Our Staff

Director

Tina has worked in the food industry for over 20 years with a focus in sales, manufacturing and distribution. She has a keen interest in all things food related, particularly food security and community access to healthy food. Born in the US, she moved to Canada in her early teens and has lived in Sudbury, Toronto, Vancouver and Victoria before settling in the Cowichan Valley in 2010. Tina enjoys spending time in her garden where she grows food and flowers.

Director

Vivianne feels like a relative newcomer in the Cowichan Valley having lived here just over 10 years. During her long career in the food industry, she has witnessed untold food waste. As a new member to the board of Cowichan Green Community she is grateful to belong to this community where it's possible to see the results of the energy and commitment towards food security and food management that she finds in this organization. The goals of trying to meet the needs of those who could go hungry and effective use of our bounty are dear to her heart.

Director

Brigid Reynolds is a settler of immigrant parents grateful to be living on the unceded Coast Salish lands of the Stz’uminus, Quw’utsun, and Semiahmoo First Nations.

Brigid started her own consulting company, Compass Rose Planning Services, in 2021 after more than twenty years of working as a professional planner in smaller communities on Vancouver Island and Whidbey Island, Washington. Her interest in social justice and community planning started when she worked as a welfare and tenants’ rights advocate in Vancouver’s downtown eastside neighbourhood in the early 90’s.

One of her greatest achievements was as a founding member and co-chair of the Cowichan Housing Association (CHA). She’s glad to be taking an active role with the Cowichan Green Community’s team and fulfilling the organization’s mission.

Brigid grew up in the Maritimes and has lived on the west coast most of her adult life. This has fostered an enduring relationship with the ‘salt chuck’. In her spare time, you will find her sailing somewhere around the Salish Sea.

Director

Emily Amon (she/her) is the director of Green Infrastructure programs for Green Communities Canada – working nationally to support local environmental organizations to implement urban greening and climate adaptation initiatives in equity deserving communities across the country. She holds a Master of Arts in Sustainability Studies (MA SS) and Honours Bachelor of Environmental Sciences and Studies (B.E.S.S) from Trent University in Peterborough Ontario. An avid permaculturalist, Emily has been homesteading in Duncan for the last 3 years with her partner- raising rabbits, and ducks and selling local produce on Cow-Op under the farm name “Hop N Quack” homestead. Emily is excited to support the Foundation in its ongoing endeavours and support the growth and vitality of CGC through her role on the board.

Executive Director

Born in Vancouver, Judy lived in a variety of places, including Central America before locating in Cowichan in 2006, Judy acquired over 25 years’ experience in financial institutions, managing several bank branches and back office administration functions. Her responsibilities included all aspects of corporate and residential loans, mortgages and small business development, human resource management, marketing, client satisfaction, and technical processes. Judy joined CGC in September 2007, and has been involved in a wide range of environmental sustainability and agricultural initiatives . She has strong ties with local business and social organizations, and draws on decades of experience in facilitation, collaboration and communication to make good things happen in the Cowichan Region. In her spare time, Judy loves to hike, swim, and hang out with her grandchildren!

Director of Operations

Kortnee was born in Duncan and grew up in Northern BC. She spent most of her adult life in Calgary AB and relocated back to Duncan in 2012. Kortnee spent the last 17 years in the financial industry, working in many positions. She worked her way into senior level positions in which she spent her last 6 years. Kortnee joined Cowichan Green Community in April 2024. It is a deep passion of hers to work with and give back the community. Cowichan Green Community's mission and values align closely with Kortnee's own personal passions and she is very grateful to be a part of such an amazing organization.

Program Manager

Born and mostly raised in Ontario, Alyssa moved out to beautiful British Columbia in 2008, and has been working at CGC since 2010! With her Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Youth Care, Alyssa’s passions lie in working with children, youth, and families to create an inclusive, safe, and vibrant community celebrating the gifts and strengths of all people. On the side, she thoroughly enjoys playing music, creating art, and taking in the beauty of Vancouver Island by going on mini adventures and hikes.

Farm Coordinator, KinPark Youth Urban Farm

Naomi has always been passionate about the environment and growing food. After receiving a degree in Geography, her thoughts turned toward the future. She started to dream about living intentionally and growing most of her own food herself. With this goal in mind, Naomi got her start in agriculture at Island Hothouse in Saltair. After several years on the farm and after welcoming her first child into the world, Naomi joined the team at CGC excited to explore urban farming while working with youth. After a year away with the birth of her second child, Naomi is back at KinPark grateful to be in the garden again to continue inspiring connection to the food we eat and the world around us.

When she’s not working, Naomi can be found barefoot in her large garden at home or snuggled up crafting and enjoying delicious homemade food. She hopes to inspire young people to become as excited about gardening as she is!

Program Manager, Cob Oven

Farming continues to be Carol's passion, having grown up on a mixed farm in Alberta. Success in growing food and preserving the harvest comes from many years of hard work and practice so naturally working at Cowichan Green Community is the perfect fit, helping to grow food for others. When not at work she enjoys working on her home renovations, outdoor activities, hiking, paddle boarding, and spending time with her family.

Kitchen Supervisor

Since March 2020, Sabrina started homeschooling her son as a result of the pandemic. Now that things have settled, she started working at Cowichan Green Community since the summer of 2023. Duncan is her hometown, so Sabrina is a true Duncanite! Two of her personal goals has always been to help individuals and families struggling with homelessness, and caring for elderly. She has a great passion for exercise and healthy eating, and loves helping others, horses, nature, teaching and cooking.

Kitchen Assistant

Kayne recently received his Professional Cook level 2 from Vancouver Island University, and is a great addition to CGCs kitchen crew. He was born in Duncan, from Chemainus, and currently lives in Maple Bay. His professional goals are to attain as many skills as possible to become a greater chef. His interests and hobbies consist a lot around botany, environmentalism and Pokémon.