Library Directors & Board
Library Directors
Library Board
About
The Library Board operates under the authority of the BC Library Act.
Members
Natasha Knox, Board Chair
- Independent, fee-only, Certified Financial Planner professional (CFP®)
- Graduate of Simon Fraser University
- Serves of the board of directors of the Financial Therapy Association
- Past member of the Multicultural Advisory Committee, Culture Services Advisory Committee and the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce Events Committee
- Volunteer activities include exam marking and exam writing with FP Canada
- Lives in Coquitlam with husband and four children, since 2009
Kimberly Sivak, Board Vice-Chair
- Research Project Manager at Simon Fraser University
- Certified Project Management Professional
- MA in International Environmental Policy from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies; BA in Film from the University of California at Berkeley
- Co-founder and Leadership Committee member of SFU's Project Management Community of Practice; Co-leader of the Canadian Association of Research Administrators' Project Management Special Interest Group
- Enjoys stewarding her Little Free Library, historical fiction, classic movies, and dog parks (accompanied by her rescue pup and human family)
Jacqueline Gorton, Board Treasurer
- CPA, with over 25 year's experience in finance, audit, risk management and technology
- 30 year resident of Coquitlam, passionate about the City and its libraries
- Served on a number of Boards and volunteered in the community
- Married, with two grown children
Julie Fisher, Trustee
- Associate Counsel/Lawyer with Orstad Law
- BA, First Class (Psychology), and LL.B., University of Victoria
- Past Director of the Coquitlam Foundation, TriCity Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Committee, CBA BC Women Lawyers Forum
- Enjoys hiking local trails, historical and popular fiction, and CBC radio
- Lives in Coquitlam (since 2001) with her husband, son, niece, and Wheaton Terrier
Monica Heir, Trustee
- Technology consultant
- Moved to Coquitlam in 2018
- Can usually be found chasing her husband, two daughters and/or dog around local parks
- Avid reader and, most recently, audiobook listener
Steve Leung, Trustee
- Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA) and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
- Past member of Universal Access-Ability Advisory Committee (City of Coquitlam) for five years
- Bachelor of Commerce, Finance & Marketing (Honours), University of British Columbia
- Avid reader of biography, history and current affairs
- Lives with his wife and two children in Coquitlam
Barbara Lu, Trustee
- Governance and policy expert
- Tri-cities resident for over 30 years
- Master of Public Administration, University of Victoria
- Lives in Coquitlam with her husband and two children
- Avid reader of fantasy novels and listener of business and finance podcasts
(to keep things balanced)
- Loves hiking and discovering local gems
Dennis Marsden, Trustee & City Councillor
- Has 25 years’ experience in retail and business banking
- Is the Principal of True North Business Consultation, a firm specializing in Government Relations and business development
- Has been an active Board member in areas ranging from Hospital Foundation to BC Chamber of Commerce as well as a publicly traded company
- Serves on the Metro Vancouver Performance and Audit Committee along with experience on various civic committees
- Married with two teenaged children
Dave Whelan, Trustee
- Retired from senior management of TELUS
- Former volunteer with SHARE, Variety, Zajak Foundation and Red Cross
- Previous volunteer positions include Port Moody Public Library and Police boards; land use, transportation, parks and rec committees as well as council indemnity and LRT task forces
- Loves travel (over 60 countries) and is a lifelong reader
- Proud father of 2 and grandfather of 6
- Resident of Tri-Cities for over 30 years
Todd Gnissios, Executive Director and Secretary to the Board
- Appointed December 9, 2013
- MLIS, University of British Columbia
- BGS, Business and Humanities, Simon Fraser University
Meetings
- The Board meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month, except in March, August and December.
- To attend as an observer, email officemanager@coqlibrary.ca.
Presentations to the Board
Groups and/or individuals who want to address the Board should contact Executive Director Todd Gnissios at tgnissios@coqlibrary.ca at least 5 days before the next Board meeting to be included in the meeting agenda.
Your request must include:
- who will be attending
- the organization you represent, if any
- the topic of your presentation
- the meeting date you wish to make your presentation
Your presentation must be under 15 minutes long.
The Board Chair has final authority on whether to allow a presentation, the time allotted, and the time given to questions from Trustees, if any.
Minutes