Our Senior Management Team

Cathy Jenkins is the Campus Revitalization Project Manager at Cheakamus Centre. Cathy joined the North Vancouver School District in 2006 as Operations Manager for the North Vancouver Outdoor School. Cathy is currently responsible for the long-term campus revitalization project at Cheakamus Centre. Graduating from George Washington University School of Business with a Master of Tourism Administration, Cathy brings an academic background in sustainable destination management, as well as prior experience as Director of Tourism at Royal Roads University and owner/operator of a boutique backcountry lodge in the BC Interior. Throughout her career, Cathy has been actively involved in promoting and advocating for sustainable tourism development, and her local community. Cathy is a founding director of the Cheakamus Foundation, and is currently active as a volunteer director with the Whistler Institute and the Átl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region Initiative Society. In her spare time, Cathy can be found running or skiing on the many mountain trails throughout the Sea to Sky corridor.

Rethinking how education can engage, inspire and transform has guided Conor’s work as an educational leader. From the mountains and coastline of BC to the jungles of Indonesia, he has been fortunate to pursue and share his passion for outdoor and experiential learning in some of the most inspiring natural classrooms on earth.

In addition to facilitating environmental learning programs at the elementary and secondary level provincially and internationally, Conor has taught Environmental and Outdoor Education courses in UBC’s Faculty of Education since 2004. From 2011 to 2013, Conor served as a Director at the Green School in Bali, Indonesia. This experience reaffirmed his belief in the power of authentic and engaging learning that connects students to the natural world.

He is grateful for the opportunity to continue this work with the committed team at Cheakamus Centre.

Conor lives and plays in North Vancouver with his wife, 2 sons and his dog Ollie, all of whom enjoy exploring the ocean and forest as much as him.

Emily is the Cheakamus Centre Sales & Events Manager; taking care of all Wedding, Retreat and Corporate Bookings.

With her many years of customer service history, people-centric nature and compassionate character she brings extensive experience in sales from a varied background. From the Pet Industry and outdoor & sports worlds, she has also collected vast experience in the food, beverage and hospitality industries.

A long time Squamish resident, Emily can often be found on the golf course - or out on the trails exploring with her husband.

Jason has been at Cheakamus Centre since 2012 in the role of Facilities and Operations Manager. Starting his career with Earls Restaurants and most recently with The Butler Did It Catering as Operations Manager, Jason has been actively involved in the hospitality and food and beverage industry for over 20 years. He brings extensive experience and passion to Cheakamus Centre where he hopes to have a positive impact on the people that visit the Centre, as well as the surrounding community. If not at the Centre you may find him cycling the local trails, searching for fresh powder or out climbing with his family.

Originally from the UK, Marcus has been in Canada since 2007. First living on Gabriola Island and then moving to Squamish in 2013.

He is a certified welder and before joining the Cheakamus Centre in 2017 ran his own Maintenance and Renovation business in Vancouver, and as such brings many years of experience in maintenance with him.

Outside of work his main interests are music (both listening and trying to learn the guitar), art, trail running, and making furniture. He has 2 children, a dog and a cat.

Marlène has a strong background in hospitality and project management and thrives on bringing people together.

She has a keen eye for detail and is passionate about creating meaningful experiences for guests. Combine that with her love of good food and her appreciation for community, and her new role as Events Manager at the Cheakamus Centre in April 2025 felt like a natural next adventure.

The Cheakamus Centre is where she can bring her skills to a place that so closely aligns with her values, for which she is very grateful.

Matt has worked in the field of outdoor education for over a decade and brings experience from several different organizations. Matt began working primarily in adventure education and progressed to leading expeditions throughout Canada and internationally. Previous work experience includes: YMCA Camps, NOLS, Outward Bound, the Outdoor Education Group and Boreal River. Prior to joining the Cheakamus team, Matt was the Director of Outdoor Education at YMCA Camp Pine Crest in Ontario. Matt's education includes a BSc. in Environmental Science and an MES. in Nature Based Recreation and Tourism. When not at the centre, Matt spends as much time as possible climbing and kayaking in the Sea to Sky corridor. Matt is thrilled to be in the dynamic role of Program Manager at Cheakamus Centre and looks forward to helping facilitate valuable learning experiences for everyone that visits the site.

Simona Bonelli hails from Terracina, a seaside resort in the south of the Lazio region of Italy. Her love for cooking goes back to her childhood, growing up in her grandparents’ deli making fresh pasta

and tasting amazing food.

After working at several Italian restaurants in London, England, Simona moved to Canada in 2007,
when she was hired to join the Oliver & Bonacini Cafe & Grill at the Westin Trillium in Blue Mountains, Ontario. She helped launch Jamie Oliver’s Toronto restaurants before moving to Vancouver in 2016.

She has been a Squamish resident since 2017 and ran the kitchen at Fergie's and Sunwolf for three years, before joining the Cheakamus Centre in August 2024.

A longtime runner she now tackles the trails on two wheels and has quickly became enamored of the adrenaline, technical challenges and camaraderie of the Squamish mountain-biking community.