Janelle Derksen
About Janelle Derksen
Janelle Derksen serves as the Vice Curator of the Yellowknife Hub for the Global Shapers Community and holds the position of Manager of Community Housing Planning at the Government of Northwest Territories. She has a background in planning and geography, with experience in various roles related to community housing and urban planning.
Current Role at Global Shapers Community
Janelle Derksen serves as the Vice Curator for the Yellowknife Hub of the Global Shapers Community. In this role, she engages with local leaders and youth to drive positive change within the community. Her involvement focuses on fostering collaboration and innovation among young people to address social challenges.
Professional Experience in Housing Planning
Janelle has extensive experience in community housing planning. She currently holds the position of Manager, Community Housing Planning at the Government of Northwest Territories, a role she has occupied since 2021. Prior to this, she worked as a Community Housing Planner at the same government from 2018 to 2021, contributing to various housing initiatives in Yellowknife.
Previous Roles in Urban Planning
Before her current positions, Janelle worked as a Planner at the City of Yellowknife for 11 months in 2017. She also gained experience as a Consultant at WSP in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, for one month in 2017. Additionally, she interned in Affordable Housing at the City of Ottawa for three months in 2015.
Educational Background in Planning and Geography
Janelle holds a Bachelor's degree in Geography from Trinity Western University, where she studied from 2011 to 2015. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master’s degree in Planning from Dalhousie University, completing her studies from 2015 to 2017. Her academic background supports her expertise in urban and community planning.
Research Experience at Dalhousie University
During her time at Dalhousie University, Janelle worked as a Research Assistant from 2015 to 2017. This role allowed her to engage in research projects related to planning and housing, enhancing her analytical skills and knowledge in the field.