Staff

Cynthia Shore

Executive Director / CEO

Cynthia was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. After graduating from high school at the International School of Geneva Switzerland, she moved to Vancouver to attend Capilano College’s Business Management program where she graduated as Student Union President. She then co-founded the second computer animation studio in Canada Teleperion Visuals, was the Marketing Manager at CCEC Credit Union, Vice President for BC at GPC Government Policy Consultants, and Partner at The Progressive Group. Most of her career has been consulting to the renewable energy,  waste management and recycling sectors. Cynthia has a son living in Burnaby who is on the Autism spectrum and a stepdaughter, her husband and baby girl who live in Coquitlam.

In the summer of 2023, Cynthia decided to change careers and move out of Vancouver to a smaller town near a ski resort, mountain biking, ocean swimming and golf courses. Cynthia moved to Courtenay and joined Beaufort Association for Inclusion in Action in November 2023 as the Manager and was promoted to Executive Director/CEO in January 2024. She brings her decades of management skills and strategic thinking to this position and has become passionate about the sense of family Beaufort creates, and the friendships forged amongst Participants. Cynthia believes the most important aspects of her job is to facilitate happiness and to foster an environment where Participants can live their best lives and staff can do their best work.

Andrew Murray

IT / Office Support Coordinator

Ruby Alcala

Community Support Worker

Ruby was born in Davao City, Philippines. In March 2001, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce, major in Marketing  from the University of the Immaculate Conception, Davao City, Philippines.

Ruby is married with  2 daughters, in high school and elementary school. She arrived in Courtenay June of 2009 and her family followed. Since then they have called the Comox Valley home. In 2010 Ruby has been a Care Aide working with the elderly in both residential and in an assisted living facility. Ruby has also worked with adults with developmental disabilities in a residential setting and has done respite care with youth as a Community Health Worker.

As with many of the Beaufort Association for Inclusion in Action staff Ruby is fully trained in First Aid, First Aid Occupational Health and Safety, Patient Lift Safety Training, Medication Administration, Workplace Violence, MANDT Training and Basic Security Training.

Ruby started working at Beaufort Association on September 7, 2023, and is presently working in the Options Program. She loves her job, working with all the participants, and the fun that is shared everyday. Ruby also loves the teamwork we have here at Beaufort.

Carrie Ann Beech

Community Support Worker

Carrie Ann was born in Cumberland. She is a survivor of a head injury when she was 2 years old. In her later years she went back to school to complete her high school at Vanier Secondary. She then went to Discovery Community College and received a Community Support Worker diploma, Thought Patterns for a Successful Career, and completed the Education Assistant Program. She did out of school care, volunteered at North Island College in the special needs class, and for 10 years after school was a live-in support worker for a head injury survivor in a wheelchair.

Carrie Ann joined Beaufort Association for Inclusion in Action in 2022 as a Community Support Worker. She likes working at Beaufort because she can empathize with the day-to-day difficulties that individuals go through. Carrie Ann is very creative and leads many of our craft, sewing, and card-making sessions. She is also a great baker and helps Participants learn the ins and outs of working in the kitchen.

Carrie Ann has been married for over 20 years and is a mother to 3 daughters, 4 grand children and will soon be a great grandma. She and her husband and some of her family members live in Courtenay.

Mike Hartmann

Community Support Worker

Riza Hurqueriz

Community Support Worker

Riza finished her degree of Bachelor of Science in Commerce with a major in Management Accounting. After months of working in the business world, she decided to continue her education and achieved a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Riza later became a Registered Nurse in the Philippines where she worked in this field.

Riza immigrated to Canada in February 2013 where she has been working with adults with developmental disabilities in a residential setting. She is a Registered Care Aide in B.C. and is trained with youth and children with diverse abilities and behavioral challenges. Riza joined Beaufort Association in July 2023 as a Community Support Worker in Quest providing 1:1 and global support.

Riza has a bubbly personality, and her voice can be heard throughout the program. She brightens each day with lots of laughter and fun. Her strong work ethic and creativity ensures that our Participants engage in many local adventures that create memories to cherish.

