News Detail
Welcoming a New Chair
Shawnigan Lake School is delighted to welcome a new Chair of the Board! Jacqueline Flett ’97 (Groves’), who has served as Vice Chair of the School’s Board for the past four years, was appointed as Chair at the School’s Annual General Meeting on October 21, 2023. Jacqueline takes on the baton from Fiona Macfarlane, Shawnigan’s first female Chair of the Board, who led our Board with distinction for the past four years.
Born in Vanderhoof, BC, and having lived in various places throughout the province her entire life, Jacqueline is a true west coaster. She studied History and Philosophy at the University College of the Cariboo (predecessor to Thompson Rivers University), graduating with a B.A. in 2001. She was awarded an LLB from the University of British Columbia in 2004 and was called to the Bar of the Province of British Columbia in 2005.
After working as a general solicitor at a prominent downtown Vancouver law firm for six years, in 2011, Jacqueline founded Flett Law, a forward-thinking law firm focused on value and fixed-fee billing, and leveraging technology to make legal services accessible and cost-effective for all clients. In 2021, Flett Law merged with Breakwater Law, and Jacqueline now operates out of Victoria, BC. Jacqueline acts as a trusted business advisor to private companies and professionals in a variety of industries.
Since 2016, Jacqueline has also been a Director of The Ghost CEOTM, North America’s leader in business development coaching. In this role, Jacqueline is responsible for strategic planning, and oversight of The Ghost CEO’s legal and accounting professional practice within North America. She specializes in designing, developing, and delivering leadership and sales training to legal and accounting professionals who excel at what they do, but don’t know how to talk about it.
Jacqueline’s love for Shawnigan runs deep, and she has dedicated her time on the Board to ensuring the School is financially accessible to more families.
“My attendance at Shawnigan was entirely dependent upon financial aid,” she shares. “I benefited profoundly from the generosity of others. It is hard to overstate how impactful this was on the trajectory of my life. I’m passionate about financial aid at the School and believe that a Shawnigan education can do more than simply educate a child – it can have a ripple effect that positively impacts every other person and community that a Shawnigan graduate connects with.”
Shawnigan is grateful for the unstinting support and strong leadership that outgoing Chair Fiona Macfarlane has provided over the past four years – including leading Shawnigan’s pandemic response and helping to launch the School’s strategic plan, Project Future. Fiona shares the following words with the Shawnigan community:
“The four years chairing the Shawnigan Board of Governors have been a whirlwind filled with experiences that both inspired and challenged. We navigated COVID-19 and launched Project Future and are about to launch Project Future Refined. We created the Grade 8 boarding house model. We welcomed students who amazed us with their passion projects, sporting prowess, musical talent, artistic endeavours, university entrance accomplishments, and, most importantly, their compassion for each other. The campus has continued to evolve, with the addition of the Sports Village and the almost complete Samuel House.
“It has been exhilarating working with an uncommonly visionary Head of School like Larry Lamont and with the most incredibly dedicated faculty and staff committed to creating a community to which every one of the students of Shawnigan belongs. It has been a privilege to chair a Board of passionate, engaged, and hardworking Governors, who volunteer their time and expertise in support of the School’s long-term success. Most importantly – it has been a really fun four years!
“I am absolutely thrilled to pass the baton to Jacqueline Flett. Jacqueline, an alumna from the Class of 1997 (Groves’), has served on the Board since 2014, been Vice Chair for four years, chaired the Nominations and Governance Committees, and served on both the Foundation and the Head Support and Evaluation Committee. She has a love and passion for the School that is infectious, a deep commitment to making Shawnigan accessible to those who may find it financially challenging, an unwavering commitment to gender equity, and the courage to stand up for the values of the School. The governance of the School is in very capable hands.”
Additionally, the School is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to the School’s Board of Governors. Following the AGM, Ellie Siebens and Jorge Usabiaga have been elected by members of the Shawnigan Lake School Society to serve on the Board. They both bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise from their diverse personal and professional experiences and hold a deep love of and respect for the School.
Our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude go to outgoing Board members Carl Bradley ’78 (Groves’), Jennifer Mitchell ’97 (Groves’) and Andrew Purdey who served the School well during their tenure on the Board.
To learn more about our new Board members, please read their biographies below.
Ellie Siebens – Past Parent
Ellie Siebens has had a long career advancing the welfare of children throughout the world through education. In 2005 she founded The Ssubi Foundation whereby she built schools and provided educational supports for hundreds of children in Uganda. In 2009, Ellie became the Head of School at the Montessori School of Calgary, where she modernized the school’s operations and raised funds to build a state-of-the-art playground. She also acquired charitable status for the school and developed a governance model complete with a Board of Directors.
Ellie has been a governor on the Board of West Island College (2017-23) where she chairs the Nomination and Governance Committee. She is also a member of the Alberta Ballet Board (2020-present) where she chairs the School Committee. Her involvement with several non-profit organizations in Calgary and throughout the world brings valuable insights and experience to any organization she is involved with. In her spare time, Ellie skis, cycles, rides horses and travels with her husband, Carter. Together they have three adult children, Renner, Dane ’22 (Copeman’s) and Taryn.
Jorge Usabiaga ’92 (Lake’s) – Current Parent
Following his graduation from Shawnigan in 1992, Jorge Usabiaga completed a BBA in International Business from St. Mary’s University (Texas) and a Certificate of Graduate Studies in Administration and Management from Harvard University.
