Board of Directors

Amy Carter, President

“I was looking for another aspect to my life,” explains Amy Carter, the Community General Manager at CIBC. “I work full time, I’m a mom, and I wanted to add another element where I can have that process of giving back.”

Amy moved to Creston in 2015. She knew that the community, with its robust support networks, was a good fit not just professionally but also for her family. Her daughter Gigi, who has profound cognitive disabilities, just turned 16 and Amy is ready to explore new personal directions. She was ultimately drawn to the CKF’s broad focus on community needs.

In her time on the board, Amy hopes to work on bridging the gap between organizations and donors. “I want more people to know what the foundation does,” she adds. “From both a grant side and from the donor side.”

Lon Main, Vice President

Through his support for Pioneer Villa since the mid-90s, Lon Main was actually on the foundation board before it even existed. He has seen this organization evolve from a senior’s foundation to a health foundation, to a community foundation, he has been there every step of the way. Lon is a founding father and created & backbone of the Creston-Kootenay Foundation. He was instrumental in creating & developing our policies and bylaws. He has been our historian, and policy expert and for many years and chaired our granting committee. Lon oversaw some tough debates with kindness and humility. Expect to spot Lon in the community, as always, a strong ambassador and advocate for the Creston Valley Community Foundation.

Alex Gesheva, Director

I am a former journalist, and worked as a policy analyst for Yukon Government, in education and health and social services. During that time, I also had a chance to finish my MA in Strategic Communication with the University of Missouri. I moved to Creston in 2015 when my husband Jeremy started his family medicine practice here, and I now manage our small clinic, Sunrise Sunset Medical.

My previous non-profit background has been with groups who provide direct services, including in immigrant literacy in the US, and employment supports for people with disabilities. Since I joined the CVCF board in 2017, I’ve gained a profound appreciation for the quieter, behind-the-scenes work of our community foundation.

My family chose this wonderful valley to call home, so I am grateful for the local focus of the CVCF and our small, friendly board’s ability to pivot, support a variety of causes and respond to our community’s changing needs over the past few years.

Jason Truscott, Director

Community service resonates with Jason Truscott. For the last 110 years, members of his family have lived, worked and contributed to building community in the Creston Valley. In that time, he says, “Truscotts have also received so much from the valley it’s almost impossible to find a way to pay it back.”

Jason spent 10 years in Vancouver, 7 in London and additional time in the Kootenays in his career, and looks forward to further building the CKF endowment.

“I want to help ensure we’re distributing funds according to our donors’ wishes and coming up with new ideas,” he says. “What I do in my career (Financial Advisor) is to be a broker of sorts, build bridges from services to people, people to services.”

I moved to the Creston Valley over 42 years ago to become a partner in a local insurance brokerage. Prior to moving to Creston I was a Chief Underwriter with an International Insurance Company. After 30 years in the brokerage the business was sold and I retired.

While in business I served on the Boards or Advisory Boards of four multinational corporations, was a volunteer firefighter for 21 years and an Auxiliary RCMP Constable for 10 years. In 1997 I was deeply honored to receive the Citizen of the Year award.

My wife Teresa and I have been married over 50 years with 3 children and 4 grandchildren.

Jim Elford, Secretary

Ted Hutchinson, Treasurer

My wife Avis and I moved to Creston in 2009 in search of a better climate than Northern Alberta could provide as well as a smaller community in which to enjoy our retirement. We have been very happy with our decision and have enjoyed our time here very much.

My career was spent in retail operations, the last 14 years with Staples where I enjoyed filling a number of roles from Store Manager to District Manager to Director of Sales and Operations for Western Canada (Regional VP). Some claim that retail is all about detail, but my experience has been that it's really all about people.

I have been fortunate to find an organization such as the Creston Valley Community Foundation where I can add my experience to those of the other Board Members in a collaborative effort to further the Foundation's cause.

Carol Freeman-Ryll, Director

I have lived in Canada for over 50 years. My late husband and myself decided upon the
Creston valley as our retirement home. Turns out, an excellent idea!
After working with youth and families and later on as an outdoor wilderness guide using
llamas in Ontario and Alberta, the farming focus of the valley was a welcome back to the
days of my life in England living on a farm.
I have travelled extensively but now choose to live within this community and give back
through volunteer work to the people who supported me during a sad period of my life
here. I have been involved with several charities here since retirement.
I have an avid interest in dogs ( rescue dogs in particular) and enjoy my home and garden and enjoy sharing such with friends.