a keen interest in content creation, visual identity and brand storytelling, Molly plays a pivotal role in helping APPLE Schools reach its objectives and chart a successful path forward.

In her spare time, you’re likely to discover Molly enjoying quality time with her energetic twins at the playground, indulging in foreign crime dramas alongside her husband, or showcasing her trivia prowess at a neighbourhood pub.

Nicole Deschner started with APPLE Schools in November 2016 as a Knowledge Exchange Assistant. She comes with solid organizational and planning skills from experience in administration and coordinating and executing various events.

At a time when APPLE Schools was expanding, she came on board to help with the increasing administrative duties and event planning  across Alberta to better serve APPLE School communities.

Nicole graduated in 2017 from the University of Alberta with a bachelor of science in nutrition and food, and a minor in health education – she has always had a passion for healthy eating and exercise, and believes that being part of the APPLE Schools team allows her to use that passion to help kids have a healthier future. In her spare time, Nicole loves running, playing soccer, cooking, dabbling in new exercise classes, and spending time with friends and family.

Katherine Dekker come with vast experience as a previous teacher and administrator where she shared her passion for supporting students to be the best that they can be for over 30 years.

In 2010, she joined the APPLE Schools world as a School Health Mentor through her position as principal of the Edmonton catholic school St. Francis of Assisi.

She saw first hand how committing to a comprehensive school health approach could change the world for students. She is excited to support school staffs in creating and maintaining environments where the healthy choice is the easy choice. An avid traveler, Katherine enjoys weaving travel tails to anyone who will lend her an ear.

I am a teacher in the York Region District School board, located in Ontario. I am currently seconded as a Health & Physical Education curriculum consultant at Ophea, and excited to have joined the APPLE team as a School Health Mentor in Ontario in 2024.

I have been part of many regional and provincial initiatives that support the Health & Physical Education curriculum, Healthy Schools, and also the Daily Physical Activity provincial policy. I am a strong advocate for people with disabilities and have spoken at professional learning networks such as the Hospital for SickKids, the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Jumpstart Charities, and Autism Ontario.

With over 20 years of experience in education, Karen is passionate about supporting student health and well-being. Since joining APPLE Schools in 2016 as a school health facilitator, Karen has been dedicated to positively impacting students’ lives. In 2019, Karen took on the role of school health champion, further deepening her dedication to creating healthy schools for healthy kids. Currently, Karen serves as a School Health Mentor in the Wood Buffalo area, continuing her commitment to comprehensive school health.

Tracy is a seasoned Health & Physical Education Consultant and a K-12 Physical Education Specialist with 30 years of experience. She earned her Bachelor of Education at the University of Alberta and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Portland. After 15 years in the classroom, Tracy spent an additional 15 years as a consultant providing educators with resources and professional development both locally and internationally. With boundless passion for promoting healthy living, she brings her experience and enthusiasm for collaborating with school communities to APPLE Schools.

Tracy currently resides in the picturesque Central Okanagan near Kelowna, BC, where she enjoys paddle boarding with her puppy Benny, hiking and golfing with her husband and when the opportunity arises, skiing their two adult sons.

Tina Skakun brought ample experience as a previous school health facilitator and teacher to her role as school health mentor for several northeast Alberta commuities. She has a degree in elementary education from the University of Alberta with a specialty in inclusive education.

She also holds a diploma from Mount Royal College in community rehabilitation services. Tina is a veteran educator with 17 years of experience, working in various areas of elementary education.

Tina says she enjoys working in health promotion because “empowering students, staff, and community to make healthy choices through the comprehensive school health approach positively impacts everyone for life.”

In her spare time, Tina loves spending time with her family camping and fishing. She is also an avid runner, curler, golfer, and coach in her community. If Tina isn’t out on the course or hitting the running trails, you can often find her hiding in her vegetable garden or cooking and canning in her kitchen.

Jenna Power is the school health mentor for Fort McMurray’s Catholic school district. She studied sociology and women’s studies at St. Mary’s University in Halifax before recieving her education degree from Presque Isle in Maine. She also has her masters in literacy and inclusion from University of Prince Edward Island.

Jenna has taught many grades and has passion for health promotion. She brings her passion to APPLE Schools because she truly believes that education is the driving force behind changing behaviours and instilling healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Jenna was first inspired by her Grade 4 teacher; “I can still remember her interactive health lessons and how she instilled the importance of healthy eating into all of her students.”

Jenna’s hobbies include teaching yoga, running, reading, and facilitating bootcamps for all fitness levels. She is often referred to as the Energizer Bunny around the office because she’s always ready and excited to inspire people with her passion for health!