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Leading what's possible

The Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT) relies on the vision and strategic direction of a committed Board of Directors representing a diversity of experience, skills, and interests that support our role as a UNESCO Biosphere and community foundation.

The Board of Directors is comprised of appointments from Hesquiaht First Nation, Ahousaht, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations, Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government, Toquaht Nation, District of Tofino, District of Ucluelet and the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District Area C, as well as two At-large Directors. Their knowledge and dedication guide our work and ensure we remain in touch with the communities we serve. We also appreciate the dedication of non-voting board advisers appointed by Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Parks Canada, and the Province of British Columbia.

We maintain a board resources page to provide helpful non-profit governance information to our directors. We encourage you to check it out.

Nicky is the director appointed to the CBT by the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) - Area C and serves as co-chair of the CBT board. Hailing from Rochester in the UK, Nicky holds degrees in electro-mechanical power engineering and human nutrition, as well as a post-graduate diploma in Leadership & Management. She now lives in an off-grid, sustainable home just outside Ucluelet in ACRD - Area C, where she operates an IT Consultancy that she founded. In addition to her role on the CBT board, Nicky is a volunteer mentor for Junior Achievers (Ucluelet), provides volunteer IT support for both the Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce and the Westcoast Community Resources Society, and is a member of the CBT Neighbourhood Small Grants Committee. She is passionate about alternative power technologies and sustainability, as well as public health, nutrition, and food policy. She is also an Organic Master Gardener and she loves to grow and eat delicious, healthy food.

Ruth is the director appointed to the CBT by Hesquiaht First Nation and serves as co-chair on the CBT Board. Ruth grew up surrounded in Hesquiaht culture and has had a long career in service of community. After studying social work at the University of Victoria, she worked for many years as a social worker on the lower mainland and on Vancouver Island, and has spent multiple terms on Hesquiaht council. She recently retired to Hot Springs Cove Village in Hesquiaht territory to be closer to land, family, and territory. Ruth enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren, quilting, reading, hosting workshops on self-care, and gardening. 

Naomi is the director appointed to the CBT by Toquaht Nation and serves as secretary on the CBT board. She was born and raised in Port Alberni and now resides in the community of Macoah. Naomi is both a three-term elected council member and Administrative Assistant for Toquaht Nation. She has received an Indigenous Language Proficiency Certificate from UVIC and feels that it is important to continue learning the Nuu Chah Nulth language. Beading and scrapbooking are passions of Naomi and she also enjoys connecting with her two younger sisters who live in Port Alberni and Campbell River.

Mike is the director appointed to the CBT by the District of Tofino and serves as treasurer.  He was born and raised in Victoria and he followed a passion for adventuring by boots, boards, bikes, and boats to Tofino in 2005.  While the surfing lifestyle first attracted him to the region, he feels that the culture and tight-knit community are what has made it a home for him and his family.  He also enjoys the opportunities Clayoquot Sound and the surrounding area provide to inspire his kids to be free-spirited adventurers.

Mike has a BSC in Natural Resource Conservation from UBC and is a professional forester.  He works for a small consulting company specializing in community forestry and woodlot management and feels very lucky to play a role in shaping the future stewardship of our forests.

The CBT is currently looking for a new director appointed by Ahousaht.

Ariane is a director-at-large to the CBT Board. A keen adventurer and dedicated scientist, Ariane studied Marine Biology at Dalhousie University and her career is focused on promoting awareness, appreciation, and knowledge of the natural world via public education and community outreach.

Ariane is pursuing her Masters in Educational Leadership at Vancouver Island University after working with Raincoast Education Society from 2013-2019, where she has coordinated and led environmental education programs in Ahousaht, Hot Springs, Ucluelet and Tofino. She has also worked as a Marine Educator in Bamfield, as a Wildlife Technician at East Bay’s Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Nunavut, and as a marine biologist aboard ships from Greenland to Antarctica.

Toni is the director appointed to the CBT by the District of Ucluelet. She has spent over a decade working in outdoor education, guiding kayaking and hiking trips around Vancouver Island. At home, she spends most of her time gardening and with her many animals on her little homestead. She grew up in Nanaimo and Ucluelet, studied Digital Communications, and spent many years traveling while working and volunteering. She works in Community Outreach for Westcoast Community Resources Society, is the Youth Facilitator for the District of Ucluelet, and loves finding new ways to combine her passion for nature and community.

Zolie is the director appointed to the CBT by Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government, where he serves as Director of Lands and Resources. He grew up working in the forestry industry with his father on Vancouver Island and has worked in resource management alongside many nations including Toquaht, Nanoose, Ahousaht, and Hesquiaht. A community-focused leader, Zolie spent many years as a hockey coach for his sons and other youth in Port Alberni after growing up playing competitively himself. When he's not working, Zolie loves to spend hot summers in Osoyoos and visit other countries around the world, including his family's homelands, Hungary and Switzerland. Zolie resides in Port Alberni. 

Elyse (she/her) is a director-at-large to the Board and was introduced to the work of the CBT through her time on the  CBT Community Development grant evaluation committee. Energized by the connections between people and place, she credits her time with the CBT with a deepening in her understanding of the communities, needs, and creativity in the Biosphere region. 

The daughter of first-generation Canadians, Elyse was born in Winnipeg on Treaty No. 1 lands in Anishinabe and Cree territories; at an early age, she moved with her family to Lekwungen territory on Vancouver Island. She holds a degree in political science from UVic and worked with the provincial and federal governments before settling on the West Coast to work with the District of Tofino. She now gratefully lives in Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ territory with her partner, son and dog and enjoys fishing, surfing and cooking for friends. 

Non-voting Board Advisors:

Kendall Woo & Chris Lee (Alternate): Environment & Climate Change Canada
Linda Higgins & Denise Koshowski (Alternate): Department of Fisheries & Oceans
Dave Tovell & Jazz Amyot (Alternate): Parks Canada
James Proteau & Brian Titaro (Alternate): Province of British Columbia

Board documents

Historical documents

Board meeting minutes