A United Purpose
Beacon is driven by a compassionate and experienced leadership team, each member deeply committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those accessing our services. With years of expertise in their fields, Beacon’s leaders embody care and share a passion for creating positive change.
Executives
Tricia Gueulette
CEO
Tricia Gueulette
CEO
Tricia was appointed CEO of Beacon Community Services in June 2021. Prior to joining Beacon, she led the Canadian Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation Services program on behalf of March of Dimes Canada and WCG Services. Her professional background includes more than 20 years of executive and senior leadership positions in community, employment and vocational rehabilitation services across Canada. A Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Professional and Registered Rehabilitation Professional, she holds an MBA degree in Executive Management from Royal Roads University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Economics from the University of Victoria. Tricia is also pleased to volunteer her time on the boards of ASPECT (Association of Service Providers for Employability and Career Training), as well as SafeCare BC.
Sonterra Ross
VP Operations
Sonterra Ross
VP Operations
Sonterra Ross is the Vice President of Operations at Beacon Community Services. She joined Beacon in 2021 and is passionate about the mission, vision and values of the organization—namely, she is committed to helping people, empowering communities and improving lives. With over 15 years of experience in operations, Sonterra has a proven track record of delivering results. Prior to joining Beacon Community Services, Sonterra worked in Business Development for Seaspan Marine and served as the Chief Operating Officer at Greater Victoria Harbour Authority. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant and loves the dynamic workplace of Beacon and giving back to the community she lives in. Outside of work, she enjoys her creative projects, spending time with family and friends and enjoying the outdoors.
Directors
Shaun Cerisano
Director of Development
Shaun Cerisano
Director of Development
Shaun is a seasoned fundraising leader with over 15 years’ fundraising experience in the nonprofit industry. He has led fundraising initiatives and strategies for some of the most well-known nonprofits in BC and Canada, including Heart & Stroke, Royal BC Museum and most recently, as the Associate Director of Provincial Engagement for BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. Having a firm belief in relationship building, Shaun is eager to build relationships internally with staff and volunteers, and externally with prospective donors, businesses and community leaders.
Donna Douglas
Associate Director of Licensed Childcare
Donna Douglas
Associate Director of Licensed Childcare
Since 2017, Donna has worked with Beacon Community Services as an Early Childhood Educator in many capacities: with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children. Through these positions, she has engaged and supported families that reside within the Peninsula area. To support early learning within communities, her work provided her with opportunities to develop relationships with community stakeholders and partners, including Indigenous communities, identify gaps within services and implement programs and learning opportunities. She actively seeks new ideas and values input from peers and the community, always striving for excellence as a professional in the field of early learning.
Jackie Leuchter
Associate Director of Thrift Shops
Jackie Leuchter
Associate Director of Thrift Shops
Jackie has worked in the Beacon Thrift Shops for over 15 years, progressing from managing the furniture store in Sidney to becoming co-manager and eventually the manager of the flagship store in Sidney. In her current role as Associate Director of Thrift Shops, she oversees seven stores with almost 200 volunteers and over 25 staff members. Jackie has previous management experience in the restaurant and retail sectors and believes in leading by example and creating a positive, welcoming environment for volunteers, customers and staff. She sees Beacon Thrift Shops as a valuable part of the community, raising funds to support local Beacon programs and providing a safe place that people can come to find a good bargain, a friendly face and, when needed, a helping hand.
Jennifer Mortimer
Director of Homelessness Prevention & Shelter Services
Jennifer Mortimer
Director of Homelessness Prevention & Shelter Services
Jennifer worked with Beacon as a Youth Outreach Worker from 1995–2002 before taking over the management of Out of the Rain Youth Shelter in 2006. She has been with Beacon ever since, bringing more than 25 years of experience working with vulnerable populations and communities, and for the past 17 years, she has been managing youth shelters and leading homelessness prevention programming in Victoria. Jennifer has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from University of Victoria and a wealth of experience supporting youth, families and vulnerable populations in the Greater Victoria area.
Silke Pleus
Director of People & Culture
Silke Pleus
Director of People & Culture
Silke is a human resources leader with a passion for helping people succeed. A Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR), she joined Beacon in August 2021, bringing with her over 20 years of human resource management experience in public and private sector organizations. Her most recent experience with the BC Pension Corporation exposed her to team and project leadership in a variety of HR specialty areas. Silke believes that she has landed the best gig of her career at Beacon, where she can pour all of her experience and genuine love for people into making a difference in the community.
