Meet Roxanna, GIA’s new chairperson

Former Trustee Roxanna Mandryk new chair of Gulf Islands Alliance
September 14, 2015

The Gulf Islands Alliance (GIA) is pleased to announce that Roxanna Mandryk, a former Islands Trust trustee for Denman Island, has been elected its new chairperson.

A trustee from 1992 to 1996, Roxanna replaces Dave Steen of Thetis Island who had served a three year term.

“GIA is a passionate supporter of the letter and spirit of the Islands Trust Act,” she said. “Preserving and protecting these beautiful Gulf Islands is a simple yet powerful mandate.
“GIA’s role is to encourage islands residents and Trustees to cherish and honour the legislated goal that sets our islands apart as a special natural environment.”

Before moving to Denman in 1991, Roxanna lived in Banff where she witnessed the negative impacts of high tourism on a small community.

“GIA, and, we believe, most islanders love where we live, especially its beauty and serenity. We ask those folks to join with us to help keep things as they are.”
In her term as trustee, Roxanna chaired the Trust’s planning committee and was a member of the finance committee.

From 1996 to 2002 Roxanna served as an elected area director for the Comox Strathcona Regional District, which has since split into two regional districts.
Over the years Roxanna has chaired the Denman Conservancy Association, Denman Island Residents Association, and the Dora Drinkwater project to save a heritage house as a community arts centre.

She’s also helped organize the Christmas Craft Fair, Denman Island Home and Garden Tour, the Denman Island Arts Studio Tour and the highly successful Denman Island Readers and Writers Festival. She also serves on the Comox Valley Ducks Unlimited committee.

Her career in business included being a CBC Television production assistant and marketing at 1988 Calgary Olympics. She enjoys travel, bike riding, and cooking.