About Us

Vice Chair

Polly is employed with ANKORS East Kootenay office as the Team Lead and Harm Reduction Coordinator. Polly has a deep passion for working with vulnerable populations and people who use substances including youth and adults. Polly comes to this work with her own story of resiliency and strength which has led to a commitment to support folks within the East Kootenay. She has a deep abiding respect for the staff at EKASS where she has collaborated on many projects. Polly comes to the table with a commitment to share knowledge and support the EKASS team. When she is not talking about Harm Reduction, she is honoured to be hunting, X-country skiing and kayaking in the beautiful Kootenay Region.

Treasurer

I live in Fernie and I’m originally from New Zealand. I came here for a ski season 18 years ago and never left this magical place that captured my heart. I joined the EKASS board from the desire to serve my community in a way meaningful to me, as substance use and mental health have touched my life personally and profoundly. I am passionate about breaking down the stigma around mental health and substance use. I believe in humanity, and open and honest conversations and substance use, sharing our stories, applying grace and compassion and into getting resources to the hands and lives of the user, their family and friends. My first hand experience with a loved one has led me to have a heart filled with empathy for everyone who has substance use touch their lives. I feel honored to be able to take my story, passion and skills to serve and support the people on the front line in our community in addiction services. I have never served on a board of directors up until now so this is also something new and exciting for me! I have worked with a number of nonprofits in a variety of fields over the last 13 years through my work as an accounting technician and bookkeeper. I love my dog, snowboarding, hiking, and my amazing community who I consider my Canadian family.

Director

I have been an active member of the Mental Health and Addictions community in the East Kootenay’s for 30 years in a variety of roles and holding a variety of responsibilities. I began working in the community with young people in the mid 90’s developing the Lee Haskell Youth Centre in Kimberley alongside a Youth Development role within the Outreach program with the School District. Following that work I forged a longstanding relationship with the young people and families of the Ktunaxa Nation through my many levels of responsibilities that began with Youth Support and culminated in Mental Health and Addictions clinical leadership. Between 2004 and 2011, I had the honor of working as a Clinical Counsellor for EKASS. My role involved leading a women’s counseling program, facilitating a Day Treatment Program, and holding meetings centered around peer-driven recovery and support. Alongside my other work, I carried a full caseload of women on their healing paths. As Provincial Lead for Indigenous Wellness at Foundry BC, I’m focused on developing programs guided by Indigenous knowledge and boosting Indigenous involvement in governance, data, evaluation, and service delivery. Above all, I am a mother to two daughters, a friend, and a colleague. I am drawn to the work of East Kootenay Addictions due to a desire to enhance clinical knowledge and support leadership during times of change and expansion.

Director

I am currently completing my third year in the Bachelor of Social Work program at Vancouver Island University. My decision to join the East Kootenay Addictions Services Society’s Board of Directors is rooted in a strong interest in understanding the inner workings of committee governance, particularly in the context of substance use service delivery and its impact on our community. For nearly a decade, I have worked with Interior Health Authority’s Mental Health and Substance Use services in various capacities, including adult withdrawal management, opioid agonist therapy, and currently, tertiary care. My lived experiences deeply inform my commitment to advocacy for individuals affected by substance use—an approach grounded in strengths-based, trauma- and violence-informed care that promotes choice and empowerment. As our political landscape continues to shift, I believe it is more important than ever to stand in solidarity with those facing substance use challenges, many of whom are also impacted by overlapping social inequities. While there are no simple solutions, I bring to the board a voice shaped by life experience, a dedication to lifelong learning, and a passion for social justice with the goal of contributing to meaningful improvements in our systems of care.

Director

I am currently the Director of Operations with Axis Family Resources, where I oversee a range of specialized supportive housing and community programs across the Kootenays. I also own and operate a private counselling practice, Homecoming Consulting. My background combines leadership and clinical experience, and I am passionate about supporting individuals and families in building stronger, healthier communities. I also bring a unique perspective, as I was once a client of EKASS and participated in their second-stage housing program when it was still operational. In addition, I have been sober for over seven years, and my recovery journey deeply influences both my professional work and my commitment to service. I currently hold a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology, and presently, I am pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Counselling & Psychotherapy. In addition to this, I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) in the province of BC.