Board of Directors
Michelle Staples, Board Chair — Mayor, City of Duncan
Mayor Michelle Staples served seven years on Duncan City Council before being elected to her first term as Mayor in 2018. She is the Executive Director of Social Planning Cowichan, and has been involved in community development in the Cowichan Valley for the past 20 years. She was elected to the Trust's board in 2018.
Mayor Staples is currently serving as Chair for the Duncan Community Sustainability Advisory Team, and previously served as Chair of Environment, Totem and Tourism Committee for the City of Duncan. She is also a small business owner, diversity educator and facilitator for Cultural Connections Cowichan focused on youth and intergenerational leadership.
Michelle holds a BA in Applied Communications, Counselling and Diversity Training, and is currently obtaining a Masters in Integrated Studies for Community Development and Administration. She believes in continuing ICET’s legacy as a partner with communities and catalyst for economic initiatives in the region.
John Jack, Vice Board Chair — Chair, Alberni Clayoquot Regional District
John Alan Jack was raised in the Parksville-Qualicum area and currently resides there with his wife, daughter and son. He graduated with Distinction from what is now VIU in the field of Global Studies. Since then, he has been deeply involved with his tribe, the Huu-ay-aht First Nations (HFN), in modern treaty negotiations and ratification with BC and Canada, achieving self-governance in 2011.
John has served as an elected Member of Council for the Huu-ay-aht First Nations since 2009. His portfolio has included every major file and he is currently responsible for external relations with the federal government, serves as HFN representative and chairperson of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, and is responsible for Huu-ay-aht First Nations’ co-management relationship with Steelhead LNG. He was elected to the Trust's board of directors in 2018.
John is passionate about true and meaningful reconciliation with First Nations encompassing political, social and economic aspects. He believes there should be more focus on the advancement of economic reconciliation, specifically how First Nations can be better integrated into the economy as principals and decision-makers. In addition, he believes education and exposure to the wider world is central to the advancement of reconciliation in BC and Canada.
Megan Hanacek, Board Secretary-Treasurer — Appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council
Megan Hanacek was appointed to the Trust's board by the Province of BC in 2018. Born on Vancouver Island and raised in Port McNeill, she is a professional biologist and forester, business owner and TV personality.
Megan is the CEO of the non-profit Private Forest Landowners Association and owner of an environmental assessment firm. For over 25 years, she has led project work with the provincial and federal governments, private industry, First Nations, non-governmental organizations and academia throughout British Columbia. Previously, Megan was a forest stewardship specialist with the Association of BC Forest Professionals, Managing Director of the Association of Professional Biology of BC, and planning forester with the Ministry of Forests.
Currently residing in Port McNeill with her husband and children, she is a strong voice for rural communities and sustainable resource-sector management and development.
Vickey Brown, Executive Committee — Mayor, Village of Cumberland
Mayor Vickey Brown was elected to the Trust board in November 2022. She resides in the Village of Cumberland, with her husband and two teenage sons. Vickey has been a Councillor since 2018 and, more recently, was elected as mayor in October 2022. Mayor Brown has an educational background in Environmental Studies and Political Science, with a postgraduate diploma in Community Economic Development and a Public Leadership Credential with the Harvard Kennedy School.
Vickey’s work experience is primarily in non-profit leadership and small business, and she has almost 20 years’ experience in non-profit and social enterprise boards. She served a four-year term as School Trustee representing the Village of Cumberland, which was after chairing the Cumberland Community School Society Board for four years. Mayor Brown recently retired from her seat as President on the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets, where she sat for the past six years. She is currently serving her second term on the Board of First Credit Union where she has completed all three levels of the Credit Union Director Achievement program.
Mayor Brown brings a wide skill set to the Trust Board, including business development, marketing and promotions, strategic planning, policy development, governance, and human resources. Vickey is passionate about the Trust’s work.
“I have seen the impacts of the Trust's work in my own community and beyond. I am keen to support coastal communities through our programs.”
