Adam Rolick, Chair

Adam Rolick is a Community Relations Advisor with Ovintiv ULC and a proud lifelong resident of the BC Peace Country. With more than 20 years of diverse experience in the oil and gas industry, Adam has gained a deep understanding of the sector and the communities it touches. His career has allowed him to take on many roles, but what drives him most is building strong, meaningful relationships that create positive and lasting impacts for local people and businesses.

Adam’s commitment to community engagement extends beyond his professional role. As the Chair of  Community Futures Peace Liard Board, he contributes his expertise in industry, relationship-building, and regional knowledge to support small business growth and economic development. He believes in the power of collaboration to strengthen communities and create opportunities for the next generation.

Proud to raise his family in the Peace Region, Adam is especially motivated to instill in his son the values of community, stewardship, and resilience that define the North.

Roxanne Gulick, Vice-Chair

My family moved to Tumbler Ridge in August of 2011.  The Peace Region has been an amazing place for my husband and I to raise our three children.  We expanded our business, Wild River Adventure Tours in Tumbler Ridge after other life experiences happened.  We are a year-round tour business, with our most popular tour being to Kinuseo Falls by jetboat in the summer.

In 2018 I put my name forward for a position on the Board of Education for Peace River South School Board #59 and was successful and again in 2022.  I have also been fortunate to be elected to the Professional Learning Committee for the British Columbia School Trustees Association since 2020 and just recently was elected to the Board of Directors for the BCSTA.

In 2022 I also put my name forward for a councillor for the District of Tumbler Ridge and was successful.

Through my experiences, I have had interactions with Community Futures, starting with the formation of the Tumbler Ridge Global Geopark designation.  I was on the board and Community Futures was so helpful with us                                            getting the designation and beginning operations.

As a business owner, Community Futures has had invaluable assets that have been available to me as a business owner, and I am grateful to have this opportunity to serve on the board.

Kate Hustak, Treasurer

Born and raised in Dawson Creek, Kate appreciates this community and how those who are a part of it, make building business and raising families such important aspects of their lives.  Afterall, small business is the backbone of our country and the main contributor to its success.

Kate started with the firm in 2006 as an accounting technician and later completed the Advanced Certificate in Accounting (ACIA) program through the Institute of Chartered Professional Accountants of BC.  Continuing her schooling, Kate earned her Chartered Professional Accountant designation in 2014 and became a partner in Core Partners in 2019.  She enjoys the challenges of her career and the constant learning opportunities it brings.

Although her family keeps her busy, Kate likes to give back to her community and currently serves on the board of directors for the Dawson Creek & District Hospital Foundation and Community Futures Peace Liard.

She’s also involved in various volunteer activities involving the lives of her children.  Giving back to the community is very important to her.

In her downtime, Kate enjoys spending time with her husband, Dustin and their four children, camping and enjoying family time.

Lilia Hansen, Board Member

Lilia Hansen is the Mayor of Fort St. John, a role she has proudly held since her election in 2022. Born in Dawson Creek and raised in the Peace Region, she has called Fort St. John home since the early 1970s. In addition to her full-time mayoral duties, Lilia serves as a director with the Peace River Regional District (PRRD), North Peace Airport Society, Community Futures Peace Liard, and the North Peace Senior Housing Society.

Before becoming Mayor, Lilia built a strong career in business and community leadership. She served as Executive Director of the Fort St. John & District Chamber of Commerce for five years, later becoming a Provincial Business Advisor for northeast BC with the Export Navigator program. Together with her husband, she also operated an oilfield contracting business and has experience in real estate investment and property management.

A long-time advocate for community service, Lilia has been an active member of the Sunrise Rotary Club since 2010, serving in leadership roles and being recognized as Rotarian of the Year in both 2012 and 2017.

She credits her  achievements to strong mentors, the support of her family, and the partnerships she has built over the years.

Married to her husband Ron for more than 34 years, Lilia values family time and enjoys the company of their golden retrievers.

Robin Gubler, Board Member

Robin, owner and operator of RG Strategies (established 2002) specializes in Business to Business marketing, communications, and advertising. Robin has been a long-time member of the business community in the Peace Region for more than 30 years.
She has been the driving force behind many different projects and organizations over the years, and her hard work continues to build new projects in many different communities. Alongside her work with many local municipalities, organizations, and businesses, she continues to support the tourism industry with her Alaska Highway travel guide. Working with the Northern Trails Historical Society, as Vice-Chair, Robin has also enjoyed being closely involved in developing local Circle Tours and other projects, which promote visitation to our local museums, archives and historical points of interest.
Robin is excited to use her many years of experience to help support other businesses and entrepreneurs here in the Peace Region.

