Staff
Jackie Lever - Executive Director
Jackie is a member of North Island Métis and Métis Nation BC. She began her role as NIMA's first ED in 2019. Between 2008-2017, she volunteered her time as a NIMA Board Director, fulfilling various roles, including Vice President and Secretary. Jackie has an M.Ed. (Curriculum & Instruction) from UVic. She worked in the field of education as a teacher and administrator for more than 10 years and continues to work as a curriculum development specialist. She also consults for publishers and non-profit organizations as a facilitator and editor.
Jackie is a member of North Island Métis and Métis Nation BC. She began her role as NIMA's first ED in 2019. Between 2008-2017, she volunteered her time as a NIMA Board Director, fulfilling various roles, including Vice President and Secretary. Jackie has an M.Ed. (Curriculum & Instruction) from UVic. She worked in the field of education as a teacher and administrator for more than 10 years and continues to work as a curriculum development specialist. She also consults for publishers and non-profit organizations as a facilitator and editor.
Charlotte Lever - Finance Manager
Charlotte has been a member of North Island Métis and Métis Nation BC since August 2005. She joined NIMA's Board of Directors in February 2008 as Treasurer and has held other roles, such as Secretary and Vice President. She is very happy to be back living in Campbell River and working with everyone at North Island Métis.
Charlotte has been a member of North Island Métis and Métis Nation BC since August 2005. She joined NIMA's Board of Directors in February 2008 as Treasurer and has held other roles, such as Secretary and Vice President. She is very happy to be back living in Campbell River and working with everyone at North Island Métis.
Jane Chidgzey - Accounting & HR Coordinator
Jane hails from Victoria and worked as a Controller in the corporate world for many years, completing her finance and CMA studies there. In 2014, she moved with her husband to Campbell River. Always a larger city girl, she has embraced this beautiful North Island community and now will not live anywhere else. Her previous employment in Campbell River includes working for a remotely situated First Nations as their Director of Finance, giving her a new perspective in Finance for non-profit organizations. She is eager to expand her knowledge of Métis culture.
Jane hails from Victoria and worked as a Controller in the corporate world for many years, completing her finance and CMA studies there. In 2014, she moved with her husband to Campbell River. Always a larger city girl, she has embraced this beautiful North Island community and now will not live anywhere else. Her previous employment in Campbell River includes working for a remotely situated First Nations as their Director of Finance, giving her a new perspective in Finance for non-profit organizations. She is eager to expand her knowledge of Métis culture.
Rachel Livingston - Office Coordinator
Rachel Livingston is a proud member of North Island Métis and a citizen of Métis Nation British Columbia. She is excited to be working for her Métis Chartered Community. Rachel is a devoted mother of 2 children who are members of NIMA and MNBC as well. She is a loyal, born-and-raised resident of beautiful Vancouver Island. She left the island before for employment, but upon returning after 8 years away, will very likely never move anywhere else again. Rachel and her kids enjoy the outdoors here and spend a lot of time doing beach walks, forest exploring, hiking, biking, fishing, and camping. They plan to begin exploring the rest of the island, to learn more about their culture, and to continue spreading awareness to others about being caretakers of our land and not littering and vandalizing.
Rachel Livingston is a proud member of North Island Métis and a citizen of Métis Nation British Columbia. She is excited to be working for her Métis Chartered Community. Rachel is a devoted mother of 2 children who are members of NIMA and MNBC as well. She is a loyal, born-and-raised resident of beautiful Vancouver Island. She left the island before for employment, but upon returning after 8 years away, will very likely never move anywhere else again. Rachel and her kids enjoy the outdoors here and spend a lot of time doing beach walks, forest exploring, hiking, biking, fishing, and camping. They plan to begin exploring the rest of the island, to learn more about their culture, and to continue spreading awareness to others about being caretakers of our land and not littering and vandalizing.
Mara Kersey - Program Manager
Mara Kersey is a proud member of Métis Nation British Columbia and North Island Métis. Her Métis family names are Brabent, Beaudry, Brazeau, Chastellain, Fraser and Lucier. Prior to becoming Program Manager at NIMA, she worked with young children and parents for over ten years. When she is not working, her and her two boys enjoy playing board games and being outdoors. Mara spends her evenings connecting to culture though learning and creating.
Mara Kersey is a proud member of Métis Nation British Columbia and North Island Métis. Her Métis family names are Brabent, Beaudry, Brazeau, Chastellain, Fraser and Lucier. Prior to becoming Program Manager at NIMA, she worked with young children and parents for over ten years. When she is not working, her and her two boys enjoy playing board games and being outdoors. Mara spends her evenings connecting to culture though learning and creating.
Linda Nobis - Program Coordinator
Linda is a member of North Island Métis and is of French, Métis, English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, Spanish & Germanic ancestry. Linda grew up in a military family and was fortunate to live in Europe and various provinces in Canada. She originally hails from Ontario and moved to BC in 1997. Prior to her position as Program Assistant with NIMA, she worked in a few different administrative and management roles over various industries. She enjoys all sorts of artistic mediums, but is a paper crafter at heart. In her spare time, she enjoys learning about Métis culture & crafts and doing genealogical research.
Linda is a member of North Island Métis and is of French, Métis, English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, Spanish & Germanic ancestry. Linda grew up in a military family and was fortunate to live in Europe and various provinces in Canada. She originally hails from Ontario and moved to BC in 1997. Prior to her position as Program Assistant with NIMA, she worked in a few different administrative and management roles over various industries. She enjoys all sorts of artistic mediums, but is a paper crafter at heart. In her spare time, she enjoys learning about Métis culture & crafts and doing genealogical research.
Eric de Montarnal - Health Manager
Eric de Montarnal is a member of NIMA and MNBC. He is excited to be supporting advocacy of patient centered care in the Métis community. He holds a BSc. of Physiotherapy which he attained abroad in The Netherlands while playing hockey. He and his wife have two young daughters and enjoy spending their time being outdoors or anywhere that has ice cream. In his spare time, Eric is actively involved in youth sports, currently working in Minor and Jr. Hockey as a medical trainer and athletic development coach.
Eric de Montarnal is a member of NIMA and MNBC. He is excited to be supporting advocacy of patient centered care in the Métis community. He holds a BSc. of Physiotherapy which he attained abroad in The Netherlands while playing hockey. He and his wife have two young daughters and enjoy spending their time being outdoors or anywhere that has ice cream. In his spare time, Eric is actively involved in youth sports, currently working in Minor and Jr. Hockey as a medical trainer and athletic development coach.
Lisa-Marie Szonyi - Health Navigator & Housing Navigator
Lisa-Marie grew up in the Okanagan before moving to the Lower Mainland and eventually relocating to beautiful Vancouver Island and the amazing community of Campbell River in 2014. She is a life-long learner whose background and passion are Forensics and Behavioural Sciences. When not furthering her education, she can most often be found out in the community volunteering with her registered service dog Maximus (the Mighty). She looks forward to bringing her enthusiasm of learning new cultures, history and languages as well as her genuine care for the community she serves to her role.
Lisa-Marie grew up in the Okanagan before moving to the Lower Mainland and eventually relocating to beautiful Vancouver Island and the amazing community of Campbell River in 2014. She is a life-long learner whose background and passion are Forensics and Behavioural Sciences. When not furthering her education, she can most often be found out in the community volunteering with her registered service dog Maximus (the Mighty). She looks forward to bringing her enthusiasm of learning new cultures, history and languages as well as her genuine care for the community she serves to her role.
NIMA Staff December 2023