Jorge’s career in business has encompassed multiple leadership positions in a variety of industries (including automotive and financing), leading to his current position as Chief Officer at a leading Mexican company providing leasing services for the automotive and aerospace industries. He has also served on a variety of Boards including service in support of education for disadvantaged girls in Mexico. Jorge is a proud parent of three girls: Ivana ’23 (Kaye’s), Angela ’25 (Kaye’s), and Maria, and he is excited to “give back to the school that has given me so much.”
Back
After working as a general solicitor at a prominent downtown Vancouver law firm for six years, in 2011, Jacqueline founded Flett Law, a forward-thinking law firm focused on value and fixed-fee billing, and leveraging technology to make legal services accessible and cost-effective for all clients. In 2021, Flett Law merged with Breakwater Law, and Jacqueline now operates out of Victoria, BC. Jacqueline acts as a trusted business advisor to private companies and professionals in a variety of industries.
Since 2016, Jacqueline has also been a Director of The Ghost CEOTM, North America’s leader in business development coaching. In this role, Jacqueline is responsible for strategic planning, and oversight of The Ghost CEO’s legal and accounting professional practice within North America. She specializes in designing, developing, and delivering leadership and sales training to legal and accounting professionals who excel at what they do, but don’t know how to talk about it.
Jacqueline’s love for Shawnigan runs deep, and she has dedicated her time on the Board to ensuring the School is financially accessible to more families.
“My attendance at Shawnigan was entirely dependent upon financial aid,” she shares. “I benefited profoundly from the generosity of others. It is hard to overstate how impactful this was on the trajectory of my life. I’m passionate about financial aid at the School and believe that a Shawnigan education can do more than simply educate a child – it can have a ripple effect that positively impacts every other person and community that a Shawnigan graduate connects with.”
Shawnigan is grateful for the unstinting support and strong leadership that outgoing Chair Fiona Macfarlane has provided over the past four years – including leading Shawnigan’s pandemic response and helping to launch the School’s strategic plan, Project Future. Fiona shares the following words with the Shawnigan community:
“The four years chairing the Shawnigan Board of Governors have been a whirlwind filled with experiences that both inspired and challenged. We navigated COVID-19 and launched Project Future and are about to launch Project Future Refined. We created the Grade 8 boarding house model. We welcomed students who amazed us with their passion projects, sporting prowess, musical talent, artistic endeavours, university entrance accomplishments, and, most importantly, their compassion for each other. The campus has continued to evolve, with the addition of the Sports Village and the almost complete Samuel House.
“It has been exhilarating working with an uncommonly visionary Head of School like Larry Lamont and with the most incredibly dedicated faculty and staff committed to creating a community to which every one of the students of Shawnigan belongs. It has been a privilege to chair a Board of passionate, engaged, and hardworking Governors, who volunteer their time and expertise in support of the School’s long-term success. Most importantly – it has been a really fun four years!
“I am absolutely thrilled to pass the baton to Jacqueline Flett. Jacqueline, an alumna from the Class of 1997 (Groves’), has served on the Board since 2014, been Vice Chair for four years, chaired the Nominations and Governance Committees, and served on both the Foundation and the Head Support and Evaluation Committee. She has a love and passion for the School that is infectious, a deep commitment to making Shawnigan accessible to those who may find it financially challenging, an unwavering commitment to gender equity, and the courage to stand up for the values of the School. The governance of the School is in very capable hands.”
Additionally, the School is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to the School’s Board of Governors. Following the AGM, Ellie Siebens and Jorge Usabiaga have been elected by members of the Shawnigan Lake School Society to serve on the Board. They both bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise from their diverse personal and professional experiences and hold a deep love of and respect for the School.
Our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude go to outgoing Board members Carl Bradley ’78 (Groves’), Jennifer Mitchell ’97 (Groves’) and Andrew Purdey who served the School well during their tenure on the Board.
To learn more about our new Board members, please read their biographies below.
Ellie Siebens – Past Parent
Ellie Siebens has had a long career advancing the welfare of children throughout the world through education. In 2005 she founded The Ssubi Foundation whereby she built schools and provided educational supports for hundreds of children in Uganda. In 2009, Ellie became the Head of School at the Montessori School of Calgary, where she modernized the school’s operations and raised funds to build a state-of-the-art playground. She also acquired charitable status for the school and developed a governance model complete with a Board of Directors.
Ellie has been a governor on the Board of West Island College (2017-23) where she chairs the Nomination and Governance Committee. She is also a member of the Alberta Ballet Board (2020-present) where she chairs the School Committee. Her involvement with several non-profit organizations in Calgary and throughout the world brings valuable insights and experience to any organization she is involved with. In her spare time, Ellie skis, cycles, rides horses and travels with her husband, Carter. Together they have three adult children, Renner, Dane ’22 (Copeman’s) and Taryn.
Jorge Usabiaga ’92 (Lake’s) – Current Parent
Following his graduation from Shawnigan in 1992, Jorge Usabiaga completed a BBA in International Business from St. Mary’s University (Texas) and a Certificate of Graduate Studies in Administration and Management from Harvard University.
Jorge’s career in business has encompassed multiple leadership positions in a variety of industries (including automotive and financing), leading to his current position as Chief Officer at a leading Mexican company providing leasing services for the automotive and aerospace industries. He has also served on a variety of Boards including service in support of education for disadvantaged girls in Mexico. Jorge is a proud parent of three girls: Ivana ’23 (Kaye’s), Angela ’25 (Kaye’s), and Maria, and he is excited to “give back to the school that has given me so much.”
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful Pacific Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
