The Rural Islands Economic Partnership (RIEP) is a grassroots organization born out of the first Rural Islands Economic Forum, held in 2019.
RIEP was officially incorporated as a registered BC Society on January 30, 2020, and early on became a means for cultivating enduring rural island-wide economic partnerships, in collaboration with Indigenous communities, to ensure economic resilience and generate long-term prosperity without depleting natural or social resources.
Previously, there was no formal channel for rural island community voices to unite for information, communications, planning, and advocacy. Today, RIEP is the recognized vehicle for supporting regenerative rural island economies, and for facilitating connections with island settler and Indigenous communities across the Province towards effective economic action.
2023 Board of Directors
Francine’s motto: “If not now, when, if not me, who?
Francine Carlin moved to British Columbia in 1999, and with a background in communications, organizational development and change management she established the Business Harmonizer Group, supporting family-owned businesses across Canada and the USA as a certified Family Business Advisor. Soon after moving to Salt Spring Island in 2008, Francine’s interest in business continuity led her to join the Salt Spring Community Economic Sustainability Commission (CESC), where she co-led the ground breaking Rural Business Accelerator program and co-found the Southern Gulf Islands Tourism Partnership.
Throughout her tenure as CESC Chair, Francine championed a strategic approach to building community economic development. Expanding beyond Salt Spring, she led the successful call to include the Southern Gulf Island Region –the rural islands of Galiano, Mayne, Pender, Salt Spring and Saturna– into the scope of the Islands Coastal Economic Trust (ICET). In 2020, along with like-minded islanders, Francine co-founded the Rural Island Economic Partnership Society (RIEP) to further the economic resilience of BC’s rural islands by connecting as a community, sharing ideas, and working together to achieve local socio-economic goals sustainably.
Mike’s motto: “Keep your eye on the prize, but don't forget to smell the roses.”
Having lived and worked in both Vancouver and Victoria, Mike has been a resident on Galiano Island for the past 40 years. Now retired Mike’s career span from Provincial Civil Servant to University Professor, Educational Consultant and High School Teacher. He holds a degree in Anthropology and Biology as well as a PhD in Ecology from UBC.
Mike has a desire to help make the small rural island communities more economically sustainable and he wants to help support the diverse and creative population on Galiano. He believes that cooperation and collaboration across the islands means the best ideas get shared which in turns helps inspire.
Keena’s motto: “Get things done right, the first time.”
Keena is of multicultural descent (English, French and Iroquois) and now hails from Vancouver, BC. She’s is a strategic leader and seasoned CPA (CA), PMP, CFE and ICD.D, with over 25 years of extensive local and international business consulting experience, specializing in risk management, internal controls and project management. Currently she is the President and Founder of New Leaf Enterprises, and also CFO and brand owner of Live for Tomorrow (LFT Group Brands Ltd.) Additionally, she was the Founding CEO of the Namgis Economic Development Corp., where she assisted the ‘Namgis First Nation (“NFN”) with establishing their new economic development corporation. She is the Chair of the Board of Orca Sand and Gravel Ltd. (one of NFN’s companies), and a Board member of APTN.
Keena loves to problem solve and is involved with RIEP as she wants to use her experience and skills to support BC’s rural island communities. Her belief is that efficiencies can be gained through learnt lessons and economic growth can be derived from strategic partnerships. One thing not many know is that Keena was the first female bellman and doorman at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver and the Empress Victoria!
Martin’s motto: “Find awe, lose yourself; feel gratitude, love unconditionally; share.”
Martin brings a passion for social innovation to RIEP, rooted in his computing science and sociology background, including 9 years of graduate studies in AI and with a focus on network intelligence methods for economic development. To Martin, it's all about the art and science of the possible - tapping into the underutilized potential of local economies, and working towards 'supercharging' regional culture by leveraging the deep interconnectedness of our island communities.
