Our Staff

Executive Director

Jim Harnden
E-Mail:jimharnden@cvilrc.bc.ca

Jim has lived and worked in Cowichan for over fifteen years. Jim for many years worked as a rehabilitation officer for the province of British Columbia in Victoria and is currently Executive Director of Cowichan Independent Living (CIL.) Jim has over 25 years experience working in the human services field both in vocational rehab, in personnel and business management. Some of his academic background includes acquiring a business management education, training as a Life Skills Coach and taking courses in counseling psychology and human development. A CIL employee since 2001, Jim's knowledge and understanding of working with the disabled community, together with his innate interpersonal and management skills, reflects in his ability to identify the needs of the disabled community and to create programs and services based on those needs. Jim joined the Independent Living Canada's National Board of Directors in the Fall of 2005 and currently sits on a number of committees both locally and across Canada.

Assistant Director

Diane Wood
E-Mail:diane@cvilrc.bc.ca

Born and raised in Victoria, BC, Diane spent several years working for the provincial government at the Ministry of Education, BC Systems Corporation and the Ministry of Lands, Parks & Housing. Diane then moved to a position with the federal government for a number of years before moving to Duncan. After having her son, she took a bookkeeping course when he entered grade one and returned to the work force.

Peer Support Coordinator

Cathie Campion
E-Mail:cathycampion@cvilrc.bc.ca

Cathie has lived and worked in the Nanaimo/Cowichan Valley area for over 25 years. She has a number of years experience, working for various non profit organizations. A Cowichan Independent Living (CIL) employee since 2004, Cathie's initial positon with the organization was as Career Development Facilitator for our pre employment program 'Navigating the Waters'. Her background includes extensive experience in human resources, as well as teaching adults, as a training officer while employed by a major financial institution. Some of her academic background includes Primary/Elementary Teacher, Financial Business Management,trained as BC Real Estate Broker, certification as a Life Skills Coach, and Master Trainer CDSMP ( Chronic Disease Self Management Program ). She is committed to increasing independence, by creating programs and services based on consumers' interests, needs and requests.

Career Development Facilitator

Kelly Radziul
E-Mail:kellyr@cvilrc.bc.ca

Kelly has worked in the employment programs and human services field since the 1980’s. She has worked as a job search and career decision making group program facilitator, employment assistance worker, employment rehabilitation worker, employment services advisor, job coach, student placement worker, peer counselor just to name a few. She has worked with both the Federal and Provincial employment programs, as well as been self employed in the field.
Kelly is certified as a Career Practitioner (2003), Job Club Facilitator, True Colors Trainer, Christoper Leadership Facilitator and graduate of the Pursuit of Excellence Program. Kelly has a Human Service Diploma and a Social Services Worker Certificate. Kelly believes in life long learning and keeping current with practices in her field. Kelly is currently working on accreditation with the Canadian Standards and Guidelines for Career Practitioner in Canada.

Employment Counsellor

Anne Matheson
E-Mail:anne@cvilrc.bc.ca

Anne has over 15 years experience in the area of career development including both one to one employment counselling and group facilitation; she has been a specialized employment counsellor at Cowichan Independent Living since 2005. Her educational background includes a BA in Applied Linguistics and numerous courses in career development. Anne has also worked extensively with immigrants both as an ESL instructor and as a board member of the Cowichan Intercultural Society. She has lived in the Cowichan Valley since 1993 and has been an active community volunteer throughout this time.

Receptionist

Marja Nowacki

Marja was born and raised in Holland. In 1985 she came to Canada, this great land. She has been the receptionist since May 2008. It has been an honor and a pleasure for her to come to work everyday. Although it is a volunteer position, she loves it with her whole heart. She feels that if she can make one client smile and help make a difference, then it is all worthwhile.

Data Entry

Theresa Smith

Started volunteering as receptionist in 2004, She loved it very much, getting to meet and help new people on a daily basis. But she felt like she needed more of a challenge. She now does data entry for CAILC (vault)as well as data entry for contact 4 alongside our specialized career counselor Anne.

