Meet the Board of Directors

Josephine discovered her passion for volleyball at age 11 and continues to play both indoor and beach volleyball today. She has spent several years coaching youth athletes while also working as a youth counsellor, mentoring the same group of girls from elementary school through to graduation. This experience shaped her interest in investing in the next generation. Today, Josephine brings that passion into her coaching, using volleyball as a platform to develop not only technical and athletic skills, but also mental resilience and strong character. With a Master's degree in Counselling, she places a strong emphasis on athlete well-being, believing that sport can be a powerful space for building meaningful relationships, mentorship, and lasting support systems beyond the game.

As the Founder and Director of Athlete Development, Josephine leads the design and implementation of the club's long-term development framework. With a focus on building the person, the athlete, and the player, she ensures all programming is intentional, age-appropriate, and grounded in best practices in youth sport development. Josephine works closely with coaches, athletes and parents to provide mentorship, structure, and consistency across teams, creating an environment that is both supportive and performance-driven. Her approach prioritizes progression over perfection and development over short-term results, with the goal of helping athletes build confidence, resilience, and the skills needed to succeed both on and off the court.

Denise brings a strong playing background and a passion for youth development to the court. She played club volleyball from U12–U18, represented Team BC at the U16 and U17 levels, and competed at the University of Fraser Valley as a setter. At 5'6", Denise learned early that success in volleyball isn't just about height — it's about determination, skill, and work ethic. Denise has coached both Junior and Senior girls at Johnston Heights Secondary School (2014–2018) and spent four seasons with Focus Volleyball Club, coaching athletes from U13–U17. She specializes in developing skills, building confidence, and fostering a love for the game. Her coaching philosophy is simple: talent opens the door, but persistence and purposeful work ethic lead to long-term success. Her goal is to create a positive, encouraging environment where players feel supported while being challenged to reach their full potential.

Denise supports the structure and organization that allows the club to run effectively. She works closely with leadership to coordinate logistics, streamline communication, and ensure a high standard of delivery across all programs. Denise also plays a key role in supporting and organizing coach clinics, helping ongoing athlete development. Her work behind the scenes contributes to a consistent, well-run environment where athletes and coaches can focus on growth.

Elodie Lo grew up in Toronto and attended the University of Toronto where she played varsity volleyball. After playing she was the assistant coach at UofT on and off for 12 years. During her time away from the team, she was living in France to train for beach volleyball with the national team for her birth country of Mauritius, who she represented at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Elodie currently lives in Langley, BC and works for Athletes in Action in the areas of Staff Development and Global Missions.

Elodie leads the technical direction of Ascent and oversees coach development. She is responsible for designing and maintaining the club's drill bank and training resources, ensuring all programming aligns with long-term athlete development principles. She is well connected in the volleyball scene and hopes to invite experienced speakers to run workshops. Elodie works closely with coaches through mentorship and guidance, helping them deliver intentional, effective training sessions. Her role is central to maintaining consistency, quality, and progression in athlete development throughout the club. Living on the West Coast, Elodie has discovered a love for the outdoors, hiking, going on new adventures, learning different sports and activities.

Amelia is a lively, community-minded parent who loves bringing people together — on and off the court. With years of experience as a mortgage underwriter and business owner, she's no stranger to clear communication, problem-solving, and keeping things running smoothly. As a parent liaison and team support lead, Amelia brings warmth, organization, and a big dose of positive energy to the club. She's passionate about creating an inclusive, welcoming environment where athletes and families feel connected, supported, and excited to be part of the volleyball community. Amelia's two daughters drew her into the volleyball world, and now she's diving full in!

Vu has been connected to volleyball since childhood, playing competitively through high school and maintaining a lifelong passion for the sport. While he is new to coaching, he brings extensive leadership and mentorship experience from his career as a mortgage broker and business owner, where he has guided many professionals in building successful and fulfilling careers. As an assistant coach at Ascent Volleyball, Vu combines his love for the game with a calm, encouraging approach that helps athletes build confidence and strong fundamentals. He is committed to supporting players as they develop their skills, grow their understanding of the sport, and discover their own passion for volleyball.

Vu is a seasoned mortgage broker and business owner with more than two decades of experience supporting families across the Lower Mainland. He is known for his integrity and strong relationship-building skills, earning him a respected reputation rooted in trust and community connection. At Ascent Volleyball, Vu brings that same professionalism and people-first mindset. As a brand ambassador, he helps the club build meaningful relationships within the community and supports initiatives that contribute to its long-term growth. His calm leadership and genuine care make him a valued presence both on and off the court.

Nehemiah grew up playing badminton before learning how to play volleyball with a group of friends in his university years. It was through volleyball that Nehemiah met Josephine, fell in love at second sight, married her and went on to have four children together. Since moving to Vancouver in 2022, he's fallen in love with beach volleyball and was the first to plant the seed in Josephine to start a youth volleyball club.

As Josephine's husband, he supports the club by watching their 4 daughters while she's away with the athletes. All the while, he oversees backend operations and finances at Ascent, ensuring the organization runs with structure, accountability, and sustainability. He manages financial planning, budgeting, and internal systems that support the club's day-to-day operations. His role is key to maintaining transparency and efficiency, allowing the club to operate responsibly while continuing to grow and invest in athlete and coach development and working to enhance our systems for the club's growth.