Our Team
Shirley Kricheldorf – Program Coordinator
Shirley moved to the islands in 1991 and has filled the roles of bookkeeper, resource worker, and employment counsellor since joining the Career Development Staff in January 2004.
Shirley has a Bachelor of Arts with a joint major in Criminology and Psychology and has gained counselling, self-employment and office administrative skills with Significant Impact Awards Corporation, Corrections Canada, Department of National Defence, Hecate Strait Employment Development Society, and the Masset Economic Development Society. She is passionately interested in community economic and social development and has sat on many island boards over the years to promote those aims. Shirley strongly advocates goal-setting as a tool to living the life of your choice and enjoys supporting others in the pursuit of their dreams.
Estrella Hepburn – Employment Resource Worker
Estrella Hepburn comes to us with a degree in English Literature and a background in counseling skills from her work as a holistic bodywork therapist and as a support worker at the Transition House. She brings these skills with her to the Employment Resource Worker position. She enjoys working with clients one on one, supporting and inspiring individuals to live to their fullest potential. She is currently taking career counseling courses through Life Strategies and is committed to personal development through continuing education.
Estrella has lived on Haida Gwaii for twelve years and is raising her family here. She is happiest when out in nature, whether it be hiking, canoeing, kayaking, camping, medicine gathering or in her garden. Estrella enjoys living alongside the Haida people and learning about living, food gathering and respecting the land. She hopes she can give contribute something back to the community through her work.
Laurie Chisholm – Employment Counselor
Laurie Chisholm was hired as the Employment Counselor at Career Centre in Queen Charlotte in September 2009 and has worked in the offices at Port Clements, Skidegate and Sandspit. She resides in Sandspit with husband Robert, and two boys Morgan and Walker. Laurie enjoys the challenge of a new position, meeting new clients and finding incentives for employers.
Raised in Cape Breton, she fully understands Island life: the economic challenges, the need for economic diversity, self employment, and the importance of value added production of all resources on Haida Gwaii.
Laurie started working at a very young age and has a varied background that includes EMT, (Emergency Medical Technician), Business Management and Human Resources for a major national company, and eight years working for AADAC, (Alberta Alcohol and Drug Commission), Ministry of Children and Families, and School District 50.
Laurie’s resourcefulness is her strongest asset and she enjoys using this tool as a way to assist individual clients as well as employers and business owners to get the most out of island living.
Willie Russ – Employment Resource Worker
Willie Russ was born in Masset and raised in Skidegate B.C. He has lived on Haida Gwaii for nearly his entire life, excluding one year in Nanaimo B.C., where he took a few courses in general studies, and a four year stint in Vancouver B.C., during which he worked and studied; and, most recently, a nine month adventure in Nova Scotia where his daughter Noora was born in early 2010.
Willie enjoys working with a group of people who are passionate about serving the communities of Haida Gwaii. He understands the economic and social issues on the islands and wants to help people gain sustainable work for now and into the future.
Over the last couple of years Willie has gained knowledge through on-line courses and off-island conferences that have given him the confidence and wisdom to help clients effectively. He is looking forward to assisting all residents on Haida Gwaii and is always looking for ways to build success both for individuals and the island communities as a whole.
Sharon Matthews – Employment Counselor
Sharon’s hometown is Old Massett but she has lived in the northwest mainland raising her family as well. She returned home to Masset in 1994 and has jumped into community life with both feet. She has worked for Northwest Community College, Old Massett Village Council and for Haida Child and Family Services coordinating several community programs.
Sharon has her Masters of Education as well as life skills coaching training, her diploma in Adult Education, and a certificate in Business Administration. She has experience in employment counselling, facilitating life skills groups and in teaching FN studies with Simon Fraser University and UNBC.
Sharon has served on several boards including the Northwest Community College, Haida Gwaii Society for Community Peace, and is presently the School Trustee for Masset with School District #50. She is the proud mother of two sons and one daughter and has four grandchildren; one boy and three girls.
