Together our Board, staff and volunteers make a team of people who work to achieve our mission and give visitors the best experience possible.

Board of Directors

The Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society is a non-profit charitable organization contracted by Parks Canada to operate the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site. The Society is lead by a volunteer Board of Directors elected annually at the AGM each spring.

Executive

Kit Grauer, Chair
UBC Professor Emerita, Dr. Kit Grauer is actively involved in art education organizations at the local, national, and international levels. Although retired, she continues to pursue her research interests in the use of artistic pedagogical strategies in teacher education, museum education, and community-based new media education. Raised in Richmond, Kit and the Grauer family have played an important role in the community’s history and development for more than a century.

Ken Flores, 1st Vice Chair

Susan Stiene, 2nd Vice Chair

Elizabeth Batista, Treasurer

Ryan Garnett, Secretary
Ryan has been involved with the GOGCS in a variety of roles over the past 10+ years and joined the Cannery board in 2014. Currently he’s employed as a fundraising consultant working with many large charities across the country. He’s always had a passion for charities and is excited to put his talents to work as a member of the board.

Dave Semple, Past Chair
Dave Semple recently served as General Manager of the Community Services Department for the City of Richmond. He has over 30 years of experience in the field demonstrating his passion for community. Formerly a professional football player in the CFL, Dave understands and embodies the values of strong leadership and team. As a husband, father and grandfather, Dave strives to create a great future for the next generation.

General Directors

Eileen Carefoot
Eileen Carefoot comes from three generations of family in the fishing industry. A founding member of the Society, she has worked to preserve Steveston history for many years. Now retired, she was a partner in a construction company for many years. This company donated two heritage houses to Britannia Shipyard National Historic Site.

Everett Pierce
Everett Pierce worked for 40 years for Canfisco fishing company. He started in 1948 collecting fish on fish boats around BC. He then worked as an engineer in canneries in Butedale and Prince Rupert before retiring as plant manager from the home plant in Vancouver. Everett is a long time board member of the Society and serves on the Collections Committee.

Ralph Turner
Ralph Turner has been in a ‘fishing family’ for most of his life, having worked on his father’s fish collector “Princess Aleta” as deckhand and cook and commercially gillnetted for ten years on the Fraser River and in Rivers Inlet. A neighbour to the Cannery site since 1951, Ralph brings firsthand knowledge of the fishing industry and a passion for preserving Steveston’s heritage community to the Board.

Joan Bennett

Whitney Enns

Jim Kojima

Peter Liu

Geoff Matheson

These board members also chair a number of operational committees including the Audience Engagement Committee, Finance and Fund Development Committee, Collections Committee, Maintenance Committee and Membership Committee.

For more information on volunteering for one of the Society’s Committees or Board of Directors, contact Executive Director  Stephanie Halapija

Administrative Staff

Stephanie Halapija, Executive Director
604.664.9192
Ontario grown, Stephanie moved to BC three years ago to run the Nisga’a Museum, following her passion for museum leadership, curatorial work, and indigenous social issues across Canada. A lover of creating exciting stories and forging new connections with wide audiences, She has dedicated her entire career to shaping a stronger  Arts and Culture industry in Canada and BC.  She has spent the majority of her time in the field of curation and development and has contributed/curated exhibitions at the Museum of Anthropology, The Nisga’a Museum, the Canadian Museum of History, the British Museum and the Bill Reid Gallery.  A strong believer that museums can change the world, she is excited to work with the culturally diverse and significant presence of the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society staff, community and family.

Rob Hart, Senior Manager, Operations
604.664.9134
Raised in Richmond, and a graduate of Steveston High, Rob left the area to work in heritage tourism and transportation with BC Rail. He was pleased and surprised to return to work in Steveston at a world-class site like the Gulf of Georgia Cannery. Rob has a B.A. in Asian Studies and manages the Cannery Store, rentals, and administrative functions for the Society.

Heidi Rampfl, Collections Manager
604.664.9007
As a lifelong lover of all things historic (as well as a bit of a packrat), Heidi has found her ideal job working with the artifact and archival collections here at the Cannery. She believes that you can never know too much about the collection and is always ready to roll up her sleeves and do a little research. If you’ve got a question or have something new to add to our collection, she’s the one to talk to.

Mimi Horita, Marketing and Visitor Services Manager
604.664.9006
An extensive background in tourism and hospitality has prepared Mimi for her role at the Cannery, which includes marketing and social media for the site and its events, membership, and managing a fantastic front-line team to provide the best visitor service experience.  Her favourite part of the job is the daily interaction with visitors to the Cannery, society members, volunteers, and local community (and the walk to work on sunny Steveston days!).

