Meet The Team

Louisa Hou

Louisa is a passionate educator with over 6 years of experience. With a strong background in child development, and mental health, she has worked in diverse educational and clinical settings. Her teaching emphasizes intrinsic motivation and independent learning, helping students build the tools they need to thrive in and outside of class.

Nicka Kalaydina, MD

Nicka is a dedicated educator and medical doctor with a background in biomedical sciences and experimental medicine. A former competitive player for Team Canada at the WYCC, she brings academic excellence, multilingual fluency, and high-level chess experience to every lesson, inspiring students to think critically and creatively.

Olivier Kenta Chiku-Ratté, IM

Olivier Kenta Chiku-Ratté is a Canadian International Master (IM) from Montreal. Olivier remains an active competitor on the tournament circuit, offering students not only a solid foundation in chess fundamentals but also rare insight into high-level play, preparation, and mindset. 

Joanne Foote

Joanne is a seasoned chess teacher with over a decade of experience working with students of all ages. A former competitive player for Team Canada at there WYCC, she creates fun, personalized lessons that build confidence and a lifelong love of learning.

Lee Wang

A former Team Nova Scotia player at the Canadian Chess Championship, Lee has 6 years of teaching experience and is passionate about mentoring young minds. Currently studying medicine at UBC, Lee also once used his cooking skills to land a job in biopharmaceutical manufacturing!