About

My love for creating imagery began when I started illustrating landscapes and anything related to nature. I love everything about trees. Out in nature, I observe symbiotic relationships between plants and animals that help each other to strengthen their environments. I value this sense of collaboration deeply and it inspires me to make a positive impact as a designer by creating work that strengthens communities, where everyone wins. One of my favourite design projects has been creating some illustrations for this website!

I love hiking on trails and enjoying nature with friends and family in my free time. When I’m by myself, I’m usually hiking with a sketchbook. I also enjoy reading books and making comics. Once a month or so, I head to the library and borrow way too many books, usually graphic novels.

While I love nature, I also love the circus arts, and I know how to juggle three juggling balls! When I was 10, I was fascinated by the circus and I practiced tirelessly until I could juggle three balls as easily as I could ride a bike.

I’m honoured to live and work on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw, Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla.

My focus at iilo is making sure the numbers balance. I love working with numbers and data and knowing that my role on the administrative side of iilo helps Madelen, Lisa, and the team, so everyone can keep doing the good work they do. While I’m not a creative person like the rest of the iilo team, I really admire other people’s creativity.

My favourite days of the week are payroll days! My passion is enjoying the people in my life in amazing places and making memories. I daydream about the places I want to visit in the world (dream location: Europe, to eat fancy food and desserts and drink fancy coffees). I’m a music fan and love going to concerts with Madelen, my concert buddy. I appreciate quiet moments too, like sitting around a campfire looking at the stars, or watching the ocean from the beach. I always enjoy a good TV show and documentary, which may explain why I think I’d make a good soap opera actress!

I’m honoured to live and work within Treaty 6, traditional territory of the nêhiyaw/Cree, Dené, Anishinaabe/Saulteaux, Nakota Isga/Nakota Sioux, and Niitsitapi/Blackfoot peoples, and homeland of the Métis.

My creativity allows me to see connections everywhere: to people, themes, and ideas. I put a lot of trust in serendipity, and am constantly challenging myself to create space to activate new project ideas. I do my best work when I let my intuition lead, so to tune in I usually need to be alone, caffeinated, and interruption-free.

I’m constantly inspired by our clients’ visions to create solutions for a more sustainable world that our children will inherit. I’m impatient and know our time to make meaningful change is limited. That urgency is a pretty good filter for the type of work I’m interested in doing. I lost my dad to cancer a few years ago, so that’s also been surprisingly motivating. When you lose someone you love, YOLO takes a front seat.

I moved to Vancouver Island to be closer to my twin sister so we can raise our young families together. I love going on hikes, building things out of repurposed materials, and puttering in the garden. I also love making stuff with my kids — this summer the challenge is a tree fort!

I’m honoured to live and work on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw, Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla.

Writing, making art, listening to music, and decorating spaces have always been my creative passions. I was inspired by the revolutionary Sassy Magazine — a feminist teen publication in the 90s which blew my mind — to pursue a writing career. This led to work in communications and managing creative teams. I’m so grateful to be doing what I love every day, with good music always playing in the background!

I believe the work we do locally at a micro level to address issues, uplift people, and improve our communities can have a big collective impact globally. The potential for all corners of the world to be filled with healthy communities is what motivates me. Helping our dedicated clients to solve the issues they’re passionate about is how I contribute to this vision.

The website we built for Project Seahorse exemplifies for me how a small group’s work can have a big ripple effect on ecosystems and communities. I’m also inspired by our work for Earnest Ice Cream, which shows that even a fun product like ice cream can have positive impacts on people and the planet.

In my free time, I love thrifting for house stuff, reading, making art with my kids, volunteering for my community league, and walking and cycling around Edmonton.

I’m honoured to live and work within Treaty 6, traditional territory of the nêhiyaw (Cree), Denesuliné (Dené), Anishinaabe (Saulteaux), Nakota Sioux (Stoney), and Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) peoples, and homeland of the Métis Nation of Alberta Region 4.

As a child growing up in Hong Kong, I loved to write and draw. As an adult, I’m fascinated by design thinking and I’ve dedicated my professional life to helping teams and projects succeed. No project is quite the same, so knowing when to follow processes and when to innovate is key.

The spirit of innovation also carries into my life. I began my career as a coder for video games and nearly became a yoga instructor at one point! Currently, with two decades of work experience, my core motivation is to leave the world a better place than before.

I try to enrich my life with different forms of art as much as I can, whether that’s television, movies, museums, comics, or books. I also like to explore cooking, though with mild success. I love to play board games and recently started playing Dungeons & Dragons. On the more active side, I enjoy swimming and running, and have even completed triathlons in the past. My wife and I love to travel and eat, creating the perfect combo for memorable adventures!

