We are proud to introduce the Community Foundation’s Ambassadors, a mix of outstanding community citizens. The role of the Ambassador is to help build awareness and understanding of the work of the Foundation, and to encourage other members of the community to consider getting involved and supporting the Foundation. If you see an Ambassador, please thank them on behalf of the community!
Murray Atherton
As a kid, Murray summered on Bowen in the Union Steamship cabins in the Cove and his parents bought a cottage on Eaglecliff in 1958. Murray and his wife, Anna-Marie, made that cottage a summer & weekend retreat for 27 years and then in 2000 they decided to retire to Bowen. Since moving full time, Murray has been very active in the community as Chair of the Chamber of Commerce, the Chair of the BI Community Foundation , he was instrumental in bringing the First Credit Union to Bowen, Chair of the Bowen Island Spirit of BC/Olympic Torch Committee, a member of the Economic Development Committee, Chair of Tourism Bowen Island and a member of the BI Community Choir, the Ferry Advisory Committee and active with the Friends of the Library & the BI Garden Club.
Frazer Elliott
Frazer is Bowen raised, having moved here in 1988. A BICS, Rockridge and West Van Secondary alumni, Frazer left Bowen in 2003 for school and work, but brought his family home in 2014 and began work as a realtor on island. He has been co-chair of the Community School Association for the past four years, as well as being very active in theatre on island. When he isn’t working, he is either home playing with his 2 year old son, on the BICS soccer pitch, or down on Tunstall Bay Beach.
Joyce Ganong
When Joyce and her husband, Gordon, were searching for a new home for their retirement, they were looking for warmth – both climate and community. As soon as Joyce saw that Bowen Island already had a community foundation she knew they had found their home. In Red Deer she had been on the Board of the community foundation and then the Executive Director, becoming ever convinced that a resilient, caring community and a community foundation went hand in hand. As an active Director on the national board, Community Foundations of Canada, she saw this miracle transpire not only in Canada but around the world. Within months of moving in to their new house, Joyce joined Bowen’s own community foundation, sharing her passion of helping it develop its roots and connections deep into the community, including by co-chairing the 2014 Vital Conversation. It gives Joyce great joy to see how vibrant the Bowen Island Community Foundation is today.
Jane Kellett
Jane has lived on Bowen with her family since 1991 and loves the opportunity that our small community provides residents to get involved and give back. She has experienced this while serving on the boards of many community organizations including the Community School Association, Bowen Island Foundation, Library, Knick Knack Nook, Golf Association, and most recently the Community Choir. For twelve years Jane represented Bowen Island on the West Vancouver School Board. She believes that Bowen Island is fortunate to have the Community Foundation supporting the valuable work that volunteers do to make this such a vibrant community.
Mary Letson
Mary is passionate about her community, and loves a grass-roots approach to fundraising efforts. As a small, established business owner, she has adored focusing her energy and resources over the years to pull all these threads together to create events such as Tri for CHAC, the Reindeer Run and Aaron’s Run. Mary says that supporting our island in a “sweaty, loving way” is the Positively Fit philosophy!
Kevin Manning
Kevin grew up on the North Shore and completed his post secondary studies at SFU and Concordia. For the better part of a decade he travelled the world with his wife before settling down to raise a family together on Bowen in 2005. He is the branch manager of First Credit Union’s Bowen Island branch.
Louise Mclntosh
Louise moved to Bowen Island 29 years ago with her husband Dave. Although armed with a background in banking, she chose to raise their two children on Bowen. Loving the challenges of a small community, Louise was honoured to be a founding member of Bowen Island Family Place and board member of The Bowen Island Preschool. Dave and Louise founded Bowen Waste Services in ’94 and also manage the Bowen Island Recycling Depot. Their company is proud to administer the very popular fundraising opportunity at the Bowen Island Recycling Depot where over a dozen local charities share in an annual income of over $35,000. Louise says, “Bowen Island is a special place that I will be forever grateful to be a part of as it is of me.”
Nicola Murray
Nicola moved to Bowen in 2002 to raise her daughter in a small, safe community. As an avid outdoors woman, being close to nature was a top priority. She believes in community involvement and has made many of her closest friends through volunteering on the Island. SheNicola spent 5 years on the Bowfest Committee, 3 years on the Community School Association (CSA) board, and was a founding member of Bowen Island Gives (BIG). BIG raised over $20,000 over 4 years, with the climb Mt. Gardner event, for Alzheimer’s research, Callanish Society, Covenant House and the Bowen Foundation. Nicola works on Island with Andrew Todd Art Conservators. She is thrilled to be a new Ambassador for the Bowen Island Community Foundation.
Donna Scorer
Donna Scorer’s passion for the development of young children has been expressed through her years of classroom teaching, curriculum writing, and initiating of performing arts opportunities for families. Her concern for family life is now especially evident in her accompanying of refugees newly arrived in Canada. On Bowen Island she is board chair at Knick Knack Nook, the island’s thriving thrift store, and is a member of the committee that allocates municipal funds to local organizations. Her grand-mothering keeps her moving between Bowen Island (Emmett and Tobin) and Edmonton (Cole, Charlotte, and Clark)!
Jessica Slater
Jessica was raised in a small Ontario town where her family has deep roots. After university, though, she sought mountains and adventure. Landing in BC, she settled into her career as a professional fundraiser. She loves her role in the philanthropic sector because of the connections she makes with compassionate people who share in her love and purpose to help others. Jessica believes we all have the potential to make our community, and world at large, a better place. Grateful to have found Bowen, the small town with a big heart so similar to where she was raised, she cultivates her roots in the welcoming and supportive community she calls home for her and her budding family.