WDSSS - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Director of Services, Interior Region

Amanda has recently joined our senior leadership team and comes with 18 years of experience in the social services sector, with the past 10 of those years being in progressive leadership roles. Amanda has spent the majority of her career serving individuals on the ancestral lands of the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc. Some of Amanda's experience includes providing direct support to children, youth and families, managing an audit team, overseeing the accreditation program, and directing the practice and operations of various teams, including Resources (both foster care and contracted residential care). ×

Job Titles:

• Chief Executive Officer

Brandon joined our organization in 2009, and since then, he has been committed to our mission. Over the years, he's taken on various roles, one of note being the Society's first Manager of Human Resources and Labour Relations. On January 1, 2019, Brandon took on the role of CEO, which marked a significant moment in our organization's history. Since then, he has been dedicated to advancing organizational development, sustainability, and community engagement. In 2021, Brandon successfully led the organization through a challenging amalgamation process, bringing together the Cranbrook Society for Community Living and the Creston and District Society for Community Living. Again, in September 2023, he successfully navigated another important amalgamation with the Windermere District Social Service Society, further enhancing our organization's reach and impact. Under Brandon's leadership, our organization has expanded its service area beyond the Kootenays to encompass the North Okanagan Shuswap region as well as the Thompson Cariboo. This expansion underscores Brandon's commitment to extending our reach and positively impacting a broader community. Working closely with our dedicated board, Brandon continues to shape the direction of NEXUS, continually seeking ways to serve our communities better. Beyond our organization, he serves as President at the BC CEO Network, an association that brings social service leaders together to strengthen our collective voice, promote effective business practices, and support leadership development. Brandon is a passionate advocate for the social service sector and actively seeks opportunities to collaborate with fellow leaders to improve the sector and promote best practices. In his personal life, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his family. Brandon is also a proud member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community and envisions a future where everyone is treated equally and inclusively. This vision drives his commitment to contributing to the ongoing social movement within our communities and the province as a whole. ×

Job Titles:

• Chief Financial Officer

Brittany joined our Leadership Team in 2019 as part of our finance department. She has a passion for accounting which shines through in the work she does. Brittany continues to learn how unique and diverse the Social Service Sector is. She works alongside our Program Managers and other Admin staff to ensure our payroll and finance practices meet the needs of our employees and our organization at large. She continues to streamline and modernize our processes so as to meet ever demanding time constraints. ×

Job Titles:

• Treasurer

Job Titles:

• Director

Job Titles:

• Director

Corinne has an extensive background in independent living administration and occupational health, and serves as liaison between our Board of Directors and Management staff. Motivated by her joy of working with all members of our community, Corinne also commits her time to volunteering with the Invermere Health Care Auxiliary and the Columbia Valley Christmas Bureau.

Job Titles:

• Director of Staff Supported Homes

Elaina, who has extensive experience in the social service sector in British Columbia and Alberta, joined our Senior Leadership Team in 2019 as the Director of Quality Assurance. Her background includes a range of capacities in staffed residential services, from direct service delivery to leadership. In recent years, she has specialized in policy development, occupational health and safety, and accreditation. In Elaina's previous role as Director of Administration, she oversaw all administrative, health and safety, accreditation, and continuous quality improvement processes. In early 2023, Elaina accepted the Director of Staff Supported Homes role, where her experience and expertise will continue to drive our commitment to providing the best care and support to those we serve. ×

Job Titles:

• Vice - President

Helen has been an active volunteer her entire adult life. She believes that contributing to a better society is an important part of the human experience. Helen worked as a professional secretary for many years before obtaining a degree in Elementary Education. Upon retiring from teaching, Helen became a member of the CDSCL board in 2015. She became a member of NEXUS board in 2022.

Job Titles:

• President
• Member of Our Board

For more than 30 years, Joanne has been a valued member of our board. She currently serves as Board Chair and has held many different positions since the early 1990s (then Cranbrook Society for Community Living). Having joined the board as a mother and successful businessperson, Joanne has been a strong advocate for the organization. Her expertise and passion for the cause have been invaluable assets to our organization. In addition to her role on the board, Joanne is heavily involved in Special Olympics at the local, provincial & national levels as a coach & regional coordinator. Currently, she sits on the Special Olympics British Columbia Board.

Job Titles:

• Director of Communications and Engagement

Johnny is an accomplished communication professional with a proven track record of delivering successful strategies and managing complex projects across diverse industries. His expertise lies in developing integrated campaigns that are user-focused, easy to navigate, and visually engaging. As the creative force behind NEXUS communications, Johnny is responsible for ensuring that all materials are visually compelling, user-friendly, and effectively convey the brand's message. Having spent nearly a decade in the post-secondary sector, Johnny's enthusiasm and passion for advancing meaningful initiatives make him a perfect fit for the social service sector. ×

Job Titles:

• Director

Joyce brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion for the betterment of communities. With a professional background in social work, Joyce has worked extensively with the First Nation communities in different regions of B.C. She strongly believes in the power of collaboration and working with the community to help create meaningful change.

Job Titles:

• Director

Karen is a longtime resident of the Columbia Valley with a passion for advocacy, learning, and service to the community. As a mother of two grown children, one with diverse abilities, Karen is fueled by her deep connection to family.

Job Titles:

• Director

Job Titles:

• Director of Human Resources & Labour Relations

Sheena joined our leadership team in August 2021 as our Director of Human Resources. Sheena has a passion for working with, and advocating for, individuals. This passion motivated her to obtain a Masters in Clinical Social Work. She is committed to ensuring that all employees have the training, education and support to provide quality care to persons served. Sheena believes education and training have the ability to empower employees to become their best selves. ×

Job Titles:

• Director of Community - Based Services

Steven joined the team in 2007 and has worked in various programs, including Employment Services and Community Inclusion. He served as Supervisor of Vocational Services in 2014 and Manager of Community Inclusion and Employment Services in 2018. In 2020, he was promoted to Director of Operations, where he worked with program managers and supervisors to enhance service delivery, staff development, and program growth. In early 2023, Steven accepted the Director of Community-Based Services portfolio, overseeing the array of high-quality services our organization offers. ×

Job Titles:

• Director

With a career in healthcare that spanned nearly 40 years as a registered nurse, Susan loves her work. For the past 14 years, Susan has focused on helping individuals with developmental disabilities and psychiatric disorders. As the previous chair of CDSCL board, she also assisted with the amalgamation which formed NEXUS. As an ardent believer in inclusive settings, Susan believes we must support the rights of our clients while assisting them in fulfilling their responsibilities.