Shaun D. Olafson

I'm a co-founder of the Vancouver Independent School for Science and Technology (VISST), Vancouver's first STEM high school, where we are re-imagining the high school experience with an emphasis on student buy-in and deeper connection to the real world. My co-founder and the Principal of the school is Mike Gelbart, the previous Co-Director/Founder of the UBC Master of Data Science Program.

Before starting VISST, I co-founded Kiddy Junction Academy, where we built award winning childcare environments with a philosophy based around giving children more respect and autonomy, and viewing them as fundamentally capable.

I hold an ACG designation as an associate member of the Chartered Governance Institute of Canada through their International Qualifying Program, and besides my work at VISST, enjoy giving back to the community via board work. I currently sit on the Board of Directors at the Greater Vancouver Community Credit Union as Chairperson, and the Vancouver Reggio Association as Treasurer and Governance Officer.

I love to improve, and spend my free time working out, creating things, and connecting with new people through dance and language study. I studied Economics and Cognitive Systems at UBC, and have a passion for Philosophy and AI ethics.