Mandy Paisley
Executive DirectorMy name is Mandy, originally from Scotland, having moved here 17 years ago—so yes, my accent still occasionally leaves people smiling, nodding politely, or asking me to repeat myself twice. I’ve recently moved to the island from the Lower Mainland, and I’m excited to step into the role of Executive Director at Caring Families Society.
My background and passion are rooted in child development, family support, and nonprofit management—essentially, anything involving helping and supporting families to thrive.
As the newest member of this delightful team, I may or may not have lovingly encouraged (read: gently harassed) everyone into showing their faces alongside their names on the website—because if I have to be visible, so does everyone else!!
I feel truly privileged to have been so warmly welcomed into this agency. With three adult kids, three dogs, two “bonus” step-dogs, and four grand-kitties, I come well-equipped in the art of organized chaos. So I know firsthand that the work we do here is not just important—it’s something I can bring both my heart and my enthusiasm (and possibly a strong coffee) to every day.
Dianne Thompson
South Island Area CoordinatorClick here to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Eva Vowles
Recruitment CoordinatorEva was told, firmly, that she would like to write a bio for the website. She was also told, even more firmly, that she would like to have her photo taken for said website. Eva’s job mostly consists of “other related duties.” She is usually to blame responsible for the warm, fuzzy bits in The Island Connection.
Krista Shelkey
Executive AssistantKrista is a mom of two, pet parent to Loki the dog and two cats (Midnight and Ruckus). The organisation’s Running Fairy AKA Tink, she brings the same energy to work that she brings to the trails – sprinkling kilometers, positivity and glitter wherever she goes. She’s also the go-to person for the Caregiver Learning Management System, always ready to help others find their way!
Zoe Gray
Community Connections CoordinatorClick here to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Sandra Beagley
Central Island Area CoordinatorClick here to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Bonnie Cook
Nanaimo Local CoordinatorClick here to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Jessica Humphries
Comox Valley Local CoordinatorClick here to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Judy Hollywood Bonnet
Upper Island Area CoordinatorOriginally from southwestern Ontario, Judy and her husband moved to Campbell River ‘for only five years’ in 1988. Since then, they’ve set down roots and raised two sons and 20-years’ worth of foster children and teens. She knows firsthand the joys and trials of fostering. She is ‘grandma’ to the children of many of their former foster teens, now adults. Retiring from fostering, Judy joined the CFS team in 2009 when it was FPSS. She feels honoured to journey alongside the Upper Island fostering communities and is passionate about supporting our foster families.
Mary Catherine Williams
Safe Babies CoordinatorMary Catherine is the Safe Babies Regional Coordinator and has been training and supporting caregivers in this role for almost 20 years. She has a strong clinical background in child development, particularly in neurodevelopmental differences, trauma and attachment, with over 35 years of experience working with children, families, and communities to promote well-being, safety and success. She and her husband fostered teens and a Mom and Babe, and are Home Share providers to one of their former youth-in-care. MC loves spending time in her garden with the chickens and her pup Cooper. Summer means lots of local camping trips and she enjoys hanging with her grandchildren anytime!
Taonga
Security and InspectionsTaonga likes long naps and tummy rubs. She is well known to couriers, bus drivers and passengers, and neighbours.
Taonga always has something to say. We are working on her “inside voice” for the bus, but she prefers her, “Can you hear me at the back of the bus?” voice. And yes Taonga, they can hear you.
Willow
Office Security / Office PrincessWillow (aka Princess, Diva, Her Ladyship)
spends most of her day carefully selecting
the finest available sliver of sunshine and
positioning herself in it like it was personally reserved.
She takes her role as office security
very seriously—someone has to. It’s her
duty to ensure those suspicious creatures from the neighbourhood vet stay far away from her staff (who, in her professional opinion, are clearly here to serve her
every whim).
Willow does enjoy the occasional cuddle… but let’s be honest, food is the real love of her life. Everything else is just background noise between meals.
Harley
Chief Cuddle CollectorHarley is essentially a big teddy bear wrapped in a slightly intimidating costume—though the “intimidating” part is purely for show. Once she realises cuddles are on offer, she immediately curls into a happy little ball as if she’s been waiting her whole life for that exact moment.
At six years old, Harley proudly holds the very important (and highly specialised) office role of Chief Cuddle Collector. She takes her job seriously, which mostly involves ensuring no cuddle goes uncollected and no lap goes unused.
She has a complicated relationship with her younger brother Kylo, whom she tolerates in small doses. Kylo, a twenty-month-old gentle giant of a Bernese/Swiss Mountain Dog (or “accidental small horse disguised as a cuddle bug”), is currently unemployed and eager to join the office workforce. Unfortunately, management is concerned that his enthusiasm might result in structural damage—walls, desks, doors, windows, and possibly reality itself are all at risk. So for now, Harley enjoys her solo cuddle career… and peace in the workplace.