STEPHANIE OREFICE

Corporate Brand Officer (CBO)

Making Waves is truly a part of our lives and very much a family business that has evolved over time. Tiernan and I love meeting new parents enrolled in our program and hearing how pleased they are with their child’s progress. I am involved from behind the scenes at Making Waves these days, helping with strategic planning for the company and assisting with facility building and design. As a mom trying to balance life with 3 active kids I can also really relate to our families at Making Waves. I have a passion for the creative and love visiting art galleries, taking pictures and eating delicious food from all over the world!

CARRIE MENDLOW

Director, Operations & Programs

I have been working at Making Waves since 1999 and can officially say I’ve done every job there is to do in Operations. Fun fact: I was the first official Head Coach, Customer Service Representative, Manager and Director of Operations. My passion and purpose over the years has been working closely with the owners to develop systems that have allowed us to grow and have allowed our talented teams to develop and work within. My role now is to continue to develop and support our operations, our programs, and our training systems to be the best they can be while still maintaining the ‘family-run business’ feel within our organization. Making Waves has had a huge impact on my life and I enjoy seeing how our work impacts the lives of our families, staff and swimmers. When I am not at the pool, you’ll find me cooking, gardening, meditating or spending time with the people who matter most to me. Hope to see you at the pool!

LAURA O’DRISCOLL

Senior Manager, Business Operations

Hello! I originally started with Making Waves in 2013, managing the Brampton location. Aquatics has always been a passion of mine. I enjoy teaching advanced leadership courses and love to continue taking courses myself! When I am not at the pool, you are most likely to find me spending family time with my husband and three children. We love going to the park and going for hikes with our dog.

PAO DELA CRUZ

Marketing Specialist

I am a creative who enjoys design, photography and videography. I am so glad to be a part of the team to capture the joy of learning how to swim in a aquatic space that promotes being your best self! Outside of work, you may find me trying new restaurants with with family and friends, or just hanging out with my fur babies.

DAVID MEIKLE

Senior Manager, Guelph & Milton

As a lover of all things aquatics and a passion for human relations, I’m pleased to be part of the MWSS team. My experience in education across all age groups highlights the importance of mentorship and creating supportive learning environments. I’m committed to ensuring a fun and progressive experience for all students and staff here at Making Waves. Please feel welcome to stop by the pool and say hello. Oh, and fun fact, my dog Khloe is a fantastic swimmer too!

MARLA ZWOLMAN

Manager, Oakville

Hi my name is Marla! I have always been passionate about swimming and the need for this important life skill. My journey in aquatics didn’t start until I was 32 years old and I have not looked back. It’s not just about swimming lessons- we are “Preserving Life”. My history with Making Waves over the last 19 years has brought so much joy and compassion in the aquatics world. This has become my second family and would not change anything. As I start my new position as Assistant Manager, I’m looking forward to learning and development.

CHRIS JONES

Manager, Vaughan

Hi, my name is Chris. I grew up in a seaside town in the UK, where swimming was a natural part of everyday life. I’ve worked in aquatics for many years as a swim instructor, supporting swimmers of all ages and abilities as they develop confidence and skill in the water. I’ve worked with swim programs across several countries, including Spain, Tunisia, Qatar, and Dubai, which has shaped my teaching and leadership approach. I particularly enjoy correcting swimmer technique and helping athletes make small adjustments that lead to real improvement. I’m also a Swim England educator and enjoy supporting the development of both swimmers and instructors. I look forward to welcoming you to the pool.

JOSEPH REMEDIOS

Maintenance Manager

Hi! I am Joseph Remedios. This is a truly exciting time in my career to be part of Making Waves Family and share my experiences, skills and knowledge. I spend my time around all of the locations. I enjoy travelling, giving my time to the community and with my loving family and grandsons.

BRENDAN LEE-WO

Maintenance Lead

Hi, my name is Brendan! I am excited to be part of the Making Waves team and to help create a great experience for our swimmers and families on their learn to swim journey. I’ve been with the team since March of 2025 and have loved getting to know our swimmers, families, and staff along the way. Outside of work, I enjoy playing tennis and taking on project work like building and fixing things.

ANDREW TRUONG

Hello Making Waves family! It is so nice to meet you, my name is Andrew! I have been at Making Waves Swim School since 2019, and every year continues to beat the last! My favourite stroke as a swimmer is breaststroke, but my favourite to teach is front crawl given the multitude of teaching methods and techniques used to perfect it. I love playing basketball and enjoy watching all sports with my friends and family. In my free time, I enjoy training my dog Leo, which is a Belgium Malinois and Siberian Husky mix breed. When I am not at the pool, I am furthering my career as an Electrician Apprentice. I also love seeing the world and travelling the globe! However, nothing tops watching our awesome swimmers progress along their swimming journeys and reach their aquatic dreams! Come and visit me at the pool!

ARYANA CASCIARO

Hi, I’m Aryana and I joined the Making Waves family in 2021! Making Waves has allowed me to combine my passion for working with children and my love for the water. One day, I hope to be a teacher and inspire more children in my community. At the pool, you will often see me cheering on both swimmers and coaches. When I’m not at the pool you can find me at the lake making memories with friends and family. I enjoy reading, water sports and playing with my dog. I can’t wait to see you at the pool!

