Our Team
Meet the decorated coaches behind our students' success
Head Coach & Founder
Rebecca Amisano
Head Coach & Founder
Rebecca founded DSDC at age fifteen after parents began approaching her at debate tournaments with coaching inquiries. With nearly a decade of experience and over 1,000 students coached, she has won awards internationally at major debate tournaments, business case competitions, model UN conferences, mooting competitions, and writing competitions. Currently studying law at the University of Sydney on the Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship, Rebecca is passionate about making debate accessible to all.
Key Achievements
- Grand Finalist - Canadian National Championships
- Quarterfinalist - US National Championships
- Top Speaker - University of British Columbia Debate Tournament
- Scholarship Recipient - University of Sydney
Archie Wolifson
Senior Debate Coach
A scholarship student at the University of Sydney, Archie is the 3rd Ranked Reply Speaker in Australia and Asia and a Quarterfinalist at the 2025 World University Debating Championships. His remarkable record as a Grand Finalist at the 2023 BP World Championships makes him one of the best debaters in the world.
Timothy Hanna
Senior Debate Coach
Pursuing Law and Arts at the University of Sydney, Tim is a 14-time intervarsity grand finalist and 4-time champion. Under his guidance, students have advanced to the Semi-Finals of the Oxford Schools Championships and the Octo-Finals of the International Debating Championship.
Gabrielle Wong
Senior Debate & Public Speaking Coach
Gabrielle represented Canada on the 2019–2020 national debate team and currently serves as President of the Debate and Speech Association of British Columbia. A Grand Champion at BP BC Provincials and Grand Finalist at Canadian Nationals, she studies at Simon Fraser University.
Rose Oh
Senior Debate Coach
A pre-med student at Queen's University with over five years of coaching experience, Rose made history as the first Canadian to receive a Gold Bid at the US Tournament of Champions. Originally from South Korea, she brings a unique international perspective to her coaching.
Serina Guo
Senior Debate & WSC Coach
Pursuing Law and Economics at the University of Sydney, Serina competed at the WSC Tournament of Champions at Yale and is a Quarterfinalist at the Australasian Women and Gender Minorities Championships. She has four years of coaching experience and has led teams to finals at major Sydney tournaments.
Finn Liu
Senior Debate Coach
With five years of competitive experience in CNDF and British Parliamentary debate, Finn has earned awards at provincial and national tournaments. He is passionate about helping students develop the confidence to express their opinions analytically and persuasively.
Emily Cui
Debate & WSC Coach
A Duke University student entering her 5th year coaching at DSDC, Emily has found success at tournaments both nationally and internationally, including winning the Canada Cup and reaching the Octo-Finals at the Stanford Invitational. She is dedicated to helping students discover their passion for debate.
Catherine Wong
Debate & Public Speaking Coach
A University of Toronto student ranked as one of Canada's best debaters, Catherine has earned multiple Top Speaker awards at provincial and national tournaments. She has coached at DSDC for over two years, sharing the confidence and persuasion skills debate has given her.
Anisha Biswas
Debate Coach
A UBC Neuroscience student with over five years of coaching experience, Anisha has competed at regional, provincial, and national tournaments. She co-founded a debate club at a local elementary school to spread the benefits of public speaking to younger students.
Akash Krishnamurthy
Debate Coach
One of BC's top debaters with multiple Champion and Top Speaker titles, Akash started as a DSDC student and now coaches the next generation. His passion for debate was sparked at DSDC, and he is committed to sharing that same enthusiasm with his students.