Advisory Board Formed

The impetus to establish the Hornby Fund came from a large community meeting (approx. 45 community members were in attendance, with a wide representation from the island non-profit groups that were in existence at that time) held in the year 2000. There was unanimous support from all in attendance to create our own community fund to help address financial needs for various community groups and projects; to decrease the reliance on government funding; to increase our local autonomy; and to support long term sustainability for capital projects of local groups. 

After researching the possibilities and meeting with Stan Hagen (the M.L.A. at the time, and a founding member of the Comox Valley Community Foundation), all agreed that it would make the most sense to set up a Hornby Community Fund within the Comox Valley Community Foundation, instead of creating an entirely separate Foundation. At the time, volunteer organizers felt that we did not have the capacity to manage all the legal, administrative, government requirements, investment decision making, etc. to “go it alone”. Hence a business arrangement was formed with the Comox Valley Foundation. To ensure that local control was still maintained, additionally an alliance was formed with the Hornby Island Education Society. (HIES). HIES had administrative capacity and charitable status that became an integral part of the plan. 

A local Community Advisory Board of respected and dedicated volunteers became responsible for determining policy and direction, educating the community about the fund, soliciting donations, and developing and maintaining criteria for disbursement of the grants. These advisors additionally charged with providing information on funding sources and fundraising techniques to support the fundraising efforts of community groups. In 2019, the Advisory Board elected to form a non-profit society.

February, 2026

A brief introduction to the current members of the Community Fund Board

Angie Read is a retired teacher, who has owned property on Hornby for many years. A well-loved Galleon resident, Angie takes on the huge job of Coordinator of the Party Rental business. This social enterprise was set up in response to the many local fund-raisers that needed tables and chairs and were having to rent them from Courtenay. The line expanded and now includes everything needed to put on a wedding. Fortunately, Angie’s husband, Cal, and willing friends, lend a hand when the going gets brisk. 

April Lewis is currently the Treasurer, and has been involved with the Fund since being the Executive Director of the Hornby Island Education Society. She, and her husband Ed, raised their daughter Angeleah on Hornby.  April has served both as a staff liaison with the Hornby Island Education Society and on the Community Fund Board. April is known, and loved, by Hornby kids for her supervision at Teen Nights, working at the Preschool, and from being a constant visitor at the school with her HIES job.  April is currently the Administrator for the Hornby Island Housing Society.

Brenda Cha, another long-time member of the Board is instrumental in raising awareness of the Fund. She, and partner Peter Wardle, have donated the golf gate to the Community Fund for years. Also, many times the proceeds of the Annual Gala Dinner. Brenda is an architect and designer, currently working in Loreto, Baja, Mexico part of the year. On Hornby, Brenda is one of the main forces in our fund-raising activities.  She is also lead organizer of Women’s Wednesday, a summer networking group to help Friends of the Fund stay connected. Brenda is the Vice-Chair on the Board.

Doug Bouey is the very capable Chair of the Fund.  Doug is a retired lawyer, author, management consultant and long time seasonal resident on Hornby Island.  Doug brings a set of professional skills and big world thinking to our Island Board.  His wife Elaine, is a willing volunteer during fund raising events.

Byron Corner is Treasurer and has a working history in the insurance and actuarial industry.  Byron and his wife Pat, have recently relocated to Hornby from Ontario through the purchase of Dr. Don Ross's property.  Don was a much loved Hornby resident, and his family legacy lives on with Byron and Pat.

Karen Ross is the current Board President, and has been on the Fund Board since the early days. She and John Ross moved to Hornby in 1984 as the new owners of the Thatch Pub.  They started a family, raising two children, Jacquelin and Darren, on Hornby.  Karen continues to live on Hornby and shares her family home as a short-term vacation rental.  Karen is the Economic Enhancement Officer for the Hornby Island Community Economic Enhancement Corporation.

Shawn Pedersen is the newest Board member. Shawn has had a connection to Hornby Island since 1972, when his family first built a summer home here. In 2016, he and his wife built their own home on Anderson Drive, now their full-time residence.  Professionally, Shawn has spent much of his career as an entrepreneur, including owning a Ford dealership in Squamish and co-founding Echoflex Solutions Inc., a technology company he helped grow over 17 years before its sale in 2021. He currently serves as CEO of UK-based software firm Mobiusflow and brings a long history of community involvement and fundraising to his work with the Hornby Community Fund.

Vicky Peterson grew up on Hornby, attending preschool through grade 6 at the Hornby Island School in the 80's and early 90's.  She moved away to Victoria for High School (where she met her now Husband, Ben!) & lived in lots of different places around the world until she came full-circle and moved back to Hornby full-time almost 6 years ago in early 2020. Vicky has worked in online marketing and analytics over the past 15 or so years and is fortunate to be able to work remotely from home here.   "I'm very excited to have the opportunity to join the HICF and give back to the community that has been a huge part of my whole life." 

PAST ADVISORY BOARDS MEMBERS: 

• Angeleah Hoeppner
• Anne Carney
• Charmaine Logan
• Robin de Lavis
• Bill Adams
• Dennis Anholt
• Moira Armour · 
• Joan Brears  
• Lynne Carmichael
• John Farquhar
• Eleanor Laffin · 
• Linda Manzer · 
• Sheila McDonnell · 
• Arne Olsen  
• Daniel Siegel
• Peter Wardle
• Chris Weixelbaumer
• Wayne Wiens
• Gary Duke
• Eva Wetzel
• JoAnn Harrison

A sincere thanks to all those that serve on this Advisory Board for their dedication in making Hornby dreams come true!