Hi there!
I’m Nikki Best — a governance strategist and a corporate administration problem solver with over 15 years of experience in senior management roles across public bodies and private organizations in British Columbia. I’ve led teams ranging from two to 25+ in Director, Manager, and Advisory roles within local governments, with particular expertise in statutory officer responsibilities including Corporate Officer, Privacy Officer, and Chief Election Officer.
From resort communities like Whistler and Tofino, to large metropolitan cities like Burnaby, and through emergency recovery efforts in places like the Village of Lytton with Emergency Management BC — I’ve had the privilege of working in and alongside communities I deeply care about. I love this province, and I’m grateful for the opportunities to live in, travel to, and support the communities that shape it. Whether I’m working with a Mayor and/or Council, a board, or a small business or senior executive team, my focus is always the same: build scalable, human-centered systems that support compliance, positive employee retention, and long-term resilience. I believe in laying strong foundations so teams can thrive, grow, take-risks and explore ways to innovate while and succession planning for the next generation of governance leaders.
As of 2025, I serve as a Legislative Services Advisor for the City of Port Moody, and I’m the founder and Managing Director of Snowberry Consulting Ltd. I incorporated the firm in 2017 to help small and mid-sized organizations reduce bottlenecks, improve retention, and build repeatable systems that reflect their values. So what exactly can I do? Well, I’m a seasoned Corporate Officer at heart… a records management advocate and also an early adopter of emerging technologies, with a specialization in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Yes, that’s right - the same statutory officer roles that usually slow or delay innovation due to policies, compliance and requires assessment can live inside of a mind driven towards transformative technology?! Yes, when there’s a will, a passion and interest - I have found the way to manage these often competing priorities.
In a nutshell, I thrive in the structure and accountability of governance, but I’m continually drawn to special project work that allows me to develop practical resources, innovative tools, and breathe new life into traditional training methods — tools that teams can use long after I’ve stepped away.
Over the years, I’ve worked with more than six elected Councils, five public bodies, five boards of Directors, and consulted with dozens of governments and community-based service organizations across the province. Business owners, not-for-profit societies, and lone-wolf local government staff holding the responsibilities of entire departments have called on me to bring fresh perspectives, streamline operations, emergency support or to identify strategic opportunities for succession and scaling. Speaking of scaling, while I am primarily focused on government contracts, specialized companies such as Metronome United and Sabre Rentals have hired me to develop case studies, strategic operational reports, and conduct confidential interviews with the owners of their top 7-8 figure business clients — helping them improve service delivery while celebrating their successes.
When I’m not working on projects or policy documents, I design and deliver custom workshops for public and nonprofit teams. I’m a seasoned conference speaker and panelist, having been invited to present at retreats, workshops and most notably LGMA conferences, forums and regional chapter meeting and most recently, provided a presentation and was a panelist at the 2025 UBCM Convention regarding the Responsible Use of AI in Local Government.
During my time in Whistler, I was asked to take on a paid role as Administrator for the not-for-profit Restaurant Association of Whistler. I helped steer the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic by bringing together restaurateurs, pubs, and cafés with a community-first approach — prioritizing collaboration over competition. The relationships and impact from that time are still felt in Whistler today, a place that will always hold a special place in my heart. I also served in board roles with charities such as the Zero Ceiling Society (Vice-Chair) and the Whistler Community Services Society.
Early Years:
When I graduated high school, I couldn’t afford to attend university right away due to provincial policy. I found myself in a grey area — technically, on paper, my parents made enough money to support me, but in reality, my home life was extremely dire. We lived in poverty conditions, with utilities being cut off and loan sharks regularly calling or showing up at the door, as my loved ones struggled — and continue to struggle — with substance use disorders.
At 18, I knew what I needed to do would be incredibly hard and risky — but not impossible. So I made a plan, set a budget goal, and gave myself one year to raise the funds I’d need to attend university. That year, I worked night shifts in an automotive factory, served tables at Swiss Chalet by day, and picked up weekend shifts at a beach shop. It was exhausting, but I was determined.
One year later, I arrived at the University of Waterloo with a single $500 scholarship to my name, entering one of the first cohorts of the Legal Studies program. This was probably my proudest moment of my life, to this day. From the moment I stepped onto campus, I knew I’d be a lifelong learner. I juggled full-time studies with full-time hours of work and volunteering, and even landed my first local government job in the Recreation Department for the City of Waterloo.
Education was a privilege I had to earn — and that experience shaped how I lead today. It’s why I’m so passionate about sharing knowledge and supporting the hiring of candidates who bring energy, curiosity, and heart to the team — not just the most credentials on paper.
My foray into Robert’s Rules of Order began in 2005, when I wandered into a Legal Studies Society meeting lured by the promise of free pizza — and walked out as Vice President. That moment sparked a deep interest in governance that would follow me into my career. I was elected by my peers four years in a row, eventually serving as Vice President (Internal) for the Federation of Students. I’m proud to have been part of a student governance team that successfully lobbied the Ontario government to improve provincial loan programs for students like me — those without financial safety nets, who had to work manual labour jobs just to get through the door.
Education:
I graduated from the University of Waterloo in 2010 with an Honours Bachelor Degree in Legal Studies and a Minor in Human Resources, having worked and volunteered full-time throughout my studies. Later, I attended Capilano University for Local Government Administration. Looking back, I see how those early experiences — of grit, governance, and community — laid the foundation for everything I do now.
I’m proud to be the first in four generations of my family to attend university, and I carry that sense of purpose into everything I do. My greatest passion is sharing what I’ve learned with emerging professionals who are working to break systemic cycles and build brighter futures. I’m a strong believer in mentoring, giving back, and staying curious — whether that’s through policy innovation, immersing myself in creative arts and live music on my days off, or spending time in the kitchen learning from my long-time life partner (who happens to be an excellent Executive Chef), Brook.
My favourite motto has always been — and continues to be:
“Chop your own wood, and it will warm you twice.”