Support Staff
Ingemar Janse van Rensburg
Pay & Benefits Officer
In 2015 I started my journey with Yellowknife Catholic Schools as the Administrative Assistant at Ecole St Joseph School. Along the way I served on the UNW Local 30 Executive Board as the Treasurer for 5 years. In 2021 I moved over to the Board Office and took on the position of Pay & Benefits Officer. This position is a big learning curve for me, but I am enjoying the challenge.
Sameer Shaik
Senior Human Resource Officer
With over a decade of experience in the Human Resources field, originally from Edmonton, I recently traded city skylines for the northern lights, settling into the adventure-filled landscapes of Yellowknife. When I'm not fine-tuning workplace culture or navigating tricky HR challenges. You'll find me exploring the outdoors, hiking or chasing perfect sunsets. But my favourite adventure? Spending quality time with my family, making memories, and embracing all that the North has to offer. I am thrilled to be a part of the YCS family and look forward to contributing to the team!
Jonathan Gapay
Finance Officer
I joined the Yellowknife Catholic Schools Team in May 2024 as a Finance Officer and enjoy working with a great team of colleagues. I’m also pursuing my CPA designation through the CPA Western School of Business, balancing work, studies, and family life with a steady supply of coffee. When I’m not buried under a pile of paperwork, I take on my unofficial role as a part-time Zamboni critic, often yelling, “If you drive that faster, I’ll buy you a snack!” at the rink. I spend a lot of time cheering on my child’s hockey team with the enthusiasm of a coach (but none of the actual authority). Over time, I’ve learned that hockey bags are heavier than they look, early morning practices require serious dedication, and no budgeting strategy can keep up with the cost of hockey gear. Working at Central Services keeps me on my toes, whether it’s handling paperwork, chatting with staff, coordinating with vendors, or answering questions from parents and the public. No two days are ever the same—some days, I’m a finance officer; other days, I’m playing referee between numbers that refuse to cooperate. . Either way, I enjoy being part of the YCS community and look forward to whatever challenge (or paperwork pile) comes next.
Kori Kotylak
Executive Assistant
I was born and raised in Yellowknife and am happy to call the North home. I attended École St. Joseph School from Kindergarten to Grade 8 and completed Grades 9 to 12 at École St. Patrick High School. I look back on my time as a student with Yellowknife Catholic Schools with gratitude, as it provided me with a strong foundation and lasting connections. I began my career with YCS in 2019 as a classroom assistant at Weledeh Catholic School. I remained in that role until 2023, when I moved into my current position as Executive Assistant at Central Services. During that time, I also enrolled in the Business Administration Program at Aurora College and have since successfully completed the program. I’m thankful for the experiences, relationships, and opportunities I’ve had throughout my journey with YCS and am proud to continue supporting the district in a variety of ways.
Wendy Karstad
Administrative Assistant
Originally from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, after graduating with a BA ın Sociology from the University of Saskatchewan, I lived in La Ronge, Saskatchewan for 16 years before moving to Yellowknife in 2010 with my husband, Brent, and our family. We have three adult children as well as a daughter-in-law, and two small grandchildren. My faith is central to my life and our church family plays a big part in our life. I have been involved with YCS in a variety of roles, and have been glad to experience things from a range of perspectives. The Administrative Assistant position involves supporting the other staff in a variety of ways, and keeping the office running smoothly. I’m usually the one answering the phone and greeting visitors as they arrive. I enjoy working at Central Services and my interactions with staff, parents and the public. I’m happy to be a part of the YCS family.
Kim Von Allmen
Out of School Care Program Director
Originally from British Columbia, my husband, our two children, and I made the move to Yellowknife in 2011. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working with YCS, where I spent 14 years as a classroom assistant. During that time, I had the pleasure of supporting students across many different classrooms at ESJS, from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 7. I’m now excited to embark on this new chapter as the Out-of-School Care Program Director and look forward to continuing to contribute to the YCS community in this new role.
Out of School Care Program Coordinator