Professional & Community Background

A Proven Track Record of Leadership & Public Service

Marianne began her professional career in education in 1987, working extensively across British Columbia as an education assistant, teacher, vice-principal, and principal. Her academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Arts in French & Math, a Bachelor of Education, and a Master of Arts in Administration, Curriculum, & Instruction. In 1996, her thesis “Developing an Elementary French Immersion Program” was presented to SD83 to structurally assist with the implementation of Early French Immersion across the district.  After making Salmon Arm her home in 1993, Marianne quickly stepped into vital leadership roles at the community, school district, and provincial levels. Throughout her eight years as an elected School Trustee, she actively steered critical municipal-adjacent initiatives, serving on the City of Salmon Arm’s Active Transportation Task Force (now renamed the Active Transportation Advisory Committee), Salmon Arm’s BC 55+ Games Appointment Committee, and committees focusing on Education Directions (Chair), Budget (Chair), Equity/Diversity/Inclusion, and French Immersion Advisory.

Bridging Community, Culture, and Governance

Marianne’s approach to governance is deeply informed by her active participation in the daily life of the Shuswap. When she isn’t reviewing municipal policies or board tasks, she can be found on local school gym floors refereeing basketball & volleyball, playing tennis, or singing with her local band. She is a passionate community volunteer, heavily invested in the vibrancy of local culture through her current and past roles as the Director, Vice-President, and President of the Salmon Arm Tennis Club, and as a long-time volunteer for the Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival, currently serving as a Director on the Salmon Arm Folk Music Society's Board.  Marianne also volunteered at Larch Hills as Chief of Equipment for several years during the Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet. Importantly, through her past volunteer work as a guest at SD83's Indigenous Education Council table, Marianne feels deeply privileged to have cultivated positive, meaningful relationships with the Indigenous Rightsholders of the unceded, traditional territory of the Secwepemc People. She believes that open dialogue and respectful consultation with Rightsholders are foundational to building a fair and equitable future for Salmon Arm.

My Vision for Salmon Arm Council...

My primary focus as a City Councillor is to work closely with residents, fellow Mayor & Council members, and City Staff to ensure local government remains accountable, highly transparent, and universally accessible. I am running on a platform that pledges to:

• Listen First: Ensuring that municipal governance is shaped by genuine public input from citizens, local businesses, and Rightsholders.

• Build Wisely: Advocating for sustainable infrastructure that matches local growth while protecting Salmon Arm's environment.

• Support Local Business: Fostering a resilient economic environment where local merchants, farmers, and entrepreneurs can thrive.

• Govern with Common Sense: Working on clear policies and open spending records so that taxpayers can always hold City Hall fully accountable.

My passion has always been to collaborate openly to build safe, successful, and welcoming environments which are inclusive to all.  I am eager to bring that exact same dedication, fiscal responsibility, and practical common sense to the Salmon Arm Council table.  I look forward to meeting you out and about in the community!