The Whistler Institute Board of Directors 2024-2025

Sue Adams
Director, Chair

Sue Adams
Director, Chair

Cathy Jenkins
Director, Vice Chair / Secretary

Cathy Jenkins
Director, Vice Chair / Secretary

David Cronin
Director, Vice Chair/Treasurer

David Cronin
Director, Vice Chair/Treasurer

Adam Seedsman
Director

Adam Seedsman
Director

Andrea Eby
Director

Andrea Eby
Director

Cynthia Higgins
Director

Cynthia Higgins
Director

Elyse Feaver
Director

Elyse Feaver
Director

Kate Covello
Director

Kate Covello
Director

Mike Van der Loos
Director

Mike Van der Loos
Director
Mike was born in the Netherlands, spent his school years in the USA, and then moved to Switzerland where he earned a Diplôme d’Ingénieur at the EPFL in 1978. He returned to the USA to pursue his PhD at Stanford University (1992), and then put down roots in BC in 2007. Mike divides his time between Vancouver and–more and more–Whistler. He enjoys skiing, hiking, and dog walking–rain, snow or shine. As he increases his time living in Whistler in the years to come, he aims to expand his connections with the community and continue to pursue his lifelong interest in professional development through outreach to people of all ages and cultural backgrounds.

Dr Stephen Milstein
Director

Dr Stephen Milstein
Director

Mandy Rousseau
Executive Director

Mandy Rousseau
Executive Director
Current Board Committees
Executive Committee (Human Resources and Governance): Sue Adams (Chair), David Cronin, Cathy Jenkins, and Mandy Rousseau (staff)
Global Perspectives Speaker Series Committee: Mike Van der Loos (Chair), Sue Adams, Elyse Feaver, Dave Williamson, Jack Crompton, Mandy Rousseau (staff), and Jennifer Ford (staff)
Business Development Committee: David Cronin (Chair), Jeff Murl, Cathy Jenkins, Steve Milstein, Kate Covello, Mandy Rousseau (staff), and Jennifer Ford (staff)
Past Directors

Dave Williamson
Past Director

Dave Williamson
Past Director

Diana Chan
Past Director

Diana Chan
Past Director

Doug Forseth
Past Director

Doug Forseth
Past Director

Jack Crompton
Past Director

Jack Crompton
Past Director

Jim Godfrey
Past Director

Jim Godfrey
Past Director

Justine Nichol
Past Director

Justine Nichol
Past Director

Laurie Grant
Past Director

Laurie Grant
Past Director

Leslie Alexander
Past Director

Leslie Alexander
Past Director

Prajakta Kharkar
Past Director

Prajakta Kharkar
Past Director

Councillor Jeff Murl
RMOW Appointee

Councillor Jeff Murl
RMOW Appointee

Suki Cheyne
Former Executive Director

Suki Cheyne
Former Executive Director
Founders and the Road Ahead
Along with core partnerships with post-secondary institutions, independent educators, and resort associations, the Whistler Institute has been generously supported by Visionary Founders: Raindrop Foundation, Duane Jackson, Bill Kunzweiler, and McLean Group, Patrons: Bob and Sue Adams and Zen Group, as well as grants from the Katz Amsterdam Charitable Trust, Whistler Community Foundation, Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, and the Resort Municipality of Whistler.
In the immediate term, The Whistler Institute is seeking financial support in order to develop and deliver educational opportunities within Whistler and embed thought leadership as a fundamental pillar of Whistler’s place-branding, while contributing to the overall well-being of this community.
Founders value building education as a pillar of the Whistler’s social and economic fibre. Founders are passionate about diversifying Whistler’s social, economic and cultural community. Financial support makes the Global Perspectives speaker series possible and ensures funding of annual programs.
To learn more about our Patron Program and how individuals and businesses can support the Whistler Institute please contact the Executive Director.
The Whistler Institute is the operating name of the Whistler Institute of Learning Society, a registered Canadian charity. Charitable tax receipts are issued in accordance with CRA guidelines.