Previous slide
Next slide
Staff
Here are the people who make the Cowichan Green Community possible.
Judy Stafford
Executive Director
Born in Vancouver, Judy lived in a variety of places, including Central America before locating in Cowichan in 2006, Judy acquired over 25 years’ experience in financial institutions, managing several bank branches and back office administration functions. Her responsibilities included all aspects of corporate and residential loans, mortgages and small business development, human resource management, marketing, client satisfaction, and technical processes.
Judy joined CGC in September 2007,
and has been involved in a wide range of environmental sustainability and agricultural initiatives . She has strong ties with local business and social organizations, and draws on decades of experience in facilitation, collaboration and communication to make good things happen in the Cowichan Region. In her spare time, Judy loves to hike, swim, and hang out with her grandchildren!
Kortnee Smith
Director of Operations
Kortnee was born in Duncan and grew up in Northern BC. She spent most of her adult life in Calgary AB and relocated back to Duncan in 2012. Kortnee spent the last 17 years in the financial industry, working in many positions. She worked her way into senior level positions in which she spent her last 6 years. Kortnee joined Cowichan Green Community in April 2024. It is a deep passion of hers to work with and give back the community. Cowichan Green Community’s mission and values align closely with Kortnee’s own personal passions and she is very grateful to be a part of such an amazing organization.
Nathan Harben
Cowichan Farm Hub Manager
With a background in marine biology, Nathan originally set out to work solely within marine conservation but since moving to the island 5 years ago, he has developed a new passion for sustainable farming and the Cowichan region. He now owns and runs ‘Local Forage Farm’ in Glenora that focusses on ethically raised animals and an abundance of fruit and vegetables. He has also networked within the community and worked at a number of local farming businesses including Averill Creek Vineyards, …
Evening Cove Oysters, Haltwhistle Cheese Co, to name a few. Nathan’s new position within the food recovery team aligns his need to connect with community and move towards a more secure and sustainable food system
Alyssa Krawchuk
Program Manager
Born and mostly raised in Ontario, Alyssa moved out to beautiful British Columbia in 2008, and has been working at CGC since 2010! With her Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Youth Care, Alyssa’s passions lie in working with children, youth, and families to create an inclusive, safe, and vibrant community celebrating the gifts and strengths of all people.
On the side, she thoroughly enjoys playing music, creating art, and taking in the beauty of Vancouver Island by going on mini adventures and hikes.
Naomi Kulhawy
KinPark Farm Coordinator
From a young age, Naomi has been passionate about the environment and growing food. After receiving a degree in Geography, her thoughts turned toward the future. She started to dream about living sustainably and growing most of her own food herself. Returning from a year away in Grande Prairie, Naomi started working in a 2-acre greenhouse as a “temporary” employee, staying for the next two years to learn as much as she could about farming and local food. In her final year, she managed the…
greenhouse, further deepening her appreciation for local food growth. Returning to the workforce after a year at home with her now toddler, Naomi is eager to learn all she can about permaculture and urban gardening. She is particularly excited to teach kids and youth about food production, and is hoping she can inspire young people to become just as excited about gardening as she is!
James Chumsa
KinPark Youth Urban Farm Intern
James was born and raised in the Cowichan Valley and currently helps maintain KinPark as a part of the Youth Employment Program. He is a graduate of Vancouver Island University with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Sociology and minoring in History and has works published in newspapers and magazines such as Island Farm and Garden. James hopes to help improve food security in the Cowichan Valley and ensure that more people have access to fresh food.
Janice MacKirdy
Cowichan Farm Hub and Ceres Manager
Janice has lived in the Cowichan Valley since her early teens and has been a passionate gardener and farmer for over 40 years. She has run two small hobby farm’s, supplying the bulk of her and her family’s needs. She was involved with the Wwoof program for ten years hosting many young people from around the world. Jan’s working career has revolved around plants, growing, and creative construction.
Hannah Auer
Resiliency Project Coordinator
Hannah Auer is a homesteader and a community organizer, grateful to be living and creating on Quw’utsun territory. She is a mother of two beautiful wild children. Hannah is also a storyteller and fibre artist, and works with the local environmental arts collective, Mother Rising, working to breath art and ritual into environmental issues. She is working on The Resiliency Project at the Cowichan Green Community, building ecological resiliency and community connection through the Covid crisis.
