Email:team@susanforrest.com Office:250.947.9900 Fax:250.947.9966

Meet The Team

Richard Plowens

After completing college and spending his formative years in Parksville-Qualicum Beach, Richard set his sights on new horizons. Driven by a passion for exploration and a strong interest in languages, he moved to Montreal to pursue a degree in Business Administration. What began as a three-year educational plan ultimately evolved into a 30-year chapter of life in the city.

Naturally people-oriented and outgoing, Richard built his early career in the hotel industry, honing his sales, client service, and management skills with renowned brands such as Four Seasons and Fairmont Hotels. Seeking a new professional challenge, he later transitioned into the bio-pharmaceutical vaccines industry, where he has spent 18 years contributing to organizations including Merck, Sanofi Pasteur, and Pfizer in roles spanning sales, business development, and team leadership.

During this time, Richard married, raised a family, and cultivated a deep appreciation for art, fine cuisine, and the beauty of the natural world. He and his spouse share a lively home life-complete with London, their spirited English Setter.

Richard's ability to connect authentically with people, paired with his dedication to guiding clients through one of life's most meaningful transactions-buying or selling a home-defines his professional approach. Known for his responsiveness, persistence, and disciplined work ethic, he has earned a reputation as a trusted connector grounded in integrity, a client-first mindset, and high ethical standards.

Since 2019, Richard has partnered with his sister, Susan, serving as Business Partner and Team Lead, and together with their talented team, they continue to make a positive impact for clients throughout the Oceanside community.

Jody Moore

Born in Nanaimo and raised in Qualicum Beach, Jody has deep roots in the Mid-Island community she proudly serves.

After completing her education in Vancouver, Jody spent many years working as a Family Counsellor and Coach - an experience that shaped the way she practices real estate today. Known for exceptional communication skills, emotional intelligence, and a steady, client-focused approach, she brings clarity and calm to even the most complex decisions. Although both of her parents were local REALTORS®, Jody could never have predicted just how much she would love the industry.

"I have the best job in the world. I get to help people buy and sell homes in one of the most beautiful communities in Canada, while building long-term relationships with truly incredible clients."

When asked about using her expertise to benefit her community through a career with Royal LePage, Jody has this to say: "My knowledge gives me the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in someone's life every single day. I'm honored to be trusted with this responsibility."

She likes to win for her clients, and does so with a calm demeanor and a smile.

Leah Yochim

Leah was born and raised in the Oceanside area. After spending her younger years traveling and working abroad, she returned home to Parksville to settle and raise a family.

As her family grew in size, so did the projects to which she dedicated much of her time. Leah and her husband built and sold several homes in various neighborhoods in our community. Her interest transacting in Real Estate grew as she and her husband sold and moved from the homes they lived in. As her family became more self-sufficient, Leah completed her education to become a licensed Realtor and joined our Team.

Land speculation and researching homes has always come easy to Leah. She is at ease in finding homes that suit everyone's budget and has the ability to think strategically to find different and creative ways to live on Vancouver Island. Leah's experience in building and selling homes has contributed to her understanding of the local market, neighborhoods and the necessary amenities to help her find her clients their perfect location. She is a natural with whom one will enjoy working to find the right home for our discerning clients.

Leah has a great sense of community and supports many local organizations. She volunteers managing her daughter club volleyball team, sits on community boards, and in developing fundraisers. Leah appreciates connecting with the community, and through her work contributes and invests in 'giving back' to her community. Leah is a dedicated woman who successfully navigates managing her family, her home, and new housing projects along with her real estate clientele. She has a love of horses, hockey, basketball, volleyball, hiking and great food.

Leah's is an outgoing member of the Team and her ambition is to provide friendly, efficient, professional and knowledgeable service to the clients with whom she works. Her focus is to excel in facilitating the home buying and selling process for our clients.

"I love working with this Team and I look forward to helping you find a place on Vancouver Island that suits all your family's needs!"

Roger Deveau

Roger Deveau, an Ottawa native, initially pursued law but found his true calling in assisting individuals with their financial endeavours. Equipped with securities and mutual funds licenses, he noticed a stark reality: not all advisors prioritize their clients' best interests, often pushing products that don't align with individual needs.

Driven by integrity and a commitment to client-centric practices, Roger embarked on an entrepreneurial journey nearly two decades ago. He champions ethics and authenticity, going above and beyond to serve his clients. Roger has since collaborated with entrepreneurs, leveraging proven principles through various mediums like online marketing, courses, videos, and workshops.

