Mayor & Council Biographies

Nicole MacDonald was elected to the Office of Mayor on October 15, 2022. 

From 2018 until 2022, Nicole was proud to serve as a Councillor for the City of Pitt Meadows. During her tenure on Council, she represented the City on numerous committees such as the Agricultural Advisory Committee, YPK Airport Board, Police Liaison Committee, Economic Development Advisory Committee and the Metro Vancouver Indigenous Relations Committee.

Previously, Mayor MacDonald served as a Vancouver Police Officer and then earned a Master’s Degree in Applied Legal Studies from Simon Fraser University. In 2013, she opened a Notary practice in the heart of Pitt Meadows. Kindness, professionalism and compassion are the core values she has built her business on.

Pitt Meadows is unique and beautiful because of its environment and diverse attributes such as the mountains, rivers, dykes, agricultural land, airport and amenities. For Mayor MacDonald, it is the people in the community that make it so special. She and her family value the friendships and relationships they have established in Pitt Meadows.

Mayor MacDonald believes that smart balanced growth and sustainable infrastructure are vital for a healthy community and economy. Public safety, transportation, flood protection, and recreation are paramount. She believes strongly that we must work together with: residents, neighbouring communities, other levels of government, outside agencies and First Nations rights holders, to preserve what makes this community special and plan for our children’s’ future. 

In her free time Mayor MacDonald loves watching her daughters, Aden and Gracie, in their sports and activities. As well as spending time with her husband Garett and dogs Arlo and Bean.

Councillor Tracy Elke has served on Pitt Meadows Council since 2008.

Born and raised in Manitoba, Councillor Elke moved to BC to attend university and lived in the Lower Mainland and Prince George before settling in Pitt Meadows, where she has lived for the past 23 years and raised her son Simon.

Councillor Elke has a Bachelor of Leadership and Management from BCIT and a Bachelor of General Studies from Simon Fraser University. She brings a wealth of experience of working in various sectors including not-for-profit, local governments, First Nations, and has operated a first-aid training business. She currently works in the health care sector for Doctors of BC.

Councillor Elke loves the natural places in Pitt Meadows and enjoys hiking, kayaking on the river and running on the dikes. The Katzie people and the Fraser River hold a special place in her heart.

Councillor Elke is proud of the citizen engagement in Pitt Meadows and the way that the community rallies to help each other out. She looks forward to continuing to be a voice for the residents over the next four-year term on Council.

Alison Evans is very honoured and excited to be elected by the people of Pitt Meadows in her first term for City Council.

Alison earned a Bachelor’s of Kinesiology from University of the Fraser Valley in 2005. She has taken numerous Emergency Preparedness courses through the Justice Institute of BC in the Emergency Management Certificate Program and completed the Indigenous Canada course through University of Alberta. She most recently completed a Public Relations Certificate at the University of the Fraser Valley in 2021.

For the past 15 years Alison has worked as a 911 operator and dispatcher. She prides herself on helping the public in their time of distress and keeping them safe until help can arrive.

Together with her husband Chad, Alison has lived in Pitt Meadows for 14 years. They chose to raise their two sons, Chris and Nicky, in Pitt Meadows because of its small town feel, connected community and surrounding natural beauty.

As a family, they have rooted themselves in Pitt Meadows, with no plans to leave. Alison plays on soccer and softball teams in the city, as well as coaching volleyball at Pitt Meadows Secondary and previously volunteered on City advisory committees. Her children play sports for Ridge Meadows teams and dance competitively for a local dance studio. As a family, they have owned two businesses in Pitt Meadows: the city’s first CrossFit gym and now a mobile food business that operates seasonally in Pitt Meadows and two other municipalities. 

Alison loves Pitt Meadows. She is an avid user of the dike system for cycling and running. She also enjoys kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding on our calm waterways. A true believer in active transportation, Alison cycles and walks when commuting in Pitt Meadows. 

Public safety, economic development and keeping our city liveable through thoughtful development are her priorities this term. We need to be safe, support our local businesses, and maintain the community feel we all love about Pitt Meadows.

Councillor Mike Hayes was first elected to Pitt Meadows Council in 2018.  

Pitt Meadows has been home to Councillor Hayes and his family for over 41 years.  Since 1993, he has been an active volunteer in many of Pitt Meadows activities and committees.  Some of his voluntary efforts include: 12 years as past President for the Pitt Meadows Community Foundation, Co-Chair for Canada Day and the City’s 100th Pitt Meadows Centennial Celebration, Past Chair and Co-Founder of our Annual Pitt Meadows Christmas event, Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Festivals Committee, Pitt Meadows Day celebrations, Annual Pitt Meadows Chinese New Year celebrations, Children’s Wish Foundation, Alicia’s Wish Child & Youth Advocacy Centre, Katimavik National Youth service program, and the “Eagles in the City” Charity Art Project.   

