Our Staff
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John Farrell
Executive Director
John has worked the last 25 years in community development on the North Coast and Haida Gwaii. He is a small business owner and a past-president of the Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce. He serves on a number of local and provincial boards including the Prince Rupert Port Authority, the Port Edward Harbour Authority, and chairs the parent support group of Annunciation School. John holds a bachelors degree in political studies and a management certificate from the Sauder School of Business.
Marlene Lindquist
Operations Manager
Marlene brings a wealth of experience to her role, having spent over a decade managing the day-to-day operations of Community Futures, coupled with an additional 10 years of prior experience. She's enjoys giving back to the community by offering affordable bookkeeping solutions to local not-for-profits and charities. During her free time, you'll often find Marlene indulging in her favorite pastimes, such as hunting, golfing, and most recently—trying out new recipes in the kitchen.
Karla Abreu
Regional Business Liaison
Karla holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Strategic Communications from the University of Minnesota and a Diploma in Screenwriting for Film and TV from the Toronto Film School. She has a strong background in Advertising/Marketing and storytelling, as well as years of experience working as a copywriter, screenwriter, and digital content creator. Karla uses her skills and knowledge in advertising and storytelling to help passionate local entrepreneurs, and businesses like Community Futures, reach and engage with their audience in an authentic and creative way. In her spare time, Karla enjoys watching movies, creating videos, reading, writing, and exploring the outdoors.
Our Board
Ray Pedersen
Vice Chair
Loans Committee Chair
Entrepreneur
Dave McKeever
Director
Education Sector
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Chris Armstrong
Chair
Arts & Entertainment
Mahesh Gautam
Treasurer
Financial Sector
Job Opportunities
Export Advisor
Full-time
Posted on
August 23, 2024
The Export Navigator Program connects BC businesses to export specialists who offer a personalized, step-by-step approach to expanding within BC, interprovincially, and internationally. This contract role supports businesses from Haida Gwaii to Houston along the Highway 16 corridor, guiding them through the export process and connecting them to vital market information, export programs, and opportunities across Canada and globally.
