Academic Program Manager
Olivier Ntwali
Olivier Ntwali is the primary academic resource person for the MFRE program. His role is to support students and instructors and enhance the student experience. Olivier completed his BSc. Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness from the National University of Rwanda, followed by a MFRE degree (2018) where he was a UBC Master Card Scholar. Olivier has worked for the MFRE Program back in 2019 and most recently as an Inventory Lead at Ballard Power Systems.
- Econometrics
- Policy Analysis
- Business Analysis
- Data Analysis
- Student Support & Development
Graduating Projects Manager
Janelle Tan
Janelle is passionate about professional development and is keen on helping MFRE students transition into professional roles as they graduate. She has worked for the BC Ministry of Agriculture, and spent over 7 years working for a multinational bakery products company, starting as an individual contributor and then as a manager for 5 years, before joining the MFRE team in 2020. She graduated from UBC with a B.A. in Economics, followed by her MFRE degree in 2012; she also holds a PMP certification.
- Project Management
- Professional Development
- Coaching and Mentorship
- Data Analysis
- Business Analysis
Project Manager, Environmental Metrics for Sustainability Reporting Micro-Certificate
Yasaman Talebi Otaghvar
Yasaman Talebi is the MFRE Micro-Certificate Project Manager. She is responsible for the expansion of the micro-certificate, Environmental Metrics for Sustainability Reporting, for the MFRE Program. Her role includes content and software application development, coordination, and business development of the micro-certificate to ensure quality, innovation, and timeliness. Before joining MFRE, Yasi was with GreenPath Energy and Montrose Environmental Group, starting as an intern/co-op and moving into the role of Data Analyst. Yasaman holds an MFRE degree (2022), an MSc in Environmental and Natural Resources Economics from Tarbiat Modares University, and a BSc in Industrial Economics from Allame Tabatabayi University.
- Environmental Conservationist
- Data Analysis
- Project Management
- Environmental Economics
Educational Researcher
Juan Fercovic
Juan is originally from Chile. He received his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering and his masters degree in Agricultural Economics at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. He graduated from the MFRE program in 2014. Juan’s research interests are in environmental economics, particularly in water resources, greenhouse gas emissions and the economics of climate change. Juan also has a strong passion for rock climbing, and on his days off can be found on the face of the Stawamus Chief in Squamish, B.C.
- Econometrics
- Statistics
- Environmental Economics
- Student Support & Development
Educational Researcher
Xiao Han
Xiao graduated from University of California, Berkeley in the United States with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Economics and Policy and University of British Columbia with a Master’s degree in Food and Resource Economics. Xiao has worked as a researcher in the field of Agricultural and Resource Economics in China for several years. She is now an educational researcher of the MFRE program to provide academic support.
- Econometrics
- Policy Analysis
- Data Analysis
- Student Support & Development