We Are LCC

In this episode, we sit down with Mark Salkeld to reflect on his inaugural year as Head of School at Lower Canada College. Drawing on 30 years of experience as an educator in both the United Kingdom and Canada, Mark shares how his transition from Director to Head of School in June 2025 shifted his perspective on the LCC community. He discusses the "lessons learned" during his first year, the specific student interactions that remind him why he chose a career in education, and the delicate art of balancing the needs of our youngest Kindergarteners with Seniors preparing for life beyond the campus.The conversation also dives into the mechanics of school leadership, exploring the vital partnership between the Head of School and the Board Chair in maintaining the school's strategic momentum. As LCC looks toward the future, Mark outlines his vision for upcoming shifts in curriculum and school culture, the "big audacious goals" for the next academic year, and the essential skills today’s students will need to thrive over the next decade. We wrap up the episode with 'The Rapid-Fire 7,' where Mark weighs in on the ultimate Montreal bagel debate and reveals his hidden talents and favorite pop culture picks. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we dive into the LCC student-athlete advantage. At LCC, participation in athletics is more than just a game—it is a powerful, real-world extension of the classroom. Through sports, our students learn invaluable lessons about resilience, teamwork, and leadership that shape them into well-rounded individuals ready for success in all aspects of life.To explore what gives our student-athletes this unique edge, we are thrilled to be joined by LCC’s Director of Athletics, Christian Viau, along with two incredible alumni who have lived the LCC athletic experience firsthand and taken those lessons into their college and professional careers.Christian Viau, BEd | Director of Athletics, LCC Chris has been a cornerstone of LCC Athletics since joining the school in 1999 as a math and physical education teacher. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he has coached everything from soccer and hockey to basketball, tennis, and baseball. Before taking the reins as Director of Athletics in 2011, Chris served as the Junior School athletics coordinator and ran LCC's hockey camp for over a decade. He also co-founded the Ligue de Hockey Interscolaire du Québec, which has since merged with the RSEQ provincial league.Isaiah Fox | LCC Class of 2017 Isaiah’s hockey journey is a testament to perseverance. After graduating from LCC in 2017, he spent two years at the Holderness School (NH) before taking a two-year gap year to play Junior hockey for the Maine Nordiques (NAHL). His hard work earned him a Division 1 scholarship to Long Island University, where he played four years and graduated with a degree in Business Management in 2025. Isaiah then signed a professional contract in the ECHL with the Adirondack Thunder (NJ Devils affiliate) and later played in Iowa before concluding his pro hockey career. He is currently an Account Manager for Margo Sales.Angelina Chevrier | LCC Class of 2023 Angelina exemplifies the ultimate student-athlete balance. Currently studying Health Sciences at Vanier College, she serves as the 2025 Women’s Soccer Team Captain and recently earned the impressive title of RSEQ Academic All-Star. Beyond her rigorous studies and athletic commitments, Angelina is a community leader and entrepreneur, serving as the co-owner of She Kicks, an all-girls soccer camp based in Montreal. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Martin '10, founder of Empowering Empathy, to discuss a radical idea: Empathy isn’t just a feeling—it’s a strategic engine for organizational success. Chris shares their journey to the nonprofit sector, where they now acts as a "co-sponsor" for leaders who are facing burnout. We look into how to maintain human connection amidst digital transformation and why pushing back on "we’ve always done it this way" is an act of care.

April '25, Pre-U '26, a student at LCC with a strong passion for science, spent the summer of 2025 putting her research skills to the test as an intern at the Kenauk Institute. In this episode of the We Are LCC podcast, she shares insights from her fieldwork, shedding light on the practical scientific research opportunities available to students.April hopes her experience encourages others to be bold, step beyond the classroom, and explore what real-world science has to offer. It’s amazing what can happen when you take that leap—listen in to discover April’s journey and what she learned along the way at the Kenauk Institute. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Listen to Pat Dussault '97 share a behind-the-scenes look at life as a comedy writer, producer and actor

Eric Macramalla '91 talks about his unique niche of where his passion meets his profession - a lawyer by day practicing trademark litigation and prosecution - he is also the host of nationally syndicated radio show Offside across the TSN Radio Network and writes for Forbes on sports legal issues.

