Our Team

CHAIR

Paul Ruffell was born and raised in the United Kingdom, where he received his engineering degree. He came to Canada in 1981 and worked in the Arctic for a decade. He became president and CEO of an engineering consulting firm based in Western Canada and eventually led an Infrastructure group with 3,500 staff across Canada. He has served on several not-for-profit boards. Paul moved to Qualicum Beach in 2015 and lives there with his wife Christine, who also volunteers for SOS. He was elected to the SOS Board in 2017.

Brandon Charlesworth

SECRETARY-TREASURER 

Brandon was raised in the Comox Valley and completed his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) – Accounting Concentration in Nanaimo. He moved to Vancouver to continue his career, completing his Certified General Accountant (CGA) designation there. He and his wife Marni moved back to Vancouver Island in 2016 and Brandon became a partner at Robbins & Company, CPA’s. Outside of work, Brandon enjoys spending time outdoors with Marni and their son Nolan. He is an active member of the Rotary Club of Nanaimo Oceanside, and is thrilled to be working with SOS to continue serving our community. Brandon was elected to the SOS Board in 2021.

Mike Cochrane

DIRECTOR

Mike was born in Powell River and completed grade school in Port Alberni. He moved to Ontario to attend university and worked in the grocery industry. He opened New Leaf Whole Foods in Parksville in 1980 and started a family, having a girl and two boys. He was on the Oceanside Youth Soccer Board where he was president from 1996 to 2014. He was also on the Baseball Board and co-founded the District 69 Sports Council. His aunt (SOS co-founder Edith Chamberlayne) convinced him to join the SOS Board in 1986 which he continued with for 10 years. Mike closed his food store in 2014 and now works in renovation and home maintenance. He enjoys spending time with his two grandchildren and his family.  Mike was re-elected to the SOS Board in 2021.

Karen Corkery

DIRECTOR

Karen Corkery retired from the federal government after a 32-year career in the departments of Finance and Industry. In the final three years of her career, Karen was the Executive Director of a new unit she created to modernize the way Canada procures military equipment in order to generate greater economic benefits for Canada.  Karen relocated to Qualicum Beach upon retirement where she resides with her husband and mother.  She has volunteered in varying capacities for SOS over the past several years and enjoys giving back to the community through her work on the Board. Karen has two children and enjoys hiking with her Labrador Retriever. She was elected to the SOS Board in 2022.

Sally Hamel

DIRECTOR

Sally moved to Nanoose Bay in 2021 from Bowen Island, BC. She was educated in England and at McGill University in Quebec. For the past 9 years, Sally has worked as a therapist for the Fraser Health Authority and CMHA in Burnaby in the field of mental health and addictions. Prior to this, Sally managed several programs at Capilano University and several social service organizations while also volunteering as a trainer in nonprofit management. Sally has enjoyed delivering a series of workshops known as WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan). She is excited to be part of the SOS Board and looks forward to getting to know her community better. She was elected to the SOS Board in 2022.

Dawn House

DIRECTOR

Several decades ago, Dawn lived in Errington and managed a children’s summer day camp at the Errington Hall. She returned to the area in 2017 with her husband and both of their mothers. In the intervening period, she practiced law in Smithers, and in Victoria for the Ministry of the Attorney General. Dawn has served on several boards including the Oak Bay Police Board and the South Vancouver Island Family Planning Society. She volunteers as a public member on the Quality Assurance Committee of the College of Occupational Therapists and as an ad-hoc member of the Strategy, Vison and Values Committee at SOS. Dawn is also the President of the Mount Arrowsmith Rhododendron Society. Dawn looks forward to continuing her work with SOS in serving our community. She was elected to the SOS Board in 2021.

Andrew Lane

DIRECTOR

Andrew Lane was born in Yorkshire, UK, and came to Canada as a teenager. He received his degree in political science and history from the University of Calgary. He worked as a manager for the federal government with Human Resources and Skill Development Canada with a focus on employment programs. Based in Victoria, he co-chaired the Victoria Homelessness Committee and worked with indigenous groups across Vancouver Island. Once retired, he moved to Pender Island and volunteered with the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue unit as well as the Canadian Legion. He and his partner moved to Qualicum Beach in 2022.  Andrew was elected to the SOS Board in 2023.

DIRECTOR

Andy relocated to beautiful Parksville after retiring from her 30-year career operating a successful private nursing business in the lower mainland. She believes in the importance of volunteerism and giving back to her community, which she defines in the larger sense. Her community includes her professional community, the community where she lives and the community of the charitable sector. As a relative newcomer to the region, she brings her varied experience and “superpowers” to the community – “fresh” eyes, a sense of curiosity, a willingness to learn, to work hard, and a sense of humour.  Andy was elected to the SOS Board in 2021.

Moira Rosser

DIRECTOR

Originally from Toronto, Moira Rosser and her Vancouver-born husband relocated to Qualicum Beach in September 2020. Moira retired in 2022 from a long career in marketing communications. The last 24 years of her career were focused on financial services marketing. Prior to that, she worked for a small marketing research firm, for a non-profit organization in the environmental field, and in broadcast news and cable television. She was a founding board member of a Toronto choir, she is a board member of the North Island Wildlife Recovery Association, and she is a member of 100+ Women Who Care Oceanside. She and her husband spend their personal time expanding their vocal jazz standards repertoire. Moira was elected to the SOS Board in 2023.

Bonnie Wallis

DIRECTOR

Bonnie relocated to Parksville in 1990 with her family.  She earned her accounting degree in 2003 and has an accounting office in Parkville.  Bonnie has enjoyed volunteering with a number of local organizations, usually as Treasurer.  Her daughter and family live in Comox and she has two lovely little granddaughters with whom she enjoys playing.  She also enjoys swimming, hiking and yoga. Bonnie was appointed Secretary-Treasurer of the SOS Board in 2017 until 2020, and rejoined the SOS Board in 2022.

Susanna has worked most of her career in the non-profit sector and has been with SOS for over 30 years. She worked in multiple positions at SOS before becoming Assistant Executive Director, and took the reins as Executive Director in January 2018. Susanna was born and raised in Finland and moved to England in 1984, where she worked for a Housing Society on the Isle of Wight. She immigrated to Canada in 1992 with her husband and they landed in Coombs as “butterfly breeders” in the family business.