About Us

Suzie Soman

Suzie moved to Squamish from Smithers, BC with her husband, Les, and three children in 2001. Suzie comes to the Squamish Community Foundation with over 25 years’ experience working in community services. Community service has been a part of her life since her mom was the executive director for the Girls Club of El Cajon in San Diego, California back in the late 70’s. Suzie firmly believes she is the person she is today because of her roots in community services and involvement in programs like those that the Squamish Community Foundation supports.
Suzie is a Front-Line Support Worker for the Howe Sound Women’s Centre in the Drop-In and Transition House. She is also a specialized resource worker in the Supported Pathways pilot project, a program to connect Sexual Assault survivors to positive community supports. Previously, Suzie worked with Sea to Sky Community Services for 18 years in a variety of roles. Most notably, she supported the growth of the early child development programs to serve hundreds of children and families, as well as building relationships with the SD48 to operate childcare programs in our local schools.
Suzie continues to serve children and families in her work with the Community Action Program for Children Society as their board treasurer. Dedicated to providing sexual health education for all, she previously served on the board for Options for Sexual Health for over 19 years where she worked tirelessly to advocate for sexual health education in our schools from kindergarten to grade 12.
Relationships are key when working with people, and Suzie is looking forward to building new relationships on this board and with the community to enhance the scope and reach of SCF’s.

Carol Coffey

Carol has been working in the nonprofit sector in Sea to Sky country since 2003. Carol is passionate about community, animal welfare and ecology. She entered the non-profit sector when she took the Executive Director role at Whistler Animals Galore (WAG) who, at that time, was not sure they could pay her. She stayed anyway. At WAG, Carol learned about the scarcity of resources that exist for grassroots community groups trying to turn things around for vulnerable individuals. This experience led her to the Executive Director position at Community Foundation of Whistler where she stayed for 7 years, driven by a desire to support small groups doing good work. Carol co-lead the Whistler Vital Signs initiative where she developed a passion for community engagement. She now works for Squamish Helping Hands Society, excited to now be working in the community that has been home for 17 years. Carol loves community foundations and being able to take a holistic view of community development so she is contributing to the Squamish Community Foundation’s Vital Signs.

Wilson Telford

Wilson has been a resident of Squamish since 2011. He and his wife moved to Squamish to be closer to family and the lifestyle that Squamish provides and they enjoy so much. Wilson loves to be outdoors exploring the sea to sky lakes and rivers for the best fishing spots to pursue his passion for fly fishing.
When not standing knee deep in a river or stream, Wilson spends his days working with clients from a variety of industries in his role as partner with Baker Tilly WM LLP. Over the last 20 years he has worked with many not-for-profits and registered charities as an external advisor.
Joining the board of SCF has given Wilson the opportunity to participate as an internal advisor and help the Foundation continue to grow and reach new goals. Wilson is excited to use this opportunity to work more closely with the Squamish community and help support the Foundation in continuing to expand its scope and reach.

Dave Sweeney

Dave has lived in Squamish for most of his life. He is married to his wife Donna, they’re proud to have three lovely daughters: Amy, Danielle and Jamie. His time in Squamish has afforded him the opportunity to become involved in many valuable groups. Dave is most proud of his role in Squamish Fire Rescue as a Volunteer Firefighter since 1984. He retired from SFR in 2019 after 35 years of service.
He’s also passionate about sports and has been a coach for Squamish Youth Soccer Association, where he dedicated 10 years coaching girls rep teams. Additionally, he is a former Board Trustee For Sea to Sky Community Services and the Squamish Community Foundation.
Professionally, Dave started his Financial Planning practice in 1994, which he and his team have run for over 29 years.

Darren Roberts

Darren is known for his philanthropic work in the community and has a strong passion for giving back. With a background in business and management, he brings valuable skills and expertise to the non-profit sector. Throughout his career, Darren has held board positions in several non-profit organizations, including a previous term serving as the Chair of the Squamish Community Foundation. Under his guidance, the foundation has successfully raised funds and provided support to local programs and initiatives.
For over a decade he has been involved in various non-profit organizations, including the Whistler Community Foundation and the local Chamber of Commerce both in Whistler and Squamish.
Darren's goals for his current term on this board include fund development as well as the continued support of other board members. He’s excited to have this opportunity to grow the foundation to the next level and have a lasting impact on the Squamish community.