CHLOE ANDREWS

Hey everyone, I’m Chloe! I’ve been part of the Making Waves team since 2021, and I’ve loved every minute of it! My favourite part of working here has been seeing swimmers quickly move through our levels, and watching how much their abilities progress over the years! When I’m not at the pool, you can find me hanging out with friends, at the gym, or studying to become a social worker. I look forward to being your supervisor!

DANIEL MENEGON

Hey everyone, I’m Daniel! I have been a part of the Making Waves family since 2022. My favourite part about being at Making Waves is watching the swimmers progress throughout the sessions and seeing their smiley faces when they accomplish something new! I love teaching all levels, especially the Big Waves! When I’m not at the pool, I love to draw and create amazing memories with my friends and family! Next time you’re at the pool please feel free to come say hi!

ERICKA LIWANAG

Hi, my name is Ericka! Swimming has always been such a big part of my life which has led to the past 8 years and counting of instructing and lifeguarding. I love teaching and interacting with families and my favourite part is seeing students start to love swimming as much as I do. When I’m not in the pool, I love baking and travelling the world with my friends and family.

FINNEUS BARNETT

Hi, I’m Finn! I first joined Making Waves Oakville (previously Oakville Swim Academy) in 2023 and I’m proud to now be part of the Making Waves team as a Supervisor. I love being in the water and helping swimmers build their skills and confidence each week. Outside the pool, I enjoy reading, playing sports like volleyball and lacrosse, and eating sushi—my all-time favourite food! I’ll be heading to UBC next year to study Life Sciences, but for this year, I’m excited to be part of the team. Also, my favourite time of year is fall, let me know your favourite season when I see you at the pool!

GREG VILLAMAR

Hey Everyone! My name is Greg, I have been at Making Waves Since 2019…Yeah I’m getting old. I enjoy watching the progress of the swimmers as they get more confident and motivated! My favourite skill to teach is ‘Elementary Backstroke’ as it is difficult at first but the swimmers pick it up quite easily. Outside of the pool, I enjoy my nights out with my friends and occasionally gaming. Hope to see you around!

JACK MURPHY

Hello everyone! My name is Jack. I have been a part of Making Waves my entire life, from swimming here as an infant to becoming a supervisor. My favourite part of Making Waves is the incredible staff I work with at the pool every day. When I am not in the water, you will probably find me snowboarding or playing basketball. My favourite skill to teach is definitely back floats because the swimmers make so much progress so quickly when they get comfortable. I really hope I see you around the pool sometime!

KATHARINE MCLEOD

Hi my name is Katharine! I started working at Making Waves in January 2020 as a coach and have loved every minute since! I have been swimming my entire life and my favourite part about teaching would have to be when I see swimmers finally master a skill that they have been practicing and all their hard work pays off. In my free time I enjoy reading, working out, listening to music and I am currently studying health science with the goal of becoming a pharmacist one day! Please come and say hello if you see me at the pool:)

MAYA CARRIERE

Hi, I’m Maya! I first joined the Making Waves Oakville (previously Oakville Swim Academy) back in 2019, and I’m so excited to now be part of the Making Waves family as a Supervisor. Over the years, I’ve loved watching swimmers grow in skill and confidence, and I’m passionate about supporting our team to create a fun and safe environment for every child. You’ll often find me on deck encouraging our swimmers and cheering on our coaches. Outside of the pool, I enjoy reading, sipping on Ice Capps, and studying Business Management and Political Science at TMU. I can’t wait to welcome you to our Oakville location!

MYLES QUINTANA

Hey everyone! My name is Myles, and I’ve been at Making Waves since 2023.
It’s been great to be part of the team. I really enjoy watching our swimmers develop their skills and grow in confidence. My favorite skill to teach is the front crawl, as it’s fundamental and very rewarding to see swimmers master it. Outside of work, I really enjoy swimming by myself and hitting the slopes for some snowboarding. Hope to see you around!

RACHEL LEE

Hi, I’m Rachel! I’ve been at Making Waves since 2021 and I can’t wait to continue meeting new swimmers. My favourite part of Making Waves is the excitement kids have when they learn a new skill for the first time. I love teaching all classes, especially the Little Waves program. When I’m not at the pool, I love dancing, biking, and traveling the world with my friends and family. My favourite places I’ve traveled to are Japan, Banff, and Los Angeles. See you at the pool!

ROSS COLANTONIO

Hey everyone, I’m Ross! My journey with the company started in my youth, as I learned to swim through Making Waves. Since March 2022, I’ve been part of the Making Waves team. Starting as a coach, I’ve worked my way up to my current position with a continuous focus on providing swimmers and families with the best experience possible. Outside of my passion for swim instructing, you can often find me getting lost in a good read. Don’t hesitate to say hello if you see me on deck!

SAMMAN ALI

Hey everyone, I’m Samman! Making Waves has made a big impact on my life, helping me improve my own swim strokes and making me a better teacher! I love being in the water and don’t mind if you refer to me as Aquaman. In my spare time, I love working out and going to the gym. If you ever have any questions about working out or about anything at all, come see me at the pool! Let’s make some splashes together!

SHANE DEVLIN

Hey, my name is Shane. I have been working at Making Waves for just over a year and a half now. I started off as a coach then I went to head coaching and now I am a supervisor! Our team here is super friendly and supportive and it makes lessons so much better. Outside of work, I am a student athlete who plays hockey and lacrosse. I can’t wait to see you and your family at the pool!