I’m honoured to live and work within the traditional territories of the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla, S’ólh Téméxw/Stó:lō, Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group, səl̓ilwətaɁɬ təməxʷ/Tsleil-Waututh, šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmaɁɬ təməxʷ/Musqueam, Skwxwú7mesh-ulh Temíx̱w/Squamish and Stz’uminus peoples.

I’ve owned a sketchbook since I was eight years old. Born and raised in the Philippines, and growing up on BC’s West Coast, I gained a diverse perspective and developed a love for learning and discovery. I enjoy translating abstract concepts, celebrating the unconventional, and applying an analytical eye to design. I’m deeply inspired by nature, which motivates me to bring a holistic and conscious approach to my work.

In my spare time, I like going surfing, spending the day on the beach, taking nature walks with my partner and our dog, and playing board games with friends and family.

I’m honoured to live and work on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Ts’uubaa-asatx, Quw’utsun’, Á,LEṈENEȻ ȽTE (W̱SÁNEĆ), Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group, Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla peoples.

I’m drawn to work and impact that’s long-lasting and soul-enriching; the type that brings generational change to the way people live. At my core, I’m a generalist with a passion for (almost) everything, but I’m most in flow when I’m adding structure to big ideas. Sometimes that looks like shaping a story, organizing a project, or finding clarity in messiness.

I admire all aspects of creativity — whether that shows up as connecting ideas or giving form to thought. One day, I’d love to channel my creativity and compassion into opening an animal sanctuary where abused and endangered animals will be honoured for their intelligence, emotional depth, and meaningful presence in our shared natural world.

For fun, I like to read fantasy books, learn about the nature of our universe, and wander our local forest with my dog, Baloo. I also love to cook (and eat!) and play board games with my friends.

I am honoured and grateful to live and work on the traditional, unceded territories of the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), sc̓əwaθenaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsawwassen), Kwantlen, and Semiahmoo peoples.

I’ve always been drawn to having a creative career. I love to build on my naturally bright, colourful, and playful design style in my greeting cards, and also love the problem-solving that comes with client work and each project’s unique brief.

I’m motivated by the potential my work has to make a difference, however small — whether it’s making someone smile because they received one of my cards, or a reader learning something new through a report I designed. I’m really drawn to educational projects and believe that thoughtful design has the potential to engage and inform the end user in a way that resonates with them and makes a positive difference in their life.

For fun, I host dinner parties, work on home decor projects, sew, and pick up new creative hobbies from time to time (anything from baking to block printing), and I love to travel. I won a beer-holding competition in Austria once, which is hilarious because the prize was beer, and I don’t drink beer at all!

I’m honoured to live and work on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Creativity is a core part of my identity and it influences my work as a graphic designer, and my role as a mother and family member. I’ve recently re-committed to being an artist too. It has been a pleasure to re-discover my art supplies and the meditative nature of making art.

It’s important to me to contribute to my community, support local, and empower others. It feels good to know that the iilo projects I collaborate on align with my values and create positive change in the world in their unique ways.

One of my favourite iilo collaborations is the annual CPHR BC & Yukon annual conference (5 years and counting!). It’s exciting to reimagine this event every year and ride the almost year-long wave all the way to the end, where hundreds of HR professionals experience our work at the big event. I also enjoyed working on the Invasive Species Council of BC brand refresh and illustrating a greeting card while working under Backyard Creative.

Some people may be surprised to know that I live rurally on 1.5 acres of farm land with my extended family in Canada’s first multi-unit certified Passive House, which was designed by my husband and built by him and his brother. During the warmer months, I love to work in my massive food garden, a real labour of love. Speaking of food, I make cooking videos in partnership with my local Community Food Centre to share my passion for cooking simple, nutritious recipes.

I’m honoured to live and work on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the snʕickstx tmxʷúlaʔxʷ (Sinixt).

I love asking, “What if?” and “Why?” Through the years of working with design agencies, as a part of in-house teams, and in my personal life, my favourite part has always been what comes after posing those big, open-ended questions.

My motivation comes from knowing that even the smallest details can make an impact on someone’s life. Imagine walking through an unfamiliar airport and knowing exactly where to go. Or recall the last time something made you smile. I love working in that headspace where creating accessible and joyful designs makes a difference.

For fun, I’m happiest when I’m in the water kayaking or swimming. I spend a lot of time in the garden and at my local ceramics studio. I also love to travel. As an avid sci-fi reader, I’m always on the lookout for more recommendations!

