21 Jul Sunshine Coast Foundation Welcomes Elfie Hofmann as New Board Chair

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Elfie Hofmann as Chair of our Board of Directors following our Annual General Meeting held on June 22, 2026.

Elfie succeeds Doug Allan, who has served as Board Chair since June 2023. During his tenure, Doug helped guide us through our transition to a governance board, providing thoughtful leadership through a period of significant growth, increased community impact, and organizational change. While stepping down as Chair, he will continue to serve on the Board of Directors and contribute his expertise as a member of the Renewal, Policy, and Vital Signs committees.

“Serving as Board Chair over the past three years has been an honour,” said Doug. “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together. Our Board has always been grounded in mutual respect, trust, and a willingness to learn from one another, and I believe that’s been one of our greatest strengths. I’m grateful to have worked alongside such a dedicated group of volunteers and staff, and I know the Foundation is in excellent hands under Elfie’s leadership. I look forward to continuing to support its important work as a member of the Board.”

Raised in a family where volunteering was simply a way of life, Elfie has long been passionate about community service. A resident of Gibsons since 1997, she brings more than 35 years of leadership experience in hospitality and human resources. Elfie has been involved with us for nearly two decades, first serving on the Board from 2006 to 2010, then on the Community Grants Committee from 2010 to 2019, before rejoining the Board in 2019.

“Doug has led our Board with wisdom, integrity, and a genuine commitment to our community,” said Elfie. “On behalf of all of us, I want to thank him for his steady leadership over the past three years. His contributions have helped strengthen our organization and position us well for the future.

“It is with great pride and a deep sense of responsibility that I step into the role of Board Chair. After volunteering with the Foundation for many years, I’ve seen firsthand the profound impact of this work and the sincere care that goes into every decision and every initiative.

“As we look to the future, we will focus on deepening local partnerships, maximizing the impact of our grantmaking, and ensuring our initiatives continue to reflect our community’s greatest needs.”

We also extend our sincere thanks to outgoing Director Elizabeth Doucette, who is stepping away after serving a three-year term on the Board. Elizabeth’s leadership, dedication, and service have been greatly appreciated, and she will continue to volunteer with the Fund Development and Free to Play committees.

We are also pleased to welcome two new Directors to our Board. David Bear, District Vice President with Canoe Financial, and Alex Preswick, Certified Financial Planner and founder of Presman Wealth Management, each bring extensive experience in wealth management, financial planning, and investment stewardship. Both will also serve on our Investment & Oversight Committee. Alongside these appointments, several returning Directors have taken on new Board leadership responsibilities, while others have concluded their service in these roles. (To learn more about all our Board of Directors, visit our website.)

Executive Director Erin Storey said the Foundation’s continued success is made possible through the dedication of its volunteer leaders.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have such a talented and committed group of volunteers who generously give their time, expertise, and leadership in service of our community,” said Erin. “I want to thank Doug for his thoughtful leadership as Board Chair and Elizabeth for her many contributions during her time on the Board. At the same time, I’m excited to congratulate Elfie as she steps into this new role and to welcome David and Alex to the Board. With their experience, fresh ideas, and shared love for this community, I know our new Directors will fit right in.”

Reflecting on the Foundation’s continued growth and evolution, Erin noted we have experienced a period of significant momentum, innovation, and community impact.

“Over the past three years, we’ve seen the Foundation continue to grow in both scale and impact. We’ve expanded the number of funds we steward, reached new milestones in charitable granting, launched innovative initiatives like Free to Play and our Coast Together Workshop Series, and strengthened the ways we support charities and connect generosity with community needs.”

Today, the Foundation stewards 108 funds with more than $13 million in assets. In 2025, we awarded a record $711,371 to charitable organizations and community initiatives across the Sunshine Coast, bringing our total granting since 2005 to more than $4.3 million. We are also one of only 22 community foundations across Canada selected to deliver Free to Play, a national initiative that will bring more than $350,000 in funding to help reignite unstructured, outdoor, child-led play throughout the region.

Erin added, “As we look ahead, we’re excited to continue building on that momentum through initiatives such as our free Coast Together Workshop Series for charities and non-profits, while remaining focused on inspiring generosity, supporting local organizations, and investing in the people and places that make the Sunshine Coast such a remarkable community.”