Meet the Board
Our Board of Directors are a dedicated group of advocates for nature who volunteer their time, insight and expertise to guide the operations of Allan Brooks Nature Centre. Together they work toward fulfilling ABNC’s mission for the enjoyment of nature and increasing awareness of habitat conservation through environmental education and nature-related activities.
Learn more about our other team members:
Our Staff
The day to day operations at Allan Brooks Nature Centre would not be the success that it is without our knowledgeable staff team. Their passion truly is to bring nature to life with their unique knowledge and expertise about nature.
Get to know more about our team of staff here.
ABNC Influencers
Without the extraordinary influence of these individuals, the Allan Brooks Nature Centre would not be the place it is today where individuals of all ages can discover and learn more about nature!
Learn more about the people who have had an impact on ABNC here.
Sue Beaudry | Co-Chair of Directors
Sue has been a resident of Vernon since she moved here from the Ottawa Valley in late 2006. Starting her work life as a Science, Physical and Outdoor Education junior high and high school teacher, she changes career directions after her two daughters were born. Sue took on new challenges in community development and program management. She is now a seasoned professional who has held senior positions including Executive Director for not-for-profit / charitable organizations that provide services for elderly persons and intellectually disabled people in Ontario. In the fall of 2017 Sue retired from her position at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation where she worked with the Board of Directors to help meet the financial needs for health care in the North Okanagan. Most notably Sue participated in the raising of funds to support the building and completion of the Polson Tower at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. Sue has had extensive experience as a director on many not-for-profit Board of Directors over her long career. Sue is a lifelong lover of nature and outdoor activities. Joining the Board of the Allan Brooks Nature Centre has brought Sue back to her roots and she is committed to work hard to strengthen this precious organization.
David Guscott | Co-Chair of Directors
David has degrees in environmental studies and public administration and a lifelong passion for the out-of-doors. After a career in the Ontario Government, the last 9 years as a Deputy Minister, David was recruited to join the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games where he was Executive Vice-President responsible for the Games opening and closing ceremonies, the Cultural Olympiad and for developing partnerships with governments in BC and across the country. After the Olympics, David was the President and CEO of E-Comm 9-1-1, a company that handles emergency communications including 9-1- 1 calls throughout BC and call-taking and dispatch for many police and fire agencies.
When David and his wife decided to live in Vernon, the first thing that he looked up was where he would have the opportunity to pursue his passion for bird and wildlife photography. Minutes later, through Google , he was introduced to Allan Books Nature Centre. And as soon as he arrived he became a member.
David is a seasoned board member who has contributed on eight boards of directors in BC and Ontario. Besides nature photography, David is a keen sailor, camper and hiker.
Heather Power – Treasurer, Director of Finance
Heather is a Senior Manager at KPMG LLP based in Vernon, BC. She enjoys working with private companies in various industries and provides accounting and assurance services, as well as general business advice. Heather is originally from St. Albert, AB and obtained her Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta. She lived in Vancouver, BC for 10 years where she worked as a Senior Associate at PriceWaterhouseCoopers and as the Controller of Mountain Equipment Co-op. Heather relocated to Vernon in 2015 and joined KPMG. Heather has always loved being outside and spends most of her spare time in the mountains skiing, camping, biking, and hiking. She joined the Board of the Allan Brooks Nature Centre to bring together her passion for the outdoors, her love of learning, and her belief in the importance of environmental education for youth.
Sarah Gilroy – Director
Sarah was born and raised in Vernon, B.C. and has always loved spending time in nature. Her hobbies include staying active with her husband Chad, spending time with their dog, snowboarding, hiking, enjoying delicious food, and being with family and friends. She has a degree in Event Management and Hospitality Management, she is a director on Cosens Holdings Board as well as Chair of a council and is excited to use her skills towards many new and exciting things for Allan Brooks Nature Centre. Being a driving force behind the popular event Allan Brooks Dinner Under The Stars, Sarah looks forward to continuing learning and developing as much as she can and being a big part of the ABNC community.
Cheryl Kaminski – Director
In 2017 Cheryl retired from a 24 year real estate career. Her career began in Vancouver and continued for 14 years here in Vernon. She has been involved in fundraising for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation for 20 years.
In 1998 she co-founded the “Chicks with Sticks Golf Tournament” in Vancouver. Upon moving to Vernon in 2002 she founded the “Wine Women and Woods Golf Tournament ” which raised over $1 million for breast cancer research and related diagnostic equipment.
In 2016 Cheryl joined the North Okanagan Hospice Society board and has served on various committees during her 6 year term. In 1984 she married Rob Phare, a Vernon native, and together have a 15 year old Australian terrier, Joey. Cheryl enjoys cooking, travelling, boating, kayaking, hiking, and all the Okanagan Valley has to offer.
Heather Trueman – Director
Originally from southern Ontario, Heather Trueman completed a degree in environmental studies and economics. Soon after, she moved to Saskatoon where for over 30 years her work and volunteer roles focused on multiple aspects of environmental sustainability: a systems-based approach to sustainability, active transportation in cities, green buildings and waste reduction strategies.
In 2015, Heather and her husband moved to the Vernon area, drawn by the natural environment here and the outdoor activity opportunities.
Heather believes that Allan Brooks Nature Centre’s environmental education programs develop an understanding of the complexity of ecosystems and foster a love of nature in children. As adults they are better equipped to make choices to support nature conservation and a more environmentally sustainable society.
Deborah Turnbull – Director
Tony Eden – Legal Director
Tony is a litigation lawyer with a strong focus on estate and civil litigation. He earned his BA in English Literature from the University of British Columbia before completing his law degree with Honours from the University of London. His background in literature shaped
his analytical thinking and writing skills, which he now applies to building clear and persuasive legal arguments for his clients.
Tony has represented clients before the Supreme Court of British Columbia and has assisted senior counsel in cases before the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. He enjoys the challenge of complex legal disputes and is known for his strategic and thoughtful approach to advocacy.
Before becoming a lawyer, Tony played high-level hockey in both Canada and the United States. Outside of work he enjoys hockey, golf, skiing, and snowboarding, and he is also a fiction writer who has published a novel.
