Building Confident Learners

Joanna Pang

Director

Joanna is passionate about bringing children and families a fun and loving hub. Joanna was inspired by the teachers at one of the Gymboree Play & Music Centers in China, the classes supported her son, Winston’s early development. She decided to bring Gymboree to families in the Lower Mainland, envisioning that the professionally designed programs could benefit families and children.

Joanna holds two Master's Degrees from the University of Cambridge and a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from the University of British Columbia. She oversees the center's operations, marketing, programming and training. When she is not at work, she enjoys hiking with her family, snowboarding on the mountain, and travelling.

Chang Qian

Advisory & Director

Chang is a senior management and IT consultant; he always brings a different perspective on how to run the business efficiently. With his extensive consulting experience with many large enterprises, such as Lululemon, and BC Hydro, Chang designs Gymboree Vancouver's operations, marketing, and human resources plans.

Chang holds three degrees in Finance, Mathematics, and Computer science from the University of British Columbia. He oversees the center's finance and strategic planning. Chang enjoys reading, snowboarding, and spending quality time with his family.

Ani Tanwar

Teacher

Ani teaches School Skills and a variety of our programs. With over four years of experience working with children and families at Gymboree Play & Music Vancouver, she is passionate about creating engaging learning experiences that support children's growth and development.

Ani holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, with a focus on child development, learning, and social behavior. Her academic background, teaching experience, and operational role help her create a warm, welcoming environment for children and families.

Eshana Mishra

Teacher

Eshana teaches Preschool Prep and a variety of our other programs. She has been part of the Gymboree Play & Music Vancouver team for over two years and is passionate about fostering early childhood development through engaging, play-based learning experiences.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, with a specialization in social and emotional development and family dynamics. Eshana also holds an ECE certification, bringing together academic expertise and extensive hands-on classroom experience to support children and families.

Naamah Owino

Teacher

Naamah teaches Play & Learn and contributes to our drop-off programs as well. She brings a warm, uplifting energy to the center and has a genuine love for working with children, helping create a fun and welcoming environment for families.

She is currently working towards a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and is especially passionate about building meaningful connections with children through play, curiosity, and care.

Nicholle Medina

Teacher

Nicholle teaches Play & Learn and supports children across a variety of age groups. She brings extensive experience in education, with nine years of professional teaching experience and an additional three years of volunteer work with children and youth.

She holds a Master of Education in Teaching English as a Second Language from the University of British Columbia. Her background in language development, academic learning, and social-emotional growth supports her work in creating engaging, play-based experiences that help children build confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning.

Julia Chagnon

Teacher

Julia teaches Play & Learn and supports children across a variety of age groups. She has experience working with children as a swim instructor and lifeguard, and brings a strong interest in creating positive, engaging learning environments.

She holds a degree from McMaster University in Chemical Biology with a minor in Health, Aging and Society, and is currently completing her Master of Public Health at the University of British Columbia, including a placement at BC Children’s Hospital focused on developing health promotion resources for school boards.

Sasha Siswanto

Teacher

Sasha has experience working with children in educational and support settings, including as a Special Education Assistant, a mentor with UBC's Centre for Accessibility, and an instructor at Kumon. She is passionate about child development, play-based learning, and creating inclusive environments where every child can thrive.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia and is currently pursuing a Master of Management at UBC. Sasha also holds a Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Certification, complementing her experience supporting children with diverse learning needs.

The Team