Krystal Newcombe, Manager of Audience Engagement
604.664.9282
Hailing from Ontario, Krystal has studied and worked within the heritage field for almost a decade. Starting with a bachelors degree in North American Archaeology and a Masters degree in International Cultural Heritage Management, Krystal is dedicated to supporting heritage sites and professionals in their pursuit to conserving and promoting the cultural heritage of this land. Her particular focus is on including diverse voices within the museum landscape, and ensuring access to these heritage resources for all groups.

Johanna Trapier, Education Programs Coordinator
604.664.9234
Johanna moved to Vancouver from the South of France in 2017 to do a master’s degree in Education at the University of British Columbia after completing a master’s degree in History at La Sorbonne. After a very inspiring experience as a French teacher, she joins the Cannery team to ensure that teachers and students have a wonderful experience at the Cannery in both English and French. She is glad to combine her two passions and to bring to life the history of the Cannery for every program.

Tara Miller, Visitor Services Coordinator
604.664.9009
Tara has a background in non-traditional theatre performance and a passion for storytelling. She began as a tour guide leading visitors on kayak trips on False Creek, in the heart of Vancouver. She is delighted to continue working by the water at the Cannery, where she works with a wonderful front line team, made up of staff and volunteers. Prior to her current role as Visitor Services Coordinator, Tara has worked as a Heritage Interpreter at the Cannery.

Kim Anderson, Maintenance Officer
A former fisherman, Kim has extensive experience working in engine rooms. Kim has an uncanny ability to construct exhibits, repair virtually any part of the Cannery building, and drive a forklift. Kim’s favourite part of his job is working with all the great people on staff. His personal motto is, “I would rather just go build something!”

Front-Line Staff

Agnes, Senior Interpreter
Favourite part of my job: Meeting people from different places and walks of life while sharing our heritage.
I’m inspired by: Local history and stories.
I speak: French and English fluently. I can say “thank you” in at least 8 other languages!

Andrea, Head Interpreter
Favourite part of my job: Connecting visitors to the history of Steveston. I also like raising the flags in the morning and opening the receiving door and soaking in the view on a sunny day.
When I was little I wanted to be: A marine biologist. I completed my BSc in Biology and spent the next eleven years sharing my passion for ocean life with Aquarium visitors.
I speak: English, a bit of Spanish, Pig Latin and Foo.

Angela,  Senior Interpreter
When I was little, I wanted to be: A teacher
I’m inspired by: My lovely co-workers
My one superpower would be: Invisibility
I speak: English

Antonia, Senior Interpreter
Favourite part of my job: Surprising visitors with awesome Cannery facts
I’m inspired by: Nature & music
My guilty pleasure is: Anything chocolate & Taiwanese chicken nuggets
I speak: English

Daniel, Senior Interpreter
No matter how much I try, I can’t stop: humming to a beat
My one superpower would be: Superspeed
My guilty pleasure is: Fish & Chips
I speak: English and Spanish

Elizabeth, Cannery Store sales associate
Best part of my job: meeting with and talking to customers.
I love trying out different restaurants around Richmond, especially sushi!
I speak: English, Filipino, and Mandarin.

Honoka, Interpreter
Favourite part of my job: Putting up the flags on a sunny morning
My one superpower would be: Prophecy!
My guilty pleasure is: Canned salmon + mayo open sandwiches
I speak: English, Japanese, French

Kayley, Interpreter
My one superpower would be: Teleportation
When I was little I wanted to be: A rock star
My guilty pleasure is: One Direction
I speak: English

Leslie, Interpreter
Favourite part of my job: I love talking to guests about the natural world and the history of the local area. I live in Steveston and love sharing the great restaurants and beautiful places Steveston has to explore.
When I was little I wanted to: Have a job that involved animals and the environment. I completed my BSc degree in Biology and spent many years at the Vancouver Aquarium. I have found the perfect job, allowing me to share my passion for the marine world with people of all ages from around the world, within a short walk from my front door.

Lina, Senior Interpreter
When I was little I wanted to be: A writer! I still do want to become one.
I’m inspired by: My mom
I speak: English, French, Korean and a little Japanese

Lynne, Cannery Store sales associate
My passion is the Cannery Store…I love seeing positive sales result from good merchandising (so keep your hands off my displays).
I love the site and still enjoy giving a public tour.

Tali,  Interpreter
When I was little I wanted to be: A vet
My guilty pleasure is: Regularly having pizza for breakfast
I speak: English