Chris Shannon, Pre-U ’76, reflects on his 20-year tenure as Head of School, highlighting the lasting impact of campus and program development rooted in excellence, innovation, and sustainability, as well as his hopes for LCC’s future.

Kiho Hirabayashi from the graduating class of 2025 shows us a true reflection of Non Nobis Solum as she talks about her English teaching services to students in Japan.

Mickey Moroz ‘09 talks about McGill’s prestigious Osler Fellowship, his human approach to his family and sports medicine practices, and one of his career highlights of traveling with Team Canada to the Olympics.

Join Olivia Masella, '16, Pre-U '17 for a discussion of her research of the development of a novel low-cost radiotherapy device to increase access in low-resource settings and the field of medical physics.

Tegan Webster, Pre-U '99 delves into the importance of understanding why teaching youth about boundaries and healthy relationships is an important base for all relationships; friendships and intimate partnerships later in life.

An in depth conversation with a Partner and former Chair one of the World's Leading Law Firms.

A great conversation with Derek Covington '86 who is a human high-performance coach specializing in integrating well-being and mindfulness principles to enhance holistic performance lifestyles.

Listen to LCC faculty members Sarah Bullock & Angela Rashotte share with us what inclusive education is, it’s relevance and it’s positive impact on learners and the landscape of education today.

René Balcer is a Canadian-American television writer, director, producer and showrunner, as well as a photographer and documentary film-maker. Born in Montréal in 1954, he studied photography and visual representation at Concordia University. Inspired by such artists as Edward Hopper and Ed Ruscha and photographers Robert Capa, Leonard Freed, and Liliane De Cock, Balcer began his photography work in 1968. Eschewing studio work and staged images, Balcer searches for natural compositions that suggest a sense of disquietude and an implied or hidden narrative, as well as images that engage his interest in social justice.Balcer is noted for writing and showrunning the television series Law & Order, and for creating and showrunning its spin-off series Law & Order: Criminal Intent. He was hired as staff writer on Law & Order's first season in 1990, becoming showrunner in the show's seventh season in 1996. During his tenure as showrunner, Law & Order won the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series.In writing about legal issues, Balcer has drawn on his own experiences with law enforcement and his first-hand encounter with the brutal application of authoritarian power - at age 16, he was picked up as a suspected FLQ sympathizer during Quebec's October Crisis in 1970 and held overnight in the Montreal Police's infamous Station 10 where he was interrogated and beaten, before being released the next day. That experience, he says, gave him a harsh introduction to the reality lived by many disadvantaged communities.While pursuing an award-winning career in film and television in Los Angeles, he has continued his photography practice, completing such photo essays as “Desaparecidos” and “Beleaguered Trees of Los Angeles.” On June 20, 2024, Balcer's first solo photography show in New York City opened at the Hutchinson Modern & Contemporary Gallery. The show, René Balcer: Forensics, focused on his photography work in Argentina - "In Forensics, Balcer’s photos speak to the complicity of silence during the years of modern-day caudillos in Latin America and to society’s willful blindness in the face of today’s rising authoritarianism in the Americas. In making these images, Balcer was moved by his own experiences during Québec’s 1970 October Crisis in his native Montréal. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With a distinguished career spanning over two decades in educational leadership, Tammy Groff has consistently demonstrated a commitment to fostering academic excellence and holistic student development. Currently serving as the Director of Middle School at Lower Canada College in Montréal, Tammy oversees a comprehensive range of responsibilities including mentoring middle school teachers in goal-setting and evaluation, implementing the school’s strategic plan, and supporting the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (MYP) curriculum.Previously, she held the role of Interim Director of Educational Services at Villa Maria, where she managed a diverse team of educators and spearheaded strategic initiatives such as Education 3.0 and project-based learning implementations. Her tenure involved overseeing budget management, school calendar planning, and enhancing parent-teacher communications.Prior to Tammy’s role at Villa Maria, she served as Assistant Director of Educational Services, focusing on policy development, student supervision, and curriculum implementation across academic and student life programs. Her leadership contributions were also notable during her tenure as Vice-Principal at St. Thomas High School, where she collaborated closely with the MYP Coordinator and resource teachers to ensure inclusive education practices for students with special needs.Tammy's career trajectory includes pivotal roles at Centennial Academy, where she served as Director of Middle School and Level Coordinator, overseeing curriculum development and faculty mentoring. Her dedication to educational advancement is underscored by her academic credentials, including a Master's in Educational Leadership from McGill University and ongoing professional development in educational methodologies and leadership strategies.Throughout her career, Tammy has participated in numerous conferences and workshops, enhancing her expertise in areas such as assessment strategies, 21st-century teaching methodologies, and fostering inclusive school environments. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Listen to Olivia Auclair '12 discuss her research in assessing the role of animal and plant protein foods in Canadian sustainable diets and the impacts on nutrition, health, and climate change.

