Board of Directors and Staff
Board of Directors
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Ruth Simons
PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
since 2017Ruth has been a dedicated volunteer in Howe Sound following a term as a Village of Lions Bay Council member (2008-2011). Prior to 2008, she was in the travel insurance industry as a business owner and CEO. For her work on leadership towards achieving the UNESCO designation, Ruth received one of the highest honours from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation)—an Esémkwu (blanketing ceremony) in recognition for her achievement and an Honorary Degree of Letters from Capilano University in 2023. A lifelong resident of the region, she is happiest in nature often seen either on the trails or the water.
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Joyce Williams
SQUAMISH NATION CO-CHAIR
since 2020Joyce is from the traditional village of Waiwakum, BC. She was elected to the Squamish Nation Council (2017-2025) as an advocate for the protection of the sacred land and waters within the territory and for the Culture of the Skwxwu7meshulh. Joyce is Chair of the Indigenous Education Council School District #48, the Squamish Nation Climate Task Force and Chair of the Rights and Titles Advisory Committee. She is passionate about the need for building relationships to create solutions, and will never forget her three-week Tribal Journey by canoe from Atl’ka7tsem to Bella Bella adventure.
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Cathy Jenkins
VICE PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR
since 2024Cathy has 15+ years senior leadership experience in the tourism and education sectors and is currently the Project Manager at Cheakamus Centre. She is a founding director of the Cheakamus Foundation for Environmental Learning and is passionate about lifelong learning. Cathy is also a volunteer board member with the Whistler Institute of Learning Society. An outdoor enthusiast, Cathy loves exploring the trails and special places in her Sea to Sky backyard paradise.
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Dr. Hasan Hutchinson
SECRETARY
since 2020Hasan has spent 10 years dedicating his career to nutrition as the Director General of the Office of Nutrition Policy and Promotion Health Canada, the focal point for public health nutrition within the federal government. He is an Associate with the Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue and is passionate about healthy, sustainable food and living systems. Hasan spent his early years on the mountains around Howe Sound and has now returned home to settle on Bowen Island. He is an outdoorsman and enjoys volunteering in the community.
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Karen Elliot
DIRECTOR
since 2025Karen has spent the last 10 years working in the realm of municipal government, serving eight years as an elected official for the District of Squamish and more recently held the position of General Manager Community Engagement and Cultural Services for the Resort Municipality of Whistler. In addition to her work in local government, she spent 17 years consulting on strategic planning, leadership development and change management. She is a collaborator at heart and sees Howe Sound Initiative Society as an ideal opportunity for making connections and supporting action in service of the social, environmental and economic sustainability of this region. Karen and her family enjoy backpacking and exploring all the Sea to Sky has to offer.
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Jay Ritchlin
TREASURER & DIRECTOR
since 2025Jay has a 30-plus-year career working on solutions to some of our most significant environmental challenges, including open net-pen aquaculture, offshore oil and gas, sustainable fisheries, endangered species, and ecological restoration. Jay has spent 20 years working at the David Suzuki Foundation, leading the Western region, Marine conservation and Nature protection programming. During his time, Jay helped develop and oversee Howe Sound-related projects that have made a lasting legacy for our region. He is also a founding board member of the Natural Assets Initiative (NAI). Jay lives in Ch’ḵw’elhp /Gibsons, spending as much time as possible in and on the ocean, in the woods, in the garden and enjoying friends and family.
Staff
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Diane Mitchell
ADMIN & COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT
part-timeA former HSBRIS volunteer, Diane provides support in HSBRIS administration and communications. She is the owner of Red Rock Creative and self-published In Love With Earth in Squamish & Whistler book in 2015. Her expertise is content development for exhibits and other public engagement projects. Clients include Sea to Sky Gondola and Malahat Skywalk. After 14 years as the Curator of education and collections at the Britannia Mine Museum, Diane now pursues her love for nature and a healthy environment.
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Samantha Wing
OECM PROJECT MANAGER
full-timeSam is an active member of the Chá7elkwnech/Gambier Island community, including as Project Coordinator for the Gambier Island Community Association (GICA)’s Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) project. Sam is also a leading member of the “Searching for Wex̱és (frogs) on Cha7élkwnech / Gambier Island”. She has a BA & BSc in Honours Cognitive Science with a minor in Environment from McGill. Sam finds joy swimming in the ocean, walking in the forest and connecting with community members. A love for the Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound region and a passion for community-driven conservation align with management of the biodiversity conservation projects.
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Marianna Merilees
COMMUNICATIONS COORIDINATOR
part-timeMarianna has lived in coastal communities for her entire life and loves living between the ocean and mountains. She grew up in Kitimat, a deep sea port, industry town, before heading to Nanaimo where she completed her Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. Majoring in Communications and Marketing, she has worked in many industries including tourism, wellness, retail, and recreation. Marianna manages our social media accounts, is our internal graphic designer and assists with email marketing and the website. Although currently living in the lower mainland, you can still find her hanging around the region visiting family or teaching dance in Squamish and the North Shore.
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Meghan O'Neil
PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR
part-timeMeghan has been part of the Sea-to-Sky community for over a decade. She brings a rich background in publishing and media to her role with HSBRIS. Meghan is filling this new role with HSBRIS while also working part-time at the Squamish Public Library and pursuing a Master of Library and Information Science. She is passionate about connecting people through stories, ideas, and one another. Her experience includes serving as a marketing director for a publishing house, assistant publisher for a digital magazine, and working in advertising with a national newspaper network.
Meghan also holds an MFA in Creative Writing, a diploma in Publishing, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in International Relations. She is passionate about community engagement, access to information, and the power of storytelling to inspire connection and change. Meghan is an avid book nerd and able mountain biker.
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