With a deep connection to Oceanside, where his spouse has had ties for over two decades, Roger was captivated by its allure during his initial visit. He recognized its unparalleled lifestyle, encompassing nature, thriving businesses, and welcoming communities, making it his ideal home in Canada.

Real estate has always been Roger's passion. He devoted his leisure time to exploring neighborhoods, attending open houses, and engaging with local realtors, revelling in the distinct charm and potential lifestyles each home offered. Upon settling in one of Parksville's exquisite DUO Luxury Townhomes and connecting with Susan Forrest, Richard Plowens, and the entire team, Roger saw an opportunity to merge his three passions: nurturing relationships in business, real estate, and the enchanting Oceanside locale. He's committed to helping others realize their dream lifestyle in the "Canadian Riviera".

Sven Graaten

Born and raised in Oceanside, Sven Graaten offers more than local knowledge-he brings a lifelong connection to the community. He grew up on a hobby farm in Coombs, where his family founded the iconic Old Country Market in the 1970s before moving on to build a successful distribution business. Surrounded by innovation and entrepreneurship from an early age, Sven developed a creative, solutions-focused mindset that now informs his approach to real estate.

Sven's passion for real estate began in 2016 when he and his husband bought their first home. Since then, they've navigated multiple moves and investment purchases in the oceanside area, gaining invaluable insight from a client's point of view. This personal experience fuels his commitment to helping others find the right home or make the most of their sale.

Before becoming a REALTOR®, Sven enjoyed a 17-year career as a top hairstylist, where he built a loyal following through trust, attention to detail, and the ability to turn a vision into reality. Known for his honesty, integrity, and direct communication, he believes in giving clients the information they need-not sales pressure-so they can make confident, informed decisions.

Outside of real estate, Sven is a passionate runner who has completed two marathons, an outdoor enthusiast who finds joy in skiing, gardening, and hiking, and an avid traveler with a love for discovering new cultures and spaces. He also has a keen eye for interior design, often blending creativity and function to re-imagine living environments-an asset that benefits his clients in both buying and selling.

Sven brings warmth, creativity, and an open minded perspective to every real estate journey. Whether you're a first-time buyer, investor, or searching for your forever home, he's committed to helping you succeed with care, clarity, and confidence.

Glenda Gellner

Glenda is originally from the Lower Mainland, where she worked for many years in accounting for the natural resources industry. She moved to the Island and settled in French Creek with her husband and their two daughters. As empty nesters, they moved to Coombs for more space for her husband's hobbies.

She is Susan and Richard's aunt, and since she followed Susan in her hospitality career, it was only natural for her to join real estate as Susan's assistant from the beginning.

Glenda enjoys the administrative side of this business as well as meeting all the wonderful people we deal with daily. She says, "Since Susan talked me into getting my real estate license, I am happy to be able to help the other realtors on our team as needed and also work with prospective buyers."

In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, going for walks, practicing Qigong, badminton, and especially vacationing at their cabin on the lake. Her yellow lab, Gracie, is a frequent visitor at the office, and her two cats, Mo and Foxy, are always waiting at the door to greet her when she gets home.

Kerry Voth

Originally from Winnipeg, Kerry spent his first few years in the northern town of Thompson, Manitoba.

"The rugged northern region of Manitoba is where I first developed a love of nature and the outdoors. My father worked in remote bush camps, and he would often bring me along. In those days, there were no paved roads that far north, and most supplies were brought in by float plane, so we were always close to beautiful lakes. Being surrounded by nature left a deep spiritual imprint on me, and to this day I still feel more at home in the country than in the city."

At the age of 5, Kerry's family moved to Calgary, Alberta, where he grew up. After the turn of the century, he began a life journey that saw him move to Vancouver for several years and then to the Greater Victoria Area after meeting his life partner in 2003. Once they had purchased a home and settled in, they started camping around the island. Eventually, they ended up camping at Horne Lake and fell in love with the Oceanside area, prompting a move to Nanoose Bay. It was while looking for a new home that Kerry first met Susan Forrest.

"Susan was my realtor at first but quickly became a great friend. In 2008, a position opened up on Team Susan Forrest, and she asked me to join. I'm a naturally creative person, and over time I gravitated away from the clerical side towards the media side of real estate."

When he's not working, Kerry enjoys life's simple pleasures: exploring the great outdoors, reading good books, sunny afternoons of relaxation, and pursuing various artistic interests.

