Board of Directors

After studying Geoscience (PhD), I started working in museums and for cultural institutions as a director and curator. I was in various management position responsible for all staff and many exhibitions that draw in up to 250 000 visitors. My focus, besides promoting culture, was on building communities and establishing professional networks. This was done through wide variety of exchange platforms and by collaborating on large projects. I developed exhibitions with artists, craftspeople, and scientists. An expert panel of youth and seniors advised me on the impacts on my projects of ageing of society. I consulted with students and politicians who exchanged views on leisure park design and advised on the developed solutions. With my teams, I selected controversial contemporary topics ranging from the ageing of the society, the increasing obesity in society, and utilization of renewable raw materials as a solution to sustainability. I contrasted the entrenched opinions on these topics with a variety of possible causes and novel solutions. I was able to build completely new perspectives for a common future on the basis of these findings. This is where I can bring in my expertise and knowledge at the Quadra Island Foundation and its core values: community wellbeing, collaboration, inclusiveness and integrity. My lodestar has been the quote: “We believe it often takes bold and innovative thinking and action to find the imaginative solutions that spark lasting change.”

This lodestar also guides me in my private life, that I share with my husband surrounded by the magnificent nature and wonderful people living here on Quadra Island.

Marc and his wife Jennifer run a regenerative, mixed farm on Quadra Island called Foot Forward Forest Farm. There, you will find a wide variety of plants and animals growing and working together to provide for their family and their community.

Marc has a passion for community. He has a decades long history of community building and community development having served on or led numerous volunteer boards and organizations. In 2013 his dedication to community was acknowledged by the Mayor of Calgary when he was awarded the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal for Community Service.

Currently Marc serves not only as the Vice-President of the Quadra Island Foundation but as a director on both the Rural Islands Economic Partnership Board and the Quadra Island Recreation Society. His firm belief that only strong communities will be able to thrive in the uncertain times ahead motivates him and his volunteer efforts.

Bio coming soon…

With a degree in Physical Education and Recreation Management, I began my professional life organising sports and fitness programs for the City of Winnipeg. This quickly evolved from the playground to the big office and eventually, as Superintendent of Sports and Fitness, I was responsible for the planning, staffing and finances of many facilities and quickly became fascinated with the world of budgets and accountability. I then spent a few years in Alberta as a Community Recreation Consultant, doing organisational development and board training for community volunteers. This was followed by a few years in Northern Ontario assisting remote communities to develop management plans for sport and recreation facilities to be funded through the Wintario Lottery programs. In the early 90’s I met my partner and moved to the mountain town of Golden, BC where we ran a wilderness tourism destination business together. Putting my Recreation degree to good use, I did everything from cooking to cleaning toilets, loading helicopters, developing advertising, attending travel trade shows and serving as CFO for a business that always managed to survive by careful penny-pinching. When we finally burned out from running a small business 24/7, we sold it and I hung out a shingle doing bookkeeping for other small businesses and not-for-profit clients. Throughout my professional life, I have volunteered on many boards, notably several arts councils and sports groups, as well as environmental organisations such as Nature Manitoba and Wildsight in the Kootenays. My most valuable experience in grant making and strategic planning came from many years as Chair of the Environment Advisory Committee for the Columbia Basin Trust. We moved to Quadra Island in 2015 and I had promised myself that I would not join any boards in retirement, but I truly believe in small community foundations and am proud that Quadra Island has one.

Karen has been enjoying all of the outdoor activities that Quadra has to offer since first visiting in 2003. As soon as they stepped foot on the island Fred and Karen knew they had found a little piece of paradise, purchasing property in 2004 and building their vacation get-away and then retirement home over the next 15 yrs (with the support of Quadrate Ventures). After finally being able to retire full time to the island in 2021, Karen has been volunteering with the Quadra Island and SRD Emergency Management Programs.

Karen has spent 35+ years working to build strong and resilient individuals, organizations and communities. As a systems thinker, she is always looking for the synergies and possibilities that emerge through collaborations, innovation and bold thinking. She holds a Bachelor degree in Psychology and a Masters in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Alberta, and a Masters Certificate in Municipal Leadership from York University. She is also trained in strategic design planning and future-focused thinking, leadership development, organizational evaluation, community development, and conflict resolution. Over her career, Karen has worked as a strategic leader and consultant for not-for-profit organizations and municipal, provincial and First Nation governments.

Karen and Fred have three adult children who reside in BC, AB and ON. She is looking forward to working with the QIF and continuing to build a resilient and thriving community for generations to come.

Mitsuru “Mich” Hirano moved to Quadra Island in 1979, attracted by a challenging job, the island’s rugged natural beauty and pioneering spirit. Mich met the love of his life, Juaneva Smith, on Quadra and they married soon thereafter. Mich has been involved in Quadra’s community affairs for many years serving as School Trustee representing the Quadra, Cortes and Read island communities’ for 6 years and as Chair of the School Board for 3 of those years. Mich was also involved in Quadra Recreation’s Community Center Building Committee and helped in the development of the tennis courts at Blenkin Memorial Park. Mich and Juaneva were away from Quadra for 15 years, seeking warmer weather and career opportunities, but returned to live in retirement on Quadra in 2015.

Mich has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Simon Fraser University and a Master of Environmental Studies Degree from York University. Mich has a background in business, land use planning, and specializing in community economic development. Mich has working experience in Canada and the United States advising senior government officials, business leaders, First Nation governments, native Hawaiian and cultural organizations on matters related to land use planning, permitting and economic development. Past memberships include: Canadian Institute of Planners, Planning Institute of BC, American Institute of Certified Planners, and American Planning Association.

Mich is glad to be part of Quadra Island Foundation because it’s a way to give back to the community