CanHist Team
Neil Orford
Valerie Copeland
Valerie Copeland
Founder, Defining Moments Canada Ltd.
President, CanHist.ca
For nearly 40 years, Neil Orford has brought his passion for telling Canadian history stories to his work as a teacher, presenter, writer and entrepreneur. A graduate of both York University and the Univerity of Toronto, Neil founded Canadian Historical Education Services, Ltd (C
Founder, Defining Moments Canada Ltd.
President, CanHist.ca
For nearly 40 years, Neil Orford has brought his passion for telling Canadian history stories to his work as a teacher, presenter, writer and entrepreneur. A graduate of both York University and the Univerity of Toronto, Neil founded Canadian Historical Education Services, Ltd (CanHist.ca), in 2013, leading some of Canada’s most important national commemorations over the last decade. An Ontario history teacher for 31 years, Neil is a recipient of both the Governor General’s and Ontario Premier’s Award for History Teaching. His ground-breaking Digital Historian Project© won the 2015 Government of Canada History Award, and he is the recipient of the Canada 125 Medal and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. Neil has been featured on CBC’s “The National”, TVO’s “The Agenda”, and in numerous articles across Canada.
He has written for major Canadian publications and is a regular presenter at conferences and workshops.
Valerie Copeland
Valerie Copeland
Valerie Copeland
Director of Communications
Promotions & Outreach
Valerie, a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University with an Honours BTech in Graphic Communications Management specializing in Marketing, has built a remarkable career spanning almost two decades. Since earning her degree in 2005, she has honed her expertise in graphic design, marketing,
Director of Communications
Promotions & Outreach
Valerie, a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University with an Honours BTech in Graphic Communications Management specializing in Marketing, has built a remarkable career spanning almost two decades. Since earning her degree in 2005, she has honed her expertise in graphic design, marketing, and communications through her roles at CanHist, Defining Moments Canada, and Royal LePage. Valerie’s passion for creativity shines through in every project she undertakes, consistently bringing a fresh and innovative perspective to her work. Her extensive experience and creative flair make her a valuable asset to the CanHist Team.
CanHist Tours Team
Robert Catsburg
Robert Catsburg
Robert Catsburg
Tour Guide
Robert Catsburg was born in the ‘Breskens Pocket’ in Oostburg & from an early age has been fascinated by the war and especially by the Canadian liberators of the Scheldt area. While collecting for many years military artifacts related to the Battle of the Scheldt, his interest widened to include historical research. A trained c
Tour Guide
Robert Catsburg was born in the ‘Breskens Pocket’ in Oostburg & from an early age has been fascinated by the war and especially by the Canadian liberators of the Scheldt area. While collecting for many years military artifacts related to the Battle of the Scheldt, his interest widened to include historical research. A trained chemist, Robert now devotes himself to telling & celebrating the history of the Canadian Liberation of Holland. His many publications, books and legendary walking tours make him one of the most ‘in-demand’ tour guides in the Netherlands. Robert has been CanHist Tours’ #1 Tour Guide in the Netherlands for years!
David Godfrey
Robert Catsburg
Robert Catsburg
Tour Manager
A native of Liverpool, David Godfrey recently retired from a career teaching Languages at many secondary schools throughout the English Midlands. Over three decades, he has led multiple tours across Europe and now specializes in history & heritage walking experiences for many of the UK’s top tourist agencies. Fluent in five
Tour Manager
A native of Liverpool, David Godfrey recently retired from a career teaching Languages at many secondary schools throughout the English Midlands. Over three decades, he has led multiple tours across Europe and now specializes in history & heritage walking experiences for many of the UK’s top tourist agencies. Fluent in five languages (including Canadian occasionally), David is an expert in Canada’s Second World War history and has led tours to the Juno Beach Centre and throughout Normandy for ‘Juno70/Juno75 & Juno80’ over the last 15 years. David has led six tours for CanHist Tours and we are thrilled to welcome him back again for our future tours.
