Ian Koscielski – Executive Director, Program Deliver Partner – FIRST Robotics Competition
Ian started his journey with FIRST as a Grade 9 student on FRC Team 772 in the 2006-2007 season where he spent the next 5 seasons as a Student on the team and served for two years as the Team Captain. In 2011 he left for Laurentian University in Sudbury ON to study Sports Administration. During his tenure in University Ian spent the 2013 through 2015 seasons mentoring local Team 4069 Lo-Ellen Robotics as a Drive Coach and Lead Business Mentor. In August of 2016 Ian moved back to Vancouver to take on the Regional Director role for FIRST Robotics Competition in British Columbia working for FIRST Robotics Canada, later as FIRST Robotics British Columbia was ready Ian was hired to lead the organization as the Executive Director in 2019.
Christine Nicholls – Program Delivery Partner – FIRST Tech Challenge
Christine has been involved with FIRST in British Columbia starting in 2006. She has filled many volunteer roles including Judging in three of the four programs, Volunteer Coordinator and Tournament Director. With her support, the Society for the Advancement of Young Scientists became the FIRST Tech Challenge Partner for British Columbia in 2016.
Dr. Ursula (Uschi) Leslie – Program Delivery Partner – FIRST LEGO League
Uschi has been involved in FIRST since about 2006, first as a parent of children on FLL and FLLJr. and FTC teams, then as an FLL coach and FTC assistant coach, then as an event organizer and helper, plus scorekeeper for FTC. At present she is the FLL “Program Delivery Partner” for BC and the Yukon and an FLL Challenge coach at a Middle School in Victoria.
When she is not doing FIRST-related things she enjoys activities with the Victoria Sailing Co-op and 55+ Table Tennis.In what feels to her like a previous life she was a geologist and oceanographer for a while, and then a full-time mom. And she really likes to travel even though she is getting hesitant about flying to places (not green!!).
Barish Golland – FIRST Senior Mentor, Vancouver Lower Mainland
Barish is the FIRST Senior Mentor for BC, helping coaches, mentors, team members, schools and communities get the most out of FIRST programs. Barish has worked in education, learning technology and training for the past 20 years. He started with FIRST in 2008 as a coach for a few FLL teams at the LEGO Robotics club he started at the school he taught at in Istanbul, Turkey. He’s proud of his two kids whose FLL team got to go to an International Open in Tallinn, Estonia and the Houston World Championships!
Krysta Peralto – Partnerships & Fundraising Manager
Krysta has been involved with FIRST since 2010, and they are a proud FIRST Alum of Team 3161 – Tronic Titans. As a student, Krysta was a team captain & youth mentor to FRC & FLL teams, whose involvement with FIRST & the community led to them becoming a two-time Dean’s List Finalist. They’ve volunteered across all programs since 2010. Krysta has taken on nearly every volunteer role, from parking attendant to robot inspector, & most notably as an event MC & Game Announcer.
Krysta has a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Science, with a Major in Computer Engineering with Professional Internship. They stayed involved with FIRST as a mentor for W.A.F.F.L.E.S. Community Robotics & then as a Lead Mentor for FRC 7710 during their degree program at Queen’s University. In 2020, Krysta moved to British Columbia & got involved as a volunteer with FIRST BC. They are currently a mentor to FLL & FTC teams in Northern BC, alongside playing & refereeing soccer in their community.