Our Team
Know History’s core team is comprised of formally trained historians, each with their own unique skills and subject-matter expertise, and all with a shared passion for unlocking the past for our clients. If you would like to join the Know History team check out our current job postings.
Ryan Shackleton, MA
Chief Executive Officer
As CEO, Ryan is involved in most aspects of the company. He has more than 15 years’ experience in historical consulting, and expertise in both Arctic and Métis histories. Ryan has worked throughout Canada on hundreds of projects and relies on his broad network to build an exceptional team for every one of Know History’s clients.
Connie Wren-Gunn, MA
Lead Director of Research
Connie manages the company’s corporate policy development, culture, and communications. She is a project lead with extensive archival research experience, training in artefact and document cataloguing, and a keen interest in oral history interviewing and research. With a background in corporate communications, Connie brings exceptional writing skills to our team, authoring many of Know History’s reports.
Alice Glaze, PhD
Director of Research
Alice is an award-winning historian with a keen interest in the digital humanities and extensive research experience in both Canadian and British history. She takes pride in producing high-quality work for a broad set of clients, and is proficient in genealogical research, database design, Social Network Analysis and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Alice particularly enjoys bringing together the historical and the digital with each new project.
Nicole Marion-Patola, PhD
Director of Research
Nicole is a fluently bilingual historian with extensive experience with both digital and traditional archival collections. She has experience planning, interviewing, transcribing and analyzing oral histories. Nicole is a published author, specializing in Canadian social and political history.
Emily Keyes, MA
Director of Research
Emily is trained in facilitation and has led many of Know History’s Traditional Knowledge and Land Use studies. She is experienced in conducting oral history interviews. Emily plays a key role in leading projects, designing project methodology, and providing training to staff at Know History.
Tom Van Dewark, MA
Director of Western Operations
Tom directs Know History’s operations in our Calgary office. He is a public historian with a breadth of professional expertise. This includes the production of historical documentaries, oral history interviewing, and report writing. As a project lead, Tom continues to oversee interdisciplinary teams across Canada.
Alison Begley, BComm
Director of Human Resources
Alison has over 15 years of experience working with private companies in Human Resources. She manages Know History’s payroll and benefits and assists with corporate policy development; but her particular expertise is in recruitment and contracting. Alison’s strength lies in finding the kind of passionate people Know History wants on its team, and ensuring our team members get the chance to develop their potential and reach their career goals.
Elina Hill, MA
Director of Registries
Elina oversees Know History registry projects, working with Indigenous clients to customize systems to best support rights assertion and programs. An experienced project manager, Elina develops standard operating procedures and best practices for citizen and harvester registries, and manages registry teams (from client services, to research, quality control, and data management). Elina has worked with Indigenous organizations from across Canada to research and write about traditional knowledge, land use, reserve creation, and more.
Ashley Henrickson, MA
Director of Outreach and Partnerships
Ashley is a passionate historical researcher and educator. She has engaged audiences through print publications, museum programming, and exhibitions. Ashley brings strong communication skills and expertise in archival research to Know History’s projects.
Beth Sollis, MA
Chief of Staff
Beth is a versatile historical researcher with experience in project management, data entry and archival research. Beth specializes in women’s history and material culture. She also has a background in working with diverse historical sources such as early print materials, rare book collections, advertisements and film. Beth currently applies her valuable research and archival skills to our projects.
Karine Duhamel, PhD
SENIOR ADVISOR
Karine is renowned Anishinaabe-Métis historian. She served as Director of Research for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, drafting the Final Report and managing its Forensic Document Review Project and Legacy Archive. She was formerly an Adjunct Professor at the University of Winnipeg and Director of Research for Jerch Law Corporation. From 2016 to 2018, she also served as Curator at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Karine brings her exceptional research and communication skills to Know History, providing invaluable advice and guidance to our team and clients.
Lyle Dick, MA, LLD
Senior Advisor
Lyle Dick is a public historian with more than 40 years’ experience in research and publication in Arctic, Inuit, and Western Canadian history as well as Cultural Resource Management (CRM). He has led or served on national and international CRM teams in Western, Northern and Central Canada, and in Europe. A former President of the Canadian Historical Association, he also served on advisory committees of the Canadian Museum of History and the National Capital Commission. Lyle brings research and writing expertise to Know History and provides our associates with training and mentorship.
Elizabeth Todd Doyle, MA
SENIOR ADVISOR
Elizabeth has more than 25 years’ experience in the museum and heritage fields in Ottawa and on the west coast. She led the education and programming departments at the Museum of Vancouver and the Portrait Gallery of Canada before founding Todd Doyle Heritage Services to develop public-facing projects, create interpretive plans, and produce interpretive text and immersive digital experiences for a variety of clients. Elizabeth is an acknowledged storyteller, as well as an expert in the use of culture in building citizenship.
