Leadership

Brandon joined our organization in 2009, and since then, he has been committed to our mission. Over the years, he’s taken on various roles, one of note being the Society’s first Manager of Human Resources and Labour Relations.

On January 1, 2019, Brandon took on the role of CEO, which marked a significant moment in our organization’s history. Since then, he has been dedicated to advancing organizational development, sustainability, and community engagement. In 2021, Brandon successfully led the organization through a challenging amalgamation process, bringing together the Cranbrook Society for Community Living and the Creston and District Society for Community Living. Again, in September 2023, he successfully navigated another important amalgamation with the Windermere District Social Service Society, further enhancing our organization’s reach and impact.

Under Brandon’s leadership, our organization has expanded its service area beyond the Kootenays to encompass the North Okanagan Shuswap region as well as the Thompson Cariboo. This expansion underscores Brandon’s commitment to extending our reach and positively impacting a broader community.

Working closely with our dedicated board, Brandon continues to shape the direction of NEXUS, continually seeking ways to serve our communities better. Beyond our organization, he serves as President at the BC CEO Network, an association that brings social service leaders together to strengthen our collective voice, promote effective business practices, and support leadership development.

Brandon is a passionate advocate for the social service sector and actively seeks opportunities to collaborate with fellow leaders to improve the sector and promote best practices. In his personal life, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his family. Brandon is also a proud member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community and envisions a future where everyone is treated equally and inclusively. This vision drives his commitment to contributing to the ongoing social movement within our communities and the province as a whole.

Brittany joined our Leadership Team in 2019 as part of our finance department. She has a passion for accounting which shines through in the work she does. Brittany continues to learn how unique and diverse the Social Service Sector is. She works alongside our Program Managers and other Admin staff to ensure our payroll and finance practices meet the needs of our employees and our organization at large. She continues to streamline and modernize our processes so as to meet ever demanding time constraints.

Steven joined the team in 2007 and has worked in various programs, including Employment Services and Community Inclusion. He served as Supervisor of Vocational Services in 2014 and Manager of Community Inclusion and Employment Services in 2018. In 2020, he was promoted to Director of Operations, where he worked with program managers and supervisors to enhance service delivery, staff development, and program growth.  In early 2023, Steven accepted the Director of Community-Based Services portfolio, overseeing the array of high-quality services our organization offers.

Elaina, who has extensive experience in the social service sector in British Columbia and Alberta, joined our Senior Leadership Team in 2019 as the Director of Quality Assurance. Her background includes a range of capacities in staffed residential services, from direct service delivery to leadership. In recent years, she has specialized in policy development, occupational health and safety, and accreditation. In Elaina’s previous role as Director of Administration, she oversaw all administrative, health and safety, accreditation, and continuous quality improvement processes. In early 2023, Elaina accepted the Director of Staff Supported Homes role, where her experience and expertise will continue to drive our commitment to providing the best care and support to those we serve.

Amanda has recently joined our senior leadership team and comes with 18 years of experience in the social services sector, with the past 10 of those years being in progressive leadership roles.

Amanda has spent the majority of her career serving individuals on the ancestral lands of the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc.

Some of Amanda’s experience includes providing direct support to children, youth and families, managing an audit team, overseeing the accreditation program, and directing the practice and operations of various teams, including Resources (both foster care and contracted residential care).

Sheena joined our leadership team in August 2021 as our Director of Human Resources. Sheena has a passion for working with, and advocating for, individuals. This passion motivated her to obtain a Masters in Clinical Social Work. She is committed to ensuring that all employees have the training, education and support to provide quality care to persons served. Sheena believes education and training have the ability to empower employees to become their best selves.

Johnny is an accomplished communication professional with a proven track record of delivering successful strategies and managing complex projects across diverse industries. His expertise lies in developing integrated campaigns that are user-focused, easy to navigate, and visually engaging. As the creative force behind NEXUS communications, Johnny is responsible for ensuring that all materials are visually compelling, user-friendly, and effectively convey the brand’s message. Having spent nearly a decade in the post-secondary sector, Johnny’s enthusiasm and passion for advancing meaningful initiatives make him a perfect fit for the social service sector.