WGCF Society
Members Profiles
Heather MacLennan - President
Executive Profile: Heather MacLennan is an experienced Board member, having volunteered on many communities’ driven boards in various roles namely as President, Vice- President, Secretary/Treasurer of the Community Forest Society for the past 15 years. Heather is a dedicated community leader and brings extensive experience serving on Not-For-Profit Boards
for over 40 years ranging in disciplines supporting forestry, education, youth sports, local government committees and seniors. Heather has been an advocate and fund raiser for heart and stroke, kidney foundation and breast cancer. As a leader in the forest sector for over many years Heather has a deep understanding of the forest related issues and initiatives.
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Professional Background: Heather’s career has primarily been in forestry for the past 35+ years. Throughout her career in
Forestry Heather has coordinated and managed many forestry programs such as Small-Scale Salvage (SSS), Forest Stand Management (FSM), Forest for Tomorrow (FFT), Forest Health, Forest Carbon Initiative (FCI), Forest Range Evaluation Program (FREP) to name a few. She is most passionate about silviculture and currently serves on the Southern Interior Silviculture Committee.
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Why I Serve: Heather has always been a volunteer in her community - her drive and passion have brought success to the many not- for-profits organizations she has served on. Heather believes that the natural resources surrounding communities should be managed by the communities to directly benefit them. Starting in 2003 Heather worked with other community members to obtain a Community Forest for the Wells Gray Country. She served in various capacities to ensure the success of the community forest as a member of the Community Forest Advisory board and then a director on the Wells Gray Community Forest Society and currently the president.
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Personal Touch: When Heather is not volunteering, she loves biking, hiking, gardening, politics, fund raising for important causes, education, cooking and most importantly her family!
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Call to Action: Heather welcomes conversations about how the Society can better serve the communities we serve. Reach out to her at secretary@wgcfscom.org to connect.
Sheila Thiessen - Treasurer
Executive Profile: Sheila served on several committees and boards, in either professional or volunteer roles. This experience has provided Sheila with the understanding of the importance of clear direction (mission), ethics, and working together to meet goals.
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Professional Background: Sheila obtained her CPA CMA designation in 2006 and her professional experience includes over 20 years of municipal finance roles including Director of Finance. These roles included grant administration, including applications, reporting and distribution.
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Why I Serve: Sheila grew up and lived in several small towns and appreciates the challenges of raising funds for projects that benefit the community. In a small community, volunteers are instrumental in making it a great place to live. The Wells Gray Community Forest Society is instrumental in helping leverage the resources in the region to improve the quality of life for the residents.​
​Personal Touch: Sheila is enjoying her retirement, spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and making the most of the great outdoors in the Clearwater area.
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Call to Action: Please feel free to contact Sheila at treasurer@wgcfscom.org if you have any input or questions related to the Society.
Leslie Groulx - Secretary
Executive Profile: : Leslie Groulx is an experienced Board member, having volunteered with diverse organizations in different roles such as President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Director, and Chair of organizational committees. Leslie is a dedicated community leader and brings extensive experience serving several terms on various boards of Not-For-Profits with over 35 years in the nonprofit sector. Leslie has worked with both public and private organizations to implement systems and process change in order to achieve their strategic objectives. Leslie’s journey in Not-For-Profits began with a simple belief that volunteering is key to being a change agent and to directly contribute to creating a vibrant community!
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Professional Background: Leslie’s career has spanned roles in executive leadership, program management, governance, economic development, entrepreneurship, and grant management both applying for and managing funds to distribute. Her ability to drive strategic initiatives has aided to secure millions in funding, transforming communities one project at a time.​​
Why I Serve: Leslie’s passion for Wells Gray Community Forest Society stems from her own experiences growing up in an underserved community. She knows firsthand the impact that dedicated nonprofits can have, and she’s committed to ensuring Wells Gray Community Forest Society reaches community led programs that assist families in need.
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Personal Touch: When she’s not advocating for the Community Forest, you can find Leslie volunteering on various community committees, most recent as a Director on the Yellowhead Community Services board – offering community related services throughout several rural communities in the interior of BC, other interests include walking, hanging with her grandsons, and enjoying a good book!
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Call to Action: Leslie welcomes conversations about how the Society can better serve the communities we serve. Reach out to her at secretary@wgcfscom.org to connect.
Usoff Tsao - TNRD Representative
Usoff sits on the board of the Wells Gray Community Forest as the representative from Electoral Area A Wells Gray Country of the Thompson Nicola Regional District on Simpcw First Nation territory. He has been a resident of Clearwater with his wife and two sons since 2019 after relocating from Hong Kong.