My first project with iilo was a healthcare website (see the case study) and it was great to meet and work alongside other iilo collaborators.

I’m honoured to live and work on unceded and ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

There’s no better feeling when the creative juices are flowing and magic is happening. Either by pen, watercolour, or computer, I love to create meaningful artwork and designs. My work motivates me to learn new ways to see the world and share my love for nature.

I’ve spent most of my life on Vancouver Island, but I was born in India, in a small mountain town called Kodiakannal (needless to say, my favourite food is curry!). I love to get outside and make the most of our island lifestyle. I’m a jack of all sports and an expert at none. Join me on a bike ride, run, hike, or swim! I recently started rock climbing and have unleashed my inner monkey.

My favourite projects with iilo have been the First Peoples Cultural Council’s Indigenous Languages Conference and the Nuxalk Nation branding.

Giving thanks to the Snuneymuxw and Coast Salish on whose traditional and unceded lands we live, work, and grow.

Coding came into my life as a hobby, but it eventually grew into a full-time obsession. Now I’m passionate about coding and delivering precise, exceptional results. It’s all in a day’s work to understand what my clients aim to achieve with their websites and how they want things to look, feel, and operate. The best part is handing over a finished website and seeing that my clients are completely satisfied with it.

Gaming is a big part of my life. I run an online gaming community and built a custom mod for a zombie game. Although I’m all about technology these days, I actually have a degree in Conservation Enforcement and previously worked as a Conservation Officer in Manitoba for seven years. I also enjoy movies, television, reading, gardening, and spending time with friends and family. And I like walking to local cafes — sometimes making a detour to the Vancouver harbour to snap photos of ships at sunset!

I’m honoured to live and work on unceded and ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

My path as a creative is deeply rooted in my connection to nature and community, and my desire to protect our planet. I was born and raised on the coast of Vancouver Island, surrounded by immense natural beauty, my self-starter parents, my fraternal twin brother (we’re in vitro babies, thank you science!), and a supportive community. I developed a deep respect for nature and a unique perspective to do things differently. I apply original approaches to my work and believe the most authentic creative solutions are often ones created by hand.

Playing in the elements and being in harmony with the natural world is still a priority for me. When I’m not in the design studio, you can find me surfing, hiking, and cycle touring. I like to keep up my creative pursuits and also do pottery and printmaking.

My favourite iilo collaboration has been the Georgia Strait Alliance’s annual impact report and illustrations for Earnest Ice Cream. I love supporting environmental groups on a mission to leave the planet better than they found it.

I humbly acknowledge the ancestral territories of the Nuučaanuł Nations on which I gratefully live and work.

With a passion for design, authenticity, and going beyond the ordinary, I bring stories and ideas to life. My years spent working as a designer in both agency and non-profit settings provided unique experiences on both sides of the spectrum: the tenacity and discipline of working in a fast-paced creative agency, and the importance of relationships and client experience in a non-profit realm. I strive to create impact within environmentally and socially-driven businesses and organizations. Beyond the desk, I seek beauty everywhere I can and channel this through painting, photography, and creative living.

I enjoy immersing myself in the natural world through sea kayaking, trail running, hiking, bouldering, and cross country skiing. I balance the adventures with campfire conversations, healthy cooking, painting, reading, and working on puzzles by candlelight. Interestingly, I grew up in the suburbs and never went camping (beyond the backyard) until I was in university. I now live in a tiny house on the ocean and can’t imagine my life without nature’s influence.

My favourite iilo collaboration is working with Vericatch.

I’m honoured to live and work on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the shíshálh and Coast Salish.

I want to make it easier for consumers to make informed choices and vote with their wallets for a more sustainable world. That requires honest and exceptional marketing and communications — and how I do that is through data-driven marketing strategies.

Anything related to story, language, and culture is exciting to me! I’ve been writing poetry, stories, articles, and more since I was a kid. I always have my nose in a new book, but I also have many tactile and visual creative hobbies, like junk journaling and home design. 

In addition to my indoor interests, I also love to get outside, go thrifting, try new cafes, and travel. I’ve been to 16 countries so far, and I’ve lived in Australia and Brazil as well. My next travel goal is to see Canada’s territories and Atlantic provinces.

I’m honoured to live and work within Treaty 6, traditional territory of the nêhiyaw (Cree), Denesuliné (Dené), Anishinaabe (Saulteaux), Nakota Sioux (Stoney), and Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) peoples, and homeland of the Métis Nation of Alberta Region 4.

