Staff

Sandra holds Masters degrees in management and in environmental studies, and has a well-grounded understanding of the public and private influences on Canada’s natural heritage, with over 20 years’ experience within the federal government, national associations, and not-for-profit organizations.

Sandra also has a long history of community service, including as board member on several national non-profit organizations, and as founding member of a prominent women’s network. She also served two terms as an elected trustee on the Ottawa-Carlton District School Board.

She lives in Ottawa and is happiest out enjoying nature with her husband and their two children. She maintains her connection to Canada’s wilderness by visits to parks, where she enjoys camping, canoeing, hiking, and cross-country skiing.

A native of Australia, Chris has lived in Canada since 2011. Chris has a master’s degree in commerce (International Business) from Swinburne University in Melbourne and has worked in non-profit management since 2008.

Chris has a small son, and in his – now much more limited – spare time, he likes to get out running, backpacking and paddling. He is also known for a foolhardy love of Leeds United, a football (soccer) team that plays in England.

Trained as a journalist with a BA from Concordia University in Montreal, Jennifer applies that training and focus to the various roles she has had as a senior marketing and communications professional.

With a career spanning over 20 years in various for-profit and non-profit organizations, Jennifer’s passion for branding and marketing is only rivaled by her love for her favourite hometown hockey team, the Montreal Canadiens.

Jennifer started her career by launching Monster.ca in Canada, where she was responsible from making it the most visited career website in the country at the time.  After having two boys, she decided to leverage her skills in the non-profit world and revitalized the Big Brothers Big Sisters brand. Before joining her last gig at Scouts Canada as Director of Communications and Marketing, she also spent some time at Philanthropic Foundations Canada, learning more about the philanthropic side of the sector. Jennifer moved to Ottawa two years ago with her youngest son, Gavin, and their family dog, a husky named Lumi. Jennifer is known as a change-maker and her connection to the CPAWS mission is rooted in her value for respect. She deeply believes in respecting people and their diverse lived-experiences and respecting the natural world we live in and our connection to it.

He has over twenty years experience working within industry and the non-profit sector creating and implementing programs and campaigns that have won multiple regional and national awards.

Before moving to the CPAWS National Office team, Brad served as Executive Director of our Southern Alberta chapter, and prior to joining CPAWS he led Mountain Equipment Co-op’s community investment and sustainability programs at both a regional and national level. His passion for community development, conservation and sustainability has inspired him to serve as a board chair and director for several provincial non-profit organizations, while working as an advisor and consultant to numerous ENGOs, businesses and government agencies.

Brad spends most of his spare time paddling, skiing, hiking, and camping, somewhere in the Rockies.  

Prior to joining CPAWS, Laura served as the Manager, Finance and Human Resources Operations at the Canadian Electricity Association. Her role focused on managing the accounting team to perform the full cycle of accounting functions in addition to delivering quarterly forecast and financial reports, and developing multi-year budgets and business plan ensuring alignment with organizational vision and business priorities. In the process of developing, implementing, and maintaining the Financial Policy, Governance Policy and other internal control methods, Laura constantly challenges herself to streamline process while enhancing internal control objectives.

Laura currently lives in Ottawa with her husband and two lovely daughters.  As a dance mom, she enjoys accompanying her daughters to various local, national, and international dance competitions. She stays connected with nature by hiking and kayaking in Canada’s beautiful parks, rivers, and lakes and is passionate about the CPAWS mission to protect our public lands, freshwater and oceans.

Laura holds a bachelor’s degree in International Finance and is a Certified Public Accountant. 

An experienced campaigner and conservationist, Alex brings 20 years of expertise in environmental advocacy, campaign strategy and non-profit leadership and has been a vocal advocate for social and environmental justice issues since high school. Alex holds a B.Sc.(Hons) in psychology and for her master’s degree in science she studied human and climate change impacts on carbon rich coastal ecosystems.

Prior to her arrival at CPAWS, Alex worked on various marine conservation and research projects looking at everything from coral spawning to great white shark predatory behaviours. Although the non-profit world is home, she has also worked in research and academia, education, tourism, for Indigenous and provincial governments, and as a consultant. Her work has taken her from the UK, to Greece, South Africa, and the Maldives, where she first discovered the incredible benefits of Marine Protected Areas when she worked on a carefully managed, healthy and vibrant coral reef which has thorough spoiled her when it comes to snorkelling anywhere else.

Originally from Yorkshire (UK), Alex has a fondness for wind swept beaches and stormy seas which she gets to enjoy at home on the unceded territory of the We Wai Kai First Nation on Quadra Island in British Columbia, where she lives with her partner and two dogs. When she’s not working Alex enjoys doing ridiculously long-distance trail runs very slowly. She sometimes tries to garden but isn’t very good at it.

