Our Staff
The Cowichan Green Community Foundation is made up of a dynamic group of community members.
The Cowichan Green Community Foundation is made up of a dynamic group of community members.
President
Stephen retired from a career in health care and education to the Cowichan Valley in 2017, and with his wife Margaret has been working to build a life with friends, interests and community involvement. His interests include anything to do with the ocean - sailing, diving, and paddling for instance. Being married to an artist and cook, art and food are also passions, as is their very large garden.
Treasurer
Amanda moved to Vancouver Island from Vancouver and enjoys sharing food, exploring the island by bike, and reading on beaches around Cowichan. She is a graduate of the University of British Columbia’s MA in political science program. While studying for her undergraduate degree, Amanda interned in the human rights and communications departments of the non-profits the American Civil Liberties Union and the United Nations Association, respectively. She enjoys work and volunteer experience that includes community organizing and storytelling.
Secretary
Jane has over 25 year’s experience in nonprofit management, in employment services. She knows how difficult it is for anyone to obtain and sustain employment without stable housing and enough to eat. Having retired from long-term employment in Toronto and moved back to Vancouver Island where she lived after emigrating from England, she wanted to still be able to contribute and make a difference in people's lives, but in a different way. When she was approached about the possibility of joining the CGC Board, it seemed the perfect opportunity as it melded this desire with her interest in gardening and the concept of sustainable, healthy food, and working towards zero waste.
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.
Executive Director
judy@cowichangreencommunity.org
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@cowichangreencommunity.org
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
alyssa@cowichangreencommunity.org
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@cowichangreencommunity.org
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.
Program Coordinator, Cob Oven
Emerald is our newest employee and will be working at our Cob Oven, in Centennial Park, facilitating our Youth Program and other events at the Cob Oven! She has a background in Environmental Science and is currently studying Child and Youth Work at Camosun College. They are passionate about food and housing security, 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, and education for neurodivergent children and youth. She also loves to grow vegetables and flowers in her garden, read fantasy novels, bake sourdough, and swim in the river. Emerald aspires to complete their Bachelors of Child and Youth Work at the University of Victoria and pursue a career in Social Work, hopefully while raising goats and pigs on their own hobby farm. Welcome to the team Emerald!
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.
The Cowichan Green Community Foundation is a registered charity that relies on the hard work and generosity of volunteers and donors. If you would like to contribute, consider donating either time or money. Volunteers are needed throughout the year, please apply here.
Members of the Cowichan Green Community Foundation receive discounts on select events and workshops, voting rights at our Annual General Meetings, and empower the Foundation to create engaging and supportive initiatives, workshops, and demonstration sites throughout the Cowichan Region.