Diana Gunstone - Community Development: connecting during COVID at the neighbourhood level.

Diana will share an overview of her current role as a community builder, and recent inspiring community initiatives that have taken place in Squamish this past Fall and through the Holiday Season. She will also share her presentation time with her colleague Dylan Cohen, a community engagement specialist with United Way who can speak more to the broader "Hi Neighbour" program, and future plans for Squamish.

Diana Gunstone – Bio 2021… Where to begin?

Born in Montreal, I grew up on the South Shore, and our family of 7 moved to Ontario during the 80’s.  I studied commerce at Queens and Carleton U, graduating with honours in Marketing before social media was even thought of!  A corporate career in Healthcare and Information Technology introduced me to the mountains of the West Coast, where I relocated in 89 to North Vancouver.  Volunteering led me to study project management, mountain biking friends, and… my husband!  Together we are grateful to live, work and play on the traditional unceded territory of the Squamish Nation, since 98.

In 2004 I became a Project Management Professional and soon after grew our family through adoption in 2007 - my greatest project ever!  Following my parental leave, I shifted my career focus, and embraced my new role as a full time Mom and part-time volunteer coordinator at Whistler Olympic Park.  After 13 years of growing our son, volunteering with SNN, Sea to Sky Nordics, Whistler Olympic Park and on various PAC and community project teams, my project management career is now focused on non-profits.  I am grateful to have the privilege to lead interesting community centred part-time projects, and currently delighted to work with United Way of the Lower Mainland as a community builder here in Squamish.