Meaghan Cursons, Executive Committee — Appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council
Meaghan Cursons is a high-energy nonprofit and community leader with decades of experience in the arts and culture, heritage, conservation, publishing, festival and event production, and tourism sectors in the North Island region. A resident of the Village of Cumberland, she is Executive Director of the Cumberland Community Forest Society, a conservation organization purchasing forest land from private timber companies and leading work in watershed protection, collaborative parks planning, and wildfire resilience in the wildland urban interface of eastern Vancouver Island.
Meaghan is member of editorial team for the CV Collective Magazine and a sought-after event producer (Elevate, Moonlight & Magic, National Indigenous People’s Day, Cumberland Fungus Fest, Cumberland Home & Garden Tour to name a few). She is chair of the Cumberland Heritage Commission and Vice Chair at the Comox Valley Art Gallery. She has previously served as a school trustee and as a board member with the BC School Trustees Association and North Island College.
Meaghan is a talented facilitator, strategic planner, interpretive guide, event planner, storyteller, and writer who shares stories about the history of the region to build community, connection, inclusion, and resilience. She is passionate about building the capacity for our region to respond to the impacts of climate change. In her spare time produces youth climate theatre and sings in the community choir.
Bob Chamberlin — Appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council
Bob Chamberlin is a citizen of Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation, where he has previously served as elected Chief Councillor for multiple terms. He has also served as the Vice-President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs for ten years, engaging with and presenting to Standing Senate Committees, various authorities and bodies on a wide range of issues advocating on behalf of the people he represents.
Bob has dedicated his career to raising awareness about the most urgent democratic, environmental and social issues with a strong belief that a better way forward is achievable. He is especially proud of the transformation he helped lead for his community Gwa-yas-dums on Gilford Island during a time when his Nation completely rebuilt the village with new homes, installed a new water system, developed infrastructure, improved the delivery of health services, and strengthened financial management. Through this work, Bob acquired many skills, such as navigating and engaging federal bureaucracy, setting and managing budgets, community engagement and making decisions consistent with community direction, and seeking out opportunities to keep the Nation moving forward.
Bob currently resides in qathet (Powell River). His firm, Chamberlin and Associates Consulting provides negotiation services for First Nations and government. He serves as the Chair of the First Nation Wild Salmon Alliance, which brings together like-minded First Nations to work in partnership to identify and explore ways of protecting and enhancing wild Pacific salmon stocks and encouraging recovery and restoration of salmon stocks and habitat. He serves as a director of the Royal BC Museum and he’s a commissioner with the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission, a Canadian-US organization working on transboundary efforts to preserve the upper Skagit River watershed.
Vanessa Craig — Chair, Regional District of Nanaimo
Vanessa Craig has been a member of the Central South Island Regional Advisory Committee since November 2022 and joined the Trust Board in November 2024. She is the Chair of the Regional District of Nanaimo, where she serves as the elected Regional District of Nanaimo Electoral Area B representative for Gabriola, Mudge, and DeCourcy Islands.
Within her elected role, she contributes to several committees, including the Executive, Regional Parks and Trails, and Fire Services Advisory. She is committed to fostering partnerships with First Nations, contributing to both the Snuneymuxw First Nations/Regional District of Nanaimo Protocol Agreement Working Group and representing the RDN on the Te’mexw Treaty Association Main Table.
After five years, she recently concluded her term on the Vancouver Island Regional Library board. She continues to serve the SD68 Sports Field and Recreation Commission, and Nanaimo Regional Hospital District Board.
Beyond her community-led work, Vanessa holds a PhD in biology and is a Registered Professional Biologist and co-owner of a biological consulting firm; her professional focus is on small mammals (shrews, mice, and voles) and bats. She volunteered for 12 years as a member of the Council of the College of Applied Biologists, the regulator of professional biologists in the province, serving as President for 4 years.
Vanessa grew up in Port Coquitlam and lived in the lower mainland before moving to Sayward for 3 years, and then subsequently to Gabriola Island. Along with her family, she has lived on Gabriola Island for the past 24 years.
