Meet your board of directors!
Kristina Willing, President
Shannon Finnegan, Past President
Lynnda McDougall, Director
Lisa Torunski, Director
Jill Pardoe, Director
Michael Willing, Director
Kristina Willing, President
I am a retreaded teacher/administrator of 42 years - still actively involved in education and The Arts spare time? Hm... when I offer myself some spare time I am traveling via land and sea, playing guitar/piano, singing, reading a good novel, or spending time enjoying my grandkids. I love to cook for others to enjoy and having someone else clean up... I've been a member for a few years and joined as a Director this past AGM in November 2023 ... thought I wasn't busy enough so happily added President of BVCA to my hats. I've always loved the arts - have been involved in Community theatre for over 50 years (that sounds so long when I type it out!). Lots of acting, directing, production of theatre and musical theatre in my energetic past. Born in BC - lived primarily in BC and also in Alberta, Manitoba and Australia. I do love to bring smiles to those around me - and performing arts is a sure way of helping that along. While teaching in the Lower Mainland, and my early years in the Bulkley Valley, I was responsible choosing Artists for performances and weekly workshops in the school districts. Being able to again be involved in bringing Artists to our valley is a perfect way to continue this in my "retirement". on my inaugural Presidential learning curve
Shannon Finnegan, Past President
I am Shannon Finnegan. I was born in Vancouver but have lived in Smithers the past 20 or so years. I am married with one son. I like to hike, climb, swim, paddleboard, cycle, and travel. I am learning to sketch and paint. I joined BVCA in 2014. I have always had an interest in the arts and used to sing in a duet and a trio (English folksongs) and danced. I have always enjoyed watching theatre and since moving to Smithers, I have supported the high school drama department through costuming and whatever else needs to be done. Born in Vancouver (10 years), lived in Yarrow (7 years), lived on Vancouver Island 20 years and Smithers 20 years and a handful of other places in between My favourite part of being on the board is the opportunity to bring quality performance to Smithers and especially to bring off-mainstage performances and workshops to the community. I also enjoy supporting local and touring artists. I started as a member-at-large, then was secretary 2017-2019 and then president 2019-2024.
Lynnda McDougall
Lynnda (she/her) is a Director on the Bulkley Valley Concert Association Board. Since 2012, she has held various executive positions and represented the BVCA to the Northern Presenters Group. She has been an adjudicator for BCTC’s grant applications and for the Pacific Contact Artist Selection Committee.
Lynnda has lived on Witsuwit’en territory in the Bulkley Valley since 1971. For the last 20 years she has worked at the Smithers Public Library. Prior to that, she was a logging contractor, bartender, secondary school teacher on-call, bookkeeper and financial manager. She attended New Brunswick Teachers’ College.
A passionate advocate for the performing arts, she hopes to shine a lens on the challenges of presenting in Northern and other small, remote and rural communities.
Lisa Torunski
Hi, I'm Lisa Torunski. For almost 30 years I have lived, worked and played in the Bulkley Valley, where I am constantly amazed by the amount of extraordinary dance, musical and acting talent this small community holds. The seasons guide my spare time activities which include - winter crocheting by the fire, summer SUP boarding on the local lakes, and year-round meetings with friends and family which often include attending local theatre performances. After following my two daughters through their high school musical theatre journey, I developed an appreciation for the arts and local theatre. With a little more spare time and a nudge from a BCVA board member, I joined the BVCA in January 2024. Originally from North York, Ontario, I moved to Smithers, BC in the late 1990s I love how performing arts can evoke strong and sometimes unexpected emotions and how sharing the experience with others creates a sense of community and togetherness. Presently I am involved with helping to update the BVCA website which I hope will keep the public informed and excited about the upcoming arts workshops and performance offerings.
Jill Pardoe
Originally from Saskatchewan, I moved to the Bulkley Valley in 1988, pursuing my career as an exploration geologist. I love cross-country skiing & paddle boarding, with a smattering of light hiking, biking & swimming. Family is important, so I'm out to the Prairies several times per year to visit & enjoy big sky country. I'm also an avid gardener, though frequent trips away limit my veggie production (thankfully the flowers do well!) I joined the BVCA board in 2015 when a lifestyle change provided me with more flexibility & time to engage in the arts & volunteer. I grew up in Saskatoon SK & moved to BC when I completed high school, initially working as a lifeguard in Golden. After bouncing around BC as a cook, commercial fisher, tree planter & exploration assistant, I returned to SK several years later to obtain a degree in geology. I've been privileged to get to know many remote parts of the Province (& a few out of the country) through my work in mining exploration & regulation. I joined the board in response to a call for new board members. It is a dynamic group to work with and we've gone through many changes & challenges over the years. Assisting in choosing shows to present & working with others to keep a long-running non-profit functional keeps me interested. With the BVCA, I was the Treasurer for 2 years and subsequently became board secretary for 7 years.
Michael Willing
My name is Michael Willing i grew up in the lower mainland of British Columbia, I have been a part of many productions in my life and enjoy the arts. In my spare time you may find me on the golf course or sitting behind a fishing pole. I joined the board in 2024 to support the local team of people who have worked hard to make the BVCA a successful part of our community. I am BC born and raised. My role as a new member is to help support and promote the development and continuation of BVCA. I believe that the executive committee will need support and as a new member I can learn and input some of my experience to make the BVCA a continuous valuable asset to the community. I have been a member of BVCA for a number of years and became a Director this year.