Our Leadership Team
Leading by example
The SelfDesign® Learning Foundation is led by a passionate Board of Directors and Leadership Team who strive to make a difference in the lives of our learners and families.
Our Board of Directors
SelfDesign Learning Foundation is governed by a volunteer board of directors consisting of up to 11 elected directors. They’re responsible for providing strategic support and expertise to ensure the continuity of the vision, legacy, and succession of leadership for SelfDesign Learning Foundation.
Our Foundation Leadership Team
Our School Leadership Team
But his own experiences with self-directed education drives his involvement with SelfDesign. As a teenager, he travelled the world by boat while completing his studies by correspondence. At Simon Fraser University, he challenged the limits of the standard curriculum by designing an undergraduate degree that suited his interests.
His Master’s degree in Environment & Management from Royal Roads University provided him with the flexibility, technology, support and freedom he needed to learn remotely while he continued working. These experiences prompted him and his wife to offer the same flexibility and choice in learning to their own young children.
“I am a firm believer that there are different ways to learn, every individual has a unique way of learning, and that embracing this approach yields that best outcomes for the individual and society,” he says “It is this perspective I see mirrored in SelfDesign’s mission and programs.”
Devon has a long and varied history with SelfDesign. He is an alumni of the Wondertree and Virtual High
programs (predecessors to SelfDesign) and has roots in natural learning principles and practices.
Devon brings 25 years of experience in software development – a curiosity first discovered at Wondertree,
which continued into a career. Devon is passionate about the intensifying confluence of knowledge,
technology and culture that is opening so many directions in learning.
Frank Heinzelmann has been part of the SelfDesign community for many years, having watched his three children grow into passionate, self-directed and confident learners as they progressed through our kindergarten to grade 12 program.
“SelfDesign’s approach and vision towards lifelong learning are inspiring, and I believe that it is ever more relevant in our global community,” he says. “I believe that SelfDesign, as a leading independent online learning provider, already serves as a model for natural and personalized lifelong learning, not just in BC but globally.”
Frank brings to the SelfDesign Learning Foundation Board of Directors his expertise and experience in banking and investment, as well as in biology and forestry, with degrees from the University of British Columbia and universities in Germany and South Africa. His professional work has focused on environmental consulting and, in recent years, private banking and investment. A Vancouver resident, he is a founding member and board member of the Jericho Stewardship Group.
product designer in both the entertainment and ed-tech industries, Lara brings a diverse set of knowledge
and skills. With over 20 years of experience working with teams and leadership, she values generative
communication, innovation, and developing solutions based on people’s needs.
Lara’s unique learning journey, growing up as an unschooled child in the forests of BC’s Fraser Valley, has
inspired her and her husband to raise their own children with a customized, learner-centric approach, based
on the belief that all people are naturally wired to learn and thrive.
Lara now lives in the Comox Valley with her husband and children, where she works online as a youth and
organizational coach. In her free time, she likes playing board and card games, singing and playing her
ukulele, exploring nature, and building a rich community for herself and her family.
She joined the SelfDesign Board of Directors in 2023.
With over 20 years of experience as a technology and operations leader, executive advisor, and Chair of a community board in Boston, Marianne brings her expertise as a Chartered Professional Accountant and her first-hand knowledge as a parent of a home learner.
She has held senior leadership roles in IT, finance and patient engagement, most recently within the biotechnology industry and also within areas of government, technology and renewable energy. Over the years, Marianne has been driven by a passion for inquisitive learning and a commitment to building strengths within organizations that prioritize diversity, acceptance, and connection.
Born and raised in Vancouver, Marianne earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from UBC and holds a Master’s in Environmental Change and Management from the University of Oxford. In her free time, Marianne enjoys music, yoga, and embarking on everyday adventures with her husband, children, and their exuberant golden retriever.
Verena was born and raised in North Vancouver, BC and feels most at home when nestled between the ocean
and the mountains. In 2002, she began her work with Wondertree Learning Centre, first as an educator, then
as vice-principal.