Sarah Roberts

Sarah Roberts, originally from Ontario with early years in the U.K., began her career in the hospitality industry before pursuing Hotel and Restaurant Management at Conestoga College. Head-hunted for a Business Development Manager role in the recruitment sector, she achieved top sales for an executive search firm. Sarah furthered her education with three diplomas and numerous accolades, and went on to graduate from Athabasca University with a degree in Business Management.

Simultaneously, she ventured into a real estate role with Century 21, leveraging her staging skills and interior design background. Passionate about health and wellness, Sarah became a Certified Health and Empowerment Coach, authoring a book on sugar addiction, hosting her own talk show on Rogers television, and organizing wellness expos and podcasts. Through her professional journey, she discovered the transformative power of changing environments. Aligning this with her role in real estate, she believes moving to a new home can be the catalyst to creating massive change in people's lives.

Fascinated by Parksville since her parents' retirement here in 2003, Sarah and her partner, Roger, fulfilled their dream of moving to Oceanside in 2019. In January of 2023, they joined forces with Team Susan Forrest, supporting one of the top real estate teams in British Columbia as a marketing and events coordinator. Sarah serves the team as a professional stager, events planner, social media manager and unlicensed assistant.

Sarah loves connecting with clients and being part of a real estate team where people's dreams come true every day!

Bianca Filser

Bianca's journey from the picturesque Allgäu region in Bavaria to becoming a Lead Photographer and Imaging Guru for Team Susan Forrest is as fascinating as the region she hails from!

Her story reflects her adventurous spirit and dedication to personal and professional growth. Starting in her hometown, known for its stunning landscapes, unique cuisine, and the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, Bianca laid the foundation for her future adventures. Her decision to work as an AuPair in Long Island, New York, not only allowed her to immerse herself in the English language but also exposed her to a new culture.

She returned to Germany to complete an Office Assistant Management program, but Bianca's passion for exploring new places and speaking English led her to Western Canada. The diverse and beautiful landscape captured her interest, eventually leading her to enroll in a Photography program in Victoria. This decision marked a turning point in her life, as she decided to make Nanoose Bay her permanent home after completing her studies.

Joining Susan in both life and work in 2004, Bianca's contribution goes beyond photography, as she effectively manages key administrative projects with meticulous attention to detail. Her positive attitude and optimism have become valuable assets to the team's success.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Bianca has a deep passion for animals, which has only grown with the addition of two delightful family members: Bacchus, an energetic Golden Retriever puppy, and Betty, a curious and playful kitten. Bianca finds immense joy in training Bacchus, focusing on agility, tricks, and nose work. Equally, she treasures the lighter moments spent with Betty, whether it's playing with her favorite toys or watching her explore the world with wide-eyed wonder. Bianca also loves spending time in nature and enjoys excellent local cuisine.

This glimpse into Bianca's journey highlights her love for adventure, dedication to her craft, and the importance of finding joy in the simple moments of life.

Claire Gunderson

Claire is originally an East Coast girl from Toronto. When she was a young girl, her family moved west to White Rock, BC for seaside living and have never looked back.

Claire spent much of her career in the dental and orthodontic professions, but when she and her husband Kris became empty-nesters after raising their 3 children in Delta, they decided to relocate to Vancouver Island and fell in love with the Nanoose Bay area.

She started a new career path working at the Fairwinds Wellness Club doing administration, accounting, marketing, and communications. Learning about real estate developments happening in the area renewed a lifelong interest, which she adopted from her parents who were always involved in buying or investing in the market. When an opportunity came up to work with Team Susan Forrest, she eagerly jumped on board and is excited to contribute. Claire enjoys learning new skills to continue to be the best team member possible, and takes great pride in engaging customers with sincerity and a smile, making them feel taken care of.

In the fall of 2020, Claire and her husband are grandparents to beautiful little girls. In her down time you will find Claire traveling, hiking and exploring all the local trails, and her favorite pastimes...dance classes and performing, and being on the water with her paddle board or kayak. Her motto is Carpe Diem and her goal is to find joy in every day!

Jaidan Holder

Jaidan brings over a decade of experience in administration and marketing, paired with a passion for organization, creativity, and community engagement. Originally from Winnipeg, she enjoyed a successful career with a prominent real estate company before making the life-changing decision in 2020 to relocate to Vancouver Island in search of a better lifestyle for herself and her daughter.

