Carol, the Foundation’s chair, moved to Salt Spring with her husband, Bob, in 1995 when she retired from her full time position as executive director of a multi-service non-profit organization. When she moved, she was still acting as a consultant in non-profit and volunteer management and sitting on several local, provincial, and national boards of directors. She is now concentrating her energies on tending her garden, hosting family and friends from around the world, and playing a leading role in the Foundation. After many years of having to search for charitable funding for the organizations she was involved with, Carol is loving being “on the granting side.” She is totally committed to the idea that the Foundation plays an important role in strengthening the island’s quality of life. Carol believes in building a dynamic, knowledgeable core of trustees and committee members to guide the Foundation in its future direction. The Foundation’s current team is an example of how people with a mix of talents, skills, knowledge, and backgrounds can work together effectively toward a common goal.

John Binsted

For many years John and his wife, Laura, visited Salt Spring Island, where they were captured by its beauty, diversity, and strong sense of community. Finally, following John's retirement in 2007, they were able to make Salt Spring their home. Both have become involved with the community, including John joining the Salt Spring unit of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary. For 17 years prior to moving to the island, John worked for Vancouver Foundation--Canada's largest community foundation--serving as its Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. In addition to his many responsibilities with the Vancouver Foundation, John was a board member of the Council of Foundations, the worldwide association of philanthropic foundations. He also served as an advisor to the World Bank on the role of community foundations in building social and economic capacities in developing countries. John is currently the chair of the Foundation’s Governance Committee.

Terry Bolton

Terry worked as a chemical engineer in the oil industry for 30 years in numerous locations both domestic and abroad. In 1991, Terry and his wife Beverley purchased their Salt Spring home, and three years later, when Terry took early retirement, moved to the island as permanent residents. Terry and Bev operated a B&B for 10 years while becoming more involved with the community. Terry has served as both a member and chair of the CRD Liquid Waste Committee, as a board member and treasurer of ArtSpring, and on the board of the Beddis area residents’ association. In 2007, he joined the Foundation as a community member on the Grants Advisory Committee and accepted a position as trustee in June of 2008. Terry is currently the Foundation’s Treasurer and chair of the Investment Committee

Emily Hepburn

Although Emily is by local standards a recent arrival on the island, she has a long-time connection to Salt Spring as her husband, Duncan, was island born and raised. Early retirement enabled Emily and Duncan to pursue their long-time goal of living on the family property in Fulford, where they run a Christmas Tree Farm and “putter in the garden.” During her teaching career, Emily taught in both elementary and secondary schools, was a school administrator, and after returning to university, taught special education at the high-school level. Community involvement has always been an important part of Emily’s life, and she brings a wide variety of volunteer experiences to her position as a trustee. She feels that her work with the Foundation is a way of giving back to the community now, while at the same time building a legacy for future residents. Emily is currently chair of the Grants Advisory Committee.

Lesley Reynolds

Lesley has been a frequent visitor to Salt Spring since 1982 and moved here permanently with her husband, Victor, and daughter, Camille, in 2001. Having worked in the publishing business in Calgary for many years, she currently works from Salt Spring as an editor for a Victoria publisher. Lesley is also the co-author of several popular prairie gardening books, but admits to finding gardening heaven here on Salt Spring. Lesley has always enjoyed working as a volunteer to support her community and has continued to do so since arriving on Salt Spring. She is thrilled to be working with the dedicated Foundation team as it explores exciting new initiatives to strengthen our wonderful and unique community. Lesley is chair of the Communications Committee.

Community Committee Members

The Foundation’s community committee members include: Nighean Anderson, Maryann Bird, Lorraine Brewster, Barry Cooke, Marshall Heinekey, Adina Hildebrandt, Carol (Burbidge) Johnson, Nora Layard, Mary Rose MacLachlan, Kate Merry, Tom Mitchell, Maddee Nash, Lyle Petch, Bob Rush, Jacquie Stevulak, Diane Thomas, Debby Wetmore, Jane Winter, Glenn Woodley, and April Wright

Our Friends of the Foundation group: Tom Toynbee (chair), Gladys Campbell, Wendy Kaye, Patrick Lee, and John Pickering

Linda Frost - Administrator (Part-time)

From the first time that she visited Salt Spring 20 years ago, Linda knew that this is where she wanted to be. After over 30 years in IT and business consulting, she decided to explore her creative side in a more tranquil environment than the heart of Kitsilano. Linda has a long association with textiles, dyeing and surface design, having been taught by her grandmother, a milliner and tailoress. She has produced a line of linen clothing, worked as a silk dyer for an on-island company and continues to explore in her studio. Gardening is another great joy in Linda’s life; she trained as a Master Gardener and has thoroughly enjoyed gardening for her diverse group of clients over the past seven years. Linda is happy to bring her business experience to the Foundation as administrator and to be a part of an organization that is committed to helping the community.