Join Chris Shannon, Pre-U '76 & David Bensadoun '87, Pre-U '88 as they reflect on the past academic year and give us a glimpse into LCC and the future.

Dr. Robert Ravinsky joins us for a deeper look into the world of orthopaedic spine surgery.

We could all use a little more playfulness in our lives. Listen to how Krista is helping many women do just that!

Jackson Labell-Nevard '18, Pre-U '19 & Maya Wou '19 talk to us about their new company TeztUs and how it’s transforming the worlds of Education & Technology. We welcome them to learn all about how AI can assist educators in grading.

We are privileged to have Geoff Molson '87, Pre-U '88, President and CEO of Groupe CH join us for a conversation about the business of sport and the realities of owning a franchise.

Emmanuel Mavridakis '18 is a self-proclaimed mustard seed who has moved mountains, after sustaining a life-threatening spinal cord injury and brain trauma. Join us and listen to this young man who will inspire us all to appreciate what we have and take things day by day.

Join us with our guest host, Chris Shannon, Pre-U '76, Head of School as he delves into a discussion with Roger Hilton '04 on politics and global issues with a focus on Canada's role in a changing world of security and alliances.

An eye-opening conversation into the world of Artificial Intelligence and how it will change the landscape of education.

An open and educational conversation with Claire Webster, founder and president of Caregiver Crosswalk - a consulting firm providing education and support services to help navigate the journey of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia-related illnesses.

An informative conversation about finding your best fit for post-secondary education and how to navigate the admissions process.

A great conversation with Stuntman Sam from Montreal’s The Beat, Q92’s morning show who sheds light on the radio industry and his love of connecting with people.

A great conversation with a young, bright and inspiring student & athlete.

We are fortunate to hear from both Chris and David as they both lead groups of people that are responsible for supporting LCC's mission, vision and values. Their roles are different but complementary.

In this episode, Trevor Williams talks about how we can empower youth to become socially conscious members of their community through sports, education and mentoring

An important conversation about acceptance and inclusion for people with physical, developmental and intellectual disabilities.

An inspirational story of determination and pride. LCC English teacher, Jennifer Irwin talks with us about how she made her dream of writing and publishing a novel a reality.

A beautiful conversation about the discovery of joy and the meaning of life after receiving a cancer diagnosis. Olga opens up about her journey through dark and difficult times, leading to self-discovery and healing.

New year, new you! Learn how to apply positive education in your daily life to focus on wellness. Flourish and thrive without falling trap to a fixed and negative mindset. Ms. Owen and Ms. Shadley share their favourite strategies to help students of all ages (and their parents) manage stress and build character strengths for a more optimistic approach to life.

An open conversation about the changes in the media industry and how the drastic shift in technology impacts how news is delivered and received. Natascia Lypny '08, Pre-U '09 also sheds light on the importance of moving towards inclusive journalism and how to best reach underserved and underrepresented populations in a collaborative way.

