Staff & Board
OUR BOARD
Vern Aro, serving as the President since 2019, brings a wealth of experience to the Sointula Museum board. A retired commercial fisherman and Computer/IT technician, Vern is not only a Finnish language speaker but also acts as a local Sointula historian, specializing in translating Finnish documents. With an extensive background in board service, he currently serves as the Director of Sointula Waterworks and has been involved with the Sointula Co-operative Store and Sointula Graveyard Society.
Darryl Luscombe, holding the positions of Treasurer and Vice-President, plays a crucial role in the financial aspects of the Sointula Museum. With a background as a photographer operating under the name Sointulart, Darryl brings a creative perspective to the board.
Kathleen Blohm, a board member since 2021, adds an artistic touch to the board as an accomplished artist with degrees in visual arts. With a teaching background at Glenlyon Norfolk School and board experience with the Sointula Ripple Society and Wild Island Food Coop, Kathleen is deeply involved in both art education and community development.
Ross Weaver, who joined as a board member in April 2022, brings a background in sculpture and welding from the Alberta College of Arts. Retired and experienced in board service with the Sointula Water Works Board, Ross adds valuable insights to the artistic and practical aspects of the museum.
Jill Miles, appointed as a board member in April 2023, contributes her experience as a retired accommodation owner/operator. With a history of board service in various organizations, including Harmony Glen Seniors Housing, and the Sointula Recreation Association, Jill brings a wealth of community-oriented knowledge to the board.
Sisko Salo, also appointed as a board member in April 2023, adds a unique perspective with her background as a retired Finnish researcher and translator. Her expertise enriches the cultural diversity within the Sointula Museum board.
Tracey Buker, joined the Sointula Museum board in March 2024, shortly after moving to Malcolm Island in October 2023. A lifelong history enthusiast, she has researched her Great Grandpa Nikula and Great Uncle’s time in Sointula—a fitting pursuit for someone who is 30% Finnish! Now retired, Tracey spent 21 years running her own drafting and design company in the Lower Mainland. She stays active in the community as a Seniors carpet bowling spare and a Sointula Community Garden volunteer, while also enjoying gardening, photography, reading, baking, sewing, and beachcombing.
Jenefer Marshall graduated with a BA in English from the University of Saskatchewan. Following that, she took some post-graduate courses in journalism at Carleton University and worked as a journalist briefly. After moving to Sointula in 1981, she completed the fifth-year program in Education at the University of Victoria. Jenefer worked as a teacher in School District 85 until retirement. As a teacher, she has served on many school committees as well as on the board of the Sointula Co-op.
Gail Mussell, moved to Sointula 8 years ago from Salt Spring Island where she lived for 42 years as a registered nurse in the very busy rural hospital and where she raised 4 children. This is her first time serving on a board and is enjoying learning about the process, participating in museum events and meeting new people.
OUR STAFF
Mary Harrison (currently on Maternity-Leave)
Community Engagement & Development Coordinator
Mary Elizabeth Harrison, currently serving as the Community Engagement and Development Coordinator, brings extensive museum experience to the Sointula Museum. Her educational background includes BA in Art History, a diploma in Cultural Resource Management and Certificates in Visitor and Community Engagement and Collections Management, all obtained from the University of Victoria. Mary has contributed her expertise to prominent institutions such as the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Delta Museum and Archives Society, and the Vancouver Maritime Museum, where she held various roles, including Associate Curator and Lead Curator. Actively engaged in the cultural community, she sits on the organizing committee for the Lower Mainland Curators Group.
Kathy Gibler
Manager
Kathy Gibler, serving as the Manager since 2017, has a rich background in cultural management. Having first moved to the island in the early 1970s, Kathy’s experiences extend globally, including five years of living and working in China, where she became fluent in Mandarin. She played a significant role on the board of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, serving from 1998 to 2005 and as president from 2002 to 2004. Kathy’s leadership continued as the Executive Director of the Garden from 2006 until her retirement in 2016. She has also contributed her expertise to various advisory boards, including the UBC Arts Co-op Advisory Board and the City of Vancouver’s Cultural Tourism Task Force and Arts and Cultural Advisory Board.
plan your visit
Every journey to Sointula begins and ends with a boat trip – it’s part of the adventure!