Stacey Devlin, MA
Digital Innovation Manager
Stacey is a meticulous archival researcher who excels at digital history and historical GIS services. She complements many of our projects with ingenious digital solutions that often speed up the research process, or encourage a deeper level of analysis. Stacey is also skilled at genealogical research, and employs Social Network Analysis methodologies to interpret and evaluate historical kinship and community data for our clients.
Kierstin Stewart, MA
MNO Registry Manager
Kierstin’s background includes museum exhibit, collections management, archival research, oral history interviewing, and culture and heritage education work in both Ottawa and the Cayman Islands. She recently expanded her knowledge of Canadian history as a volunteer for the City of Ottawa Museums. Kierstin currently applies her valuable archival and genealogical research skills to our projects.
Jennifer Bate, MA
Historical Researcher
Jennifer is a skilled writer with a background in documentary filmmaking, digital history, and heritage conservation. She has extensive research experience using digital and archival materials and is specialized in cemetery conservation. She also has experience in conducting oral history interviews, and interview transcription. Jennifer is passionate about public history and has been involved with creating physical and digital museum exhibitions.
Charles Syms, BTech
Software Developer
Charles is a bilingual software developer who specializes in both web and application development, with experience spanning multiple languages, frameworks, and industries. He is passionate about technology and loves a challenge, using his expertise to further Know History’s digital projects and infrastructure.
Skylee-Storm Hogan-Stacey, MA
Historian
Skylee-Storm has worked primarily with residential schools history and legal history on Crown-Indigenous relations in Canada. She has a particular interest in digital history, and recently created a popular map with Story Maps GIS called “Walk With Chief Shingwauk” for the community of Sault Ste Marie. Skylee also has expertise in digital repatriation and accessibility. Her strong archival research and writing skills are a great asset to Know History’s projects.
Todd Brown, MA
Historical GIS Specialist
Todd has a background in historical research and environmental science. He has previously worked with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada providing research services and writing reports for the Residential School Settlement Agreement. Todd also has experience providing GIS services, genealogy research, and conducting map biography interviews.
Emily Cuggy, MA
Historical Researcher
Emily specializes in genealogical research, built heritage, and collections management. Skilled at writing and editing, Emily has applied these talents to a number of print and online projects. She has also worked on several oral history projects as an interviewer and transcriber. As co-producer of Know History’s podcast, Notice History, Emily focuses on audio editing, production, and creative direction.
Sara Wilmshurst, MA
Historian
Sara is a relentlessly curious historical researcher with a background in health history, food history, and the history of charitable organizations. She has performed extensive online and archival research, is proficient in genealogical research, and also has training and experience in fundraising. Sara enjoys writing and her portfolio ranges from the academic to the journalistic.
Nick Johnston, MA
Historical Researcher
As an adaptive historical researcher, Nick has worked on projects exploring Canadian folk history, foreign policy, and urban development. Familiar with both digital and physical archival collections, he is skilled in locating and digitizing records. With Know History, Nick has transcribed oral history interviews on a variety of subjects. He also puts his eye for detail to work in citing, organizing, and preparing document collections to support our reports.
Anna Kuntz, MA
Historical Researcher
Anna has significant experience working in a variety of private, corporate and government archival institutions across the country, and specializes in genealogy research in both digital and paper formats. A skilled image research expert, Anna has reviewed hundreds of thousands of photos, and is just as comfortable securing image rights, captioning, and tracking credits, as she is at ensuring that our clients get the best images for their needs.
Deanna McAvoy-Bailey, MA
Historical Researcher
Deanna has a background in Canadian Archaeology with a focus on British Columbian and Arctic zooarchaeology. While working in environmental consulting, she spent most of her time in the boreal forests of Alberta and BC looking for archaeology sites and working alongside local First Nations communities. Deanna has a keen interest in the history of war, excels at data management, and has experience with archival research, report writing, and both archaeological and historical artifact analysis.
Robin Mullins, MA
Historical Researcher
Robin has extensive experience conducting research for corporate companies. She specializes in delivering market research for a variety of business needs, including competitive intelligence, strategic planning, licensing programs and business cases. Robin is also proficient in both archival and genealogical research. She is co-producer of Know History’s podcast, Notice History.
Thomas Berton, BA
Historical Researcher
With a degree in Canadian Studies, Thomas has had the opportunity to study Canadian social, political and cultural history and has worked on several archival research projects. He also has many years of experience in the service industry where he developed strong problem-solving and communication skills. Thomas is excited to combine those skills with his passion for history and research to provide exceptional service to Know History clients.
