Meet the OP Team!
Jessica Obando Almache
E-Learning Support Technician, Production Guru
Jessica is the powerhouse behind TRU Open Press’s production processes, known for her speed, organization, and creativity. With “skillz for days,” she keeps the team on track and ensures every project runs smoothly. From setting up our project workflow documentation to creating the foundation for our production workflows, her initiative and attention to detail have been pivotal in shaping how we operate. She has fearlessly and expertly handled InDesign, WordPress, Premier Pro video editing software, Pressbooks, and Canva, and many other new technologies as needed, always maintaining a sharp eye for details while still understanding the bigger picture.
Jessica works tirelessly with project developers, ensuring they create innovative educational resources they can be proud of. She brings a deep and intuitive understanding of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), making sure resources are not only impactful for students but also inclusive and accessible. Her dedication has been instrumental in the success of over 30+ projects so far, and she plays a key role in making sure each one delivers maximum value to learners. We’re incredibly fortunate to have her on our team!
Kaitlyn Meyers
Copy Editor and Copyright Auditor, Word Master
Kaitlyn is not only a meticulous Copy Editor but also the backbone of copyright and licensing at TRU Open Press. Her sharp editorial eye ensures that every project meets the highest standards of clarity and precision, making complex educational content more accessible and impactful for learners. She reviews every detail with the utmost care, ensuring that the intended tone, structure, and language are polished and professional, while still engaging.
In addition to her editing expertise, Kaitlyn plays a vital role as our Copyright Auditor, ensuring that all OP projects carry open licenses and that any third-party resources used in these educational materials are properly licensed or have the necessary permissions. She diligently checks that all attributions are accurate, respectful, and aligned with best practices, allowing us to remix, adapt, and modify content responsibly. Her combined focus on editorial quality and copyright accuracy ensures our resources are both innovative and inclusive, while respecting licensing requirements, empowering educators and students alike. We are so fortunate to have Kaitlyn’s expertise on our team!
Marie Bartlett
Instructional Designer, OP Advisory Board Co-Chair
Marie is one of the brilliant minds behind the TRU Open Press initiative, teaming up with the amazing Brenna Clarke Gray to make waves in the world of open education! With her wealth of expertise in curriculum development and crafting open educational resources (OER), she brings a spark of creativity and innovation to every project. Working closely with the Publishing Manager (Dani Collins), Marie is a relentless champion for progress, always keeping the team aligned with their original vision while dreaming up new ways to enhance our processes and outputs.
As a passionate advocate for the TRU Open Press and other ISP initiatives, Marie is all about promoting open educational practices that inspire both in and out of the classroom. Her leadership and forward-thinking mindset fuel the success of TRU Open Press, creating a collaborative environment where creativity flourishes and high-quality, inclusive OER materials are born. We’re lucky to have her steering the ship—let the innovation roll!
Brenna Clarke Gray
Learning and Innovations Coordinator, OP Advisory Board Co-Chair
Brenna is a dynamo of organization, heart, and creativity, making waves as she shapes the TRU Open Press initiative alongside her visionary partner, Marie! With her sharp eye for detail and a talent for turning complexity into clarity, she’s the mastermind behind the OP Advisory Board documents, including the crucial Terms of Reference that steer our mission. But what truly sets Brenna apart is her unwavering dedication to helping others bring their Open Educational Resources to life!
Whether it’s providing technical support or championing the cause of equitable education through OER, she’s all about empowering educators and learners alike. Brenna cultivates a caring and collaborative vibe that sparks fresh ideas and encourages meaningful conversations. Her efforts not only laid the groundwork for our current projects but also forged a path for our future triumphs. We’re beyond excited to have her as our pioneering OP champion, propelling the vision forward with her infectious enthusiasm and expertise!
Brian Lamb
Director, Innovations, OP Advisory Board Interim Co-Chair
Brian Lamb is like the wizard behind the curtain at TRU Open Press! As Director of Innovation and Interim OP Advisory Board Co-chair, Brian brings creativity, vision, and inspiration to everything he touches. He’s also a champion of collaboration, always finding opportunities for his Learning Technology & Innovation (LT&I) group and the Open Press team to work together, learn from one another, and push boundaries in open education.
From the moment Brian took the OP team under his wing, we’ve worked side by side, blending our strengths and expertise. His leadership fosters an environment where technology, education, and creativity come together seamlessly. Whether guiding us with strategic insight or finding innovative ways to make our projects even more impactful, Brian’s influence is felt everywhere. We couldn’t ask for a better person to lead us through the ever-evolving world of open education—he truly helps us make the magic happen!
Vansh Sethi
4th Year, Computer Science Program
January–April 2025, E-Learning Support Technician (Co-op)
Vansh brings his technical expertise and innovative mindset to support our project developers in creating and completing exciting open educational resource (OER) projects. With a knack for web development, document languages, and online learning platforms, he is well-versed in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, XML, RSS, and Wiki Markup. His hands-on experience with teaching and Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Moodle empowers him to supercharge the functionality and interactivity of our OERs. Eager to help craft engaging and innovative content, we’re excited to have Vansh on board to apply his skills and help shape the future of TRU’s OER initiatives. With a collaborative spirit and a knack for solving tricky problems, we believe Vansh will be a key player in driving the success of our OER projects!
