With a background in banking and a deep passion for supporting her community, Allyssa is dedicated to helping families access the resources they need to thrive. She is a volunteer with Mamas for Mamas and has personally experienced the invaluable support of KFP since becoming a parent. Recognizing the profound impact KFP has on local families, she joined the Board of Directors in 2022 to give back to an organization that has given so much to her. Through her own journey of advocating for her children, she understands the challenges families face and the critical role of early intervention and family resource services. She is honoured to work alongside KFP’s dedicated staff and volunteers and is excited to contribute her skills and experience to furthering KFP’s mission.

Since joining the KFP Board of Directors in 2023, Melanie has brought her passion and dedication to supporting our community. She has extensive knowledge of not-for-profit operations having served as Executive Director for the Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST) and comes from a strong scientific background in biochemistry, with a Master of Science degree from the University of Alberta. She recently opened a fully licensed child care facility, Wild Rose Child Care, where she serves as the Owner/Director with a team of staff. Melanie is committed to finding innovative and creative solutions to enhance the lives of our community members and foster a supportive and collaborative environment.

Christine holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Simon Fraser University, and has worked with children and families in British Columbia for more than 20 years. As a board member at KFP, she brings expertise in advocacy for people put at risk by inadequate policies and her passion for connecting youth and families to services to meet their unique needs. Since becoming a Board Member in 2022, she continues to be impressed and inspired by the role KFP plays within the West Kootenay area, and the meaningful impact the agency has on the lives of so many families.

Danni previously served as the Director of the Park West Gallery at Sea, working aboard cruise ships, traveling to over 30 countries, and successfully auctioning artworks, including Picasso’s etchings. In China, she owned a pastry shop where she taught cake design and decorating, creating cakes for film premieres and renowned actors, and earned several international awards for my creations. In April 2024, Danni moved to Castlegar with her one-year-old son and quickly felt the warmth of the community through KFP. Inspired by this experience, she joined KFP as the newest Board Member. Currently, she manages online marketing for Castlegar’s The Biggest Little Fruit Stand and works part-time in the security department at Teck.

Mahendra Tomar came to the West Kootenays as a student at Selkirk College, where he completed a diploma in Social Work and Business Management. With over six years of experience in advocacy and community engagement, he has been a strong voice for students’ rights, serving as Treasurer and Director at his college’s student union before advancing to the BC Federation of Students as a Director at Large. Through lobbying, student engagement, and media outreach, he has worked to make post-secondary education more accessible. Currently, Mahendra is a Career Counsellor and Youth Support Worker, dedicated to empowering individuals and fostering community growth. With a background in Computer Science Engineering, he also brings valuable technical expertise to his work. Passionate about making a difference, he joined Kootenay Family Place to contribute to the well-being of children, youth, and families.

Nikki is a busy parent of 2 teens who has been working and living in the West Kootenays for over 20 years as a Dental Hygienist. She has worked in private practice for the majority of that time and recently started with Interior Health as a Dental Hygienist in the fall of 2022. She has experience working closely with adults and children of all ages. She feels very fortunate to be a part of Kootenay Family Place Board recently joining in 2023. She is continuously amazed by the staff and services that this organization offers to the community and it’s families. She enjoys connecting with people in the community, sharing all that there is to offer and loves to give back where she cans.  In her spare time you can find her on the water or at the ski hill spending time with family and friends.

Corinne holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Victoria, a TESL/TESOL Diploma, and a National CCDP designation. With over 20 years of experience working with non-profit organizations, she has dedicated her career over the past thirty years to supporting children, families, and vulnerable populations. Her background includes roles as an Out of School Care Supervisor, a teacher in three School Districts, an ESL Teacher, and a Family Literacy Facilitator. Passionate about building community connections, she focuses on developing programs, fostering networks, and creating opportunities for lifelong learning from birth onward. She joined the board in 2022 after collaborating with Kootenay Family Place on many programs and deeply values their impact within the region. Currently, she works as a manager for a non-profit organization, bringing experience in government policies and procedures to her role with the board.

Jordon grew up in the West Kootenays, and after completing his Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Victoria and gaining valuable work experience, he moved back to the area. The reason… after meeting his now wife, they couldn’t think of a better place to raise a family. Jordon has worked in finance for over 10 years, most of which has been in the non-profit sector. As a board member, he brings a keen eye and guidance over KPF’s operations, helping ensure the organization is best positioned to fulfill its mission – serving the needs of children, youth and families throughout our region. Jordon is a busy parent of two young boys and recognizes the value of KFP’s services. He is grateful for the opportunity to be part of the impressive team that is KFP and is excited for the future of this amazing organization!