MacKenzie Brash, MA
Historical Researcher
MacKenzie is a public historian with a background in Canadian and Maltese history. She has worked at historical sites in Ontario and Malta as a tour guide, curatorial assistant, researcher, and as monument conservator. MacKenzie brings her extensive archival and genealogical research experience to our projects.
Meagan Breault, MA
Historical Researcher
Meagan has a background in modern European history. She has experience in Indigenous history and digital Geographic Information Systems (GIS), earned at the University of Saskatchewan’s HGIS Lab. Meagan brings experience in archival research, freelance research, and a passion for history to her role at Know History.
Jane Campbell, MMSt
Historical Researcher
Jane has a background in Canadian history and anthropology, and is passionate about social history and intersectional historical analysis. She has worked across Canada in a variety of research positions in the heritage sector, including work in archival reference, museum exhibition design, and policy analysis. Jane brings her community consultation skills and energetic approach to research to Know History’s projects.
Samantha Clark, MSc
Historical Researcher
Samantha is a passionate historical researcher. With a background in Canadian and British social history Samantha has worked in archives and museums in both Canada and the UK. She has managed and curated exhibitions, as well as assisted with collections management. Her keen curiosity and archival research experience are an asset to the Know History Team.
Casandra Dana, BA
Client Services Lead
Casandra has a degree in English and Communications, and is a passionate and resourceful individual who has extensive experience with client relations and communication. This, coupled with a keen interest in Canadian history and community-based research, enables her to meet Know History’s client needs knowledgeably and efficiently.
Victoria Doran, MA
Historical Researcher
Victoria is a passionate historical researcher with experience in archaeology, material culture analysis, symbolic analysis and cataloguing. In recent years she participated in an archaeological dig, where she further developed her interpretive skills and gained hands-on experience working with artefacts. Her interests lie primarily in the study and preservation of history, cultural heritage management, and the sharing of knowledge.
Sarah Dougherty, PhD
Historical Researcher
Sarah is a published historian with a background in Canadian history and a particular interest in local history. She has worked on projects involving exhibition creation, and the history of arts and culture in Canada. Sarah has extensive experience in archival research and historical writing.
Christine Englot, MA
Historical Researcher
Christine has a background in bioarchaeology, classical studies and heritage studies, and is passionate about learning and writing on topics concerning identity and heritage in everyday life. Working in various collections and archives she has experience in research, writing and digitization in museum settings. Most recently, she helped to develop and organize a digital image archive/database with the aid of local volunteers at Northumberland National Park in the UK.
Claudine Fortin, MA
Historical Researcher
Claudine Fortin is a bilingual public historian who has worked at several historical sites and organizations, including the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa and a heritage house in her home region of Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Québec. She is particularly interested in sharing her passion for social and 20th century history through various mediums, such as radio, television, cinema and social media. Claudine has created a large range of resources for the public, including a radio program and an educational pack for primary school children.
Michaela Francis, MA
Historical Researcher
Michaela has a background in sociocultural anthropology, with a focus on the politics of belonging within First Nations communities across Canada. She has an extensive background in customer service, with strong inter-personal and problem solving skills. Michaela loves a good challenge and pushing herself out of her comfort zone. Her bilingualism and outgoing demeaner, coupled with her background in Indigenous relations, help to foster great relationships with prospective Know History clients.
Jamie Gallupe, BAH
Client Service Advocate
Jamie has a degree in International Development Studies and Anthropology, with a focus in Indigenous relations. She is passionate about community engagement and the study of cultural preservation. She has extensive experience in community-based research, administration, and client support.
Leanne Gaudet, MA
Historical Researcher
Leanne is a published art historical researcher who specializes in Canadian art and women’s histories. She has worked on projects involving the history of Canadian photography, material culture studies, Canada 150 initiatives and art gallery exhibition preparation. Leanne has a background in Art History, art gallery practices and collections management.
Nick Gillen, MA
Historical Researcher
Nick has a background in military history with a focus on First World War commemoration. He has experience working with museum collections and archival sources in Canada and Germany. Nick now applies his passion for history towards our projects.
Mark Goudie, MA
Historical Researcher
Mark graduated from New York University with an MA in Public History and Archives, and has experience working in museums, archives, and libraries in Canada and the United States. He has designed museum educational programs, worked for a heritage nonprofit, and conducted background research for museum exhibitions and books. Mark now contributes his experience and passion for history to our projects.