John R. Heckman
Robert Catsburg
John R. Heckman
Tour Historian & Guide
John R. Heckman, a passionate advocate for making history accessible to all, launched The Tattooed Historian in 2015 as his legacy project during his tenure as an Archivist and Historian with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Engaging audiences through livestreams, videos, a podcast (The Tattooed Historian Show), a
Tour Historian & Guide
John R. Heckman, a passionate advocate for making history accessible to all, launched The Tattooed Historian in 2015 as his legacy project during his tenure as an Archivist and Historian with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Engaging audiences through livestreams, videos, a podcast (The Tattooed Historian Show), and live events, John has successfully bridged the gap between the past and present, making history both captivating and enjoyable for audiences of all ages.
Rebecca Grimes
Rebecca Grimes
John R. Heckman
Ellison Tour Leader
A French and History teacher for over twenty years, Rebecca strives to pass on her love of languages, history, and travel to her students. She has organized and managed past Ellison Tours for students and adults, and is a veteran of the DMC Battlefield Tours. Rebecca is an avid traveller, a photography enthusiast, and
Ellison Tour Leader
A French and History teacher for over twenty years, Rebecca strives to pass on her love of languages, history, and travel to her students. She has organized and managed past Ellison Tours for students and adults, and is a veteran of the DMC Battlefield Tours. Rebecca is an avid traveller, a photography enthusiast, and a foodie. In her travels (thirty countries on five continents and counting!), she always looks for opportunities to learn about the people, the culture, and the history of the places she is visiting. Her photography is a way to look closer at these places and to remember her adventures. She loves to try local cuisine – especially the pastries! Having lived in France twice (Nantes and Bayeux), Rebecca always loves returning to the country she considers a second home.
Anna Gray
Rebecca Grimes
Anna Gray
Tour Guide
Anna Gray is an experienced Blue Badge Tour Guide offering friendly and informative guided tours of the Lake District, Hadrian’s Wall and all other areas of Cumbria. On her guided tours, you receive an in-depth understanding of the historical and cultural landscapes you visit, but delivered in such a way that the information is
Tour Guide
Anna Gray is an experienced Blue Badge Tour Guide offering friendly and informative guided tours of the Lake District, Hadrian’s Wall and all other areas of Cumbria. On her guided tours, you receive an in-depth understanding of the historical and cultural landscapes you visit, but delivered in such a way that the information is easy to digest and easy to remember. Before training as a Blue Badge Tour Guide, Anna's career was in environmental interpretation (production of leaflets, booklets, posters, information panels, websites) that convey complicated messages in easy to understand ways.
Anna thoroughly enjoys imparting her extensive knowledge to visitors and locals in a friendly and informative way. Her sole aim is for you to take away positive memories and an enhanced understanding of your visit to Cumbria, and to exceed all your expectations!
MCYU Team
Sandeep Raha
Becca Collins-Nelsen
Becca Collins-Nelsen
Creator & Director, MCYU
Associate Professor, Dept. of Pediatrics
Dr. Raha is the director of the McMaster Children and Youth University and an associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics at McMaster University. Following his PhD in biochemistry at the University of Toronto, he trained at the Hospital for Sick Children in the area o
Creator & Director, MCYU
Associate Professor, Dept. of Pediatrics
Dr. Raha is the director of the McMaster Children and Youth University and an associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics at McMaster University. Following his PhD in biochemistry at the University of Toronto, he trained at the Hospital for Sick Children in the area of metabolic disorders and transitioned into the biotechnology sector leading a research group focused on developing point of care devices. Since 2007, Dr. Raha has been a principal investigator in the Department of Pediatrics, where his research has focused on understanding the role of the endocannabinoid system in pregnancy and fetal development.
