Our Board

Alexandra Amor is a lifelong explorer of what it means to be human. Since 2008 Alexandra has been writing both fiction and non-fiction books, all with the themes of love, connection, and the search for understanding. She began her writing career with an Amazon best-selling, award-winning memoir about ten years she spent in a cult in the 1990s. Presently Alexandra works for the small seniors’ independent living facility in her home town of Ucluelet. She also serves on the board of the Pacific Rim Hospice Association.

James Chamberlain retired to Nanaimo in 2019 after a career as a primary school teacher, union activist, vice-principal and principal. James was honoured to receive a Doctorate of Letters Degree in 2021 from the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford for his life’s work on queer issues in public education. James is also known for the precedent setting case in the Supreme Court of Canada against the Surrey School Board which overturned the board’s ban on books about same-sex families from classrooms.

Dan Coles is a newcomer to Gabriola Island, having retired from public education in British Columbia, California, and Washington State.
Born in West Vancouver, one of nine children, he has been a member of the LGBTQ+ running club, Frontrunners, a Board member of Camp Ten Trees, a camp for LGBTQ+ and questioning youth, and advocated for inclusive language in the teacher’s contract in Bellevue School District. Dan and his husband, Steve, are currently working to support LGBTQ+ refugees fleeing persecution in Afghanistan and other countries. Dan and Steve have one son who recently moved to B.C. When not advocating for 2SLGBTQ+ rights, Dan enjoys kayaking, paddle boarding, gardening, skiing, and taking walks on the beach with his husband and their pooch, Dakota.

Layne Kriwoken grew up in northern British Columbia and spent most of his adult life in Vancouver. He was an educator for decades: overseas, in immigrant services, and at UBC. With his partner Kev, he also developed and operated their own production line and retail business. In 2020, they moved to Cobble Hill to enjoy a quieter life in the Cowichan Valley. Layne is also on the Boards of Cowichan Pride and The Mercury Players Society.  

Jb Squires moved from East Van in 2021, and since then, they have called the Cowichan Valley home. After realizing they missed their local queer connections, Jb started a Facebook group focused on bringing people together through social events, resource sharing, and mutual support. Building community is one of the things they care about most.

A lifelong learner, Jb has spent 15+ years working as an IT professional and is always curious about discovering new skills and ideas. They also serve on their small strata council. When they're not working, you'll probably find them enjoying great food, spending time with friends (and their cute pup), planning a little adventure, or dancing whenever the opportunity arises.

Linnea (she/her) holds a lifelong passion for justice and building strong communities and works as a Social Worker and Somatic Therapist. She has run programming to support 2SLGBTQ+ folks, sat on the 2SLGBTQ+ elected board for the city of Vancouver for 4 years, and more recently sat on the Board of the Cowichan Pride Society. Opportunities to serve in uplifting others and create greater equality is at the heart of what she always hopes to do.