His passion, knowledge, and desire to learn and engage with the culture and uniqueness of BC's rural islands led Martin to seek out ways to support RIEP's ongoing work in community economic development. "I see tremendous potential for our region," Martin says. "I have deep respect for it, I am grateful to be able to call it home, and I am motivated to contribute to its development."
Martin is co-founder of SocialCogs, a non-profit that develops open-source financial technology for communities, and works as an AI strategist and developer for Intact Financial Corp. A resident of Bowen Island since 2021, Martin is a member of the Bowen Island Community Economic Development Council.
Colin’s motto: “Make the ordinary extraordinary.”
A Cortes resident since 2014, Colin believes success in life is dependent in part on creating positive stories that inspire others. In many ways, his path has included this very pursuit, with the majority of his career spent in the arts and arts administration, both as a theatre director and leadership development facilitator. Originally a graduate of the Broadcast Communications program at the BC Institute of Technology, and with training in Theatre Arts at Vancouver Playhouse, Colin ran Banff’s Precipice Theatre—an ‘eco-theatre company—for 25 years.
Colin came to RIEP to support creative collaborative inquiry, and to introduce the sharing of place-based knowledge as a way of addressing complex challenges and exploring unlimited possibilities for positive growth and sustainability. The wonder and awe of the natural world is Colin’s key inspiration: “I want to inspire positive action and creativity in others as a way to protect and enhance the world’s remaining natural areas.”
Colin has also served on the Board of the Cortes Community Economic Development Association since 2016.
Marjorie’s motto: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
Initially visiting Sointula on Malcolm Island for a 6-month trip, Marjorie fell in love with the community and its unique way of life and 6 months has turned into 30 years.
With a degree in Environmental Studies and Sociology, specialising in forestry and fishing from UVIC, as well as being trained in Community Economic Development from SFU, Marjorie’s has a myriad of working experiences from being an entrepreneur to a fisherman and a logging camp cook. She currently serves Malcolm Island as the Community Economic Development Officer at the Sointula Resource Centre Society, which she helped establish in 2002.
Marjorie has a deep love for community and believes in nurturing and supporting islanders. She became a board member of RIEP because she understands the differences which living on the rural islands bring. Marjorie wants to help bring a strengthened voice through collaborative efforts which will improve island life for all.
Maria’s motto: “Success is being happy with who you are, and helping to create opportunity and success for others.”
Maria likes to joke about how she peaked early in life by winning a baby beauty contest, but her sustained commitment to creating positive impact throughout her adult life—personally and professionally—suggests otherwise.
Maria holds a joint BA in psychology and business, a diploma in accounting, a certificate in municipal governance, and numerous coaching certifications, including as a professional certified coach with the International Coaching Federation. Maria considers herself fortunate to have had opportunities in her career to strengthen her expertise in administration, project and event coordination, personal and organizational development, culture change and human resources management.
Her passion for people and community began her next career trajectory of coaching people and teams on their personal and professional leadership journeys. Her consultancy ChangeWorks Coaching and Consulting provides people, teams and organizations the skills to create deep, values-aligned, sustained change.
A Gabriola resident since 2016, Maria currently works as the Interim Executive Director for the Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce, and also sits on the Board as VP. Being involved with RIEP fills a particular interest for Maria — regional representation for BC’s rural islands. “Island collaboration makes anything and everything possible” she has said. Maria's participation in REIP was sparked in part by seeing other RIEP Board members bring their own strengths and contributions to the table to create positive change.
Our Mission
The Rural Islands Economic Partnership Society leads, inspires, and cultivates sustainable economic resilience and community well-being through collaborative initiatives and partnerships for the benefit of British Columbia's rural islands and the Indigenous Communities who have traditional or reserve lands on these islands.
Vision
A thriving alliance of diverse rural island communities sustained through a united voice; shared values; social, economic and cultural well-being; environmental stewardship; and collaborative strength.
Values
- We practice excellence in leadership and environmental stewardship.
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We walk our talk—accountable, trustworthy and transparent.
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We are inclusive, respectful and collaborative.
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We are tenacious and proactive.
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We are open-minded, innovative & creative.