She was most recently the Executive Director with the IMPAC5 Secretariat at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, responsible for the organization of the 5th International Marine Protected Areas Congress held in Vancouver, Canada from 3-9 February 2023.

Prior to assuming this role in July 2019, Sabine was the National Director of the Ocean Program at the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), where she held a variety of previous roles since 1991, with a focus on MPAs and marine spatial planning.

Sabine holds an undergraduate and graduate degrees in Geography from the University of Waterloo, specializing in coastal zone management and environmental regulation. She has served as an advisor to many federal and provincial governments in Canada, and has conducted international research on MPAs in Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

Sabine was previously an Adjunct Professor in the Resource and Environmental Management Program at Simon Fraser University (SFU). Her professional and academic work has been recognized with a number of awards in Canada and internationally. In her spare time, Sabine is an avid birder and photographer.

Before joining CPAWS, Kirsten worked as the Land and Resources Manager for Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation in the Yukon, Federal government agencies in Canada and Australia, and most recently, as a policy and environmental assessment consultant for self-governing Nations. Through this work, she has a strong understanding of Indigenous-led conservation and how to impact policy and decision-making.

Kirsten holds a BSc (Environmental Science) from the University of Western Sydney, and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Climate Change Policy from Yukon University. An inveterate traveller, she moved back to Ontario in 2021 to complete a Master of Environmental Science in conservation and biodiversity at the University of Toronto, and subsequently landed in the Ottawa area. Kirsten attempts to garden, hike, ride horses, camp, paddle, cross-country ski, do yoga and run long distances – generally not all at once, but often assisted by her dogs and friends.

Growing up in the rural municipality of Mulmur, Ontario allowed Tatyana to develop a deep appreciation for nature at a young age. She believes that effective conservation requires the fostering of diverse knowledge systems that are based on mutual respect, kindness, and generosity, and strives to incorporate these practices in her work and daily life.

Tatyana holds a master’s degree in environmental studies from Wilfrid Laurier University where she specialized in Canadian climate and biodiversity policy. With previous experience in research and not-for-profit work, she is a strong advocate for systems thinking and is committed to continuous learning.

Tatyana loves to travel and hopes to explore scenic natural landscapes in all 13 provinces and territories across Canada. In her spare time, you can find her wandering through local farmers markets, gardening, and knitting itchy sweaters.

She first dove into the world of marine protected areas during her Honours research project on northern bottlenose whales in the Gully MPA in Nova Scotia. She then conducted snorkeling fieldwork for her master’s thesis, investigating impacts to damselfish communities on corals reefs inside locally managed MPAs in Fiji. These experiences solidified her desire to pursue a career in marine conservation.

Before joining the CPAWS National team, Madie worked for CPAWS Nova Scotia as the Manager of Marine Programs and as a member of the Conservation Freediving Team. She has also worked in public programming and education, and enjoys sharing her passion for the ocean with others.

Although originally from Ottawa, Ontario, Madie’s family hails from the east coast, and the sea called her home to Nova Scotia in 2013, where she lives in Halifax with her husband and two cats. In her free time, she is often exploring the coast both on the land and underwater, tending to her (way too many) houseplants, and enjoying board game nights with friends.

Her time in British Columbia is where she first worked in the marine protected area field; ensuring the protection of northern resident killer whales in the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve in Northern Vancouver Island. Alex continued working in ocean conservation with different ENGOs from the West coast to the East coast, from whales to MPAs. She is thrilled to be working for the National Ocean Program at CPAWS. She is passionate about protecting our oceans by supporting communities in stewardship and using different knowledge systems.

Outside of work, Alex loves to explore new hiking trails and beaches, sometimes accompanied by her adventure cat. Also, she enjoys bouldering, playing hockey and biking.

He holds a Masters in Geography from Carleton University examining participatory approaches to natural resource management in Central Asia.

Prior to CPAWS, Jason lived in various areas of Central Asia and worked in international development, supporting education and citizen science sectors. Overseas, he gained a depth of knowledge in structural and institutional change. He is always open to intriguing new collaborations and data-informed policymaking. Outside of work, Jason is also an open-water swimmer.

Prior to her role at CPAWS, Vicki worked for the Association of Fundraising Professionals as the Administrative Coordinator, and she was employed 10 years as the Development Officer for the Queensway-Carleton Hospital Foundation. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Canadian Marketing Association. Vicki resides in Ottawa with her husband and three children.

