Staff
Deanne Cote
Executive Director
Ever since I bought by first bike when I was 16 years old, I have immersed myself in all aspects of mountain biking: racing, coaching, officiating, event organization, volunteering on various club boards, advocacy and trail building. The mountains and culture of the sport brought me out to BC in 2005 from the prairies and my dream of one day living on the Shore came true in 2015.
I am honoured to be a part of the NSMBA as the Executive Director to help bring the vision and ideas from the Board and membership into action. I look forward to building upon the legacy of past staff, volunteers, builders, and directors while continuing to elevate the organization. I bring to this role a wealth of knowledge from collaborating with clubs and land managers across Canada, an almost endless supply of patience and perseverance and perspective to do and be better.
There is a lot to do when working with a volunteer driven non-profit organization and I look forward to the challenge everyday! If you need anything do not hesitate to reach out to me!
Sarah McLeod
Trails Director
Having grown up in North Vancouver, I’ve spent a large majority of my time on our local mountains and have always enjoyed working and recreating outside. After completing my Bachelors of Environment at SFU, I was so excited for this opportunity to give back to the trails with a sense of environmentalism and sustainability. The legacy of the North Shore is monumentally important to the sport of mountain biking, and it is something I prioritize while continuing to maintain and grow our trail network for riders of all skill levels. When I’m not on the trails with a shovel or on a bike, you can find me climbing, skiing, and riding throughout the Sea to Sky – see you out there!
Todd "Digger" Fiander
Trail Crew
Digger—aka Todd Fiander—is one of the original trail builders that gave Vancouver’s North Shore its legendary status in the mountain biking world.
Marcus VanHeyst
Trail Crew
I was born and raised on the North Shore, with the Mt. Fromme trails just outside my back door. I’ve been biking and hiking the local trails as long as I can remember. This has left me with a deep appreciation of our local environment and the excellent trail network that we enjoy.
I want to contribute to the sport in a positive way and help preserve the North Shore as a progressive riding area. I am grateful for the opportunity to help maintain the trails in a sustainable manner, and so they can be enjoyed by all riders.
Gareth Critcher
Marketing Manager
Originally from the steep valleys of South Wales, I’ve relocated with my Canadian partner where the North Shore mountain views are forever inspiring. I studied a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Aided Product Design from Cardiff before joining the bike industry to focus on graphic production, sports marketing and content design. I still feel incredibly grateful that I have the opportunity to combine my love for bikes, trails and outdoor adventures with a creative passion for marketing and graphic design.
I am inspired to work and grow the NSMBA community, building upon the incredible history and potential of the North Shore trail networks, community membership and sustainable awareness.
Sarah Oehm
Partnership & Events Manager
I am grateful to call the North Shore home where I have grown a deep connection to the forest and trail systems. Growing up in Ontario led me to focus my studies on Event Management and Marketing, with an unofficial education in road biking (inspired by my mom). When I moved out West in 2016, I naturally gravitated to gravel biking and bikepacking, until I discovered the thrills of mountain biking.
I have experience in corporate, education, agency and startup environments where community has always been at the forefront of my career. My passion is building connections where sport, nature and sustainability all weave together. I am beyond thankful to work with NSMBA to support the vision of Trails for All. Trails Forever.
Want to partner with NSMBA or just go for a ride? Let’s connect!
Ethan Reynolds
Content Producer
Born and raised on the North Shore, I have developed a deep appreciation for our natural playground and have been riding the trails for as long as I can remember. Off the bike, I have worked in the film industry for the last 3 years, as well as coached sailing, and am currently a third-year student in the Motion Picture Art program at Capilano University, where I am exploring my passion for storytelling and filmmaking. My commitment to professional development drives me to stay ahead of the ever-evolving creative curves in content creation, and I’m honoured to be a part of the NSMBA and our mission to promote and capture its essence and preserve its legacy.