After settling in Qualicum Beach, Jaidan began working as an Unlicensed Administration Assistant with a local real estate company. In 2024, she joined Team Susan Forrest, the #1 Royal LePage real estate team in British Columbia-a role she considers her dream job. What started as a leap of faith during the pandemic has transformed into a rewarding journey that she is incredibly grateful for.

Jaidan cherishes island life, spending her free time paddle-boarding, hiking, and exploring with her 11-year-old daughter, Scarlett. A dedicated member of the community, she serves on the Qualicum Beach Family Day Committee and works part-time at a local restaurant, where she enjoys fostering connections and contributing to the area's vibrant atmosphere.

Shannon Kerr

Shannon was fortunate to grow up in some of Canada's most beautiful places-from the Foothills of the Rockies to the Rideau Lakes, to the banks of the St. Lawrence River in the Thousand Islands. After graduating from high school in Gananoque, Ontario, she continued her education in Marketing in Ottawa. With over 25 years of experience specializing in event planning, Shannon has held positions in Tourism, Telecom, Defence, Advertising, Data Analytics, and Health Care.

Shannon first met Susan a little over a decade ago when she helped her sister and parents find their perfect home as they relocated to the Oceanside area. Shannon's sister, Ashley, joined Susan's team as a Buyer's Agent and soon began sharing her love of the area with her own clients. Through yearly visits to her family in Oceanside, Shannon knew she wanted to make it her home one day too. Fast forward to today-she, her husband, and their two rescue cats are thrilled to finally call Oceanside home.

Shannon is now delighted to be part of the Client Care Team at Team Susan Forrest. She feels very fortunate to work with such an amazing group of people. With her helpful nature and strong attention to detail, Shannon enjoys connecting with clients and supporting them throughout their home selling or buying journey with care and commitment.

In her free time, you'll often find Shannon cheering on her nieces from the sidelines of their soccer games (outdoor soccer is nearly a year-round sport here!). She also enjoys live music, traveling, cooking, dining at local restaurants, and fully embracing the adventure and beauty of Vancouver Island. Her favourite days are spent with family and friends-immersed in nature, discovering new hiking and swimming spots, or simply soaking in the sunset on one of our breathtaking nearby beaches.

Ashley Bowles

Ashley grew up in the small tourist town of Gananoque, Ontario on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Real estate was somewhat of a hobby for her family as they were always on the lookout for their next dream home, and many weekends were spent going to open houses. Her love of homes grew as she did, and soon she was off to College in Ottawa where she graduated from the Architecture program at Algonquin College. Soon after graduation, Ashley knew a career in Real Estate was the perfect fit-combining her love of homes and her ease with people. In 2005 Ashley began her Real Estate career with "The McCann Team" at Royal LePage Ottawa.

Searching for a better family life, better weather, and also just for the sake of adventure, she and her husband moved to Vancouver Island in 2013 with their young daughter and big energetic rescue dog. Since arriving in Oceanside the family has grown by 2 more daughters, just adding to the fun!

Ashley's knowledge of house construction provides her with the insight to see beyond the mere cosmetics of a building, to see the structural details beneath. She has a great ability to connect with people from all walks of life with understanding and enthusiasm. She always treated her clients as friends and has established many close long-term relationships along the way.

A dedicated dog-lover, she has served on the board of directors for a dog rescue group. In her spare time, Ashley and her family can be found enjoying Vancouver Islands great outdoors via land or sea. Ashley has recently retired from Real Estate to spend more time with her husband and 3 growing children. She still works with our Team as a Consultant.

April Quigley

Born in Vancouver and raised in Winnipeg, April studied and worked in the healthcare field before eventually retiring and moving to Vancouver Island in 2009. Practically since the day she arrived in Oceanside, she has worked as a real estate administrator.

April joined our team in 2014. "Being a part of Team Susan Forrest was a dream job for me! I really enjoyed helping our clients, and I loved the fast-paced work environment... there was never a dull moment!"

Among the many talents that April brought to Team Susan Forrest was a consistent determination to get the job done right! Though she may seem quiet and reserved, don't be fooled...beneath the unflappable, focused exterior lies an amazing sense of humor, sincerity and warmth.

April is now enjoying a well-deserved retirement on our beautiful island, though you will still see her in the community helping us out at Team Events.

 

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Email:team@susanforrest.com Office:250.947.9900 Fax:250.947.9966