Meet the Staff
Joan Kotarski — Executive Director
Joan joined the FCA as Executive Director in 1997. She has 30 years of experience in the non profit sector. Joan has a master’s degree in anthropology and numerous certificates in human resources and volunteer management. Prior to working with the FCA in Victoria, she taught at a community college in Ontario, coordinated various projects in British Columbia and Ontario, was the executive director of a transition house for abused women and their children and a sexual assault centre in Ontario, coordinated a women’s centre in BC, along with many other interesting jobs. She has served on numerous boards and committees and currently serves on the Victoria Police Board . Joan attributes her passion for community work to her parents who instilled a strong commitment to helping others help themselves, her children who assisted in recognizing her limits, her siblings who help her laugh at herself and her two grandsons who makes it all worthwhile. Joan can be reached at 382-4604 or executivedirector@fairfieldcommunity.ca.
John Taylor — Facility/Community Development Coordinator
John is responsible for all private and commercial bookings of the rooms at the Fairfield Community Place and the Garry Oak Room/Corrine’s Kitchen attached to Sir James Douglas School. On the community development side, John works in partnership with a variety of groups in Fairfield to help organize events such as the annual Fairfield Artist’s Studio Tour, The Moss Street Market, and the Moss Rock Review. He is also responsible for the maintenance of all facilities, and anything that doesn’t fit into anyone else’s program area. When not working here he can be found playing music at local folk clubs and Farmer’s Markets throughout the region. John can be reached at 382-4604 or facility@fairfieldcommunity.ca.
Candace Negm — Child Care Coordinator
Candace’s experience includes her most recent positions as program manager of the Fairfield Out-of-School Care and Boys and Girls Club of Central Vancouver Island. Candace also has extensive experience working with the preschool and youth programs at Esquimalt Parks and Recreation. Candace received a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care from the University of Victoria in 2005, and has remained enthusiastically involved with children and youth since graduation. Candace is responsible for coordinating our three out-of-school care programs at Sir James Douglas School, École Margaret Jenkins School and Sundance Elementary, as well as our school-aged programs during winter, spring and summer breaks. Candace can be reached at 382-4604 or osc@fairfieldcommunity.ca.
Thomas King — Community Recreation and Youth Programs Coordinator
Joining the FCA team as our new Community Recreation Coordinator is Thomas King. Thomas has been working with child, youth and adult programs with the Victoria West Commmunity Y. He looks forward to anchoring our recreation and youth program areas. Welcome Thomas!. Thomas can be reached at 382-4604 or recreation@fairfieldcommunity.ca.
Ro Fife — Family Programs Coordinator
Ro began her work with the FCA as Family Programs Coordinator in 2001. Ro comes to this work with a background of education and social service employment working both for families, women and with international projects and indigenous peoples. Most important to her in her family programs role is her own experience as a parent and sharing both the joys and challenges of that 24-hour job. She has lived in three provinces (worked in four) and holds university degrees in both Canadian History and Education. With the FCA she has expanded her role to include operational and administrative support and she currently works as the Operations Director in addition to her family program portfolio. Ro greatly values the importance of accessing services and building community networks to truly strengthen the world we live in. Ro can be reached at 382-4604 or family@fairfieldcommunity.ca.
Cathy Roberts — Preschool Manager
Our preschool manager is Cathy Roberts, an Early Childhood Education (ECE) graduate. Cathy works in our program as the lead teacher with the support of an assistant.
Sarah Garrett — Fairfield OSC Manager
Sarah is responsible for the Before School Care, Kinder Care, and After School Care programs for children attending Sir James Douglas School. Sarah can bre can be reached at 382-2065 or ffosc@fairfieldcommunity.ca.
Karen Kasner — Margaret Jenkins OSC Manager
Karen is the Out-of-School Care Manager at Margaret Jenkins Elementary. Although the ninety space program and thirteen staff members keep her busy she feels privileged to be working with such a talented group of individuals and fantastic bunch of kids. This year Karen is involved with the Leadership Victoria program and is excited to contribute to a Community Action Project. In her spare time, Karen enjoys the great outdoors, belly dancing and making art. Karen can be reached at 592-8800 or mjosc@fairfieldcommunity.ca.
Scott Kouri — Sundance OSC Manager
Scott has been working with the FCA for several years doing various jobs including teaching pre-school, running drop-in programs and leading summer camps. Scott is a Fairfield resident and can often be seen biking around with his two young children. He loves reading, music, chess and the outdoors. Scott can be reached at 661-0458 or sunosc@fairfieldcommunity.ca.
Pippa Davis – Reception
Pippa works part time at the reception desk, ready to answer your questions & help point you in the right directon. Through work, education & luck Pippa has collected an assortment of office skills and enjoys being resourceful at reception. Her days are kept busy with childcare (her own & others), and once upon a time she built custom furniture & taught Woodworking classes. Pippa can be reached at 382-4604 place@fairfieldcommunity.ca .