Martin Davis — Mayor, Village of Tahsis
Mayor Martin Davis has been Mayor of Tahsis since 2018, prior to which he served as Village councillor. Elected to the Trust's board in 2021, Martin is also Chairman of the Strathcona Regional District Municipal Services Committee, President of the Canadian Cave Conservancy and Coordinator the Batcaver Program.
Martin grew up in Ontario, moving out to British Columbia in 1999. He has 40 years of experience in the forest industry and is also a small business owner. A lifelong environmentalist, he has worked with government in developing karst management policy resulting in the protection of thousands of hectares of rare old growth karst ecosystems on Vancouver Island.
Martin believes the Trust is an excellent high-value mechanism for social and economic progress. He sees the Trust as a flexible and effective regional tool to help advance economic development initiatives, build capacity and provide financial support for small communities to enhance tourism and other economic opportunities, as well as improve their overall quality of life.
Rob Douglas — Mayor, North Cowichan
Rob Douglas currently serves as mayor for North Cowichan, having been elected in 2022 after spending two terms as a councillor. Rob is also a director with the Cowichan Valley Regional District..
Prior to his involvement in municipal politics, Rob served on a wide range of community organizations, including the board for the Cowichan Land Trust and Volunteer Cowichan. He has also advocated for co-operatives and credit unions to have a stronger role in economic development. In addition, he wrote for the Cowichan News Leader Pictorial for several years.
Rob has more than a decade of experience working for the Province of British Columbia as a director and policy analyst in the areas of post-secondary education and skills training, Indigenous education, immigration policy, and newcomer settlement. He previously worked in the pulp and paper, forestry, and construction industries.
Born and raised in North Cowichan, Rob’s family has deep roots in the Cowichan Valley that go back five generations. He currently lives near Mount Tzouhalem with his wife, two daughters, and their boxer Daisy, where they enjoy hiking, swimming and playing sports.
Colleen Evans - Appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council
Colleen Evans was appointed to the Trust’s board by the Province of BC in December 2024. She is a Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE), and Certified Marketing Director (CMD) based in Campbell River.
Colleen is a senior business and resource development executive with extensive expertise in fund development, community and economic development, and marketing and public relations. She honed her business acumen as President and CEO of Campbell River and District Chamber of Commerce for 12 years. She also served two terms as an elected Councillor with the City of Campbell River. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island. She has previously served on the board with Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities, Vancouver Island Economic Alliance, Museum at Campbell River, and Association of Fundraising Professionals Vancouver Chapter, among other volunteer positions. She is also the co-founder of 100 Women Who Care Campbell River.
Throughout her diverse career, she has developed, implemented and managed multi-million-dollar fundraising campaigns, national and international stakeholder relationship programs, award winning marketing and advertising campaigns.
Her executive management career extends across international health services and arts and culture sectors with a 10-year term in a senior role in post-secondary.
Leonard Krog — Mayor, City of Nanaimo
Mayor Leonard Krog joined the Trust's board in the Spring of 2022. Leonard, who was born in Nanaimo and raised in Coombs, has been the mayor of Nanaimo since 2018. Prior to his election, Mayor Krog served as MLA for Nanaimo. He was also first elected to the Provincial Legislature in 1991 and served as the BC Government Caucus Chair. He previously served as the Official Opposition spokesperson for Justice (Attorney General).
Leonard is deeply rooted and committed to his community. He was the Past Director and President of the Mid-Island Consumer Services Co-operative, Chair of the United Way for Nanaimo and president of numerous other community organizations. Mayor Krog is also an avid and eclectic reader, and enjoys reading everything from history and biography to environmental literature.
Mayor Krog has been a practicing lawyer in Nanaimo since 1980, working alongside his wife and son, both of whom are also lawyers.
Leonard believes the benefits of the Trust to the Island cannot simply be measured in mere statistics around jobs and dollars. In Leonard’s view, the lives of people in our varied communities have been often profoundly improved with the help of the Trust and, as he notes, “who wouldn’t want to be apart of that?"
Jeraldine Marshall — Appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council
Jeraldine Marshall was appointed to the Trust's board by the Province of BC in December 2024. She is the Director of Finance with the Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation. Her experience spans various roles within the non-profit sector, both professionally and on Boards, shaping her perspective..
