Jane Sterk

Jane Sterk (born January 14, 1947) is a Canadian psychologist, businesswoman, academic, and politician. She is the former leader of the Green Party of British Columbia and a business professor at University Canada West. In the 2009 British Columbia provincial election she was a candidate in the riding of Esquimalt-Royal Roads and in the 2013 election was a candidate in Victoria-Beacon Hill. Sterk was elected councillor in the Township of Esquimalt in 2005 was elected leader of the provincial Green Party in October 2007. In the 2004 federal election and the 2005 provincial election as a candidate in the Esquimalt ridings, she placed fourth and third with 9% and 10% of the vote, respectively.

Before moving to Esquimalt in 1997, Sterk had lived in Edmonton. She earned a doctorate from the University of Alberta in counseling psychology and worked for Edmonton Public Schools and the Edmonton Board of Health. In 1983 she co-founded a business, Softwarehouse West, with a co-worker from the Board of Health. She sold computers, hardware, software, and related services until she retired to Esquimalt in 1997 intending to purchase a boat and sail recreationally. On August 13, 2013 Sterk announced she would resign as Green party leader.

Before politics Jane Sterk was born and raised in Edmonton with her father, who worked as the dean of education at the University of Alberta, and her mother, who was a pianist. At 20 years old, in 1967 she married a man named John, who went on to become a lawyer and author. At the University of Alberta, she earned a master's degree in education and a doctorate in counseling psychology. She opened a private psychologist practice and worked for the Edmonton Board of Health.

In 1983, she opened a computer store, Softwarehouse West, with Gary Ford, a co-worker from the Edmonton Board of Health. In 1992, the business split off its information management section, with Sterk heading the new company, USConnect Edmonton.

Politics Sterk got involved in Green Party politics following her trip to Mexico, where she witnessed ocean pollution and rapid development causing environmental and social damage. She served as alternate director at the Capital Regional District. While she supported the construction of a regional sewage treatment plant, she, along with the other Esquimalt councilors, opposed locating the plant along the waterfront at Esquimalt's Macaulay Point. Mike Schreiner and Jane Sterk at the 2012 Green Party of Canada convention.

She served her three-year term as councilor while teaching business administration on the faculty at University Canada West and becoming leader of the Green Party of British Columbia. She took over for Christopher Bennett, who had been the interim leader of the party since the previous leader, Adriane Carr, left in September 2006 to become deputy leader of the national party. The party held a leadership vote during its annual convention in Victoria in October 2007. Competing for the leadership position against Sterk were small business owner Damian Kettlewell and filmmaker Ben West, both residents of Vancouver, community activist Jack Etkin of Victoria, and Bowen Island oceanographer Silvaine Zimmermann. The party used the preferential ballot, and Sterk won with West coming in second and Kettlewell third.

As leader Sterk set party priorities to increase membership, raise funds for the 2009 provincial election, and open a party office in Victoria.

Sterk was an unsuccessful candidate in Victoria-Beacon Hill in the 2013 provincial election. On August 13, 2013, she announced her resignation as party leader.

Not-for-profit work

On January 1, 2014, Sterk became executive director of Cowichan Women Against Violence Society (CWAVS), in Duncan B.C. Since becoming executive director at the organization, Sterk has helped facilitate fundraisers such as the annual I Am Woman Hear Me Laff, and the annual CWAVS Gala. Prior to her work with CWAVS, Sterk's work in the public sector included consulting to non-profit organizations in the health, education and social service sectors on team building, case consultation and creating healthy work places. She offered training and continuing education courses in communication, consultation and counselling skills and improving self esteem.