Board of Directors

Alex Blair, President (she/her)

Alex came to the Comox Valley from Germany and after completing her master’s degree in physics she discovered her passion for mountain biking and the Cumberland Trail Network. Inspired by the community’s dedication and volunteer efforts in maintaining and evolving the trail network, Alex joined UROC as a way to give back.

Since 2018, Alex has been an active member of the board, serving for five years as the treasurer. Now, she’s thrilled to take on the role of President, eager to support the Executive Director and the community in any way possible. With her dedication and love for the trails, Alex is committed to further enhancing and preserving the Cumberland Trail Network for all to enjoy.

Tabitha Donkers, Vice President (she/her)

Tabitha started Mountain Biking thanks to the UROC women’s Wednesday night rides back in 2018. She now loves Mountain Biking and often encourages others to try it out or ride more. Tabitha loves riding all types of bikes on all types of trails. Her favorite trails in the Cumberland network changes every few months but recently has been the Thirsty Beavers and That Damn Trail. 

Tabitha joined the UROC board in 2023 to give back to the Mountain Biking community and with hopes that her work in land management, relationship development, and community engagement will benefit UROC and its members. She enjoys working collaboratively with the Board and hopes to help UROC grow and meet the needs of the community. 

Adam Silverstein, Secretary (he/him)

Adam arrived in Cumberland in 2010 and quickly turned his passion for the outdoors and sports to mountain biking.  Adam joined the Board in 2020 and has significant experience with the Not for profit sector, volunteer organizations and advocacy groups.  An environmental professional with the federal government for over 20 years, Adam has served on Boards and worked with conservation groups and many organizations across BC.  He is hoping to use his skills and experience to give back to the Trail network that is so important to his family, and to the Community.

Amy Peeters, Treasurer (she/her)

Amy lives in the Comox Valley with her husband and two young daughters.  She started mountain biking in 2023, and what she thought would be a fun occasional hobby has turned into a true passion.  She enjoys checking off features on her goals list, group rides with awesome ladies, and riding with her family. 

Amy is a CPA with years of experience in the accounting field, and has worked in both public practice and industry. She is currently the Controller for a local engineering firm, where she is responsible for daily accounting operations as well as providing guidance for strategic financial decisions.

UROC and the local mountain bike community have become a big part of Amy and her family’s life, and Amy is excited to use her business and accounting skill set to give back and help foster the sport of mountain biking in Cumberland. 

Adam Speigel, Director at large (he/him)

Adam Speigel and his family relocated to the Comox Valley in 2013 to follow their pursuit of a better outdoor recreation lifestyle. Shortly after moving he began volunteering with local trail builders and the United Riders of Cumberland (UROC) to construct new trails and maintain existing ones in the Cumberland trail network. Seeing an opportunity to give back to the community with his professional expertise in finance, corporate governance, and accounting he volunteered for the UROC board in 2016.  Adam’s first two years on the board were spent on the executive committee as treasurer with his focus on modernizing the society’s financial management practices. From 2019 to 2021 Adam served as Vice President of UROC and from 2022 to 2024 he served as UROC President where he worked on special projects with the local landowners, municipal governments, economic development agencies, and user groups to build a sustainably managed trail system. Adam is a past Director of The John Perkins Memorial Housing Society; a not for profit providing subsidized rent to over 50 senior citizens in Campbell River, BC and as well as past Director of the Risk Management Association of Vancouver Island.

Adam Speigel is currently the Senior Account Manager for Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), overseeing business development and management consulting practices in the Comox Valley and Campbell River areas for the Federal Crown Corporation. In his current role Adam supports small and medium size enterprises with real estate, equipment, and working capital financing solutions, as well as, management consulting. Adam has 15 years of experience working in finance with Canadian businesses. His professional roles have included positions with Bank of Montreal and HSBC. Adam holds an MBA from Vancouver Island University, a Master of Science in International Business from the University of Hertfordshire, and a Bachelor of Management from Dalhousie University.

Shayla Hall, Director at Large (she/her)

Originally from the North Island, Shay and her young family moved to Cumberland in 2016. She has been mountain biking for over 20 years and believes UROC plays a pivotal role in making Cumberland an amazing place to live.

Shay brings experience from the non-profit and sustainability sectors – specifically strategic planning, communications, and program management. She hopes to give back to the trail network, and be a part of the engaged community that makes Cumberland magic. 

Jesse Bone, Director at Large (he/him)

Jesse moved to Cumberland in 2017 with his wife and 2 kids to enjoy more outdoor activities. Mountain biking quickly became their shared passion, bringing them closer together and fostering a sense of community. 

Jesse is excited about his role on the UROC board and is eager to contribute his expertise gained from serving on other boards. With a professional background in photography and filmmaking and skills in communications and marketing, he brings a valuable set of skills to the table. Jesse looks forward to facilitating UROC’s cause so that more and more people can enjoy what the Cumberland trail network has to offer!

 

Leah Ballin, Director at Large (she/her)

Leah moved to Cumberland in 2013 to be near the forest and trails while pursuing her career with a growing environmental consulting firm located in Courtenay. The Cumberland trail network, UROC races and ladies rides gave her the opportunity she had been looking for to get out more, improve her riding and make riding friends. It didn’t take long for her to fall in love with the broader community as well, and now it looks like she’s here to stay.

Leah joined the UROC board in 2018 as a means to give back to the community and trail system she values so deeply. While on the board, she aims to continually improve the condition and management of the trail network, the functionality of UROC, and communication between the organization and the broader community. In previous years she has also loved hosting races with the rest of the board.

Leah holds a master’s degree in sustainable forest management, is a professional forester and biologist, and brings with her a background in ecology and land use planning.

Kathleen Van Ekris, Director at Large (she/her)

Kathleen moved to Cumberland in 2020 and quickly fell in love with the Cumberland trail network. There is rarely a day where she does not spend time on the trails, whether running, gravel riding or walking her dogs with her husband. 

Kathleen has volunteered in races in the community, and with UROC to collect and write stories for the UROC Trail Stories book. She joined the board in 2024 and is looking forward to supporting UROC in the stewardship of the trail network.

Kathleen has a Masters of Public Administration and works for the BC Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. She brings with her a background in project management, facilitation, and strategic planning.

Dougal Browne, Executive Director (he/him)

Dougal joined the UROC team in 2019 as Executive Director. Dougal’s career path started in the British military, then going on to attain a Bachelor’s degree in construction management and then spending many years immersed in the action sports industry in South Africa. His interests beyond hard work are surfing, riding bikes, and an insatiable passion for trail construction. Dougal hails from Scotland, with family ties and years spent in South Africa. He has volunteered in non-profit community work and chaired a nonprofit housing project in Durban, South Africa. After emigrating to Canada over a decade ago he founded, built and developed a mountain bike trail network on the East coast of Vancouver Island which is the island’s best (or worst-kept) secret. Dougal enjoys family life with his wife and two young boys living just south of Cumberland in the Comox Valley.

As Executive Director, Dougal is responsible for further developing and implementing the UROC trail management and maintenance program while liaising with multiple land management parties and overseeing the Land Access Agreement. He will continue to develop community activations, community engagement, and support communications and media platforms. He will also be responsible for the organization’s sponsorship, funding and public relations programs, and other non-profit management duties with the support of the UROC Board of Directors.