Board & Staff

Gaetan is the CEO of CityState Consulting, an urban planning & design firm with offices in Sechelt, serving the Sunshine Coast, and Port Moody, serving the Lower Mainland. An urban planner originally from Québec City, he received a Governor General’s Medal for his humanitarian work in Sarajevo. During his 11 years as City Manager in Port Moody, the city experienced rapid growth and received numerous awards. Gaetan retired from public service in 2013 when he was Chief Planner for Metro Vancouver.

The author of Time for Cities, a textbook about cities and municipal finances, he is also a Research Associate with the Columbia Institute. Gaetan serves as board member with a hospice society, a hatchery, community groups and private corporations. Gaetan’s academic background includes Military Engineer, Bachelor of Architecture and Masters of Urban Planning.

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.

Rasie is the founder of RB Jumpstart Coaching and RB Jumpstart Mentorship & Youth Leadership Training Society, a leadership coach, book coach, speaker, and author of Amazon Bestsellers, “Lead In Your Truth” & “Heal On Your Terms.” In collaboration with organizations and companies, Rasie helps corporate leaders lead their teams more effectively through self leadership and support authors with their book construction process from idea to publishing.

She is giving back to our world through her Youth Mentorship Program; she is empowering and helping our youth take control of their lives by providing mentorship resources and access to reliable mentors.

Closing the opportunity gap in leadership is at the core of Rasie’s work. She does this through her successful coaching programs, youth mentorship program, speaking services and bestselling books.

David is a chartered accountant, holding CPA designations in BC and the UK. He served as the CFO of Primero Mining Corp., a TSX and NYSE gold mining company, and prior to that as the VP & corporate controller for Intrawest Corporation.

He has over 30 years senior business experience, mainly in the real estate industry. David currently serves on the board of directors of Greenlane Renewables, a TSX listed green energy company.

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.

Bio Coming Soon.

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.

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.

Laurie escaped the big city of Vancouver in 1991 to start a family and a small business. 30 years later, her 2 sons are grown, and her kayak rental and tour business continues to grow and thrive on the spectacular Sunshine Coast.

With previous careers in IT and Real Estate, working on the beach and in the welcoming business of Tourism is her happy place. Making sure Sechelt and the Sunshine Coast continue to grow and be a welcoming business environment is the motivation behind volunteering for the Sechelt Chamber of Commerce.

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.