• 

Academic Advantage was founded in 2002 and has become one of the largest tutoring agencies in the Lower Mainland.

• 

Academic Advantage has provided quality tutors for over 1000 families.

• 

Academic Advantage was awarded “Entrepreneur of the year 2005” for the home based business category at the Visions of Excellence Awards evening for the Douglas College Self Employment Program. Click here to see the newspaper article. In 2007, Academic Advantage was nominated for the RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Award.

Susan Cumberland
Director

Susan brings a wide variety of experience and skills to her company. She holds a Bachelors degree in secondary education, a Masters degree in educational leadership and counselling, a TESOL certificate and several credits towards a marketing diploma.

She has 14 years teaching and administration experience in Canada, Japan and the United States, as well as 5 years experience marketing in international education. She has worked for several years as a one on one tutor.

She is devoted to helping students excel in their academic achievements. Her friendly, compassionate, reliable and efficient manner provides teachers and clients with care beyond their expectations.

Helen Turunen
Office Manager

Helen brings several years of clerical and administration experience to Academic Advantage. She worked for 16 years at Eaton’s in several departments. She’s organized, efficient and energetic. She enjoys interacting with parents and teachers and is compassionate when helping Academic Advantage clients.

Heather Duff
Accounts Payable Manager

Heather tracks incoming and outgoing payments. She has a myriad of experience in data entry, reception and various clerical assignments. She recently completed her Associate of Arts Degree and is working towards her diploma in library and information technology. Heather is detail oriented, very organized and has a great sense of humor.

Sonia Maria Lourdes Macalincag
Accounts Receivable Manager

We welcome Sonia Maria Lourdes Macalincag to our team. Sonia has a Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness from the University of the Philippines and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Wales, Cardiff, U.K. She has many years of experience as an Account Officer of Banco De Oro Universal Bank (one of the largest banks in the Philippines). Sonia will work with Academic Advantage while she completes her Senior Management Certificate in New Media Design & Web Development at BCIT. Sonia is efficient, good with numbers, and is genuinely interested in helping families with their academic advancement.

John Chan
Cantonese/Mandarin Interpreter

John is fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. He immigrated to Canada in 1974. In 1978 he graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Arts/Commerce degree. John has several years experience in the Education industry. He has 2 children in the Canadian public school system and is knowledgeable about Canadian/Chinese education. He is kind and caring and enjoys helping Chinese speaking immigrants fulfill their academic goals. John is also TESOL certified and is an outstanding ESL tutor with Academic Advantage. We are pleased to have him working with us.