Our Team

Meet the dynamic team driving the Multicultural Trail Network's vision for an inclusive outdoors. Our passionate members each contribute their unique perspectives and expertise to our shared mission.

In addition to our dedicated team, our enthusiastic volunteers play a pivotal role in supporting programming and expanding our understanding of diverse experiences. Together, we work tirelessly to build an outdoors that celebrates and uplifts the voices of all backgrounds.

  • Marisa Jimenez, Founder and President of MTN in Calgary

    Marisa Jimenez (She/Her)

    FOUNDER/PRESIDENT

    Marisa has three main passions: working with youth, fighting racism, and playing in the outdoors. She holds a BA in Development Studies and a Masters in Social Work, specializing in International and Community Development. She has over 10 years of experience working with youth, especially those from immigrant and refugee backgrounds. It was through her work she saw a great need for affordable social and recreational programs for youth in Calgary. She is an Outdoor Council of Canada certified Field Leader and is passionate about helping others become comfortable and confident in the outdoors.

    Favourite Outdoor Activities: Hiking, camping, swimming, skiing.

  • Monica Chung, Chair and Treasurer of MTN in Calgary

    Monica Chung (She/Her)

    CHAIR OF BOARD/TREASURER

    A native Calgarian, Monica graduated from the University of Calgary with a BA in Political Science. She has three years of management experience in financial services. Being a second-generation Canadian born into an immigrant family, Monica has personally experienced some of the barriers to participating in outdoor activities and is enthusiastic about facilitating access to BIPoC youth to the outdoors.

    Favourite Outdoor Activities (or ones she’d like to get better at): Hiking, rock climbing, snowboarding.

  • Metok Rubling (She/Her)

    VICE-CHAIR/MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS LEAD

    A Tibetan and second-generation Canadian, Metok spent her childhood years between Canada, Ethiopia and Cambodia and has always felt most comfortable immersed in and surrounded by diverse cultures. She holds a BA in English and has over 10 years of experience in client & community service, program coordination and education. Though she has always carried a love for nature since she was a child, she has a keen awareness of how her experience in outdoor programming has been limited. Through MTN, Metok is excited to be a part of a movement in fostering positive experiences, mental health benefits and confidence for diverse youth through the outdoors.

    Favourite Outdoor Activities: Hiking, snowshoeing, camping.

  • Wendy Luu (She/Her)

    SECRETARY/SOCIAL MEDIA LEAD

    Wendy was born to refugee parents who settled in Banff in the late 1970s. She grew up near the Rocky Mountains but never participated in outdoor activities due to lack of resources, education and representation. She developed a passion for the outdoors much later in life, and now remains infinitely curious about the world around her. Wendy is passionate about providing education and resources with the goal of removing barriers and improving accessibility for BIPoC youth to get outside and go on adventures. Outside of MTN, Wendy works as a nurse for Alberta Health Services. When she is not working, you can find her hiking in the mountains and exploring wherever her curiosity takes her.

    Favourite Outdoor Activities: Hiking, backpacking, camping, and running.

  • Hira Shah (She/Her)

    COMMUNITY & MARKETING CHANGEMAKER

    Born in Pakistan to parents who loved the Himalayan mountains, Hira has always held a strong connection to nature. After immigrating to Calgary and stumbling as a BIPoC family to learn about Canadian outdoor culture, etiquette, and safety, Hira developed a strong passion for conserving this beautiful landscape. She holds a MSc in Conservation Biology so she can better advocate for the protection of Canada's natural resources, and support people from all backgrounds in enjoying the outdoors in a sustainable manner.

    Favourite Outdoor Activities (or ones she’d like to get better at): Hiking, backpacking, snowboarding, and bouldering.

  • Derek Phung (He/Him)

    DATA/RESEARCH ANALYST

    Derek is a 2020 university graduate and budding "outdoorsy person" who is finally beginning to feed his lifelong curiosity about the outdoors. A first-generation Canadian born to refugee parents himself, he is familiar with the cultural and economic barriers between minoritized youth and outdoor recreational activities, and is determined to help reduce these limits. Through a combination of formal training on outdoor fundamentals, socioeconomic perspective, and informal exposure with friends, he looks forward to bridging the experiential gap between outdoor experts and total novices.

    Favourite Outdoor Activities: Hiking, camping, running.