As both a socially-missioned and profit-oriented real estate developer, Natalie Voland focuses on responsible capitalism. Recognizing that 38% of our carbon footprint is related to the built environment, she advocates for maintaining heritage buildings and studies climate change to determine how real estate projects can serve people and be profitable at the same time. Listen to this episode to learn more about how Natalie leverages the market economy for the benefit of the community.

In this episode we talk with Lauren Small, a determined spirit, who has turned tragedy into something meaningful. She shares how we can become heroes in our own communities to help make the world a better place.

Alec Mathewson is the design curriculum lead and Fab Lab coordinator at LCC. He is an interdisciplinary artist and designer specializing in digital fabrication, critical making, and using design processes with the intent to learn.

Join Lise Huppler & Sarah Kingsley for a candid conversation about neurodiversity & education.

Luc Drymer Graham '21 (Pre-U '22) is a recent graduate of Lower Canada College. Since 2018, he has been working in youth-to-youth education with International Animal Rescue Indonesia to promote orangutan and forest conservation in the remote villages of Kalimantan (Borneo). Through this work, Luc has come to understand how conservation is a multifaceted issue. In Indonesia’s most remote forest communities, he has worked with teenage students educating them about the importance of conservation and empowering them to make a difference in their communities—communities where the rate of deforestation is cataclysmic and, as a result, certain species are on the verge of extinction. Understanding the importance of perpetuating this knowledge, many of these students have since taken on roles as youth ambassadors, raising awareness and organizing local youth groups to use their collective voice to further spread their message at the local level. Be it in Kalimantan or at home in Montreal, Luc continues to spread the word about the plight of Indonesia’s forests and its indigenous inhabitants, informing, educating, and motivating anyone who will listen. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join us for a candid conversation with Lower Canada College’s Head of School about education and more. How things were, how they are and what’s in store for the future.

​​Kristina Ashqar '02 (Pre-U '03) began her journey with PSB Boisjoli as an intern in 2005. She quickly rose up the ranks of the firm’s Audit and Assurance Division. From the beginning, she established herself as a gifted supervisor with strong professional competencies, and an impressive ability to manage mandates. Kristina was promoted to a managerial position in 2012 and was admitted to the partnership in 2019. Within the scope of her current responsibilities, she handles the accounts of several of the firm’s major clients, ensuring audit, assurance, and taxation services for companies from a diverse range of sectors. She also plays a key role in the supervision of over 45 members of the audit team.Whether she’s managing client accounts, or supporting her team in professional development, Kristina demonstrates remarkable passion for everything she puts her mind to. Kristina’s infinite qualities make her one of the most admired and sought after professionals in the field. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Before Manny Blu '12 was known as a Nashville artist with his own genre, three LPs and 1M+ streams, he was playing tours throughout North America and Canada as an acclaimed MMA fighter turned country singer and a true road warrior. Blu started his music career playing nightly shows to support his 2019 debut album “Leave It Like It Is” while also sharpening the larger-than-life sound that would later fill his 2020 EP “New Ink” and his most recent 2021 EP “Devil”. However, before Blu took the stage, he spent his days in the gym, training for a career as an MMA fighter. When a leg injury left him unable to compete in professional matches, Blu found himself at home in Montreal, recovering from a torn quadricep and looking for a new passion to pass the time. What he found was a renewed appreciation for music. First he was drawn to the guitar-driven blues of BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and John Mayer. Second, he discovered a connection with easy-going swagger and relatable storytelling of modern country.Today, Blu has relocated to Nashville and created a genre called country punk which combines the lyrical style of country music with the heavy infused beats and sounds of punk rock. Country punk brings Blu’s own vibe to country music creating an original sound that makes room for his blues and rock ‘n’ roll influences. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Meghan Swidler '08 (Pre-U '09), is a graduate of Cornell University. She started her career working for a hyper growth tech startup in both San Francisco and New York City. Then, in 2021, she took a leap and changed her career path to follow her long-time passion for health and wellness, becoming a holistic nutrition health coach and wellness consultant. She holds certificates from both the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and the International Association for Health Coaches.In this episode, Meghan shares her holistic nutrition coaching practices, which are grounded in plant-based whole foods, the principles of food combining, and bio-individuality. She reminds us that there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to sustainable health and well-being. We hear about her transformational journey towards better holistic health and wellness, which she says is the foundation for an abundant life. Follow Meghan on Instagram. http://www.instagram.com/thatplantbasedgal. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. John Brownstein '94, epidemiologist, professor of biomedical informatics at Harvard Medical School, and chief innovation officer of Boston Children’s Hospital, joins us for an in-depth look at the ongoing pandemic.NOTE: Information shared in this episode was accurate on its release date of February 9, 2022, but may have changed since that time. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An open conversation with Chris Olive about the realities of education, exposing truths and revealing that it is not always what people think it is.