Usoff’s professional background includes a variety of industries from Canada Border Services Agency, to HR project management for adidas in Hong Kong to running his own manufacturing business with facilities in mainland China. Since moving to Clearwater, he had been on the Clearwater Volunteer Fire Department for 3 years until his election to the Thompson Nicola Regional District board of directors in 2022. Usoff enjoys picking up new skills and learning from others; he did a summer rotation of wildland firefighting in 2021 and received certifications for various rescue scenarios from confined space to swift water to steep slope and ice rescue so that he could work as an industrial rescue technician and medic on the Trans Mountain Expansion Project.
Usoff’s educational background includes a BA in Psychology from UBC, MSc in Managerial Leadership from Edinburg Napier University and is pursing a diploma in Public Relations from SFU’s Continuing Studies Program. He is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
Since being on the regional district board of directors since 2022, Usoff is focused on participating in board discussions on TNRD services as well as advocating for residents to other orders of government. He chairs the Wells Gray Country Services Committee and chaired the standing committee for the TNRD Parks and Trails Strategy. Usoff is also a nominated member of the Regional Advisory Committee for the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior BC, as well as a board member of Tourism Wells Gray.
Usoff is keen to contribute input to the Wells Gray Community Forest Society.
Kerry Milner Cairns - Director
Executive Profile: : Kerry Milner Cairns has lived in Clearwater since 1996. Kerry has worked as a volunteer with Scouts Canada, Girl Guides of Canada, and the PACs at both Raft River Elementary and CSS. Her current role as Chief Operating Officer for Yellowhead Community Services has given her in-depth experience in grant writing to implement key community programs, this experience will serve her well in both adjudicating and seeking funds while working with the Wells Gray Community Forest Society.!
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Professional Background: Kerry has spent more than 30 years working in the forest industry in both BC and Ontario, including roles as a Registered Professional Forester with Slocan Forest Products, Canfor, and the BC Ministry of Forests. In 2009, Kerry transitioned her career to the social service sector and now works as a Chief Operating Officer at Yellowhead Community Services, supporting programs for children, families, and the wider community.
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Why I Serve: Kerry has spent more than 30 years working in the forest industry in both BC and Ontario, including roles as a Registered Professional Forester with Slocan Forest Products, Canfor, and the BC Ministry of Forests. In 2009, Kerry transitioned her career to the social service sector and now works as a Chief Operating Officer at Yellowhead Community Services, supporting programs for children, families, and the wider community.
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Personal Touch: When she’s not advocating for a multitude of community services, she has served in various capacities involving youth. When she’s not working, she enjoys gardening and spending time outdoors.
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Call to Action: Kerry welcomes conversations about how the Society can better serve the communities we serve. Reach out to her at director@wgcfscom.org to connect.
Lucy Taylor - Director
Lucy Taylor brings over 25 years of financial and risk management expertise and a deep commitment to community governance to the society board. Since emigrating to Canada in 2007 and settling in Wells Gray Country in 2015, Lucy has been an active contributor to the local community. Her dedication to public service is highlighted by a four-year term as a District of Clearwater Councillor, providing her with a solid understanding of local government and policy. An active volunteer, Lucy has held board positions with the Wells Gray Riders Association, Clearwater & District Minor Hockey Association, and the Parent Advisory Committees for both Clearwater schools, ensuring a well-rounded perspective on the needs of our community.
Bill Haring - DOC Representative
Executive Profile: Bill Haring is a municipal Councillor serving in his second term in the District of Clearwater. Bill is passionate about community and believes collective effort can solve collective problems. He believes in civic engagement and that every person in Clearwater has a valuable contribution and a part to play in improving our community. Bill’s specialty is asking hard questions, and occasionally he answers them.
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Professional Background: Bill’s career has been predominately in the public sector and has spanned roles in emergency management, paramedicine, health administration, and health policy.
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Why I Serve: Bill’s passion for collective effort comes from his family who modelled their commitment to public service for his entire life. Bill grew up in several small towns across BC and Alberta, and saw the impact dedicated individuals could have on their communities and the wider world. Bill’s is excited to participate in the Wells Gray Community Forest Society to help the society achieve its vision of a healthy community supported by a resilient forest.​​
​Personal Touch: When he is not reading agenda packages, arguing with whoever will listen, or at work, you can find Bill riding his bike on the trails at candle creek, cross country skiing, or working on a million projects around the house.
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Call to Action: Bill welcomes conversations about how the Society can better serve the communities we serve. Reach out to him at docrep@wgcfscom.org to connect.