NSMBA Board of Directors Candidates
We are looking to fill four positions on the Board of Directors for 2022 ( 2 vacant positions and 2 positions where the current Directors are seeking re-election). Members will vote on who will become directors at the Annual General Meeting on November 25th.
All candidates are posted below (ordered alphabetically by last name). Click the name or +/- icons to expand and shrink each profile.
Each member will be able to vote for up to 4 candidates. Voting will be done online on November 25th so please click here for instructions.
Robin Donovan
Current Occupation?
Senior Commissioning Coordinator
Tell us about yourself and any qualities you possess which would support you in being a successful NSMBA Director in 2022.
As a commissioning provider my day to day tasks are managing various construction projects and dealing with owners, designers and contractors. I have been involved in managing projects and feel that this can also translate to projects through the NSMBA. I believe there is a correlation between dealing with owners of buildings and dealing with land owners on the trails. I also am a volunteer trail builder for the NSMBA and this year have organized social rides with a small group of friends that followed the existing FIVER series in a non race format. This allowed riders to experience new trails they might not have ridden and allowed to meet new people.
Employment and/or Volunteer History?
I have been a building commissioning provider for 10 years and I have volunteered through the NSMBA with trail building and social events for the since 2014. I have also volunteered at music festivals and Crankworx as well in the past.
Tell us about your experiences/accreditations/competencies which pertain to those being sought for the 2022 Board of Directors.
I tend to get out on my bike as often as possible during the riding season and enjoy sharing new trails with friends. I feel the community aspect of mountain biking on the North Shore is strong and would like to see it get even stronger. My experiences trail building, social events and project management would allow me to help further grow the NSMBA.
What is your vision for the NSMBA in 2022?
My vision for next season is to further engage the community with social events through the NSMBA and COVID depending allow for social rides. I would like to see better relationships between land managers and trail builders to see that existing trails can be better maintained and development of new trails are planned for the future.
Ben Organ
Current Occupation?
Director of Engineering at Athena
Tell us about yourself and any qualities you possess which would support you in being a successful NSMBA Director in 2022.
Background in technology, including experience working in startups and running my own business
Employment and/or Volunteer History?
Current NSMBA board member since 2019
Tell us about your experiences/accreditations/competencies which pertain to those being sought for the 2022 Board of Directors.
Good tech knowledge, organised, leadership skills, interest in First Nations engagement
What is your vision for the NSMBA in 2022?
Start putting the strategic plan into action!
Kirsty Duffy
Current Occupation?
Corporate Travel Agent
Tell us about yourself and any qualities you possess which would support you in being a successful NSMBA Director in 2022.
Employment and/or Volunteer History?
I work in Corporate Travel and have done for the last 11 years. I organize large scale travel projects for companies, rotational travel, conferences, training and yearly events. My specialties have always been on the event side as I am not daunted by large numbers of people and how to make them all fit. I pride myself on coming up with unique ideas and solutions while always keeping my clients’ happiness in the forefront. My history is in sales which has allowed me to take a different approach in my customer service. This has allowed me a portfolio built solely on referrals and currently sitting as the largest in the office.
Tell us about your experiences/accreditations/competencies which pertain to those being sought for the 2022 Board of Directors.
My experience being mostly logistical makes me an active problem solver. I think of things as a puzzle and work on the problem until I am able to make it fit. I am also a strong advocate when required. I am well equipped to put together plans that I believe in and take them as far as I need to go. I am quick to pivot when needed and pride myself on being a team player.
What is your vision for the NSMBA in 2022?
As someone who needs to learn my way around NSMBA I want to keep my vision simple. I want to leave the trails better than I have found them and hopefully add a voice and a hand where is needed.
Ken Coopland
Current Occupation?
TELUS – Product Management
Tell us about yourself and any qualities you possess which would support you in being a successful NSMBA Director in 2022.
Employment and/or Volunteer History?
I have been a TELUS employee for over 20 years in various roles in Operations, Marketing and Product Management and have learned that if you just take, its not rewarding. You have to give back.
Tell us about your experiences/accreditations/competencies which pertain to those being sought for the 2022 Board of Directors.
The past two years on the Board of Directors have taught me that things only happen when people pick up a shovel, a pen, a cheque book, make phone calls, or make a commitment to making things better. Its been quite inspiring to see each Board Member find their niche and contribute in various ways and in various styles. To see people give their time to make things better for others has been very rewarding. My skillset of organizing and learning from others has served me well so far and I hope to continue for another term.
What is your vision for the NSMBA in 2022?
We have made a lot of progress in the past two challenging years and its been the result of a lot of people doing a lot of work through the two Covid years. We are trying to leave the NSMBA better than we we found it. The completion of the Strategic Plan and a return to a robust financial position have been two significant accomplishments. On the horizon we are starting to see the complex landowners of the North Shore come together and deliver some cohesive thoughts and action that have been so long overdue. I see the next two years delivering on that as evidenced by what is happening on Cypress, Seymour and Fromme.
