Ever since I can remember, I've been the person people call when things go sideways — the natural solution-finder. Little did I know this would become my life's calling. I'm Katrina — caregiver coach, advocate, media producer, and yes, "crisis" is literally one of my services.

I'd been "working on myself" for years — therapy, yoga, meditation, self-help books, healthy eating, personal development programs — all of it. I learned a lot and I grew. And when my mom's young-onset dementia diagnosis hit in 2015, it flipped everything I thought I knew.

It was hard. Really hard. As in "I suck" and "how can this be happening" hard. The one thing I'd never been good at was my relationship with my mom, and now it was smacking me in the face. The love was there but the friendship wasn't, and as per our usual routine, I pushed back on her. With dementia in the mix, our usual was not sustainable. For decades I'd been focused on changing her. Now I could see the only way through was to change me. I did.

As a producer, you learn to "make it happen" no matter what — there is yes, no, and a third option. I started applying that same instinct to caregiving and the medical system — discovering opportunities, suggesting things outside the box or the usual go-to.

I could see people struggling with the same things I had — confused, alone, stuck trying to navigate a healthcare system that wasn't built for patients, let alone caregivers. The same things I'd leaned on personally, I went on to train in formally — certified health coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, yoga teacher training — while drawing on frameworks like core energetics and other somatic practices to support the emotional side of caregiving, not just the practical side.

I share what I’ve learned with other caregivers going through the same thing so they don’t have to be as alone as I was.

Let's connect — book a free intro call today.

  • Care Nation Society
    Non-profit dedicated to connecting caregivers, building community, and advocating for stronger, more compassionate support systems. (Active and ongoing)

    Close to Home
    Program bringing social programming directly into apartment buildings and residences to reduce isolation among seniors and community members. Now being run by Wesn. (Handed off, still active)

    One Day’s Pay
    Funding funnel directing money earned from paid days off on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to Indigenous-led organizations. (Active)

    Chop Swap
    Community zero-waste initiative swapping disposable chopsticks for reusables to eliminate single-use waste. Runs annually and open for volunteers. (Seasonal/active)

    West End Free Kitchen
    Grassroots community meal service providing hot, nourishing food for people living rough in Vancouver’s West End. Paused/ended around COVID. (Past initiative)

  • Institute for Integrative Nutrition (in partnership with Teachers College, Columbia University) — Certified Health Coach
    Comprehensive training in holistic nutrition, wellness coaching, and integrative health.

    IKYTA (International Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association) — Level 1 Certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher
    Foundational certification in Kundalini Yoga teaching and practice.

    Eckhart Tolle School of Awakening — Graduate
    Advanced immersion in presence, consciousness, and spiritual awakening.

    Inner MBA (Sounds True) — Graduate
    9-month program blending mindful leadership, emotional intelligence, and conscious business practices.

    INELDA (International End-of-Life Doula Association) — Death Doula Training
    Training in end-of-life companionship, grief support, and doula care for the dying and their loved ones.

  • Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) Client Family Advisory Committee

    BRAIN Program (Building Resources and Accessibility In Neurology) – UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences – Patient Educator

    Centre for Healthy Aging – Advisory for Patients and Caregivers (new St. Paul’s Hospital, Providence Health Care)

    Simon Fraser University (SFU) – Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities of Navigating Community and Healthcare Systems Among Informal Caregivers of Older Adults: Towards Communication-Oriented Care – Lived Experience Contributor / Advisor

    Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre – Board Member

    Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence – Former Co-Chair Caregivers CAN; Champions Table; 2023 Caregiver Advocacy Award Winner

    Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (CHÉOS) – Work Loss Productivity Study

    Canadian Dementia Learning and Resource Network (CDLRN, part of Research Institute on Aging)

    UBC Gateway Evaluation and Research Working Group – Advisor

    BC Office of the Seniors Advocate – Lived Experience Expert

    Dr. Matthias Hoben Research Advisory Group on Quality of Life & Care (York University / University of Alberta)

    Providence Health Care – Coordinating Care: Shared Care and Virtual Health

    BC Centre for Palliative Care

    British Columbia Law Institute & Canadian Centre for Elder Law

    Dementia Connections Magazine

    St. Paul’s Hospital – Carers Program – Participant

    St. Paul’s Hospital – Dementia Resiliency Clinic & Mindfulness-Based Dementia – Participant

    UBC Caregiving Study – Lived Experience Educator

    UBC Patient Centered Care Activity (Pharmacy) – Lived Experience Educator

    Patient and Community Partnership for Education (UBC Health) – Health Mentor

    West End Seniors Network – Close to Home program - Founder

    Westside Seniors Hub – Volunteer Advisor

    Family Caregivers of BC – Volunteer (pre-COVID)

    Alzheimer Society of BC – Leadership Group of Caregivers (dissolved)