Staff
John McCormick
(He/Him)
Executive Director
John has focused his work for nearly 3 decades on community development – internationally, nationally, regionally, and locally. John is currently the Executive Director of the Nanaimo SPO. He’s been focused on Nanaimo for the last decade as the Nanaimo Region John Howard Society’s Executive Director from 2016-21, and as co-creator of Nanaimo’s Centre for Justice Education and Research (NCJER). He holds a BA in Business Administration (UWO), JD (Osgoode Hall Law School), and MA in Public Policy (UVic).
Andrew Thornton
(He/Him)
Research and Knowledge Mobilization Lead
Andrew has taught undergraduate and graduate students for 20 years in sociology, education, physical education, and sport sciences in Canada and UK. He’s led transdisciplinary research on housing, homelessness, therapeutic community, work, education, sport, and popular culture. He’s published and presented his work at national and international conferences. He’s supervised numerous research-based MA and PhD theses to completion.
Willow Hills
(They/Them)
Data Coordinator
Willow has a background in anthropology and archaeology and has recently stepped into the housing and homelessness sector. Having grown up in Nanaimo Willow has witnessed the community change dramatically over the years. Always motivated to build community, they bring a wealth of knowledge and considerable front line experience and a can do approach to the team.
Lorna Beecroft
(She/Her)
Financial Controller
Lorna has spent many years as a finance director and manager for several organizations. When a move to Nanaimo prompted a move away from the Interior of BC to Vancouver Island, she became a part of the Nanaimo John Howard Society as the Financial Controller and worked there until her retirement in 2018. . Her knowledge and experience in accounting, including a CAFM designation were beneficial for this work as well as her understanding of homelessness led to her current position as Financial Controller at the Nanaimo SPO.
Board of Directors
Don Bonner
Eli Wyse
Ben Geselbracht
Violet Hayes
Jason Harrison
Amanda Lemon
Matthew Stephens
Taryn O’Flanagan