Alice Van Blokland
Director of Employment Services
Alice Van Blokland
Director of Employment Services
Alice’s professional experience has been in the social services industry and since 1995, in employment services and programs. Prior to taking on the directorship of employment services at Beacon, Alice was the project manager at Camosun College for the provincial Employment Skills Access Program and Career Solutions – Employment Services for Professional Immigrants. She began her career in employment services as a career counsellor with GT Hiring Solutions, and over her 11 years with the company, became senior manager and then provincial operations manager. Alice’s education includes business administration, leadership development, presentation dynamics and several facilitation courses. She is a published author, professional artist, singer and Master/Teacher of Reiki.
Jennifer Van Es
Director of SHOAL Centre & Senior Services
Jennifer Van Es
Director of SHOAL Centre & Senior Services
Jennifer leads a team of dedicated volunteers and employees at the SHOAL centre, a vibrant community hub for seniors living on the Peninsula, operated in partnership with the Town of Sidney. With a background in healthcare and recreation, she was intrigued by taking on an administrative position at the SHOAL Centre, largely due to the variety of services offered both in the centre and out in the community. Since her start with Beacon in May 2015, she has been fortunate to take on multiple roles, which provided opportunities for growth and greater responsibility along the way. Outside of work, she likes cooking fabulous meals and spending time with family and friends.
Elaine Venables
Director of Children, Youth & Family Services
Elaine Venables
Director of Children, Youth & Family Services
Elaine joined Beacon in 1989 and now works as the Director of Child, Youth & Family Services. Her department oversees a wide range of emotional wellness response-based supports, services, programming and resources for Peninsula children, youth and families. She started her career and learning as an elementary school teacher before transitioning to the world of adult education. Having a passion for lifelong learning, Elaine has earned numerous accreditations; her certification in leadership through Leadership Victoria encouraged a focus in this area, and she subsequently pursued a Master’s degree in Leadership in 2004. She has been happy to call Beacon Community Services her employer these past 34 years and to share this amazing journey with like-minded community partners.
Lauren Woodbridge
Director of Finance
Lauren Woodbridge
Director of Finance
With a CPA designation and over ten years’ experience, Lauren brings a robust financial background to her role. Formerly in public practice at a local accounting firm, her transition to Beacon reflects a dedication to impactful finance. Her role involves overseeing budgeting, financial reporting and compliance, contributing to the realization of Beacon’s mission to serve the community. With a proven track record in finance and a commitment to social impact and fiscal integrity, she plays a vital role in driving Beacon’s financial success and sustainability through sound financial strategies.
Managers
Dominique Jacobs
Manager, Communications
Dominique Jacobs
Manager, Communications
Dominique joined Beacon as the Communications Manager in January 2023. Since then, she has worked to implement the strategic communications plan and has successfully executed Beacon’s social media strategy and boosted internal communications. She is currently leading Beacon’s rebranding project and is excited about building a foundation of success and signaling a bright future for Beacon. She holds a degree in Professional Communications and has over 20 years of vast experience as a communications professional, having worked in both Canada and South Africa for large national organizations like The Bay, Goodlife Fitness and the University of Cape Town. Dominique is a communications generalist and with her varied skills and keen eye for detail, she leads Beacon’s public relations, marketing, advertising, social media and graphic design.
Tim O’Brien
Property Manager
Tim O’Brien
Property Manager
Tim joined Beacon as Property Manager 10 years ago. His experience in property management spans 45 years, and he has been involved in a wide range of developments, including family-owned interests. His career began in Victoria with Cressey Development Corporation as an apartment building manager, followed by roles at Hyland Turnkey as a downtown Vancouver major office building manager, Station Square Metrotown as a general manager and Code Properties as a manager of BC properties, among others. With involvement in over 40 different projects throughout his career, Tim brings a broad range of solutions to many unique and challenging environments. His role at Beacon as Property Manager involves facilitating tenant relations for subsidized and affordable housing, directing maintenance for over 26 buildings and managing construction.
Yasmin Rampuri
Manager of Volunteer Engagement
Yasmin Rampuri
Manager of Volunteer Engagement
Yasmin has been the Manager of Volunteer Engagement for Beacon Community Services since February 2022. She oversees the intake of new Beacon volunteers across all sites and works closely with program managers to find meaningful placements for each volunteer. A 25-year veteran in the field of volunteer management, Yasmin is passionate about connecting people who have time to give with an organization that does so much good in the community. Outside the office, Yasmin spends time with her Toy Aussie Shepherd, Zoey, and loves travel, current affairs, reading and wilderness canoe trips, as well as volunteering on the board of the Victoria Master Gardener Association.
