Karen Harper was born in Malden, Massachusetts. She moved to Saanich in 1967 with her mother and siblings, leaving for university and work.  She returned to live in Saanich in 2000 for job opportunities.  She is married.  Her interests are varied and include – cycling, including the Tour de Victoria 5 times, French speaker, couture sewing, knitting, sailing and is an avid reader.  She has a BA in English (SFU) , Teaching certificate (SFU), and M.Ed. (UVic).  She started her career as a teacher for 17 years, first in senior high school English, followed by senior high school library, then elementary intermediate, and finally elementary French immersion library.  She then joined BCTF administrative staff where she administered the teachers’ long term disability plan, and was a pension plan trustee.  After 14 years at the BCTF, she moved to Victoria to become the Chief Knowledge Officer at the BC Pension Corporation, from 2000-2010.  On her first term at Saanich she was chair of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Advisory Committee, and a member of the Finance Committee. She is currently an alternate to the Capital Regional District (CRD), a member of the Regional Water Supply Commission, Saanich representative to the Greater Victoria Library Board, as well as CREST (Capital Region Emergency Service Telecommunications), and member of Finance Committee, Tax Review Panel, and the Public Safety and Emergency Committee. 

  Dr. Grace Wong Sneddon is the Director, Academic Leadership Initiatives at the University of Victoria. In this portfolio, Dr. Wong Sneddon is responsible for the development and implementation of the professional development for senior leaders which includes over thirty annual events, including orientations, workshops and retreats. In her role as the Adviser to the Provost on Equity and Diversity, she is tasked with creating a campus-wide culture of respect that values diversity, equity and inclusion. She has an Interdisciplinary PhD in Anthropology and Pacific and Asian Studies. Her areas of research include: race and gender in popular culture, Asian North American identity and the Chinese diasporic culture. Dr. Wong Sneddon is an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Art History and Visual Studies and is currently, an associate fellow in the Centre of the Studies of Religion and Society at the University of Victoria. She has a MEd in counselling psychology and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor.
Born and raised in Victoria, Grace is passionately committed to her community. She has completed the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program and shares that knowledge with the various Boards on which she serves. She is vice-chair of the Greater Victoria Elder Care Foundation, treasurer of the Hoy Sun Ning Yung Benevolent Association, member of the Triumf Management Board, and Chair of the Victoria Foundation.