A mother of 2 children, a teenager and grade schooler, Riza loves  to go to the beach, where she finds peace and relaxation. She and her family enjoy camping and exploring the island.

Nerrisa Maburo

Community Support Worker

Nerrisa, was born and raised in Zimbabwe. Her journey has been one of both personal growth and discovery as she continues to navigate the intersections of culture, education, parenthood across continents and diverse livelihoods.

Nerrisa graduated with a degree in Business Management specializing in Finance from the Midlands State University (2016). She also holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Zimbabwe (2022).

She moved to the Comox Valley in the winter of 2022. Nerrisa has worked in residential settings supporting individuals with diverse developmental disabilities ranging from Autism Spectrum, Cerebral Palsy, ADHD and other mental health conditions. She finds immense joy and fulfillment in supporting and empowering others to reach their full potential in an environment that fosters inclusivity and growth. Nerrisa joined the Beaufort family in January 2024 as a Community Support Worker providing 1:1 and global support in Options. She describes her role at Beaufort as one that gives her a sense of purpose.

When Nerrisa is not working, she loves spending time with her family exploring the Valley’s natural wonders through leisurely walks, beach outings, spontaneous road trips.

Chad McLean

Community Support Worker / Program Support Worker

Donna Stuart

Community Support Worker

Donna was born in Montreal, Quebec and moved with her family to B.C. when she was 2 years old. She has since lived in several different communities on the Island and now calls Merville home.

Donna continued her education at 38 attending Excel Career College where she obtained her Long Term Care Aide Certificate. As a single mother of 3, she wanted to be able to support her children as best she could. She has been working in the field since 2002 and has been with Beaufort Association for Inclusion in Action since 2013.

Donna will always advocate for the Participants and she does an amazing job making them happy by exuding an abundance of positive energy. She offers meditation, stretching, and music/dancing 3 times a week to keep us all moving. Donna is a Community Support Worker in the Options program.

Fun fact: Donna has a dog, is a bird lover and has a Vietnamese pot belly pig.

Lorie White

Community Support Worker

Lorie was born in Sarnia, Ontario and moved to B.C., in 1991. She has lived in three different areas of B.C., where the Comox Valley is her favourite and home.  She is the proud mom of 4 adult children. During their growing up years, she homeschooled them until the end of grade 9. She had given up her education in her younger years for her family and had dreamed of going back to school. In 2020, she enrolled at Vancouver Island University. Two years later, she graduated with two certifications: Educational Assistant and Community Support Worker. She started working at Beaufort Association for Inclusion in Action in 2021 and now provides 1:1 and global support in Quest. 

Lorie’s expertise is with communications aides  and her patience in coping with unique behaviours and challenging situations which has her dubbed as ‘the autism whisperer’.

The best part of her job is the hugs, the laughter, and being a part of the new milestones our Participants achieve. In her off-time, she can be found singing with a community choir, walking trails, kayaking, exploring new local places, capturing the beauty of nature through photography, and traveling to visit her kids and their significant others. Her life has been topped off with the Nana bragging rights for 3 little ones.

Shelena Yeoman

Community Support Worker

Shelena was born in the Comox Valley and went to North Island College where she received her certification as an Educational Assistant in 2006. She had the opportunity to come to Beaufort Association for her practicum and has never left. She was hired after her practicum as a summer student and then received a permanent position thereafter. November 2024 marks Shelena’s eighteenth year working at Beaufort Association for Inclusion in Action where she provides 1:1 and global support in Options. 

Shelena’s experience and dedication to her work has been one of the most stable elements of our program. She loves being creative and working with her hands and brings these talents to Beaufort Association through special art projects for Participants. Whether it be through an art medium or through culinary experiments, she loves to create.   

When Shelena is not working, she enjoys being at home with her family and pets. Being with family is her favorite thing in the whole world. She especially enjoys the summers swimming in the many rivers and lakes of Vancouver Island.