MEET THE TEAM
Consuelo Gundermann - Lead ECE/Program Manager/Children’s Book Illustrator
I’m originally from Chile, where I worked as a Graphic Designer. While I had always been connected to children in various ways, it wasn’t until I moved to Toronto that I began working with them actively. In 2018, life brought me to Salt Spring Island, where I’ve been growing as an educator ever since.
When I completed my first practicum at Little Red, I quickly fell in love with the program, the team—and, of course, the children! It’s been a joy to continue working at Little Red while having my daughter, Clara, alongside me.
I love our forest adventures, and inspiring children to connect with and care for the natural world. I’m also an enthusiastic gardener, a children’s book illustrator, and a passionate fan of the outdoors.
Joanne Fisher - ECE/Musician/Epic Story Teller
Some of my best memories growing up were camping and canoeing on the still lakes and cross-country skiing through the quiet forests of Ontario. The peacefulness of nature has always impressed me. After a long career in social work and community development work in Toronto, I saw how people were becoming increasingly disconnected from nature and felt that the need to protect mother earth was becoming more important than ever. Books by David Sobel and Richard Louv inspired me to seek opportunities to mentor children in nature, after all, they are the future earth protectors! I moved out west around 2011 to live a life closer to nature and eventually completed my Early Childhood Education diploma in 2016. Sobel says “Give children a chance to love the earth before we ask them to save it.” This quote has inspired me to do what I do. I am immensely grateful and honoured to play a role in the childrens lives and to be a part of the amazing Little Red team! What a wonderful community we have! I spend my other time gardening, crafting, foraging, playing guitar, backpacking and climbing mountains with my sweetheart, Chris.
Rowyn George - RA/Sound Effect Extraordinaire/Gathering Weaver
Hello, my name is Rowyn Jade George. My father is a hereditary chief of the Wet’suwet’en Nation and my mother’s people descend from the British Isles. My parents loved to refer to my sister and I as “A living treaty”and I’ve always liked the sound of that. I know I have been bestowed great strength and power from both my mother and father.
I have lived on the West Coast my whole life, hopping between these beautiful islands. And though I didn’t grow up on the Yintah (Wet’suwet’en territory) or the British isles, I am very happy with where I have lived and I am incredibly grateful for being able to live, work and play within the ancestral and unceded traditional territory of the Hul’qumi’num and SENĆOTEN speaking peoples.
I am happiest outside playing with animals or children and creating beautiful memories with family and friends. I also enjoy painting, crafting and reading. For these reasons and many others I feel overwhelmed with gratitude that I found Little Red and that Little Red found me.