In 2011, Dr. Raha cofounded the McMaster Children and Youth University (MCYU), a community engagement initiative which strives to demonstrate that discovery and creativity can be powerful allies in breaking down the barriers between community youth and post-secondary educational institutions. Based on his mentorship expertise and novelty of the MCYU program, Dr. Raha has been awarded a number of awards, such as the Health Sciences Graduate Student award for outstanding graduate teaching in 2010, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Synapse Award in 2013 for his community engagement and mentorship, McMaster’s top teaching award in 2017, the Presidents award for Outstanding contributions to Teaching and Learning, as well as the Ronald G. Calhoun Science Ambassador Award in 2019, which recognizes community members who show leadership in promoting research.
Becca Collins-Nelsen
Becca Collins-Nelsen
Becca Collins-Nelsen
Instructor & Researcher
Project Manager
Dr. Rebecca Collins-Nelsen, B.A (Hons), M.A., Ph.D. is a teaching and research lead at McMaster Children and Youth University (MCYU) housed in the Department of Pediatrics at McMaster University.
Dr. Collins-Nelsen has solidified a pedagogical philosophy that foregrounds student engagement and criti
Instructor & Researcher
Project Manager
Dr. Rebecca Collins-Nelsen, B.A (Hons), M.A., Ph.D. is a teaching and research lead at McMaster Children and Youth University (MCYU) housed in the Department of Pediatrics at McMaster University.
Dr. Collins-Nelsen has solidified a pedagogical philosophy that foregrounds student engagement and critical thinking, throughout her teaching at various post-secondary institutions around Ontario. Much of her current teaching centers on Community Engagement. As such, she is actively involved in building and nurturing community partnerships throughout the city of Hamilton.
As a scholar, she is committed to research that identifies and eradicates various forms of inequality using a critical intersectional lens. Her research has been supported by multiple grants and it currently focused on social inequality, teaching and learning, and children’s rights.
Aaron Hubbell
Becca Collins-Nelsen
Aaron Hubbell
Digital Media Specialist
As a graduate of Honour’s Multimedia program at McMaster University, Aaron has been a dedicated member of the team for over eight years. Aaron is deeply passionate about creating high-quality content that empowers young people, as he believes the right message, delivered creatively, can truly change a student’s tra
Digital Media Specialist
As a graduate of Honour’s Multimedia program at McMaster University, Aaron has been a dedicated member of the team for over eight years. Aaron is deeply passionate about creating high-quality content that empowers young people, as he believes the right message, delivered creatively, can truly change a student’s trajectory. His goal is to ensure our digital presence remains as dynamic and inspiring as the children and youth we serve.
One fun fact about Aaron is that he actually created the music featured across the MCYU programming. He loves finding the intersection of professional storytelling, web development, and multimedia innovation; it allows him to build immersive, cohesive experiences across every platform.
Rebecca Young
Emily Scherzinger
Aaron Hubbell
Program Coordinator
Rebecca has worked with the McMaster Children & Youth University as their Program Coordinator since 2017. She loves supporting a program that values young peoples voices and encourages curiosity and deep thinking.
She has a background in theatre, arts education and community events. She is passionate about creating spaces that give people a sense of community and belonging.
Emily Scherzinger
Emily Scherzinger
Emily Scherzinger
Instructor & Researcher
Postdoctoral Fellow
Anna is a graduate of McMaster University’s PhD in English, where she studied nonsense literature, like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Anna is working with the McMaster Children & Youth University to research the connections between success, lifelong learning and confidence in youth.
A fun fact
Instructor & Researcher
Postdoctoral Fellow
Anna is a graduate of McMaster University’s PhD in English, where she studied nonsense literature, like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Anna is working with the McMaster Children & Youth University to research the connections between success, lifelong learning and confidence in youth.
A fun fact about Anna is that she has a blind dog named Atlas who loves to play fetch! Anna and Atlas can be found in parks across Hamilton, kicking around his favourite special ball that makes sounds so that he can hear it.