Women in Leadership in the Non-Profit World

Panelist of Women in Leadership in the Non-Profit World, with Isabelle Mercier Turcotte, Brand Positioning Strategist & Business Growth Catalyst, Deborah Hollins, Executive Director, Nanaimo Family Life Association, Erin Beaudoin, Chief Motivation, ED, Eden Gardens, Kix Citton, Executive Director, Nanaimo Brain Injury Society, and Deborah Hollins, Executive Director, Nanaimo Family Life Association.  This panel discussion will be moderated by Corry Gervais, Economic Development Coordinator, Oceanside Initiatives, and the Board Chair for the Nanaimo Chamber Board of Directors
 

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Corry Gervais, Economic Development Coordinator, Oceanside Initiatives, Board Chair, Nanaimo Chamber

With shared vision and passion for community, Corry Gervais has had the opportunity to work and learn from many key leaders in various business sectors, local government, and media.  Working on various committees, with projects ranging from urban renewal and economic development to destination marketing and community events, Corry brings a wide range experience to the projects she works on. 
Corry holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business/Marketing from Vancouver Island University, is the former Executive Director of the Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Association, and the Past President of the Business Improvement Areas of British Columbia.  Corry is currently the Economic Development Coordinator/Project Manager of Oceanside Initiatives, a regional economic development office for Parksville and Qualicum Beach, and the Chair of the Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce. 

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Isabelle Mercier Turcotte, Brand Positioning Strategist & Business Growth Catalyst

Isabelle is a brand strategist, two time TEDx speaker with more than 3 Million views, best-selling author, TV Show Host and business performance catalyst at LeapZone Strategies. As one of North America’s Top Business Influencers, her sole purpose is to empower change and growth. "Momentum Generator" is her middle name and she has a relentless passion for helping entrepreneurs and thought leaders build infectious and impactful brands, businesses and lives through business strategies, performance coaching, and brand alignment.

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Erin Beaudoin, Chief Motivation, ED, Eden Gardens

Erin has worked tirelessly in her career to support others and to grow their successes, and in turn, her own.  Erin started her informal leadership career as a dishwasher in the hospitality industry and continuously took on more and more.  Over the years, she worked almost every job in hospitality (other than cook – never ask her to cook) and eventually moved into management.  Erin seized some great opportunities such as working for Fairmont Hotels during the 2010 Olympic games, breaking records for new student numbers in international language schools and leading in a long-term care setting through a global pandemic.  Erin found her passion in developing others and continued to work tirelessly and ambitiously to continue to grow herself and her colleagues.  Her compassion and empathy for others, along with her ambition and fun attitude, helped her to grow her career to where she is now.  Erin is the Chief Motivator, Executive Director of Eden Gardens.  Eden Gardens is a non-profit long-term care home that specializes in supporting people living with dementia to live full and abundant lives. 

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Kix Citton, Executive Director, Nanaimo Brain Injury Society

Kix is the Executive Director at Nanaimo Brain Injury Society. Resourceful, passionate and collaborative, Kix loves connecting people and being of service. She has worked in the Impact (nonprofit) sector for over 25 years in Canada and overseas, gaining experience in leadership, development and evaluation. When she isn't at her desk, you will find Kix out in the garden, cycling the backroads of Nanaimo or enjoying good food with great folks. 

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Deborah Hollins, Executive Director, Nanaimo Family Life Association. 

Deborah is a social worker with a rich history of working with marginalized and vulnerable people and community development.  Deborah has been leading non-profits for over 25 years, focusing on enhancing workplace culture.  She believes this is done by encouraging and enabling staff to engage authentically in their work, realize their passion for change and contribute their unique ideas, lived experiences and gifts.  Deborah believes that activism in the area of social justice is crucial to the work done by non-profits.  She came to Nanaimo Family Life Association in 2012 with an abiding belief in resilience and healing. As such, she works to cultivate equity, to live a balanced life that is deeply connected to community, and to apply ethical values to actualize meaningful social change.