Steven Boorne
Current Occupation?
I am an employment lawyer specializing in human rights issues. The best part of my job is connecting with people and helping them to redress a wrong. I also work with Indigenous organizations and people with disabilities. I have strong communication, negotiation and conflict resolution skills. I am comfortable working with legislation, contracts, bylaws and policies.
Tell us about yourself and any qualities you possess which would support you in being a successful NSMBA Director in 2022.
I am a strong team player and bring a passionate love of nature to the Board. My family mountain bikes, hikes and runs on the North Shore trails. I believe I can use my skills as a communicator to help navigate relationships with stakeholders so trails can be managed responsibly.
Employment and/or Volunteer History?
When I lived in Whistler, I sat on the Board of Directors of the Whistler Off Road Cycling Association (WORCA) for two years, helping to build their membership base and expand youth programming. I was a director with the Whistler Section of the Alpine Club of Canada and sat on the Spearhead Huts Committee, where I worked on planning and fundraising for the development of a network of three backcountry huts in the Spearhead range. I was a volunteer ski patroller on Blackcomb Mountain for 14 years, providing emergency care to people involved in accidents or experiencing medical difficulties. I was also an on-hill volunteer (slip crew) at the alpine events for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic games and for the lead up qualifying Alpine World Cup events.
Tell us about your experiences/accreditations/competencies which pertain to those being sought for the 2022 Board of Directors.
In my job as a lawyer, I have highly developed skills as a communicator, problem solver and collaborator. I am used to dealing with high pressure situations and tight deadlines. I have experience managing complex projects and engaging others to work together to achieve common goals.
What is your vision for the NSMBA in 2022?
The pandemic has shone a spotlight on the crucial role outdoor living plays in society. This means more people, more pressure on infrastructure and increasing demand for places to roam. A strong leadership role is needed to manage growth in an environmentally responsible way. This means strengthening partnerships with organizations who share the same vision as the NSMBA. I also would be interested in helping grow social events to raise awareness about sport and the role of participants as environmental stewards.
Steve Lionais
Current Occupation?
Sr. Director in charge of business development at Dr. Bill/RBC. Dr. Bill is a medical billing software business I founded and was recently sold to RBC/Royal Bank.
Tell us about yourself and any qualities you possess which would support you in being a successful NSMBA Director in 2022.
I’ve spent the past 8 years building & leading a software startup as it’s CEO & co-founder. My partners and I sold the business to RBC in late 2019 and since then I’ve been working as a Sr. Director in charge of business development and partnerships. As I wind down my involvement with RBC over the next 11 months. I want to shift my attention away from business to the community and build on the great work that NSMBA has already done.
Employment and/or Volunteer History?
Sr. Director & Business Development Lead for Dr. Bill/RBC 2020-Present Responsible for developing new business relationships that will grow Dr. Bill’s business Find & develop partnership opportunities with other businesses CEO & Co Founder of Dr. Bill 2013 – 2020 Managed all of the business related activities that didn’t involve writing software including setting business strategy, fundraising, budgeting, building out marketing, sales, and operations teams. Freelance Business Owner & Digital Marketer 2007 – 2013 Helped business build digital marketing strategies including everything from planning to execution. Various other marketing & product roles in technology & software organizations 1998-2007
Tell us about your experiences/accreditations/competencies which pertain to those being sought for the 2022 Board of Directors.
I have deep experience in Marketing having worked in the field for nearly 20 years before founding a software business. Most of my expertise is digital in nature working for software companies and dozens of different types of businesses selling their products & services online. While growing Dr. Bill I developed our marketing strategies, implemented them and eventually built a team that ran this department for me. Secondly I have experience fundraising and finding creative solutions to fund and grow my startup. I’ve leveraged equity investment, several debt instruments, government grants & programs as well as revenue generating activities to fund the business as it grew. Additionally, building a business from scratch has helped me learn and hone skills that I think will be valuable at NSMBA: 1. Leadership, Vision & Motivation 2. Funding & Financing 3. Strategic & tactical Marketing Skills 4. Hustle I think a non-profit organization is a lot like a startup in that your resources are limited and you need to be creative to meet your objectives. I’d like to bring that attitude to the NSMBA. Finally, I live in Mt. Pleasant, Vancouver and have the flexibility to attend events and other on-the-ground activities in and around downtown.
What is your vision for the NSMBA in 2022?
I think the NSMBA has done a great job of creating a world class trail system with assets that make it easy to access (parking/access) and use (signage, maintenance). My vision is for the NSMBA to have the financial resources it needs to continue to build the mountain biking community and maintain the quality of the trail system.