submitted by Haida Gwaii Community Futures--Haida Gwaii Community Futures Development Corporation is pleased to welcome a new member to our team.Sarah McGregor is joining the organization in the role of Business Analyst and Loans Coordinator, taking up the position long held by Skye Cantin who's retiring this year, after 13 years with HGCF. Sarah brings an international perspective to this role, having been raised in Australia and possessing an extensive work history that includes several years working in Europe and travelling to far flung corners of the world.Having earned a BA in International Studies from Flinders University of South Australia, where she majored in Development Studies and Globalization, Sarah also holds Post Graduate Certification in Business Management from the Technical and Further Education Institute of Australia.Sarah, who has aboriginal and Scottish heritage, hails from a small outback town of 250 people, located 800 km from the closest city, and is well aware of the difficulties and challenges facing rural remote communities. She was drawn to Haida Gwaii by the region's natural beauty, culture, and by the comparative abundance of opportunities that exist here for local islanders, which she says do not exist in many parts of the world, including the township in which she grew up. Sarah was ready for a new challenge when she packed up her life in Australia early last year and decided to explore North America. After several months travelling through the US and eastern Canada, she happened upon Haida Gwaii in August and was struck by the parallels with her own community, but more so by the unique prospects presented here. "When I saw that Community Futures Organization was searching for a new Business Analyst and Loans Coordinator, I jumped at the chance to be able to use my experience and skills to help rural people achieve their goals of creating sustainable businesses and services which support not only the individual, but the entire island in the process". Sarah is eager to speak to islanders who have either a business idea or an idea for a community service, and are seeking discussion and advice regarding their idea.Sarah can be contacted on email: business@haidagwaiifutures.ca or by phoning the Skidegate office at 559-4499, Masset Office at 626-5594 or toll free at 1-877-559-4491.