Kalila is a long time Fernwood neighbour. She has previous experience working for local non-profits as a fundraiser, advocate, outreach worker and event planner. She is most interested in fostering relationships with the community, making growing vegetables and plants more accessible both in terms of finances and literacy, and contributing joy and laughter to board meetings. In her spare time, she likes to dance, cook, and host gatherings for friends and family
Lisette Chevalier grew up in Burnaby, on the unceded territory of the hən̓qəmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh speaking peoples, and settled in Victoria on the unceded land of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples in 2010.
Her work is driven by a desire for community collaboration and the indisputable need for organizations, such as the CEC, to spearhead the creation of safe, engaging and inclusive spaces that focus on natural resource conservation, food security, and gardening education.
Lisette has been a consistent and committed member of the CEC Board since she first joined in 2018. She quickly took on the role of Board Secretary, then, in 2020 became Chair of the Board. During her time with the CEC Lisette has bottom-lined crucial HR policy development and strategic planning initiatives. She frequently participates in workshops related to non-profit leadership to help her in her never-ending quest to improve her ability to serve.
Lisette brings several years of administrative and business management experience, as well as institutional memory, to the team. Her interest in growing plants developed through months of volunteer work on farms in her early 20s, across different countries in Europe and several states in the USA.
Her passions include the study and practice of yoga, painting, and playing with all the wonderful children in her life. As a mother of a beautiful 7 year old and newborn twin babies, Lisette feels a strong commitment to work towards healing the soil, conserving resources, preserving knowledge and growing plants for the benefit of future generations. She believes wholeheartedly in the good work being done by the Compost Education Centre and looks forward with optimism and enthusiasm to contributing to new possibilities for the Centre.
Janeen is a settler in Lekwungen, Songhees, and W̱SÁNEĆ Territories. Originally from Africa she has always enjoyed the outdoors. When coming to Canada she started gardening. At first it was just because she was asked to be a “helper” at the community garden. However, over time it has become something that she loves to do. A way to get fresh air, create and grow delicious vegetables to enjoy and to share with others. This led to connecting with the CEC and joining the board.
On the “work” front she qualified as an accountant and then through her personal development journey ventured into the world of entrepreneurship. She is now a partner of an accounting firm. The firm’s focus is on cloud bookkeeping, training and strategic management accounting. In addition to that she is a mindset coach, which is what she is most passionate about. She loves coaching others using a step-by-step process that she has used to transform her life and give her the confidence to unapologetically go for what she wants. Her mission is now to help others to take back their power so they too can unapologetically go for what they want with confidence.
Alison moved back to Victoria a few years ago, wanting to spend more time outdoors in nature. This led to more time gardening, which in turn led her to a workshop at the CEC which showed her what can be done on a local level to have real, effective impact in improving not just the soil in our back yards but
the environment as a whole. It felt like a lightbulb going off! Skills and knowledge acquired during her senior management career in the field of specialty commercial insurance and risk management have proved to be a good basis for her contributions as President of the (not for profit) Oak Bay Figure Skating Club. Alison’s strengths include strategic planning, finance and contract analysis, and she hopes to be able to contribute these to the ongoing success of the CEC.
Bio & headshot coming soon
Kate Masters is a settler that was born and raised Lekwungen, Songhees, and W̱SÁNEĆ Territories. She graduated from Camosun College with a diploma in Applied Communications and has spent her career working in graphic design, marketing, communications, and events. As the Communications Liaison within the CRD’s Environmental Resource Management division, Kate will be helping to implement the different initiatives of the region’s Solid Waste Management Plan. Outside of work, Kate enjoys playing soccer, golf and slo-pitch and riding her bike to different parks and beaches in the region.
The current board of directors were elected at our last Annual General Meeting. Terms run for two year. Elections are scheduled for our next AGM in September. To discuss opportunities with the Board of Directors, please email the board chair: board (at) compost.bc.ca.