My goal as Executive Director is to improve the quality of life for our staff, our residents and families, and volunteers. I am privileged in this role to work together with an experienced and dedicated Staff and Leadership team, as well as a devoted Board of Directors. My day-to-day role covers all aspects of both stewardship and fiscal accountability for our Village. For over two decades, I have witnessed Kiwanis evolve toward a true community of excellence, and I am proud to have played a part through strategic planning grounded in operational sustainability. My vision for Kiwanis going forward is a conception focused on an empowered, thriving community. It is to observe an inclusive environment: one where each person is unique; focusing on individual and collective strengths and needs; and bringing joy and meaning to all aspects of daily living and working.

Lori Walker, Executive Director, CGA Diploma Business Management, Malaspina College, Long Term Care Senior Management, Canadian Health Care Association

As Manager of Financial Services I work closely with our leadership team to deliver excellent care to our residents. In addition to leading our administration and finance team, I liaise with various reporting authorities, including Island Health and BC Housing. I graduated from the Vancouver Island University with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in accounting and started as articling full-time in September 2017. I successfully wrote my common final exam (CFE) in September 2019 and obtained my CPA designation. Before joining the Kiwanis leadership team, my primary focus was on providing accounting, assurance and tax advisory services to privately-owned companies and not-for-profit organizations in various industries. Outside of work, I volunteer with a local not-for-profit and spend time outdoors with my young family.

Russel Ambers, Financial Services Manager

As Building Services Coordinator, I facilitate the maintenance, grounds keeping, and emergency preparedness that keeps our village a beautiful and safe place to live. I use my background in building maintenance, grounds keeping, and incident command, as well as my interpersonal and problem solving skills to uphold and improve this standard of living. It is my joy and passion to enrich the lives of the people in our community by ensuring the condition of their homes and gardens. I am fortunate to have an incredible team of hard working people alongside me who share this philosophy and who strive every day to keep our facilities running smoothly. Kiwanis Village is full of wonderful people and the energetic, compassionate, and supportive community is one I feel very grateful to be a part of.

Amadeus Williamson, Manager of Building and IT Services

Enhancing quality of life through meaningful leisure and recreation is a personal core value. I am grateful for the opportunity to promote a holistic approach to health with residents of Kiwanis Village and clients in the Adult Day Program.

I have worked in Therapeutic Recreation since 2008 in both frontline and leadership roles, shaped by the guidance of colleagues, mentors, and—most importantly—residents and clients. My goal is to offer inclusive recreation programming that supports all domains of well-being: social, physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual. This is achieved through intergenerational experiences, community engagement, and genuine connection.

I believe in empowering a trusted, valued Recreation team and fostering a sense of belonging for every individual. I am proud to be part of the Kiwanis Village Leadership Team, where warmth, kindness, and people are at the heart of everything we do.

Carly Gudjonson, Housing Recreation Coordinator
Gerontology-Based Therapeutic Recreation, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Therapeutic Recreation, Douglas College

Laura is a seasoned nursing leader with more than three decades of experience dedicated to compassionate, evidence informed, resident centered care. Her career blends deep clinical knowledge with a strong commitment to staff development, collaborative practice, and high quality care.

She has supported caregivers and teams across community health, acute care, long term care, and specialized pharmacy services, consistently strengthening practice standards and fostering environments where residents feel respected, safe, and truly at home. As an educator and mentor, she has helped shape the next generation of caregivers with a focus on dignity, safety, and person focused practice.

In her leadership roles, Laura is known for clear communication, thoughtful problem solving, and a steady commitment to evidence based decision making. She empowers teams to deliver individualized care that honours the resident’s unique needs and preferences.

With certifications in Applied Positive Psychology, Resilience, and Psychologically Safe Leader Method, Laura integrates resilience science into her leadership approach, supporting workplace wellbeing and helping caregivers thrive through change and challenge.

Laura Braun, Manager of Nursing Services

With kindness and compassion, I practice a non-judgemental, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive approach to social work that embraces the inherent wisdom, strength, and resilience of each individual.  Meeting someone where they are at from a place of curiosity, while believing in their abilities, cultivates the trust and safety necessary to build a therapeutic relationship where we can walk side-by-side to meet their biopsychosocial-spiritual-cultural wants and needs.  My resident-centered approach stems from my education, from my personal life experiences, and from working in the health and human service field for over twenty years. It is an honour to work collaboratively with your families and friends within this non-profit organization whose vison, mission, and values align so well with mine.

Lisa Sinnott, RSW
Bachelor of Social Work Degree, University of Victoria; Social Services Diploma, Vancouver Island University; Arts and Science Diploma, Vancouver Island University; Resident Care and Home Support Certificates, Camosun College.