Since 2008, Hope Mountain Centre has been a charity managed by passionate staff and board members. To solidify the progressive continuity and success in strengthening people’s connection with nature, HMC decided to bring on a new staff member to help oversee operations.
Kristine worked previously with Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society as the Executive Director and manages a well-known hiking community platform called Hikes Near Vancouver. She brings seventeen years of non-profit, financial, and outdoor recreation management experience to Hope Mountain Centre, starting January 1, 2022.
“I’m thrilled to join the HMC team that has been doing such excellent work engaging people in this region and beyond to get excited about the outdoors,” said Kristine. “Being a confident, responsible outdoors person and wildlife conservationist is a lifelong journey, and I am very eager to support the team and community members to continue working towards this mission.”
While at Northwest Wildlife, Kristine and her team expanded the scope and reach of the organization, opening a satellite office in a new city; they worked with numerous partners to complete a multi-year wetland restoration project; and they connected over 100,000 children with the natural world through education and stewardship programs. Through her Hikes Near Vancouver platform, Kristine created one of the region’s most oft-used hiking partner-finding network Group Hikes Near Vancouver on Facebook with almost 10,000 members, and she uses her large social media following and website to partner with key outdoors groups like BC AdventureSmart, Leave No Trace and Search and Rescue branches to not just inspire people to get out and explore the trails, but to do so responsibly.
Hope Mountain Centre began the search for a new Executive Director in 2020.
“We regularly update our strategic plan for the coming years,” said Michele Drummond, HMC Board Chair. “With the retirement of two long term staff, we worked on a Succession Plan with strategies that would centralize key responsibilities through the hiring of an Executive Director.”
Kristine holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University, as well as a Certificate in Bookkeeping from Ashton College. In addition to her experience with non-profits and outdoor recreation, she previously worked in financial management – an important skill pivotal to the success of an ED in any business, and especially in the non-profit sector.
While having recreated extensively in the region over the years, Kristine recently made Hope her home with her family, moving into Silver Creek at the end of the summer. Her favorite local hiking trail so far is Kw’okw’echíwel Stl’áleqem (Dragon’s Back) and she looks forward to exploring the area more as an avid hiker, trail runner, rock climber, and paddleboarder.
Kristine will work collaboratively with the HMC Board of Directors, staff and volunteers to carry out all HMC activities including financial, staff, fundraising, partnership, and program oversight. With her passion for the outdoors and experience in non-profit management, the Hope Mountain Centre team is confident for another excellent year ahead.