Councillor Hayes was nominated for the Prime Minister's Volunteer Service Award and has received certificates of appreciation for his volunteerism from both Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge. A proud moment was being selected to carry the 2010 Olympic Torch into Spirit Square. 

At the young age of 16, he accepted his first position as an employee of the Pitt Meadows Airport. His drive to demonstrate entrepreneurial skills would be realized as he became the owner of his own construction and Development Company.  Councillor Hayes furthered his education by attending university where he studied computer science; ultimately, accepting a position as a Business Intelligence Programming Analyst where he obtained numerous certifications, including Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD).  Councillor Hayes continues to work as operations supervisor for a large crown corporation.

At the age of 19, Councillor Hayes purchased his first home in Pitt Meadows where he raised his children Shaun, Jaimee and Ryan.

Mike Manion was elected to Pitt Meadows Council in 2022. 

Mike has a degree in Political Science and History and an extensive career in senior executive positions for several of Canada’s largest corporate farming operations and as an owner-operator. Currently, Mike is the owner of Agrisco Supplies Corp an agricultural consulting company. Within this consultancy, Mike is an:

•    Executive-in-Residence with the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC’s Ag Tech Ramp-Up Program, 
•    Innovation Advisor with Bioenterprise a National Innovation Accelerator, and 
•    approved business advisor with the Ministry of Agriculture. 

He also sits on several agriculture-focused organizations, i.e. the Pitt Meadows Agriculture Advisory Committee and as past Chairman of the Metro Vancouver Agricultural Committee.

Mike has also served as a member and past chair of the North Fraser Therapeutic Riding association, as a past Grand Knight of St. Nicholas Knights of Columbus and in his spare time has offered his talents as a professional auctioneer for several local charities.

Mike Manion and his wife Eileen have made Pitt Meadows home since 2007. Mike’s hobbies include hiking all the natural places in Pitt Meadows with his dog and gardening, and he is an active member of Athlete’s Arena.

Bob Meachen was first elected to Pitt Meadows Council in 2018 and to a second term in 2022.

Councillor Meachen and his wife Pauline were born in the United Kingdom and emigrated to Canada in 1988 with their two children. Their first home was in north Surrey. In 1990, they moved to Abbotsford where they continued to raise their family. They became foster parents to many children, including Brian who was welcomed into the family. Councillor Meachen is past President of Abbotsford Soccer Association and coached soccer and baseball for many years while also obtaining FIFA referee certification. 

In 2003, Councillor Meachen relocated to Ontario to continue his career as the Business Manager and later as the President of a division of a major US corporation. When retirement became an option in 2012, they decided to return to BC to be closer to their adult children and grandchildren. After searching many lower mainland communities, they chose Pitt Meadows as the place to call home. “The small-town feel, and sense of community were exactly what we were looking for in a place we could call our forever home”.

Before being elected to council for the first time in 2018, Councillor Meachen worked as a community advocate, with a regular attendance at council meetings and City committees. Councillor Meachen remains very supportive of local sports organizations as they offer a valuable learning experience for local youth. He is also a member of the Ridge Members Seniors Society and attends all meetings, annual functions, and special events. 

Councillor Meachen also volunteers on several external local community groups, including the Local Immigration Partnership which advocates for refugees and other newcomers to our province. He believes in a purposeful life and giving back to the community.

Councillor Meachen has a focus on the environment and all aspects related to the ongoing health and wellbeing of the community, with a strong emphasis on safety and security, including greater support of the city fire service and RCMP detachment. “Quality of life for our community must be considered in all the decisions we make as a Council”.
As an avid musician, Councillor Meachen enjoys playing guitar and keyboards with his musician friends. 

“We have become very much “Pitt Meadows Proud”.

Councillor Gwen O’Connell was first elected to Pitt Meadows Council in 1993, serving until 2005. After a three year break, she ran again in 2008 and was re-elected and served until 2014. After another three year break, Gwen was re-elected in 2018 and again in 2022.

Councillor O'Connell has been married to Paul for the last 45 years. They had two children. Their daughter, Kristina, passed away from Leukemia in 2002, leaving behind two girls. Jason, their son, lives in Parksville with his wife and three kids. Councillor O'Connell now has a great grand daughter. 

She has worked with seniors over the past 16 years in all stages of their lives.  Councillor O'Connell is a serving member on the board of directors for the Friends in Need Food Bank. 

Councillor O'Connell has been involved with numerous public services groups including: Ridge Meadows Hospice, Pitt Meadows Day Society, Christmas in the City, Pitt Meadows Lions Club and she has successfully chaired and run a community food drive for the last four years.