Meet our 2018 Board of Directors
Marc Lapierre President |
Marc has been in the insurance business for over six years, building his career by helping families protect what is important. At a young age Marc found his passion for the finance industry, that led him to complete his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance at Vancouver Island University in 2013. Since graduation, he has honed his skills in financial planning, applying his experience and education towards comprehensive insurance planning for families and businesses. Marc takes pride in offering professional and courteous service and building strong relationships. Marc resides in Parksville with his fiancé Kaitlyn, enjoying the outdoors and exploring the beautiful Island they’re proud to call home. Coastal Wealth |
Gauri Harrison VICE-PRESIDENT |
Gauri owns Paramount Recreation and Flaman Fitness a retail store located in Coombs, as well as The Islander Media. She is a 33-year-old mother of one and a serial entrepreneur. Paramount Recreation is a full-service hot tub, sauna & steam shower dealership in its 9th year. To augment the retail space she purchased the Flaman Fitness dealership for Vancouver Island in 2011. The birth of her daughter found her reflecting on her true passions, leading her to establish The Islander Media in 2016. Through this company, she supports small business owners in the areas of social media marketing, website, and brand development. Paramount Recreation Flaman Fitness The Islander Media |
Laura Solowoniuk SECRETARY |
Laura is an integral part of the vibrant 460 Realty team in Parksville. She brings her skills to the YPO as Secretary of the 2018 Board of Directors.At 460 Realty, we’ve got a whole new way of doing business in real estate. Our breakthrough strategy combines young energy and technology with an open and honest approach, for a formula that clients, licensees, and the community as a whole can get behind. Real estate is a “people business” – intensely contingent on trust, relationships and teamwork. We go to great lengths to get our clients the best service in the industry, thus empowering them to make the best decisions for themselves and their families. 460 Realty |
Leanne Souchuck Treasurer |
Leanne is Partner at McGorman MacLean Chartered Professional Accountants I love YPO because it provides a forum for young professionals to get out in the community and connect with others in the area who are at similar stages of their career/business. It provides a networking base to help grow your business while at the same time provides an opportunity to get away from the office and have some fun! My goal for the Board this year is to look back on all the positives and negatives from our first year and try and come up with a variety of events and professional development sessions that provide value to our members. At the end of 2017 we were still trying to figure out what worked and what didn’t. It would be great to end 2018 feeling like we’ve given the members everything they were hoping for in joining YPO, if not more. McGorman MacLean Chartered Professional Accountants |
Hollie Quiring Membership |
Hollie is a Mortgage Specialist at the Royal Bank of Canada. I have been working for the Royal Bank coming up 10 years. I started on the management side, but quickly realized my strengths lie in dealing directly with people, and therefore moving into a Senior Advisory role and then eventually into the Mortgage Specialist role. I have a passion for going thru the full financial process with people and as a bonus I get to help them with one of their largest purchases in their life time. It is a true honor and privilege that people allow me to tag along on their journey thru life. Prior to my banking career, I worked on cruise ships for 6 years. This is where I meant my husband, and we worked together travelling the world. We are anchored now in Nanaimo with our little girl and two dogs, and have never felt more at home. Royal Bank of Canada |
Hanna Vail Communications |
Hannah Vail is Owner and Hairstylist at Hannah’s Hair Studio & Goldwell Technical Associate Colour Educator I love the Oceanside area and believe that we have tapped into an under represented area of development and resources for the young professional community within it. I’m inspired by the generosity and involvement of our members and have enjoyed building new relationships and friendships through my involvement with the YPO. As Communications Director, I’d like to help build the profile of our members and their businesses. My goal is to develop a strong relationship for the YPO with other local organizations and to help promote our events and keep our members informed and excited about what we hope to create within our community. Hanna's Hair Studio |
Scott De-Freitas Graff Public Relations |
Scott De-Freitas Graff is an events management, food and beverage professional who resides in the Oceanside area. As the owner of Extraordinary Event's PQB, partner in Daring to Share, manager at Cuckoos Tratorria in Coombs, and Public Relations director with the YPO, Scott is the person you need if you're looking to pull together a successful event. With 30+ years of experience planning and executing events and parties for 10 - 10000, nothing is too big or too small for this dynamic individual. Scott adds his expertise as member of the events committee of the Young Professionals of Oceanside, and grows YPO membership through his contacts in the Oceanside Community. Extraordinary Events PQB Daring to Share |
Brittany Patterson-Philips Events |
Brittany Patterson-Phillips, is Unlicensed Executive Assistant to the Ohs Marketing Team at Royal LePage. Why I love YPO: It's a great place to get involved in the community without the pressure of having to know everyone in a small town! You can easily meet new people and network at the same time. What I hope to do: As the Events Director it's my job to bring your ideas to life! To support our members with ideas and collaborate on projects of all sizes. My goal for this year is to make the YPO a fun and inclusive place to network and mingle. Ohs Marketing Team |