Hi, I’m Joel
Welcome to my site. Thank you for visiting.
My life has been built through a good mixture of nature and nurture. Growing up with a potato field behind the house and Lake Huron only a short walk away, I was surrounded by open spaces and the natural world. Those spaces gave me time to ask questions, stay active, learn new things, explore, and get dirty in the mud.
I currently reside in Kitchener, Ontario where I am the curriculum technologist at Wilfrid Laurier University. At Laurier, I use my love of technology and education to support faculty, implementing new and existing technologies into their teaching.
In addition to my love of education and technology, I have an affinity for craft beer. In 2019, having already worked at multiple breweries in the region, I became a Prud’homme beer sommelier.
I consider myself an aspiring marine mammal researcher. My love of cetaceans first started when I saw Free Willy in the theatre with my grade 2 class. A trip to Marineland with my family cemented my love of whales. That passion has led to opportunities studying whales in the Bay of Fundy and Puerto Rico.
As a naturally curious person, I am always asking questions and looking for information. I was that kid in the grocery cart asking my mom, “what’s this?” every chance I got. Now, I’m that person who ‘Googles’ everything! My curiosity has led me to complete a bachelor’s degree in Biology, a certificate in Geographic Information Systems, and a second bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science.
While not working, I can be found hiking in one of Ontario’s beautiful parks, playing my guitar, building websites, learning new software, painting, writing, reading, discovering new music, or on patio having a beer with a friend.

Marine Mammals

My passion for marine mammals started at a young age. Inspired by the movie Free Willy and a family trip to Marineland, my natural curiosity encouraged me to seek out real-world opportunities to learn more about these creatures. Experiences include a university level field course studying marine mammals in the Bay of Fundy, and multiple opportunities assisting a PhD candidate with their humpback whale research in Puerto Rico.
Technology

My mom and dad owned a sign business for most of my childhood. I found the intersectionality of digital design and physical production to be fascinating. My love for technology and design comes from days watching my dad create something from nothing. Since then, I have spent countless hours learning new programs, honing my design skills, and creating through technology.
Beer

To support myself through university, I worked part-time at a local craft brewery. My love of people and beer led me to work at four different breweries over 15 years. As a beer educator, I find it rewarding introducing people to the world of beer. I have obtained my Prud’homme Beer Certification® Beer Sommelier certificate and I am currently working towards becoming a Certified Cicerone®.
Causes I Support
I was told at a young age, that I could can give my time, talent, and treasures to support important causes. I am very fortunate to have been able to support some meaningful causes close to my heart. Below are a short list of organizations and events that I have supported in the past few years and continue to support:
To Save A Bro, Grow A Mo
Proud supporter of Movember
For the last 13 years I have supported Movember. Movember is the leading charity changing the face of men’s health on a global scale. With a focus on mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer Movember has funded more than 1,250 men’s health projects around the world since 2003.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
Wilfrid Laurier University
Honours Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science / 2022
Conestoga College
Certificate, Geographic Information Systems / 2016
Wilfrid Laurier University
Honours Bachelor of Arts, Biology
Minors: Psychology, History & Philosophy of Science / 2010
Employment
Curriculum Technologist
Wilfrid Laurier University / 2021 – present
Educational Technologies Administrator
Wilfrid Laurier University / 2016 – 2021
Manager: Training & Quality Assurance
Orbis Communications Inc. / 2011 – 2016
Vice President: Public Affairs
Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union / 2009 – 2010
Certifications
- Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C / 2024
- Drone Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations / 2024
- Drone Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations / 2022
- Instructional Skills Workshop / 2019
- Prud’homme® Beer Sommelier / 2019
- Mental Health First Aid / 2017
- Small Vessel Operator Proficiency / 2016
- Cicerone® Certified Beer Server / 2015
- Disney’s Approach to Quality Service / 2015
- Pleasure Craft Operator Card / 2010
- Smart Serve Certificate / 2005
- National Coach Certification Program Level 1 / 2003
Computer Skills
- Acoustic & Video Software (Adobe Captivate, Camtasia Studio, Raven Pro, Acoustica, Ishmael)
- Adobe Design Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver)
- Articulate Storyline 2 and Articulate Studio
- ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS 10.3
- Coding languages (HTML, CSS, HTML5, CSS3, PHP, jrxml, XML, JSP)
- Content Management Systems (WordPress, Drupal, Joomla)
- Databases (Access, SQL, MySQL, Banner/Oracle)
- Learning Management Systems (Moodle, Desire2Learn Brightspace Learning Environment, Blackboard)
- Orbis Communications Experiential Learning Management Software
- Salesforce CRM
- Social Media & Networking Software (Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, GoToMeeting, Skype, Hangouts, LYNC)
Conferences & Events
- Society of Marine Mammalogy, 2017, Attendee
- Orbis Communications Inc. Symposium, 2014, Presenter – Events Calendar, Co-Curricular Record
- Canadian Public Relaions Society Elevate, 2009, Attendee