Our Board of Directors is Growing
Surfrider Foundation Canada (SFC) is exciting to welcome three new individuals to its board of directors that will help guide the organization through its startup phase and growth across the country.
Having a strong and talented board is critical to the success of any organization. The members of a nonprofit board focus on the high-level strategy, oversight, and accountability of the organization. This contrasts with employees or managers who oversee the day-to-day operations of the nonprofit. Board members are the fiduciaries who steer the organization towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as by making sure the nonprofit has adequate resources to advance its mission.
Until now, the SFC board has been composed of individuals who have volunteered with or worked for various chapters or clubs in the Surfrider network. The existing directors on the SFC board include David Boudinot, Gillian Montgomery and Kristina Lee. David has spent years spearheading the S.O.S campaign with the Vancouver Island Chapter that focuses on addressing pre-consumer plastic pellet (i.e. nurdle) pollution in marine environments in Southwestern B.C. Gillian has volunteered with the Vancouver Island Chapter for over 10 years, holding several roles on the Executive Committee and also spent several years as the staff Chapter Manager. Kristina Lee has been involved with the Vancouver Chapter for many years and is a former Vice Chairperson. She also has extensive experience with communications and marketing that she brings from her professional career.
The three new directors join SFC from outside the organization and bring valuable perspectives in government relations, fundraising and law.
Jodi Gaiser
Jodi, originally from Ontario, followed her love and appreciation for the oceans and mountains to western Canada currently residing in Victoria, BC. Jodi holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Ryerson University in Toronto Canada. After spending the better part of the past decade working in the non-profit sector as a fundraising and community-building specialist, she is transferring her love for nature to build a practice in nature-based counseling therapy. Currently, she is obtaining a Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology. Jodi brings her years of fundraising expertise to the SFC board to support our financial growth.
Fraser Work
Fraser is an engineer and sustainability professional currently living in Tofino, BC. Fraser holds master's degrees in both Marine Engineering (University College London) and Sustainability and Environmental Management (Harvard University). After a 20-year career in the Canadian Navy as a marine engineer, Fraser transitioned to local government, working as the Director of Engineering and Public Works and the Chief Sustainability Officer at the City of Victoria. Fraser has also worked as the Director of Infrastructure and Public Works for the District of Tofino. Fraser is a passionate sustainability professional and brings his years of experience with government relations to the SFC team.
Nicole Bresser
Nicole ‘Niki’ Bresser is of Swampy Cree and Red River Métis descent. As a lawyer and deputy supervisor of the Indigenous Legal Relations Solicitor Unit in the BC Public Service, Niki provides legal advice on Aboriginal law, often involving contentious relationships between Indigenous Peoples and the Province of B.C. She supervises lawyers and professional staff, championing reconciliation initiatives in all aspects of her work. Niki is passionate about all things ocean and brings her tremendous skills to support SFC’s work on justice, equity, diversity and inclusivity.
