Board Members

Our Board Members

Interested in a position with Clay Tree? Volunteer to be a Clay Tree board member!

Click here for details on how to apply.

Alexandria Stuart

Alexandria Stuart

President of the Board

Mother of 21-year-old Clay Tree participant Gabriel, Alexandria has spent the last two decades advocating for her son across a variety of government ministries and services.
Her focus has shifted now to facilitating and amplifying the voices of adult self-advocates.

Alexandria graduated from Vancouver Island University with a degree in Journalism, Creative Writing and Publishing. She is currently an editorial assistant and typesetter at Broadview Press, an independent Canadian publisher in the humanities. Her career path has also taken her through the music industry, radio, television, and print journalism. She served as the Branch Coordinator for the Autism Society of BC on Vancouver Island for seven years where she facilitated programming, advocacy, and caregiver support groups.

Alexandria is deeply committed to the health and growth of Nanaimo‘s disability community as a whole. She’s excited to bring her communications, business, marketing, and event planning experience; background in disability advocacy; and local contacts to the board as it navigates its way forward during the transition to a new ED, and fundraising for the development and eventual build on Clay.

Catherine McHardy

Catherine McHardy

Board Member

Mother to a future clay tree participate; fun loving 7 year old with a 1 on 1 designation. She grew up being around kids with special needs as her dad was a special needs teacher back home in Ontario. Catherine has over 18 years experience in the financial industry, from investing, real estate, day to day back to current where she is a Relationship Manager at the BMO. She prides herself on putting the customers first, being proactive and helping medium size business on Vancouver Island grow to their full potential. Catherine is a Certified event planner and enjoys using her skills to benefit her community. She wants to make sure these programs are around for her son and accessible to everyone who needs them. She is an ongoing advocate for her son and other parents of young children trying to access support.

Kellina Lang

Kellina Lang

Board Member

I have lived in Nanaimo since 2000, I moved here after I graduated from the University of Victoria where I specialized in English and Social Sciences. Soon after moving to Nanaimo, I started my career in call centre management where I worked for 4.5 years before deciding to return to school to obtain a Master’s Degree in Business Administration where I specialized in Marketing. After this, I worked in Marketing for 2.5 years, then changed career paths and accepted a position in Human Resources at Fisheries and Oceans Canada where I have been employed for the last 13 years.

I have volunteered in this community periodically since 2003 at a number of different organizations such as the Vancouver Island Crisis Line, as a family counsellor at Nanaimo Family Life, as a unit leader at Girl Guides Canada and most recently have started fostering cats at the Cat Nap Society

I hope Clay Tree will benefit from my work experience in Human Resources, Management and Marketing. I take a common-sense approach to solving problems, have a straightforward attitude, and enjoy working with others in collaboration towards a common purpose.

Dione van Beynum

Dione van Beynum

Board Member

I am the parent and primary caregiver of a special needs adult who attends one of the Clay Tree programs, which I feel puts me in a unique position to understand and present the caregiver/advocate perspective. I feel that my unique background, experience and perspective will be an asset to the Board.

Professionally, I have had considerable experience as a Registered Nurse and currently own a retail shop in downtown Nanaimo.

Additionally, I have served on the boards of several volunteer organizations in the past, including the Parent Advisory Committees of three elementary schools, the Vancouver Island Children’s Book Festival, and the Island Stitchery Guild. I have held positions as President, Treasurer, Web Developer, and general volunteer on committees both within those organizations and also with the Downtown Nanaimo Business Association. More recently I have been involved in Re-Imagine Nanaimo and other downtown improvement consultations.

Olumese Chris Obouaye

Olumese Chris Obouaye

Board Member

Olumese Chris Obouaye is currently pursuing his MBA at Vancouver Island University. He possesses a wealth of expertise in financial advisory, project financing and investment management, export and import financing, performance evaluation and risk management.
In his free time, Chris enjoys immersing himself in outdoor activities, connecting with family and friends, and exploring artistic pursuits that include photography and painting. This multifaceted approach to life reflects his well-rounded personalities and the drive to find inspiration in various facets of his personal and professional journeys.

Lisa Nissinen

Lisa Nissinen

Board Member

Lisa graduated from Vancouver Island University with a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Anthropology as well as from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Social Work with a specialization in child protection. She also has a diploma in leadership development from Camosun Collage. In her early career she owned and developed a series of retail business employing up to 50 people and importing goods from overseas.

Lisa has worked within the community living sector for the past 18 years. Her career began as a community support worker, and later as a home share coordinator for VITAL society in the Cowichan Valley. Upon completion of her Bachelor of Social work from the University of Victoria, Lisa took a position with Community Living BC as a quality service analyst where she spent the next decade working with agencies throughout Vancouver Island to deliver services to individuals with Autism and developmental disabilities.

Lisa is an avid hiker, having finished the west coast trail in 2021, and finds joy in the practices of yoga and meditation.

Travis Sippel

Travis Sippel

Board Member

Travis Sippel is a member in good standing, with a great understanding and passion for the mission and work of Clay Tree. He is an experienced lawyer who primarily practices in the areas of insurance litigation, personal injury, and employment law. Travis grew up outside of Kelowna, British Columbia, and completed his undergraduate studies at both the University of Victoria in Victoria and Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo. He attended the University of Alberta in Edmonton for law school and practiced with a regional law firm in Alberta before relocating to Nanaimo in 2018. Travis also advises Boards on governance and will bring this expertise to the Clay Tree Board.

Darcy Olsen

Darcy Olsen

Board Member

Darcy Olsen is a member in good standing with great understanding passion for the mission and work of Clay Tree. She has had to deal with advocacy issues for people with
diverse abilities in her role as Executive Assistant for Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, Hon. Sheila Malcolmson. She has exceptional community connections, is passionate about fundraising, research and advocacy; and an
intimate understanding of government policies and how to navigate “red tape.” She will make a strong team member on the Board utilizing her successful relationships with Nanaimo community stakeholders along with her political knowledge.