Aaron Clausen was born and raised on Vancouver Island and has worked in the career and employment training industry for 17 years. Aaron was a founding partner of Island Work Transitions in 2011 and has served as the company’s CEO since 2018. His passion for community-based training was founded on the belief in collaboration between community, industry, and government stakeholders to better our communities, and is excited to join the ASPECT board. 

Devin Scott joined the ASPECT board of directors with a personal commitment to its mission of empowering individuals through employment programs. Living in the Kootenay region, he witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by rural and remote communities. His enthusiasm stems from a desire to forge meaningful connections with contractors in these areas, recognizing their unique needs and strengths. By championing collaboration and inclusivity, Devin aims to facilitate access to resources and support, fostering resilience and opportunity in every corner of our diverse landscape through ASPECT.  

Coreen is a Certified Career Practitioner and First Nations woman of the Okanagan Territory. She has worked as an employment counsellor for the past 30+ years and her focus has always been within the First Nations communities. She works under the Indigenous Skills and Employment services with Okanagan Training and Development Council. She has worked with Friendship Centres and Bands within BC delivering education and employment programs to help First Nations obtain sustainable employment. Coreen joined the ASPECT board to promote career counselling services to First Nations communities and to engage more First Nations at the ASPECT Conference as well as give them opportunities to engage in professional development activities and be able to access ASPECT webinars.    

Kirsty Peterson is the director of Career Advancement & Language at DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society. She has been a career development practitioner since 2005 and is passionate about supporting young people, newcomers, and other groups who systemically struggle with labour market attachment to find sustainable work. Kirsty decided to become an ASPECT board member to contribute to a strong and unified sector that supports practitioners to deliver targeted, meaningful, and appropriate services, prioritizing the needs of job seekers.  

Shannon Baikie is Executive Director of North Island Employment Foundations Society (NIEFS) and lives in Campbell River with her husband and son. Prior to joining NIEFS in 2009, Shannon spent over 10 years working in the tech start-up space as a VP, Human Resources. She holds an MA in Community Economic Development from the University of Victoria and is a Certified Career Development Practitioner.   

Darcie Davidson is the Executive Director of VIVRS, with over 15 years of experience in employment services and more than 20 years in community development. Her work is grounded in designing low-barrier programs and creating inclusive opportunities for people with diverse abilities. Darcie has extensive experience building strong community-based partnerships and has worked with a range of organizations across Central Vancouver Island, including VIVRS, ETHOS, the Nanaimo Women’s Centre, and NARSF. She holds a Master of Arts in Professional Communications and completed a SSHRC-funded thesis focused on neighbourhood relationships in the development and implementation of low-barrier services. Through her work with ASPECT, Darcie is committed to advancing inclusive, community-driven employment services and supporting the sector through collaboration, advocacy, and innovation.  

Tamara Ritchie is the Executive Director of Obair Economic Society. Born in the northwest and raised in the northeast of British Columbia, she has dedicated her career to strengthening rural communities and understands the unique challenges and opportunities in accessing employment in rural and remote regions. Tamara served for more than 12 years as a public-school board trustee with School District 59 and has worked in the nonprofit sector since earning her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from UNBC. Having raised two children in rural communities across BC, she brings both professional and lived experience to her work. She is committed to empowering individuals with the skills needed for employment, knowing this creates a stronger sense of purpose, belonging, and overall community well-being.  

Calum is the Director of Operations - Employment Services at PCRS and brings over 20 years of service in community-based organizations. He has championed the rights of vulnerable populations and has implemented initiatives that empower individuals to develop life skills, achieve their goals, and discover their full potential. Calum is excited to join the ASPECT board because he is passionate about breaking down barriers and advocating for policies that advance opportunities for people to achieve and maintain meaningful employment.