Jesse Perkins
3rd Year, Computer Science and Business Administration Program
January–April 2025, E-Learning Support Technician (Co-op)
Jesse joins TRU Open Press with a unique blend of technical acumen and business insight, making him an invaluable addition to our team for the Winter 2025 term. As a dual-degree student in computer science and business administration, Jesse excels at combining technical problem-solving with strategic thinking. His experience as a Technology Specialist has honed his communication skills, allowing him to relay complex technical concepts in a way that is accessible to all. With a strong ability to adapt to dynamic, fast-paced environments, we are excited to have Jesse contribute his skills to help improve and shape TRU’s open education resources. His innovative mindset, collaborative spirit, and strong work ethic are already driving improvements in our resource development. We’re eager to see how his diverse skill set and creative approach will continue to elevate the TRU Open Press initiatives!
Riley Phillips
3rd year Computer Science Program
May–December 2024, E-Learning Support Technician (Co-op)
Riley is part of the technical backbone of TRU Open Press, joining us from a co-op position with the Learning Technology and Innovation team before we were lucky enough to bring him onboard. With a unique blend of technical expertise, and creativity, he approaches challenges with a quiet determination that speaks volumes. His innovative thinking and dedication have been instrumental in elevating the functionality and design of the TRU Open Press website, and the development of all our open education resource projects, ensuring a seamless and user-friendly experience for all. Riley’s contributions showcase not only his technical prowess but also his ability to enhance the overall impact of our resources. We’re excited to see him step into a leadership role on key projects and continue driving innovation forward!
Suleiman Jibril-Ahmed
4th Year Computer Science Program
September–April 2024, E-Learning Support Technician (Co-op)
Jibril is the latest addition to the TRU Open Press team, stepping in as our E-Learning Support Technician co-op, and diving headfirst into the technical excitement of our 2024-2025 OP projects! In just his first week, he wowed us by tackling his first assignment with lightning speed and impressive skillz! This is just the beginning of the amazing things we know he’s capable of. With his solid technical chops and coding experience, Jibril is ready to take on any challenge that comes his way. We’re buzzing with anticipation to see what he’ll achieve next—welcome aboard, Jibril! Let the adventures begin!
Aiko Uehara
5th Year English and Communications
September 2024–April 2025, Copy Editor/ Impact Stories (Co-op)
Aiko is a fresh face of our TRU Open Press team this term and next, diving headfirst into the exciting world of impact evaluation! With a sharp focus on assessing our 2023-2024 OP projects—and even some new 2024-2025 gems as they are developed—she’s already diving into insightful interviews with project developers to unearth the fascinating stories and data that showcase the true impact of our OP efforts. Her passion for crafting compelling impact stories is only rivaled by her dedication to collecting the quantifiable goodies that will supercharge our promotional materials and impact assessments. Aiko’s collaborative spirit and zest for learning are already making a splash, and we can’t wait to see the fantastic contributions she’ll add to our team. Welcome aboard, Aiko—we’re absolutely thrilled to have you join us on this exciting adventure!
Ananya Kamboj
3rd year Software Engineering program
May–August 2024, Copy Editor/ Impact Stories (Co-op)
Ananya was an absolute gem on the TRU Open Press team this past summer! She dove into the heart of our projects, expertly assessing their impact and significance against the criteria in the ISP Open Press proposal. With her quiet confidence and friendly approach, she made interviewing project developers and students feel like a breeze, sparking meaningful conversations and insights. Her dedication to getting everything just right really stood out, especially in the captivating impact stories she crafted for our completed 2023-2024 projects. Ananya’s skills and collaborative spirit truly left a mark on us, and we have no doubt that the experiences she gained here will propel her to new heights. Thank you, Ananya—you’ll always have a home at TRU Open Press, and we can’t wait to see where your amazing journey takes you next!
Greg Vilac
2nd Year Computer Science Program
May–August 2024, E-Learning Support Technician (Co-op)
Greg was a rockstar during his co-op term with TRU Open Press, making waves with his tech wizardry, creative problem-solving, and innovative spirit! He dove headfirst into migrating the Plumbing Apprentice Level 2 books to Pressbooks and whipped up a brilliant script for the IJEDE journal that’s set to save us countless hours for years to come. His knack for streamlining processes, especially with the Reclaim migration and IJEDE article galleys, truly showcased his efficiency superpowers! We’re beyond grateful for Greg’s dedication, professionalism, and can-do attitude—he’s left a lasting mark on our team. Greg, you’ll always have a spot in the TRU Open Press family, and we can’t wait to see where your incredible talents take you next. Good luck on your future adventures!