Verena lives on the traditional territory of the K’ómoks, also called Courtenay, where she loves a cold plunge and sauna, forest walks with her dogs and movies nights with her husband and two kids. She currently works with schools and communities to build belonging, compassion and resilience. “Out beyond the ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there” – Rumi
But his own experiences with self-directed education drives his involvement with SelfDesign. As a teenager, he travelled the world by boat while completing his studies by correspondence. At Simon Fraser University, he challenged the limits of the standard curriculum by designing an undergraduate degree that suited his interests.
His Master’s degree in Environment & Management from Royal Roads University provided him with the flexibility, technology, support and freedom he needed to learn remotely while he continued working. These experiences prompted him and his wife to offer the same flexibility and choice in learning to their own young children.
“I am a firm believer that there are different ways to learn, every individual has a unique way of learning, and that embracing this approach yields that best outcomes for the individual and society,” he says “It is this perspective I see mirrored in SelfDesign’s mission and programs.”
programs (predecessors to SelfDesign) and has roots in natural learning principles and practices.
Devon brings 25 years of experience in software development – a curiosity first discovered at Wondertree,
which continued into a career. Devon is passionate about the intensifying confluence of knowledge,
technology and culture that is opening so many directions in learning.
Frank Heinzelmann has been part of the SelfDesign community for many years, having watched his three children grow into passionate, self-directed and confident learners as they progressed through our kindergarten to grade 12 program.
“SelfDesign’s approach and vision towards lifelong learning are inspiring, and I believe that it is ever more relevant in our global community,” he says. “I believe that SelfDesign, as a leading independent online learning provider, already serves as a model for natural and personalized lifelong learning, not just in BC but globally.”
Frank brings to the SelfDesign Learning Foundation Board of Directors his expertise and experience in banking and investment, as well as in biology and forestry, with degrees from the University of British Columbia and universities in Germany and South Africa. His professional work has focused on environmental consulting and, in recent years, private banking and investment. A Vancouver resident, he is a founding member and board member of the Jericho Stewardship Group.
product designer in both the entertainment and ed-tech industries, Lara brings a diverse set of knowledge
and skills. With over 20 years of experience working with teams and leadership, she values generative
communication, innovation, and developing solutions based on people’s needs.
Lara’s unique learning journey, growing up as an unschooled child in the forests of BC’s Fraser Valley, has
inspired her and her husband to raise their own children with a customized, learner-centric approach, based
on the belief that all people are naturally wired to learn and thrive.
Lara now lives in the Comox Valley with her husband and children, where she works online as a youth and
organizational coach. In her free time, she likes playing board and card games, singing and playing her
ukulele, exploring nature, and building a rich community for herself and her family.
She joined the SelfDesign Board of Directors in 2023.
With over 20 years of experience as a technology and operations leader, executive advisor, and Chair of a community board in Boston, Marianne brings her expertise as a Chartered Professional Accountant and her first-hand knowledge as a parent of a home learner.
She has held senior leadership roles in IT, finance and patient engagement, most recently within the biotechnology industry and also within areas of government, technology and renewable energy. Over the years, Marianne has been driven by a passion for inquisitive learning and a commitment to building strengths within organizations that prioritize diversity, acceptance, and connection.
Born and raised in Vancouver, Marianne earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from UBC and holds a Master’s in Environmental Change and Management from the University of Oxford. In her free time, Marianne enjoys music, yoga, and embarking on everyday adventures with her husband, children, and their exuberant golden retriever.
Verena was born and raised in North Vancouver, BC and feels most at home when nestled between the ocean
and the mountains. In 2002, she began her work with Wondertree Learning Centre, first as an educator, then
as vice-principal.
Verena lives on the traditional territory of the K’ómoks, also called Courtenay, where she loves a cold plunge and sauna, forest walks with her dogs and movies nights with her husband and two kids. She currently works with schools and communities to build belonging, compassion and resilience.
“Out beyond the ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there” – Rumi