Board & Staff

With a steadfast dedication spanning 24 years, Rory Gowler has contributed tirelessly to the banking sector, specifically with RBC. Rory has spent the last 17 years in managerial roles harnessing her experience to lead teams towards excellence and is currently the Community Manager overseeing RBC on the Sunshine Coast.

Beyond the confines of the bank, Rory is a cornerstone of the community cultivating meaningful relationships that extend far beyond the realm of finance. Additionally, she has been a director for the Friendship House of Prince Rupert for 6 years and has served on the board of the Sechelt chamber of commerce for 2 years. With a blend of experience, leadership, and community engagement Rory Gowler is dedicated to lead with integrity in both her professional and personal spheres.

Through her involvement with the Chamber, Jessica hopes to inspire the up and coming generation of business in Sechelt to be proactive in working towards positive growth and sustainable change.

Jessica is the owner of Moorestock, a lifestyle boutique located in the heart of Sechelt on Cowrie Street. Having managed the business in an executive role for ten years preceding her ownership (effective August 2019), Jessica possesses a wealth of knowledge from her hands-on experience in all facets of the retail industry. The pressure of navigating her first year in business through the effects of Covid-19 has shown a great tenacity and ability to pivot strategically under great duress.

As a longtime resident of the Sunshine Coast, Jessica is invested in the potential of her community from not only a business perspective, but personal standpoint as well. Jessica is the mother of one young daughter and one pug puppy.

Raised in Ireland, Arthur began his legal career in 2015 with some of Ireland’s largest corporate law firms. He originally specialised in corporate transactions and has experience in multi-million dollar international deals to smaller local transactions and everything in between. Upon requalification as a lawyer in Canada, Arthur practised in the business law department of one of Vancouver’s leading firms.

Arthur acts for a diverse range of businesses and individuals doing business in and from the Sunshine Coast and beyond. His areas of practice include all areas of business law, commercial and residential real estate transactions, and private client matters.

Arthur is proud to give back to his community as an active firefighter with the Gibsons and District Volunteer Fire Department and as a youth coach with the Sunshine Coast Rapids Lacrosse Association.

Kimberly Flear is a long-time hospitality professional, coach, and advocate for mental health and
recovery in the service industry. With 25 years of experience working front-of-house — from
high-end restaurants to fast-paced cafés — she has a deep understanding of the pressures
hospitality workers face and the lack of support that often exists behind the scenes.

Motivated by lived experience, Kimberly founded Last Call Coaching, a resource dedicated to
helping hospitality professionals navigate burnout, build healthier coping strategies, and create
sustainable lives and careers. Her work focuses on fostering systems of support that center
wellbeing, reduce staff turnover, and strengthen the culture and longevity of local businesses.

As a Chamber board member, Kimberly brings a people-first lens and a commitment to
community care. Mental health and recovery are at the heart of her advocacy, and she’s
especially passionate about helping the region grow in ways that are not only economically
sustainable, but human centered. She’s here to ensure that business owners, workers, and the
broader community have access to the tools and support needed to thrive.

Patrick Lessard is the General Manager of the Coast Reporter, bringing over 25 years of experience in the newspaper industry. Even after more than two decades in the business, he still finds the work rewarding and inspiring.

Patrick and his family relocated to the Sunshine Coast in the fall of 2019. Before joining the Coast Reporter, he served as Advertising Director for the Alberta Weekly Newspaper Association, where he supported the success of numerous community publications across the province.

Now a proud resident of the Sunshine Coast, Patrick is excited to support the local community and explore everything the Sunshine Coast has to offer.

Gabriel is the Founder and Creative Director of Blue Lotus Creative, a digital marketing and business solutions agency based right here on the Sunshine Coast of BC. With a focus on optimizing growth for values-focused clients through web development, SEO, digital strategy, video and ads, Gabriel leads with a results-driven approach that helps implement systemized Lead Growth Engines for clients.

For the past 17 years, I have worked as a realtor for RE/MAX Oceanview Realty. I am also a volunteer on the Advisory Planning Commission.

I’ve lived in Sechelt for the past 27 years where I’ve raised my children and remained active in the local sports and music scene. For fun I’ve spent ten years working in restaurant operations at the Sechelt Golf Club and am a professional Canadian Musician.

I look forward to contributing to the community by being part of The Chamber.

Jessica Marola-Hugh is a passionate advocate for the next generation of entrepreneurs on the Sunshine Coast. As the founder of StoryWell Marketing, she has spent over a decade supporting local and international brands—from legacy family businesses to fresh startups—helping them tell their stories with clarity and confidence in an increasingly digital world.

Jessica brings a unique blend of marketing expertise, community insight, and heartfelt leadership to her work. She has served as a past director with both the Sechelt and Gibsons Chambers of Commerce and is an active member of Rotary. Her mission is to help businesses—especially those navigating generational transitions—thrive in a tourism-based economy by equipping them with the tools and strategies they need to grow with purpose.

A mother of four, a leader in her church, and an avid health enthusiast, Jessica speaks regularly to audiences of women about emotional resilience, leadership, and authentic brand building. Whether she’s tending to her 40 chickens, brainstorming with clients, or speaking on the importance of emotional intelligence in marketing, she brings warmth, wisdom, and a deep commitment to the Coast in all she does.

Jessica lives in Sechelt with her husband (the love of her life), their four kids, six cats, and a rotating cast of garden projects and community ideas. Through her role on the Chamber board, she hopes to continue building a thriving, connected future for local business—one story at a time.

I’m a chef, restauranteur, and hospitality consultant on the Sunshine Coast. Over the years, I’ve launched several local businesses — from cafés and cocktail bars to fine dining pop-ups — and have worked closely with small business owners to help them grow sustainably. I’m passionate about building community through thoughtful entrepreneurship and creating spaces where people feel connected and supported.

As a Chamber director, I’m here to listen, collaborate, and advocate for the needs of local businesses. I’m especially excited to contribute to initiatives that highlight local talent, support food security, and strengthen the economic fabric of our region.

Looking forward to working with all of you and contributing to the continued vibrancy of our community!

Manan Shah currently owns and operates two McDonald’s locations in Sechelt and Powell River on the beautiful Sunshine Coast. Since December 2023, he has been actively overseeing these establishments, with a strong commitment to fostering a positive work environment and delivering exceptional service. 

Before moving to the Sunshine Coast, Manan owned and operated successful restaurants in Ontario. This entrepreneurial venture allowed him to leverage his extensive business skills, gaining valuable experience in hospitality management and operations. Prior to this, Manan spent over a decade working in sales and marketing roles at multinational companies, where he honed his expertise in business development and customer engagement.

Manan is also an avid reader, traveler, and cooking enthusiast who enjoys watching sports in his spare time. He cherishes time spent with his family, which includes his wife and their 13-year-old son. Deeply committed to giving back to the community, Manan actively supports Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) and participates in local events on the Sunshine Coast.

Long-time Sunshine Coast resident Ed Pednaud formerly held the position of Executive Director, Sechelt & District Chamber of Commerce. He is now leading and implementing many of the critical steps required to achieve financial, operational, and governance integration of the newly formed Sunshine Coast Chamber of Commerce.

Ed can be reached at: 604-885-06622 or via email.

Ed worked within the BC Credit Union system for over 30 years and now translates that experience and knowledge into a new venture as a Highpoint Capital Solutions Mortgage Broker.

He has become well known in the community as a Mortgage Professional who contributes time and energy to the positive growth of Sechelt.