Claire Barnes

Claire moved to Squamish from Shediac, New Brunswick, a small beach-town on the East Coast of Canada in 2022. Claire has 10 years of community-service experience and is passionate about community building, volunteerism, and advocating for underrepresented individuals. Her experience working with individuals ranges from children to seniors with diverse backgrounds; which gives her an in-depth understanding and awareness of differences in both individuals and life circumstances. She now works as the Fund Development Coordinator for PearlSpace, where she uses her knowledge of social systems to align the fundraising efforts with the broader vision of the organization. As with all Squamish residents, Claire enjoys the outdoors and has embraced living in the Sea to Sky Corridor, and has embedded herself in the community by volunteering for Squamish Arts, Sea to Sky Hospice Society, and the District of Squamish’s Emergency Support Services. Claire is excited to continue her community work as a Director with the Squamish Community Foundation.

Hasrat Grewal Gill

As a settler, Hasrat lives, learns, and breathes on the unceded, ancestral, and traditional lands of the Coast Salish peoples- Sḵwx̱wú7mesh’ (Squamish, BC). Before migrating to Canada, she grew up and lived on the land of her ancestors - Punjab, in the Northwestern part of India.
Over the last 10 years, Hasrat has worked in various capacities to develop and deliver grassroots programs for newcomers, migrants, and literacy learners. She is a passionate human rights advocate and community developer. Hasrat believes that her ‘ancestors and community is her teacher’. She owes her gratitude to every ordinary person, who overcomes not-so-ordinary challenges daily; these are the people who never cease to inspire her, and greatly informs her research, teaching, and learning. In her community work and research, she aspires to explore decolonial, social justice and equity-based approaches to community work.
She currently works as a faculty and program developer at Capilano University – department of Community Development and Outreach (CDO), and Women and Gender Studies (WGST). In 2023, Hasrat was nominated for BC’s Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism award, under Breaking Barriers category which recognizes an individual’s work in tackling systemic or institutional racism and reducing barriers for marginalized communities.

Andrea Beaubien

Andrea immigrated to Squamish from Montreal via Whistler in 1991. She and her husband Mike raised their two children, Bill and Erin here as well as opened Digasaurus Excavating in 1993. Andrea lives by the saving, if you want something done, give it to a busy person. Not being busy enough lately, and feeling a need to give back to a community that has given her and her family so much, Andrea has put her name forward to join the Board of the Squamish Community Foundation. Andrea brings a wealth of diverse experience in the field of Finance and Administration. As a contractor, she has worked with a variety of local businesses in a variety of sectors. While contracting, Andrea also served three terms as a member of the Board of Education of SD48. Taking a brief break from freelancing, Andrea worked as the opening Admin at the Sea to Sky Gondola and spend a couple of years at One Ocean Expeditions.
When not working, you can find Andrea playing in her pottery studio or romping the local trails with her Dog Digger.

Cam Sherk

Cam has lived in Squamish for almost 10 years originally moving from North Vancouver to start a business. He has enjoyed watching the community grow during this time and looks forward to being on the board of the Squamish Foundation to assist in helping the foundation grow so it can continue to provide valuable assistance to the community in the long term.

Karen Clarke

Karen holds a degree in Anthropology and a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Community Economic Development. After working internationally for 4 years in Ghana, West Africa, Karen moved to Squamish in 2004 where she worked with the Howe Sound Women’s Centre for two years. From 2006 to 2014, Karen was the Vancouver Coastal Health Community Developer for the Sea to Sky Corridor. This opportunity offered Karen a deeper understanding of local people and services supporting their communities throughout the Corridor. After holding a few different positions at Sea to Sky Community Services for a number of years, Karen worked as Manager of Outreach Services until July 2020 where she found fulfillment in creating an environment of support and positive relationships for staff who provide many essential services. Karen’s fundraising experience includes an off-road bicycle ride across Canada with a team of 4 women raising money for and promoting the YWCA’s ‘Week Without Violence.’
Finding a healthy work-life balance is important to Karen and when she is not working, you can find her biking or hiking on the local trails, paddling or packing up her blended family to go on an adventure that usually involves tents and a camp stove.
Karen is excited to be a part of the Squamish Community Foundation to help deepen its relational roots in this community and to assist in the growth of its philanthropic contributions and continuing support for non-profit activities in Squamish.

Contact: kclarke@squamishfoundation.com

Alanna Gillis

When Alanna first visited Squamish in 2011 she fell in love with the area and eventually moved in 2013. After a brief time living in Scotland, she returned in 2021 with a renewed commitment to this place. With a Master of Public Policy, Alanna is passionate about community engagement and using her marketing and administrative skills to make a positive impact. She is excited to bring her unique perspective to the foundation to continue to grow the brand. Outside of work, you’ll find her learning about important policy issues, at community book club, local events, a favourite cafe, or enjoying the beautiful outdoors.