With over 15 years of experience leading diverse teams in Canada and driving strategic branding and marketing initiatives for companies and nonprofits, Michael brings a wealth of professional expertise to the VUL Board of Directors. Before his wife imported him to Canada, he worked as a high-school teacher in New Zealand, and as a private chef on a luxury yacht in Monaco.

A long-time ultimate player and passionate community builder, he has played recreational and competitive ultimate around the globe and has been part of five World and World Clubs campaigns for New Zealand, France, and Canada. Drawing from these experiences, he is dedicated to fostering a vibrant, inclusive community that provides opportunities for all players—from beginners to elite athletes.

Term Ends: 2026 AGM

Roles: President

Teams: Bad Jelly, Orbis Canis, Pukana (WUCC 2002), Capital Fury, Blue Fish, Les Ziggles, Tantrum, Mastodon (WMUCC 2018), Armada, Prism

Previous World's Squads: La France Mixte (WUGC 2008), Tuatara (NZ Masters, WUGC 2016), Tuatara (NZ Masters, WUGC 2024)

I believe in the VUL's mission: To organize, promote, teach, and support spirited Ultimate in a safe and inclusive environment for all.
I love ultimate and want more people playing at a high level - and I've been a VUL member for over 10 years. I have also been a Project Manager for 4 years, and believe that will help make things a lot more efficient. 

Term Ends: 2026 AGM

Maria “MM” Tuazon’s ultimate career started when she was 13 in 2015. For 5 years of her high school career and summers, she spent months on and off season training in competitive junior divisions before finding passion in coaching and teaching ultimate after graduating. Her coaching/instructing resume spans from high school teams to helping coach her university’s recreational and competitive teams at SFU and soon at the BC summer games for the ultimate division in the Fraser Valley zone.

She believes she can bring a sense of unity and voice to the Board as a youth representative since she’s found that the spirit of the game has been lost in translation over the recent years and the lines between competition and for fun have been blurred in the junior divisions. As a player who went through the devastations of covid for both her high school and junior club years, she has first hand experience seeing what the effects have in the youth scene now. Her goal as not only a leader but as a friend to her players, is to make a safe space for everyone and bring back the friendly competition that ultimate embodied before covid.

In her free time, she loves being with friends and family. She often hikes, works out and cooks with her brothers. On her own, she writes music and likes to practise photography.

Term ends: 2027 AGM

Roles: Vice President

Teams:  Mildly Threatening, E.Z. Clap | Coach for Reign, Vortex and SFU

Jessie has been involved in the Vancouver Ultimate community for 10 years and has a strong interest in women-matching teams and player development. She has experience as a coach for the Misfit program, UBC Thunderwolves, and various skills clinics. Over the years she has played many seasons of summer and winter VUL league, and has very fond memories of all the fun VUL tournaments she's competed in.

Outside of ultimate, Jessie is a project manager in the software industry, where she enjoys leading diverse teams and enabling collaboration.

As an advocate for the sport of ultimate, she is excited to be part of the VUL Board of Directors and looking forward to the work ahead!

Term Ends: 2026 AGM

Roles: Secretary

Teams: Traffic, UBC, Shhippos, UBC B, Zephyr, Wendigo

 

Tashia (Tash) fell in love with ultimate four years ago, drawn to the fast pace and fundamental focus on Spirit of the Game. Since stepping onto the field, she has fully immersed herself in the Vancouver Ultimate community, playing with the spirited touring team Hot Sauced, where she supports team leadership, and currently serving as the Spirit Captain for Drive, a women’s developmental club team.

Professionally, Tashia is a seasoned executive and governance leader. She is currently the Chief Executive Officer of MVISS (Slaxin Lelum) and MVAEC, and her background includes managing complex national infrastructure portfolios at TELUS. An experienced board director, she has also served on the University of British Columbia Board of Governors.

Drawing from these diverse experiences, Tashia joined the VULS Board to leverage her professional expertise in governance, policy design, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) strategies.

She is dedicated to ensuring that the league's playing spaces remain safe, accessible, equitable, and deeply spirited for players of all levels. Outside of ultimate, she can be found mountain biking, or with her dog, Ben, who is arguably a better frisbee player!

Term ends: 2027 AGM

Roles: Treasurer

Derek has been playing in the VUL since 1999, and has played ultimate at the recreational, competitive and touring levels, both nationally and internationally, most recently at the 2022 WMUCC in Limerick, Ireland.  He has served as a captain/co-captain of numerous teams, and was previously a member of the VUL Skills Clinic Team.  He served as a member of the VULS Governance Committee in 2023.

In his professional capacity, Derek is a lawyer, practicing primarily in the areas of labour, employment and human rights.  He has experience in providing advice to organizations on human resources, governance and disciplinary matters, as well the development and implementation of codes of conduct.

Derek and his wife continue to play ultimate recreationally, and have two school-aged boys who are just starting their own ultimate journeys.  In his free time, he also regularly plays goaltimate and coaches his boys’ soccer teams. 

Term ends: 2026 AGM

Roles: Director

Zach began playing organized ultimate in 2013, after finally trading his rugby boots and hockey skates for cleats. Since then, Zach has played in leagues across Toronto, Kingston, Windsor, and Maple Ridge, but he considers Vancouver his favourite place to step onto the field. He has spent the last 7 years rising through the divisions of  Vancouver Ultimate and deeply appreciates the wonderful community the league fosters.

On the competitive side, Zach has played club ultimate with Prism Ultimate Club for the past two seasons. Zach is committed to values of gender equality that Prism instills in their team. In 2024, he took his game to the international stage, competing at the World Beach Ultimate Club Championship in Portugal with the Sandy Sea Squirts. He remains dedicated to competing at a high level and is constantly looking for ways to grow as a player.

In his professional life, Zach is a family law lawyer specializing in parenting and jurisdictional issues. Having earned law degrees from both the University of Windsor and the University of Detroit Mercy, he brings a unique ability to navigate complex legal frameworks. Zach also earned a bachelors degree in Philosophy at Queens University. Zach applies this same individualized, strategic approach to his work with the Board, helping Vancouver Ultimate adapt and thrive through thoughtful governance and community-focused advocacy.