The two organizations that comprise Coast Opportunity Funds share a common Board of Directors which manages the affairs of the organizations and reports to the members.
The Bylaws of CEDS and CCEFF set out typical responsibilities for the Board of Directors (for example, strategic planning and vision-setting, policy-making and direction, fiscal oversight and risk management, and appointment of senior management staff). When investing the funds in their care, the Board must consider the economic and environmental sustainability track record of the entity in which they are considering investing. The Board is also required to create and ensure compliance with governance policies and procedures, and to ensure that new Directors meet the requirements of an established competency matrix.
Apart from carrying out those responsibilities, the Board of Coast Funds also has some specific obligations set out in the governing documents of the organization, in particular, the Conservation and Investments Incentives Agreement (CIIA). Under that agreement, the Board must:
* Publish annual Strategic Plans spanning a three-year cycle (for example, 2013-2015);
* Ensure compliance with the requirements of CIIA;
* Review and make decisions on whether to approve awards.
Merle C. Alexander practices business law with a focus on Aboriginal sustainable development. He is a member of the Tsimshian Nation, Kitasoo Xai'xais First Nation. He advises on the negotiation of impact-benefit agreements, socio-economic participation agreements and a variety of other interim agreements in a number of natural resource areas, including forestry, oil and gas, mining, independent power projects and natural gas pipelines. Merle has worked extensively structuring joint ventures, limited partnerships and corporations both on and off reserve lands, and with the incorporation and management of non-profit entities. Merle has substantial experience in negotiating government to government agreements, including self-government and comprehensive treaty claim agreements representing clients in BC, the Yukon and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Sage Baker is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Q5 Innovations Inc. Prior to that she was West Coast General Manager and Senior Managing Director with a global management consulting company called FTI Consulting. Through her career she has worked with a number of high growth companies where she led multiple business/strategic planning initiatives, private and public financings, and sales and marketing programs. Sage holds an M.B.A in international business from Queen's University. She serves on three corporate boards and is an active mentor and advisor for numerous entrepreneurs and their businesses.
Cindy Boyko co-chairs the Archipelago Management Board, working with Government of Canada representatives to cooperatively manage the southern part of Haida Gwaii, the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site.
Cameron Brown, M.B.A., is from the Heiltsuk First Nation and an independent management consultant specializing in Aboriginal management and economic development and training and education. Cameron has practiced as a management consultant since 2000. Prior to that, he served as the National Director, Aboriginal Banking (Toronto) for the CIBC. Cameron was also a professor at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, in the Native Management and Economic Development Program. He also managed and led a 44-week job readiness training program for Aboriginal trainees in Peterborough, Ontario. He has previously served as Band Manager and urban councillor for his First Nation and on the boards of an Aboriginal Financial Institution and an urban Aboriginal Child & Family Services organization.
Merv Child, Chair, is a lawyer practising in the areas of administrative and aboriginal law. He also acts as the Executive Director for the Nanwakolas Council, a Campbell River-based society of eight First Nations addressing land and resource use issues and related economic development opportunities.
Paul Richardson is the CEO of Renewal2, an investment fund that focuses on the development of businesses at the forefront of social and environmental innovation. Paul brings both legal and business experience to Renewal2. He practiced law at Fasken Martineau in Toronto for four years before leaving to co-found Strathy & Richardson, a leading Canadian litigation firm in Toronto, where he continued his legal practice as a senior partner for eight years. Paul is a graduate of Queen's University (Biology) and the University of Toronto (Law) and is active on a variety of investee company boards, including Horizon Distributors, Better Energy Systems and Blue Horizon. He is also the President of Ecojustice.
Merran Smith directs the energy initiative at Tides Canada. A former Climate Director and British Columbia Director with ForestEthics, Merran was the lead environmental architect of the Coast Opportunity Funds conservation agreement signed in 2006. Merran also serves on B.C. Hydro's Electricity Conservation and efficiency advisory committee. She won the Wilburforce Foundation award for Outstanding Conservation Leadership in 2006 and the Seasons Fund Transformative Leadership Award in 2009.
Barry Stuart is a former Chief Judge in Yukon. Internationally respected for his work in multiparty conflict resolution, organizational change and in developing governance structures and constitutions, he has worked as a lawyer, mediator, consensus facilitator, policy analyst, chief land claims negotiator, Professor of Law, and trainer in the use of collaborative processes. He has worked in several communities in Canada, the United States and in third world countries to develop community and restorative justice processes as an integral part of enhancing community well-being and sustainability. He has been a founder and executive member of many charitable organizations. He believes conflicts if handled in a good way are rich opportunities for building sustainable relationships and innovative outcomes.
Chris Trumpy has more than 30 years of experience in public service. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Certified General Accountant designation and while working for the provincial government was Deputy Minister of the Ministries of Finance and Corporate Relations; Provincial Revenue; Sustainable Resource Management, and Environment. He has also been Secretary to the Treasury Board. In March 2008, he became Chair of the Board of Directors for Pacific Carbon Trust (PCT) and in January 2010, was appointed to the Puget Sound Energy and Puget Energy boards. He also serves on the board for Coast Capital Savings Credit Union.