SiWC Team

Kathy Chung, Conference Coordinator

Kathy Chung is a writer and professional genealogist, and has been the conference coordinator of SiWC since 2010. She attended her first SiWC in 2001 and has never left. Since 2007, she’s also served as a volunteer contest assistant, acting as a first reader of the conference’s writing contest.

Jennifer Browne, Adminstrative Coordinator

Jen was a devout attendee of SiWC before taking on the role of Conference Assistant in 2014 and then Administrative Coordinator in 2015. She’s the published author of 6 non-fiction wellness books and dreams of someday writing a fairy tale that doesn’t have anything to do with kale or chia seeds. Her kryptonite? California Cab Sav.

Camille Netherton, Director, Board Chair

Camille Netherton is a writer, mother and Behaviour Consultant. A long-time volunteer for SiWC, she is pleased to give back to the writing community by serving on the Conference Planning board and hopes every experience you have at the conference exceeds your expectations.

Jared Hunt, Director, Vice Chair, Volunteer Coordinator

In addition to being a long-time friend of SIWC, Jared is an avid game designer, occasional writer and full time nerd. If you’re interested in getting involved at the conference as a volunteer, then feel free to get in touch!

Jared Hunt is a long time friend of SiWC who is working with our volunteers this year, so feel free to give him a big SiWC welcome when you see him!

Jennifer Striemer, Director and Treasurer

Jenn S is a technical writer, book lover and a serious tea drinker. She joined the SiWC family in 2008 and fell in love with the supportive community of writers and the electric energy at the conference. When she isn’t writing training and operations manuals, she’s working on a variety of creative projects, or more likely, procrastinating by reading one of her favourite books… again.

JJ Lee, Director and Secretary

JJ is our king of merch and is simply awesome.

Stephanie Candiago, Director

Stephanie Candiago is a writer and publishing consultant. She attended her first conference in 2018 and she knew instantly she was never leaving this fabulous supportive community. Stephanie loves talking books, opera and shoes. 

Hayley Lavik, Director and Conference Ambassador

Hayley is a writer of novels and short fiction. She attended her first SiWC in 2010 and we haven’t let her leave since. As our conference ambassador, Hayley helps newcomers and multi-year attendees alike find their stride each year at SiWC. If you see her during the conference weekend, pull up a seat and join the conversation! (Ask her about hyenas. She really likes hyenas.)

Skye Mitchell, Director and Trade Show Coordinator

Skye first came to SiWC as a teen volunteer who quickly became utterly indispensable. Skye runs our trade show, so if you’re interested in participating in that once we get back to in-person conferences, Skye’s the person to contact.

Renée Saklikar, Director and Author Signing Event Coordinator

Renée Sarojini Saklikar is a poet who has served as Poet Laureate for the City of Surrey. Her latest book, written in collaboration with Dr. Mark Winston, is a BC bestseller: Listening to the Bees.

Renée is a teacher, writer, trained lawyer, and all-round excellent human who plans our author signing event with great affection and care for everyone involved.

Carol Monaghan, Our Sparkly Emcee

Carol has been part of SiWC since its humble beginnings, working with our founder Ed Griffin to get the fledgling conference off the ground and serving for many years on the board.

Though she’s retired from her board position, we’re delighted she continues to join us as our emcee, and we don’t intend to ever let her go. Our own “Betty White of the North” sparkles and invites you to sparkle with her.