leadership & Coordination

Mandy Hobkirk, Coordinator

Mandy manages the MABR’s internal and external communications, coordinates various projects and community engagement events, and facilitates meetings and community forums for the MABR. 

Governance

Staff for the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region and its associated research institute at Vancouver Island University receive guidance and direction from a Roundtable of regional representatives from local First Nations (Snaw-naw-as, Qualicum, and Snuneymuxw), local and senior levels of government, Vancouver Island University, conservation organizations, forestry industry and local businesses, as well as elected community representatives. 

Current Roundtable Representatives:

Anne Skipsey, Councillor, Town of Qualicum Beach – Amir Tabatabaei, Parksville Chamber of Commerce, Blain Sepos, Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism Association – Catherine Watson, Community Representative – Cheryl Jones, Councillor, Snaw-naw-as First Nation – Chris Hutton, Islands Trust – Geraldine Manson, Snuneymuxw First Nation – Graham Sakaki, Vancouver Island University – Jenica Ng-Cornish, Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute (MABRRI) – Kim Burden, Nanoose Economic Development Corporation – Lehann Wallace, Regional District of Nanaimo – Mandy Hobkirk, MABR Coordinator – Michael Recalma, Chief, Qualicum First Nation – Pam Shaw, Vancouver Island University – Ray Woroniak, Community Representative – Shawn Lukas, The Nature Trust of British Columbia – Steve Adams, Mosaic Forest Management – Sylvia Martin, Councillor, City of Parksville – Teunis Westbroek, Mayor, Town of Qualicum Beach – Thomas Reid, The Nature Trust of British Columbia.