Riley is a 32-year-old serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, and leader locally and globally. In Salmon Arm, Riley volunteers with the Dinner Rotary Club, and has managed Salmon Arm waterslides, volunteered with South Canoe Outdoor School and led the Grindrod School Sustainable Agriculture project.

Riley has focused much of his career around his entrepreneurial ability to leverage technology and engage with experts to make an exponential impact while on a minimal budget. Four years ago, Riley was on the leadership team of a cutting-edge robotics company, acting as a driving force in evolving the business model to identify a market need matched with the company’s strengths, eventually landing on automated mushroom picking. The company is now entirely focused on this niche.

In 2022, Riley founded a 45,000 square foot nutraceutical mushroom farm (think Lion’s Mane), growing legal superfood mushrooms that have a phenomenal impact against today’s various chronic diseases.

Globally, Riley’s largest impact was launching Stand with Nepal Charity, rebuilding Khari Village District after it was struck by the 2015 earthquake, rebuilding 83 houses, 3 schools, a community hall, and supplying mosquito nets, medicine, and running blood drives.

Riley sees himself helping SASCU advance their strength in Digital & Technology, to keep up with the next generation’s expectations for seamless digital experiences (now a major decision-making driver for choosing services like banking). With a collaborative mindset, he is a creative thinker that has proven to work well with teams of diverse backgrounds to find and execute pivotal opportunities. Riley is eager for the opportunity to serve SASCU with his hard-earned experience set.

Steven has lived and been involved in the Salmon Arm community for over 20 years. He has over 10 years of executive board experience, including roles as President, Vice-President, and Treasurer. Steven was involved in starting the radio station CKVS 93.7: Voice of the Shuswap and has been a longstanding volunteer and board member of the Shuswap Agricultural Association (formerly The Salmon Arm and Shuswap Lake Agricultural Association) operating the Salmon Arm Fair as Vice-President, Treasurer, and President. He also served as Treasurer of the Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce, as a Mentor and Organizer of the Shuswap’s Launcha- Preneur program, and as a Trustee for the Salmon Arm College Scholarship Fund and Okanagan College Regional Advisory Council.

Steven is a finance and accounting professional and a member in good standing of the Chartered Professional Accountants of B.C., with over 10 years of experience. He has experience in public accounting at Deloitte Calgary and locally at Drew Lee-Hai & Associates (now Grant Thornton LLP). Steven has worked in assurance, business valuations, personal and corporate tax, and small business practice. His experience includes work on Canadian Chartered banks. He is currently the Director of Finance and Business Operations at the local robotics company 4AG Robotics Inc., which just completed the largest Agritech financing in Canada in 2023.

Steven has demonstrated a strong record of progressive advancement, with responsibilities including project management, people management, and strategic leadership. Steven utilizes an inquiry style to encourage people to collaborate and reach consensuses while avoiding groupthink.

Dawn is the Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association – Shuswap/Revelstoke branch. Dawn brings 30 years’ experience in the government and non-profit sector in rural and urban settings and has expertise in developing and operating affordable housing. She is an entrepreneurial, results-oriented, highly motivated strategic thinker. The skills and knowledge she brings to the SASCU Board include Leadership, HR, Governance, Financial Literacy, and Organizational and Community Development. She’s also served on boards for B.C. Non-Profit Housing Association, Salmon Arm Economic Development Society, Community Action Initiative, and Shuswap Community Resources Co-operative. Dawn has been on SASCU’s Board for the past three years and has sat on the Audit and Operational Risk, and Nominations Committee. She is currently Board Secretary and a member of the CEO and HR Committee.

Dawn holds degrees in Psychology, Non-Profit Leadership, and a graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and completed her Master’s in Leadership from Royal Roads University. Growing up on a farm in the prairies, Dawn is passionate about working in community. Serving on Credit Union Boards is a family legacy, as her father and aunt served on Credit Union Boards in Manitoba. Dawn enjoys the innovative and creative solutions that result from collaboration. It’s important for her to be grounded in the vision and mission of her work, and the cooperative principles of SASCU strongly align with her personal values. Dawn and her family have lived in the Shuswap for 25 years and enjoy time with friends and family on her hobby farm with all her critters, running, skiing, and exploring trails.

Caroline offers 40 years’ experience managing business and nonprofit organizations, coupled with extensive board development skills: Strategic Planning, Governance, Human Resources and Community Economic Development.

She recently served on the Board of Interior Savings Credit Union, including roles as Chair of the Human Resources, Governance, Nominations and Community Investment committees over her seven years. As a member of the Expansion Task Force, they guided mergers and acquisitions that resulted in $10B under administration and the formation of a new provincial credit union. Additionally, she served on the board of Thompson Valley Savings in Kamloops prior to their amalgamation with Interior Savings. Caroline obtained the Accredited Canadian Credit Union Director certification with honours. She is confident in discussing human resources, increasing benefits to members, technology, and the regulatory environment.

Being an Economic Development Officer for communities in B.C. and Alberta gave Caroline the opportunity to plan and attract new investment, support business retention and expansion, and labor market development. She won awards for organizational excellence and marketing. Since retiring from being the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce CEO, Caroline has served as the Entrepreneur in Residence for a Women’s Entrepreneurship program and Co-ordinator for an Immigration Pilot program with Shuswap Community Futures. She has also developed a successful hand-crafted jewelry business. Caroline holds a Diploma in Business, Certificate in Economic Development, and Canadian Credit Union Community Impact Certification.

Darlene grew up in a small town in Saskatchewan. Her parents were loyal credit union members. When they moved to Summerland, B.C. in 1970, her dad purchased an insurance business. Many years and several owners later, Summerland & District Credit Union purchased McBain Insurance and they continue to operate it today. This is something Darlene is proud of.

Darlene has lived in Scotch Creek for 17 years. During that time, she worked as a family law lawyer until retiring in 2018. She worked mostly in Kamloops but travelled for court to Salmon Arm, Vernon, Kelowna, and 100 Mile House. She was a member of the Adams River Salmon Society from 2010, serving as President during the 2014 Salute to the Sockeye event that is held at the Provincial Park on the Adams River every four years. This event is a massive endeavour for a small community that involves coordinating hundreds of volunteers and hours of Board Members’ time.

She has previously served as a board member on SASCU and served on three committees during her term. It was a challenging time to be on the Board when the pandemic hit as all meetings were required to be held virtually. It limited the ability to network and required educational components to be online only. Despite these challenges, the Board moved forward and remained engaged.

Darlene is looking forward to the opportunity to be on the SASCU Board of Directors again. She has acquired skills from her previous Board experience and is prepared to work with fellow members to continue the excellent community work that SASCU does and to ensure SASCU continues to be the best financial institution in our area.