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:

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.

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.

Rob Shaw  |  Director of Buildings and Grounds

Appointed to the Allan Brooks board in January 2017 and elected for a two year term in June of 2017, Rob is new and welcome addition to the Allan Brooks board of directors. He has an extensive background in Real Estate showcasing roles such as President of the Creekside Estates Strata Corporation since 2002, Director & President of the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board from 2003-2015 and Past Regional Ambassador for the Real Estate Foundation. Rob is a long-term member of ABNC and since his recent retirement finally has the time to get involved and support and Society. Rob is thrilled to be able to pursue and engage in his appreciation and enjoyment of nature. He looks forward to continuing to build learning resources and conservation with ABNC.

Stacey Davidson  |  Director of Human Resources

Stacey Davidson is a highly sought after Career Coach, Job Search Strategist, Interview Expert, Resume Writer, Recruiter and HR Consultant with over 25 years experience in HR, Recruitment and Business Management.  Owner of Virtual Job Search Coach since 2008, Stacey assists job seekers throughout North America with job search strategies, career transitioning, interview preparation, effective resume and LinkedIn profile development.  As a Consultant, Stacey provides businesses and not-for-profits with recruitment assistance, transition/outplacement support for employee terminations and downsizing, as well as customized teambuilding, communication and conflict resolution workshops.

With family in Vernon for over 25 years, Stacey made Vernon her permanent residence in 2007.  She has been actively involved in the community through various non-profit initiatives including founding and leading a business improvement and referral group to help business owners/representatives develop and succeed in the Vernon area.  With appreciation for the fragility of life, Stacey has a ‘live life to the fullest’ attitude with enthusiasm for mentoring others to be successful in their careers, our community and to value the environment in which we live.  As an avid kayaker, hiker and ‘leave no footprint’ backwoods camper, Stacey’s appreciation, respect and love for nature, wildlife and ecosystems within our Okanagan region, as well as her passion for educating people of all ages compliments the Allan Brooks Nature Centre Board.

Colleen Lindsay  |  Director of Education

Colleen Lindsay is a graduate of the University of Alberta born and raised in Edmonton. Colleen and her husband moved to Vernon B.C. in 1997 drawn here by the magnificent natural beauty of the Okanagan. Colleen has had a varied background in the field of Education recently working as an Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia Okanagan and a School Psychologist for the Vernon School District. In 2016 Colleen won the Educator of the Year Award in British Columbia for her work in designing post secondary education programs.  Prior to coming to Vernon Colleen worked at the University of Alberta in partnership with the Edmonton Public School District. Colleen worked as a Curriculum Consultant in Science Education to design and implement Science Inquiry experiences for students K-12 throughout the Edmonton area. Two of her favorite projects were working on developing Science Unit instruction using the Alberta Museum Bat Exhibit and the Muttart Conservatory orchard garden. These experiences combined with a love of learning in the natural environment made joining the Allan Brooks Board of Directors an exciting opportunity.

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.

Derek Powers – Legal Director

Derek is currently practicing law with Nixon Wenger LLP in Vernon. Prior to joining Nixon Wenger, Derek was a partner in the Toronto office of a large national law firm. He has a broad solicitor’s practice advising a variety of corporate and individual clients across a multitude of industries.

Derek has always had a love of nature and a strong interest in environmental conservation. Before embarking on a career in law, Derek studied civil engineering (environmental) at Queen’s University and worked as an environmental engineer in Syracuse, NY.

This love of the outdoors led Derek, his wife Pamela, and their two young children to move from Toronto to Vernon in the spring of 2017. The whole family is very active and typically spends their spare time enjoying all that the Okanagan has to offer.

Derek is thrilled by the opportunity to contribute to the Allan Brooks Nature Centre and the incredible Okanagan environment and community.

Sarah Bowers – 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 boyfriend Chad, spending time with their dogs, snowboarding, enjoying delicious food, and being with family and friends. She has a degree in Event Management and Hospitality Management from The Art Institute and is excited to use her skills towards many new and exciting things for Allan Brooks Nature Centre. Being the newest board member Sarah looks forward to learning as much as she can and being a big part of the ABNC community.

Cheryl Kaminsky – 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.