Board of Directors

Ed Andrusiak
CHAIR
Ed discovered Galiano in the early 1970s, built a house near Stockade Hill in 1986 and retired to the Island full time with his wife Sher in 2010. Ed holds a M.Sc. from UBC and spent most of his professional life in park program operations, planning, design and management.

Thandi Williams
VICE CHAIR
Thandi is a former Torontonian, who quickly realized that she belongs in British Columbia, after her first visit to Victoria over 20 years ago. 4 years ago she discovered picturesque Pender Island, which has become home to her, Eric and their two boys.

Elisabeth Geller
SECRETARY / TREASURER
Elisabeth is a 4th generation settler born on Treaty 1 territory. She has been privileged to work to advance social justice, anti-poverty, affordable housing and climate justice for 20+ years, working with and for vulnerable communities, including women and femmes, Indigenous peoples, immigrants and refugees, LGBTQIA2S+ and low income people; supporting justice, equity, inclusion, leadership, and innovation.

Richard Blagborne
Richard Blagborne is a retired architect whose professional career included responsibilities for strategic planning, master planning, urban design, exhibition planning and programming, architectural design, and project management.

Rebecca Ewing
Rebecca has been connected to Mayne Island, and lived there, on and off since 1992. In 2012 Rebecca and her partner began developing a farm on the island, and when she retired from her government job in Victoria in early 2020, she moved over full time.

Amber Leeb
Offering a 15+ year professional history building end-to-end event experiences with a focus on
engagement and connection. Specializing in creative marketing, sponsorship strategy, and
tactical planning for destinations, special events, and conferences.

Tanya Inglis
I have resided on Galiano Island for almost 10 years now and over these years I have contributed to the island as a volunteer, employee, entrepreneur and board member. Currently, I am the owner of the Galiano Trading Company, part owner of The Loose Leaf and Galiano Post office and a volunteer Firefighter.

Jean-Daniel Cusin
Jean-Daniel retired to Mayne Island with his wife in 2015, where they designed and built their home. He quickly became deeply involved with the community as a volunteer. Holding an MA-LT from Royal Roads University, he is an accomplished leader in both the nonprofit and business sectors with a strong track record in strategic planning, operational improvement, grant management, and community development.
Staff

Melody Pender
Executive Director, SGI CRC
Melody arrived on Pender Island in 2006 to take on the expansive role of Human Resource Manager at the Poets Cove Resort.

Michael Cowan
Managing Director, SGI CRC
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Michael is an innovative, solution-oriented, strategic leader holding a Master’s degree in Global Leadership.

Katie Dentry
Grant Development
Katie‘s family has lived on Saturna Island for 5 generations. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of British Columbia, and took environmental studies at the University of Victoria.

Cathie Leavins
Office Administrator
Cathie started visiting the Southern Gulf Islands 22 years ago. She and her husband had a small cottage built on Pender back in 2001 and moved permanently to Pender in 2017. Cathie started as an eager Volunteer with the CRC and somehow wiggled her way into working in the Pender office.

Janey Rowland
Project Manager - Housing NOW Project & HomeShare Registry Program
Taanshi Janey Rowland dishinihkaashoon! Hello, my name is Janey Rowland and I am a proud Michif (Metis) community member living in the unceded and traditional territories of the W̱SÁNEĆ people, S,DÁYES, Pender Island.

Priscilla Maki
Employment Services and Small Business Support