Naomi Larsen, Board Member

 Naomi Larsen is the spirited Executive Director of the Chetwynd Chamber of Commerce, where she champions local business, community connection, and a healthy dose of northern BC grit.

With a background steeped in communications, strategic planning, and a genuine love for her hometown, Naomi’s leadership is all about building bridges—between entrepreneurs, residents, and the wider world.

Known for her unstoppable energy, creative flair, and deep commitment to making Chetwynd shine, Naomi brings fresh ideas to every initiative, always with a laugh close at hand and a “let’s make it happen” attitude.

Outside the office, she’s often found hosting several local events, enjoying the great outdoors, and celebrating the people and businesses who make Chetwynd the welcoming, resilient community it is today.

Bev Vandersteen, Board Member

Bev is the Executive Director of the Fort Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce, where she plays a key role in supporting local businesses and strengthening the region’s economic vitality. In addition to her leadership with the Chamber, she serves as the welcoming face of the Fort Nelson Visitor Centre.

Bev takes pride in showcasing all that Fort Nelson and the Northern Rockies have to offer. She helps connect travelers with the community, guiding them to discover not only the region’s vast natural playground but also the unique small businesses and services that reflect the character of the area.

Located along the iconic Alaska Highway, Fort Nelson is both a destination for outdoor adventure seekers and an essential stop for those exploring the North.

Through her work, Bev ensures that visitors experience the warmth, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit that define the community.

Mike Whalley, Board Member

Mike brings extensive experience in airport management, local government, and entrepreneurship to his role. With a career shaped by leadership across diverse sectors, he has developed a strong understanding of how infrastructure, governance, and business innovation intersect to support thriving communities.

Mike is a strong advocate for sustainable community development. He believes that true growth must balance economic vitality with quality of life, ensuring that citizens have access to safe, healthy, and supportive environments. His vision centers on providing essential services—such as safety, education, health, and economic opportunity—while also protecting and enhancing the natural environment.

Guided by the principles of responsive and responsible governance, Mike is committed to building communities that are resilient, forward-looking, and inclusive.

Rae Evans, Board Member

Rae was born and raised in Australia, but her passion for travel took her across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Europe, and Asia before she and her husband chose Fort St. John as their home in 2004. Drawn by the opportunity to raise their family in a welcoming and dynamic community, Rae quickly embraced the North as her own.

With an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to shape both her income and time, Rae joined IG Wealth Management in 2009. Over the years, she has built a successful career providing in-depth, holistic financial planning tailored to business owners, pre-retirees, and retirees. She also dedicates time to mentoring new consultants, helping them build meaningful careers while delivering trusted advice to clients.

Rae is deeply connected to the community of Fort St. John, where she values the close-knit spirit and strong sense of belonging.

She is a proud and active Rotarian, a member of Eastern Star, and has volunteered her time with numerous local organizations and non-profit societies for more than 15 years. Her professional expertise, combined with her commitment to service, reflects her belief in giving back and helping others thrive.

Ryan MacIvor, Board Member

Ryan is the General Manager of Community Services for the City of Dawson Creek, where he provides strategic leadership across multiple departments including Recreation and Culture, Parks, Aquatics, City Facilities, Tourism, Emergency Management, and Climate Resiliency. In this role, he oversees budgets, long-term planning, and the work of a dynamic team dedicated to enhancing quality of life for residents and visitors.

Ryan brings to the board a strong background in municipal leadership, facility management, and community development. His experience in balancing operational efficiency with public service priorities provides valuable insight into governance and strategic decision-making.

With a career built on fostering collaboration, managing complex budgets, and supporting vibrant community spaces, Ryan contributes a practical, forward-thinking  perspective to the board’s work in economic and community development.

Heather Kohler, Board Member

Heather is an accomplished business development, communications, and design professional with more than 20 years of experience. Over the years, she has built a reputation for combining strong design expertise with business development and communications insight to deliver results that strengthen organizations and communities.

Heather is an active member of several professional and community organizations, including the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada, the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, Island Women in Science and Technology, The Women’s Club of Evanston, the Canadian International Council, the Rotary Club of Dawson Creek, and the Union Club of British Columbia.

Currently, Heather serves as the Marketing Manager for Dawson Co-op, one of the oldest co-operatives in Western Canada, with diverse business lines in petroleum, agriculture, and retail. In this role, she leads strategic marketing initiatives that support both the co-op’s growth and its deep connection to the community.

Since relocating to the Peace region, Heather has become increasingly engaged in community leadership.

She has served on numerous boards, including Arts North East, KPAC, and the Dawson Creek & District Chamber of  Commerce.

She now contributes her skills and experience as a valued member of the Community Futures Peace Liard Board.