Picture Position

Christine Brandt

Picture Triumph

Zoran Simonovic

	Executive Director Jim Harnden E-Mail:jimharnden@cvilrc.bc.ca Jim has lived and worked in Cowichan for over fifteen years. Jim for many years worked as a rehabilitation officer for the province of British Columbia in Victoria and is currently Executive Director of Cowichan Independent Living (CIL.) Jim has over 25 years experience working in the human services field both in vocational rehab, in personnel and business management. Some of his academic background includes acquiring a business management education, training as a Life Skills Coach and taking courses in counseling psychology and human development. A CIL employee since 2001, Jim's knowledge and understanding of working with the disabled community, together with his innate interpersonal and management skills, reflects in his ability to identify the needs of the disabled community and to create programs and services based on those needs. Jim joined the Independent Living Canada's National Board of Directors in the Fall of 2005 and currently sits on a number of committees both locally and across Canada.
	Assistant Director Diane Wood E-Mail:diane@cvilrc.bc.ca Born and raised in Victoria, BC, Diane spent several years working for the provincial government at the Ministry of Education, BC Systems Corporation and the Ministry of Lands, Parks & Housing. Diane then moved to a position with the federal government for a number of years before moving to Duncan. After having her son, she took a bookkeeping course when he entered grade one and returned to the work force.
	Peer Support Coordinator Cathie Campion E-Mail:cathycampion@cvilrc.bc.ca Cathie has lived and worked in the Nanaimo/Cowichan Valley area for over 25 years. She has a number of years experience, working for various non profit organizations. A Cowichan Independent Living (CIL) employee since 2004, Cathie's initial positon with the organization was as Career Development Facilitator for our pre employment program 'Navigating the Waters'. Her background includes extensive experience in human resources, as well as teaching adults, as a training officer while employed by a major financial institution. Some of her academic background includes Primary/Elementary Teacher, Financial Business Management,trained as BC Real Estate Broker, certification as a Life Skills Coach, and Master Trainer CDSMP ( Chronic Disease Self Management Program ). She is committed to increasing independence, by creating programs and services based on consumers' interests, needs and requests.
	Career Development Facilitator Kelly Radziul E-Mail:kellyr@cvilrc.bc.ca Kelly has worked in the employment programs and human services field since the 1980’s. She has worked as a job search and career decision making group program facilitator, employment assistance worker, employment rehabilitation worker, employment services advisor, job coach, student placement worker, peer counselor just to name a few. She has worked with both the Federal and Provincial employment programs, as well as been self employed in the field. Kelly is certified as a Career Practitioner (2003), Job Club Facilitator, True Colors Trainer, Christoper Leadership Facilitator and graduate of the Pursuit of Excellence Program. Kelly has a Human Service Diploma and a Social Services Worker Certificate. Kelly believes in life long learning and keeping current with practices in her field. Kelly is currently working on accreditation with the Canadian Standards and Guidelines for Career Practitioner in Canada.
	Employment Counsellor Anne Matheson E-Mail:anne@cvilrc.bc.ca Anne has over 15 years experience in the area of career development including both one to one employment counselling and group facilitation; she has been a specialized employment counsellor at Cowichan Independent Living since 2005. Her educational background includes a BA in Applied Linguistics and numerous courses in career development. Anne has also worked extensively with immigrants both as an ESL instructor and as a board member of the Cowichan Intercultural Society. She has lived in the Cowichan Valley since 1993 and has been an active community volunteer throughout this time.
	Receptionist Marja Nowacki Marja was born and raised in Holland. In 1985 she came to Canada, this great land. She has been the receptionist since May 2008. It has been an honor and a pleasure for her to come to work everyday. Although it is a volunteer position, she loves it with her whole heart. She feels that if she can make one client smile and help make a difference, then it is all worthwhile.
	Data Entry Theresa Smith Started volunteering as receptionist in 2004, She loved it very much, getting to meet and help new people on a daily basis. But she felt like she needed more of a challenge. She now does data entry for CAILC (vault)as well as data entry for contact 4 alongside our specialized career counselor Anne.
Picture	Position Christine Brandt
Picture	Triumph Zoran Simonovic

About us

Our Staff