My mission is to uplift others with curiosity, empathy, and creativity. This core motivation has led me to diverse experiences in tech, non-profit, education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. Wherever I worked, I had always been the go-to person to help others communicate ideas clearly and concisely. Now, I’m excited to share my writing skills with iilo to create positive ripple effects in the world together.

When I’m not writing, I help job seekers and career changers pursue their unique definitions of success through private coaching and group workshops at Relocal. Inspired by my laughter yoga training and love for community-building, I infuse creativity, play, and connection into all that I do. I truly believe that’s how we’ll find new perspectives and innovative solutions to our toughest challenges.

In my spare time, you’ll find me growing food in my front yard (for humans and pollinators) and enjoying walks (preferably flat strolls close to nature or bakeries) with my partner and dog. As a 1.75 generation Chinese Canadian who grew up in Metro Vancouver, I now call beautiful Vancouver Island home.

Gratefully living, working, and being on the unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw people.

I fell in love with the written word at a young age, appreciating how cathartic it can be. Now, I’m a professional writer and editor, getting ready to publish my first children’s book!

I enjoy spending time outside, exploring with my kids and dogs, swimming, doing art (poorly), and not surprisingly, reading. For years, I had planned to become a chef and even went to culinary school, but I much prefer to cook at home instead of a restaurant.

Personally, the most fulfilling part of being a writer is knowing that my efforts contribute to a larger mission — improving lives, fostering community, or supporting those in need. It’s so uplifting to know that my efforts create a ripple effect of positive change. I’m eager to cultivate a sense of shared purpose through my collaborations with iilo!

I’m honoured to live and work on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.

I’ve been a writer, editor, and content strategist for 20+ years. I got my start in magazine publishing, and have produced a wide range of publications — both in print and online. I continue to write for magazines now, but most of my focus is on producing content that helps to educate and engage online audiences.

I’ve always wanted to do work that is meaningful, in the sense that it makes people’s lives a little bit better. As a writer, I’ve had the opportunity to learn and share stories about many impactful people and projects — and the work I’ve done with iilo so far has really taught me a lot.

While English is my first language, people are often surprised to find out that I’m fluently bilingual. I’m originally from Montreal and was educated almost entirely in French. While I get a ton of personal satisfaction from my work, in my spare time I also love to read, swim, and hang out with my family.

I’m honoured to live and work on the traditional and ancestral lands of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) people, otherwise known as Coquitlam.

My writing experience includes co-authoring a book about land conservation published by Rocky Mountain Books, developing marketing and content strategy at a fundraising agency, and writing for a wide variety of print and digital platforms across Canada.

When I became a parent, it reinforced my desire to support causes that matter to me personally: nature conservation and projects that are advancing human rights. With newfound optimism, I’m motivated to focus on writing as an art, and storytelling as a means of sharing impact and inspiring empathy. That’s why I’m thrilled to be collaborating with iilo to amplify meaningful causes.

When I’m not supervising playground time, refereeing bathtime, or trying to help my kids enjoy vegetables, I enjoy gardening, biking, moving furniture around, and watching stand-up comedy. I’m also keen on long, invigorating walks with friends, ideally next to a body of water.

Something that’s surprising about me is that I often have candy in my pockets! Also, I’m most inspired to write by literary fiction authors (Lorrie Moore and Sally Rooney are two current faves) and stand-up comedians (ongoingly obsessed with Mae Martin).

I’m honoured to live and work on the unceded territories of the Lekwungen-speaking peoples, and I acknowledge and respect the Songhees, Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue today.

Krisztina is a web developer and strategist with 25 years’ experience in the non-profit sector. She has a BA in English from UVic, studied non-profit governance at the Justice Institute of BC, and completed an immersive Web Development program at Juno College of Technology in Toronto. Since 2010, she’s been building custom WordPress websites for progressive organizations. Krisztina is committed to creating inclusive, accessible websites and builds to a baseline of WCAG 2.2 AA standards. She approaches projects with empathy and candour and includes clients in technical decisions and accessibility work.

Vancouver, BC, unceded xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sə̓lílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) territories.

Lesli is president of Boldt Communications, a B.C.-based communications firm she founded in 2001. Boldt provides strategic communications and community relations advice and services to leading clients in the public, private and non-profit sectors, helping their clients to achieve their strategic and business goals. Like iilo, Boldt is known for their expertise in values-based approaches to strategic communication, advocacy, public affairs, community relations and non-profit communications. Lesli has deep roots and strong relationships in our communities, and believes in her clients and what they’re trying to achieve.

I’m honoured to live and work on the unceded territories of the Lekwungen-speaking peoples, and I acknowledge and respect the Songhees, Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue today.