Meet the Candidate
Read - Why vote for Stephanie
A long-time community volunteer and advocate for balanced decision-making, focused on practical leadership and supporting the long-term strength of the communities of Electoral Area I.
Deeply Involved in Community
I’ve lived in Woodland Shores at the foot of Bald Mountain since 2015 and have been actively involved in our community and the broader Cowichan region ever since.
You’ll often find me out in the woods—on the trails, in the mountains, usually with my two dogs, Max and Wyatt. That’s where I reset, think things through, and stay grounded.
That connection to the outdoors led me to become a certified Ground Search and Rescue member and volunteer with Cowichan Search and Rescue. It’s demanding work that requires training, teamwork, and showing up when people need help most.
I also serve as a Board Director with Cowichan Lake Community Services, supporting programs that help individuals and families in our community.
For me, it all comes down to the same thing—showing up, doing the work, and supporting the people and place we call home.
Whether I’m working in my garden or working for the community, I stay involved—and I see firsthand how local decisions affect everyday life.
Lake Cowichan Advisory Planning Commission
Member since 2025.
CVRD Area I Advisory Planning Commission
Commission Vice Chair from 2023 to 2025.
CVRD Area F Advisory Planning Commission
Commission Chair from 2023 to 2025.
Leadership shaped by experience
Leadership • Community • Accountability
My career has taken me from Ottawa to Vancouver Island, working across development, business, and technology.
I spent 25 years in development—working through land use, planning, and approvals on everything from rural projects to larger subdivisions. That gave me a clear understanding of how the system works—and where it doesn’t.
Later, I joined a small software company and worked my way up to CEO, helping grow it into an international business. Different work, same lessons: understand risk, ask the right questions, and think long term.
I don’t believe in luck. Results come from hard work, recognizing opportunity, and making good decisions over time.
That’s what I bring—real-world experience, a clear understanding of risk, and a focus on decisions that actually work for people and the community.
A deep connection to this place
My Journey
I moved to Lake Cowichan in 2015 after many years in Ottawa. Like many people, my path here was not simple. After spending years navigating the challenges of the BC rental market, I was incredibly grateful to eventually purchase a home in Woodland Shores at the foot of Bald Mountain.
Living here has been a gift. The lake, forests, and mountains that surround us are remarkable — but what truly makes this place special is the people.
Since arriving, my appreciation for the community and the broader Cowichan region has grown tremendously. What began as simply finding a home has evolved into a deep commitment to the future of this region and the people who live here.
Family is my foundation
Family
I’m a proud mom of three grown kids and a grandmother to two energetic grandsons. Watching them build their own lives—and now seeing the next generation grow up—has been one of the most rewarding parts of my life.
Like many families, ours is spread across the country. We started in Ottawa, and today we’re stretched from the East Coast to Vancouver Island. Having family here on the Island is something I’m incredibly grateful for.
I also know how hard that is becoming. Rising costs, housing, and economic pressures are making it harder for families to stay close and support each other.
That’s part of why I care so deeply about this community. I want this to remain a place where families can build their lives, where seniors can stay, and where people can stay connected.
Around Cowichan Lake, we spend a lot of time outdoors. The forests, mountains, and water—and the strong sense of community—are what make this place special.
That’s why I care about the future of AREA I.