Rimsha Hamid
Senior Client Service Advocate
Rimsha has a background in client services, communication, and administration. With a diploma in General Arts and Science from Loyalist College in Belleville, she is highly detail-oriented and organized. Rimsha’s superior interpersonal skills and welcoming manner ensure that Know History’s clients receive the best service and attention from their very first interaction with our company.
Jenna Klassen, MA
Historical Researcher
Jenna is a published historian with a research background in Canadian immigration and ethnicity, material culture, and gender history. She has experience working in archival institutions and with museum artifact collections. In addition to historical research, Jenna has worked in the public history sector as a collections manager and museum curator.
Lauren Luchenski, MA
Historical Researcher
Lauren is a public historian with a passion for storytelling and social history. She is particularly interested in sharing underrepresented histories, which she has applied to her work in archives, museums, historical sites, and on community history projects. She brings her strong background in oral history interviewing as well as writing and editing for public audiences to projects at Know History.
Emily Manson, MSc
Historical Researcher
Emily has a background in Canadian and British history and a particular interest in local history. She has worked and volunteered at a number of historical sites and organizations in both Canada and Scotland, where she has worked as an interpreter, a tour guide, a researcher and writer, and a program developer. She has undertaken research in a variety of areas such as food history, educational history, and nineteenth- and twentieth-century settlement in Canada. Emily brings her dedication to meticulous research practices and enthusiasm for archival research to the Know History team.
Casandra Masse, MA
Historical Researcher
Casandra is a bilingual researcher with a background in historical research, archaeology, and museums. She has worked as a collections manager, museum curator, archaeologist, and on repatriation projects around the world, including Thailand, England, and the Caribbean. Her passion for history is shared through volunteering at local museums and publishing newspaper articles.
Elizabeth McLeod, BA, BSW
Historical Researcher
With an academic background in Canadian history, Elizabeth’s research interests include decolonization and Indigenous history. She has experience conducting historical research for First Nations legal claims, and has also worked in the healthcare sector as a social worker. Elizabeth brings her writing skills and passion for community-based research to Know History.
Andrew Narraway, MA
Historical Researcher
Andrew is a historical researcher with a background in Indigenous and sport histories, including a special interest in the social history of hockey. He has significant experience working in both government and church archives, curating museum collections, and historical writing. Andrew brings his knowledge of Indigenous historiography and his passion for Canadiana to the Know History team.
Danica Renke, MA
Historical Researcher
Danica has a background in Canadian military history, with a focus on women during the Second World War. She has also worked with municipal museums to explore and present local history. With a keen eye for detail and experience researching in different archives around Canada, Danica is a valuable resource on Know History projects.
Tanyss Sharp, MA
Historical Researcher
Tanyss is a historical researcher with a background in early modern European history, religious history and women’s history. During her Master's studies she gained hands-on library and archive experience in England and Belgium. Tanyss is detail-oriented and adept at paleography, a skill she earned while working with 16th-18th century documents.
Andrew Taber, MA
Historical Researcher
Andrew is a skilled historical researcher. An Early Modern historian, Andrew’s research interests include Canadian, British and European history. He also has an avid interest in the regional history of southern Quebec and how museums integrate themselves within their local communities. Andrew currently applies his research skills and passion for history to our projects.
Kyla Vachon, BA
Human Resources Associate
Kyla is an HR Professional with an HRM certificate from Algonquin College; and three-plus years of experience in recruitment and HR services. She is responsible for recruitment and selection, health and safety, onboarding, and administering benefits and payroll. With a BA in Psychology from Carleton University; Kyla is passionate about fostering equal opportunities, healthy environments, and professional development that empowers team members to thrive.
Kirsty Walker, MA
Historical Researcher
With an Advanced Diploma in Applied Museum Studies, Kirsty has experience working in museums, archives, and libraries, and specializes in collections management, collections care, artifact digitization, and archival description and transcription. Working closely with donors and institutions, she has completed archival and online research for a variety of exhibitions, collections, and educational programming purposes. She is a skilled genealogical researcher, and has experience transcribing oral history interviews.
Paige Walker, MA
Historical Researcher
Paige has a background in religious and social history, with a focus on gender studies. Familiar with print and digital archives, Paige has worked as a transcriptionist of oral history interviews and has extensive experience working with ecclesiastical records. She has exceptional writing skills and has worked as a Book Review Editor and a Writing Councillor. Paige now contributes her research skills and passion for history to our projects.
Basma Saad, BSc
Historical Researcher
Basma has a BSc in Political Science and History and over six years of administrative experience. She has worked in a variety of professional fields including communications, law, and healthcare. With a passion for the arts, her articles and photographs have been published in numerous magazines. Basma is responsible for daily administrative tasks and finances and helps out on Know History projects.