2015 Board of Director Candidates
Chris Beaton, Executive Director
Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre
Chris has lived in Nanaimo for 15 years and has worked with non-profits for the
past 20 years. He has worked on the Chamber’s Successful Cities committee and
Inspire Nanaimo. He has volunteered with the PAC’s at McGirr and Dover Bay
schools. He is passionate about supporting change in our community and
enhancing opportunities for all children. He is a proud member of Nanaimo’s
Aboriginal community.
Meryl Chahley, Partner
MNP
After receiving her CA designation while at KPMG in Vancouver in 1992, Meryl
returned to her home town of Nanaimo. She began her career with Bestwick &
Partners which became MNP in 2003. She made Partner in 2005. Meryl has
served as the Treasurer for the Nanaimo Dragon Boat Society for 8 years, the
Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation for 5 years and the MS Society for 6
years in addition to serving on many committees.
Warren Cook, Store Manager
London Drugs, Port Place
Warren is no stranger to Chambers of Commerce, he served on the Board of the
Campbell River Chamber from 2007 – 2011, was Chair of their sub-committee on
Succession Planning and Retention. He was Vice President of the DNBIA in
2012/13 and then President of the St. John Ambulance in 2013/15. Warren is a
veteran of the retail sector and actively engaged in many major community
events — such as the BC Summer Games!
Adam Hawryluk, Owner & Mortgage Broker
DLC – Canadian Mortgage Experts
Adam Hawryluk holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Vancouver Island
University, and his Mortgage Broker license from the UBC Sauder School of
Business. He is currently the President of the Young Professionals of Nanaimo and
a current Board Member of Community Futures Central Island. He has been a Top
20 Under 40 nominee for the last 3 years. And apparently, a really nice guy!
Karen Hovestad, Managing Director
Auto Check Automotive
Respected business owner of award winning automotive shop & Nanaimo
Booster! Chair of Nanaimo Neighbourhood Network for 8 years, the Departure
Bay Neighbourhood Association for 1- years. Karen has been active with the
DNBIA for 15 years. Extensive experience hiring & supervising with a Masters in
Organizational Leadership and Board experience. Interested, intelligent &
engaged for the benefit of our community.
Rebecca Kirk, Chief Executive Officer
Well Read Books – Literacy Central Vancouver Island
Prior to moving back to Nanaimo 6 years ago to follow her entrepreneurial spirit
and pursue her interests in Social Enterprise, Rebecca enjoyed a career in the BC
Justice System. Upon her return, Rebecca began volunteering in the downtown
becoming the first Chair of the DNBIA Planning Design Development Committee
and continues to serve as a member. She also volunteers as a member of the
Chamber’s Successful Cities Committee and Inspire Nanaimo Committee.
Rebecca is the founder of MakerSpace Nanaimo, a project incubator and a new
way of learning inspired by her sons; Junior MakerSpace, STEM training for
children is now in development!
Sarah Lane, Principal & Managing Director
SEL Conference Services
Armed with a vision for potential, and skills for planning, Sarah has run SEL
Conference Services out of Nanaimo since 2008, and has been responsible for
budgeting, planning and carefully executing conferences across Canada. Sarah
was born and raised on Vancouver Island, has lived in Australia and Taiwan, and
speaks French and Mandarin. Sarah is a founding member of Young Professionals
of Nanaimo and has been a part of the Chamber’s Successful Cities committee
since inception, sitting as Chair since August. Past Chair of the Island Professional
Event Network (3 years), Past Co-Chair of the Chicks with Sticks Golf Tourney in
support of Kids Help Phone (5 years), member of the Centre for Arts Nanaimo
Board of Directors (4 years) and member of Inspire Nanaimo (2 years), Sarah
enjoys being involved in her community, contributing knowledge, time and
experience where she can.
Andrea Rosato-Taylor, Sales & Marketing Manager
Nanaimo Daily News
Andrea has been with the Nanaimo Daily News for 8 years responsible for new
business development for Nanaimo Daily News in print and online and specialty
products. She was Chair of The Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce in 2010, Co-Chair
of Women of Note and past Chair of the VI Symphony Sizzle Fundraiser, Dragon
Boat Director 2012 and one of the founding members of Vision Nanaimo.