The ‘Ksan Society Board of Directors in made up of five community volunteers dedicate to promoting and supporting the provision of housing and social services. Board Members are responsible for bringing diverse community interests and perspectives to the Society, playing an integral part in the development of policy framework and the future directions and priorities of ‘Ksan Society.

VAL GAUVIN - Board Chair

Val Gauvin is a local business owner with extensive training and experience in accounting and business administration. Since moving to Terrace in 1998, Val has dedicated herself to community service through volunteering and serving on a number of boards, including the Canadian Cancer Society (BCY Division) and Terrace Economic Development Association.

 Val sees ‘Ksan Society as providing important services she wishes she could have accessed as a young mother. She considers herself lucky to have had a supportive family to assist her through difficult times, and realizes that not every person is as fortunate. Val believes that ‘Ksan, “serves as a stepping stone to help people get back on their feet and moving forward in their lives as a member of our society,” providing mental and physical support for those who find themselves abused, homeless, or without resources. When looking to the future, Val envisions ‘Ksan as a society with the capacity to provide complete wrap-around and support services to all.

aDELLE COBER - Board Member

Originally from South Africa, Adelle has lived in various places in Canada before relocating to Terrace in 2016. She has a background in social work from Coast Mountain College and the University of Northern British Columbia and is currently completing her master’s degree in public administration at the University of Victoria.

 Adelle believes in the intrinsic worth of every individual, regardless of their situation and background and believes that we have a responsibility to protect and help the most vulnerable in our communities. For this reason, Adelle is passionate about the programs and services ‘Ksan offers and serves on the Board of Directors as a way of supporting the organization and contributing to the community.  She hopes that ‘Ksan can continue to provide programs and services that is much needed in the community, and that ‘Ksan will continue to grow according to community needs.

KAREN McMURRAY - Board Member

Karen joined the ‘Ksan Society Board in 2023. She is a first generation Canadian born to Scottish parents and grew up in the Vancouver area. She is a faculty member at Coast Mountain College in the business administration program and has worked in various capacities at the college for the last 15 years. Her education background is in commerce, leadership, project management, learning technologies and community economic development. She has volunteered with non-profit organizations for over 20 years in governance roles, including the Haida Gwaii Society for Community Peace for over ten years which has some parallel programming to ‘Ksan Society. Karen is a feminist and believes that community health and culture is everyone’s responsibility. This stems from her experience living in Massett on Haida Gwaii where she was schooled in what it means to be a part of a community and live under the principle of Respect. 

Karen chose to be part of the ‘Ksan Board because of her experience with the Haida Gwaii Society for Community Peace, because she cares about the dignity and care of all community members and believes that how we treat our most vulnerable people is the prime measure of community well being. Karen sees ‘Ksan as providing a way for people to receive care by ensuring their most basic needs are met when it is hard to meet them on their own and as a result these efforts can contribute to individuals gaining freedom over their own lives. Her vision for our community is that we care for one another in meaningful ways and that we look at what barriers prevent this and dismantle them.