Jeraldine is a member of the Heiltsuk First Nation. Her career and educational pursuits reflect a commitment to advancing Indigenous Economic Development initiatives. Graduating with distinction, she holds dual Master’s degrees in business and a Bachelor's degree in Science from Vancouver Island University.
Raised in a remote coastal community, Jeraldine has experienced the challenges and opportunities inherent to coastal living. Her strong belief in overcoming challenges and leveraging opportunities to build resilience leads her approach to work. Jeraldine now resides on Vancouver Island with her husband and teenage sons, using her lived experience to advocate for economic resilience in Indigenous communities.
Silas White — Mayor, Town of Gibsons
Silas White was elected to the Trust's board in November 2022, shortly after his election as mayor of Gibsons and his appointment, by Council, to serve his third year as a Director at the Sunshine Coast Regional District. Silas was born and raised on the Sunshine Coast, and served as a Sunshine Coast school trustee 2005–2014. In 2014, Silas was elected to Gibsons Council.
Mayor White holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Victoria and a bachelor’s degree in English literature from UBC. He has worked as a book publisher and editor for leading Canadian publishers Nightwood Editions, Harbour Publishing and Douglas & McIntyre; a contract negotiator for the provincial government; and a local government consultant in housing, economic development, public engagement and Indigenous relations.
In Coastal economic development, Mayor White founded a successful advocacy group for the attraction and retention of young families on the Sunshine Coast, served on the board of Sunshine Coast Community Futures, and helped to start the Sunshine Coast Regional Economic Development Organization (SCREDO) in 2016 and the Island-Coastal precursor to the BC Social Procurement Initiative (BCPSI) in 2018.
Silas has a lifelong passion for the hard-working history, culture and character of BC’s Coastal and Island communities, and is excited about the Trust's role in the region’s 21st-century economic transition and security.
Additionally, the Chair of each Regional Advisory Committee serves on the Trust’s board as an ex officio member:
Bob Wells, Regional Advisory Committee Chair — Mayor, City of Courtenay
Mayor Bob Wells was elected Chair of the North Island – Sunshine Coast Regional Advisory Committee (NISCRAC) in July 2020. He has been Mayor of Courtenay since 2018 and served as Chair of the Comox Valley Regional District in 2018-2019. Previously, he served on Courtenay City Council from 2014-2018.
A resident of the Comox Valley since 2001, Bob has an extensive technology and entrepreneurial background. In the mid 90’s, Bob worked at the BC Ministry of Education and at some dot com companies, after which he took a job at Shaw Cable in a technical leadership role with Internet and Digital TV. In 2006, Bob created My Tech Guys in Courtenay. It was named one of BC’s best managed companies and the province’s fastest growing company in 2010. Mayor Wells was also recognized as one of BC’s Top 40 under 40 in business, as well as the Comox Valley Chamber Small Business of the Year.
Mayor Wells is passionate about his community. Driven by his love for bringing people together to solve difficult problems, he is actively involved as a volunteer in community development and youth initiatives.
Mark Swain, Regional Advisory Committee Chair — Mayor, District of Lantzville
Mayor Mark Swain was elected Chair of the Central South Island Regional Advisory Committee (CSIRAC) in July 2020. He has been Mayor of the District of Lantzville since 2018.
Mark is originally from New Zealand, immigrating to Canada when he was seven years old. He grew up in Campbell River, then lived in Victoria and Vancouver, before returning to the Island in 2002, then to Lantzville nine years later. Mayor Swain has a background in Science-Kinesiology and practices in the functional assessment of injured persons and workplace ergonomics.
Mayor Swain has been actively involved in his community, coaching youth and serving on the Regional District of Nanaimo Board. He also supports small scale agricultural use of private property in Lantzville.
Mark is deeply commitment to helping Lantzville enhance its economic resiliency by developing the village core area for the local community. He believes in the Trust's continued efforts to diversify the economies of Central and Northern Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast through a community-centred decision-making process.
