The Gwaii Trust Society has hired Carla Lutner of Haida Gwaii as its new chief operating officer.
Ms. Lutner brings a wealth of experience to the Gwaii Trust, including 15 years at the Northern Savings Credit Union, most recently as manager of the Queen Charlotte branch. A resident of Miller Creek, she has lived on Haida Gwaii since 1999.
“Finding a suitable candidate for this position on-island was ideal,” Gwaii Trust chair Brad Setso said. “Carla brings great local knowledge with just the right blend of professionalism.”
The chief operating officer position is a new one for the Gwaii Trust. This new role will manage the day-to-day operational aspects of the Gwaii Trust, such as staff management, member relations, community engagement, and overseeing the wide variety of projects the Trust administers.
As part of this restructure, Errol Winter will continue on in his role of investment management oversight, but will now also be able to devote a portion of his time towards developing the many board-driven initiatives currently underway.
The Gwaii Trust Society owns and manages a trust fund, currently worth $84 million, for the benefit of all residents of Haida Gwaii. Our goal is to make Haida Gwaii a better place to live, work and play by promoting our cultural and economic health, fostering the spirit of cooperation, and helping to conserve and sustain our land and marine ecosystems. In 2014, we awarded $3.6 million worth of grants to organizations and people on Haida Gwaii.