A look into the world of mental health, Samara addresses myths and misconceptions and gives insight into her own cutting-edge research.

Sheri Elefant shares her personal journey, the shift in her career from corporate to non-profit and the things that are most meaningful to her. Originally from New York, Sheri began her professional life in advertising working on product launches and media negotiations in a fast-paced, multi-million dollar industry. The decision to leave Madison Avenue was not difficult, as the greatest and most challenging opportunity of her life lay ahead - raising her kids.Her non-profit career began as co-founder of the Trevor Williams Kids Foundation and she currently serves as the Strategic Development Officer for the Montreal Community Cares Foundation. Prior to this, she co-founded a 21st century non-profit sustainability learning space called Genvironment. She is also a member of the advisory board at Clickto, an edtech startup, which was born out of a need to address the pain points of remote learning as virtual became the new in-person.Sheri is passionate about creating social value and putting youth - our future change makers - at the forefront of social issues, and integrating impact in anything she puts her hands on.Sheri is mother to Samantha '10 (Pre-U '11) and David '12 (Pre-U '13). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mitch Garber talks about his early years, his rise to success and the importance of working hard and giving back.In the early 90s, Mitch hosted a sports radio talk show in Montreal before pursuing a career as a lawyer and businessman. He led the online gambling unit of Caesars Entertainment Group before becoming the Chairman of Cirque du Soleil in 2015. He has been active in the effort to bring baseball back to Montreal, and he is now part owner of the NHL expansion team, the Seattle Kraken. He sits on the boards and leads a number of philanthropic activities in Canada and Israel. He has a BA from McGill University ('86), a law degree from the University of Ottawa ('89), an honorary doctorate from the University of Ottawa ('17), and was awarded the Order of Canada in 2019.Mitch’s journey to success is filled with diverse experiences and is inspirational to a wide range of people of all ages. Mitch is a past LCC parent and husband to Anne-Marie Boucher, a former LCC Board member. He is father to Dylan '12 and Ryan '17 (Pre-U '18). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Matt Cundill '87 joins us for a candid conversation about his background, his journey in broadcasting and shift to the world of podcasting. Matt is one of the best in the business of Canadian broadcasting and podcasting. He says he is grateful to his English teachers who, in his words, taught him how to write, an essential skill for working in media.Matt continues to show support to those who aspire to follow in his footsteps, as he explains that his industry is all about giving back, sharing and teaching. He mentored students of the LCC Green Team, as they launched their own environment-related podcast, The Sustainable Burrito and, most recently, guided LCC in the production of the We Are LCC podcast.Matt’s career in the industry spans 20 years. He was born and raised in Montreal and spent his days listening to radio before working on air. He was program director at top music and talk radio stations across Canada, starting at Montreal’s CHOM 97.7 and eventually landing in Winnipeg. In 2014, Matt had a slight career shift from radio and launched The Sound Off Media Company, helping broadcasters and podcasters increase their audience and the amount of time engaged in their audio, as well as hosting his own podcast The Podcast about Broadcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The We Are LCC podcast is a series of informative and engaging conversations with members of the extended Lower Canada College community, wherever they may be on the planet. We delve into a wide range of diverse and timely issues with experts from a variety of fields. From sustainability to wellness to human rights, there will be something new to learn. Join us with host Kristine Jones, a proud LCC alumna, parent and the school’s Alumni Officer as we explore a variety of topics that encompass who we are as an LCC Community. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.