2023 Board Candidate Profiles

College of Applied Biologists 2023 Election 

Nominations for the 2023 College Board elections are complete. The College's Nominations Committee has reviewed all applications, interviewed candidates and checked references, and is pleased to qualify the following candidates for the College Board. Only one candidate was qualified for each vacancy, therefore the following candidates are acclaimed to the positions and will begin their terms as of the 2023 annual general meeting.

Positions* to be filled this year include:

• Vice Chair**
• Board Member

*As of the February 2023 revisions to the bylaws, the College now has a Board instead of a Council; a Chair and Vice Chair instead of a President and Vice President; and Board Members instead of Councillors
**The registrant whom is elected to the Vice Chair position on a three-year term shall act as the Vice Chair in the first year of their term, as Chair in their second year, and as Past Chair in their third year

Through a gap analysis of the Board's current composition, the Nomination Committee identified the following competencies as being desirable for candidates in 2023:

Organizational Strategy

Risk Management

Human Resources Experience

NB: See Statutory and Regulatory Requirements for more information regarding Board elections. If you have questions, please consult the Nominations FAQ. Any further questions regarding the elections in 2023 should be directed to the College CEO Christine Houghton, [email protected] and 250-383-3306.

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Board Member Candidates

Denis Dean, Vast Resource Solutions, RPBio #2809, Kimberley, BC (ACCLAIMED)

I am interested in joining the College’s Board as a Councillor in 2023 as a registrant from the East Kootenay. My past experience as a Director with the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists from 2018 to 2020 will be beneficial in my abilities to contribute to the governance and direction of the College of Applied Biologists.

Becoming more informed and proficient with the new requirements under the Professional Governance Act and our Applied Biology Regulation, and sharing that information with all British Columbians is important to me. My continuing goal is to inform the public of these new requirements while promoting our registrants and the College as the required means to practice applied biology.

If elected, my focus will be on the following:

1. Continuation of the College and its registrants to protect the public interest;
2. Providing the College’s registrants with the necessary tools and resources to practice applied biology;
3. Promoting a means to educate and inform the public of new regulatory requirements such as the Professional Governance Act;
4. Building relationships with Indigenous Peoples; and
5. Promoting the practice of applied biology through an unbiased position based on facts.

Identified Competencies:

^Governance

^{Organizational Strategy}

^{Regulatory Understanding}

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Vice Chair Candidates

Victoria Burdett-Coutts*, Dynamic Ocean Consulting Ltd, RPBio #2543, Port Moody, BC (ACCLAIMED)

I have served as a regional councillor since 2017 and am interested to continue my service to the CAB as the Vice President. I believe very strongly in community, communication and accountability, both in my professional and personal life. The CAB is in a very exciting time, where the hard work of our staff members has advanced us to the forefront for compliance with granting reserved practice through the Professional Governance Act, and for assuring accountability of professional biologists in this province. Further, I am interested to support initiatives that drive collaboration and participation between registered professionals to work together in the development of best management practices, data sharing and mentorship opportunities.

My discipline is in marine science, where I have worked as an applied biologist in the realms of government, industry, academia and consulting. This combined experience provides me with a dynamic experience portfolio to support engagement, communication and collaboration within the CAB, with other professional designations, with governments and with Indigenous groups. I am very excited to be provided the opportunity for a leadership role and to support the CAB, our registrants and for the public interest as we navigate the waters of our commitments to our designations and for the public interest.

Identified Competencies:

^Leadership

^{Organizational Strategy}

^{Regulatory Understanding}

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