Originally from Barrie, Ontario, Amy moved to Ottawa in 2010 to attend Carleton University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and minor in Law. Amy’s love of animals is what led her to a career in conservation; she is especially passionate about animal welfare and habitat conservation. Enthusiastic about nature and wildlife, Amy reconnects with the outdoors whenever she can. She enjoys everything from snowboarding, skating, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, rock-climbing and exploring new trails with her family and dog, Barkley.

Whether working in a government department, national nonprofit, or marketing agency, Lobban strives to build value through strengthening communications and creating strong connections. He is excited to use his skills and experiences in communications to further the vision of CPAWS on a national and global level.  

On his days off, Lobban can be found watching the Buffalo Bills, playing spikeball with friends, or going on a hike with his dog Seb. He loves theatre and all things travel, and takes every possible opportunity to get outside and see the great Canadian outdoors.  

A keen road runner, Lisa finds that time on long runs helps her recharge and reflect. Watching her children grow up surrounded by nature has deepened her commitment to protecting wild spaces so future generations can experience the same sense of wonder.

Since 2015, Lisa has worked in fundraising for a variety of non-profits and charities. She is passionate about building meaningful partnerships with donors, helping them connect their own values and passions to causes that make a lasting difference. 

With over 10 years of experience in strategic communications, marketing, fundraising and volunteer engagement, she is thrilled to find a home at CPAWS where her environmental values and professional experience can merge into purposeful work.

Beyond the office she loves staying active outside with her dogs, camping on islands with her family and participating in community theatres.

Initially drawn to the cultural milieu, it was there that Vincent built up his first professional experiences. Working with non-profit organizations in the fields of theater and music, Vincent has held a wide range of positions, from programming to communications and project management. Wishing to embark on entrepreneurship, Vincent set up his own Web design company, offering services adapted from his previous fields of work. What followed were five years of stimulating experiences alongside a variety of colourful partners. Today, he considers himself privileged to have the opportunity to put his skills to work for the protection of the environment.

Curious and eager to learn, Vincent’s interests are wide-ranging. He divides his free time between volleyball, snowboarding, guitar, salsa dancing, backpacking, studying Spanish and chess.

Her degrees in International Development and Biological Sciences from the University of Guelph ensure that her communications align with new research and allow her to bring an analytical and big-picture approach to marketing.

A life-long learner, Julianna is always reading and studying wildlife and how to be an even more effective voice for the voiceless! On that note, she loves speaking and has done talks on ethical and authentic marketing and communications to inspire motivated audiences not impeded by eco-anxiety. She has also started leading interpretive nature walks about beavers!

In her spare time, Julianna may be sewing, crocheting, reading, hiking, biking, or sitting in the woods, watching and listening to birds and other wildlife.

She has worked as a content creator at the University of Ottawa’s Entrepreneurship Hub and as a Marketing and Communications Manager at Alliance Française Ottawa, where she developed a strong foundation in communications and content strategy. Fluent in French and English, with a good understanding of Spanish, Noémie brings a multilingual approach to her work at CPAWS.

Her passion for conservation was sparked through volunteer work in local community gardens and conversations with Indigenous activists, inspiring her to pivot to conservation-focused work. At CPAWS, she is excited to use her skills in translation, writing, and communications to support the organization’s mission and amplify its impact.

In her spare time, Noémie enjoys gardening (she’s a proud plant’s mom), writing and reading fiction, baking, hunting for unique thrifted pieces to decorate her home and volunteering at women’s shelters and community theatres.

I’m originally from Colombia and moved to Montreal in 2021. I hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering and a DEC in Creative Business Management. My journey has taken me across the globe, I did an internship in Brazil where I learned Portuguese and I had the chance to volunteer in Russia, Georgia, and Turkey, teaching English in elementary schools. Sadly, I didn’t learn Russian, hehehe.

Next on my bucket list is to take a camping road trip across all of Canada. I’ve already fallen in love with Quebec’s stunning landscapes, and I can’t wait to explore more of my beautiful second home.

When I’m not working, you’ll find me enjoying music (especially nu metal), watching movies, practicing yoga, or hiking.

Her background and expertise are in database management and fundraising. Her specializations are in gift processing, donor management and customer service. She is a proven leader who enjoys managing, training, and collaboration. She also is creative and solution drive. Muditha helps organizations make data driven decisions to optimize their development, fundraising goals, and donor outreach.

Prior to joining CPAWS, she worked at the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, as its Donation and Databases Manager. There she led the Gift Processing department by improving donation intake and database coding processes. She improved reporting systems and was part of various database integration projects. Muditha has also worked at Canadian Blood Services and SOS Children’s Villages, helping to coordinate various fundraising campaigns and initiatives.

Muditha enjoys traveling, exploring, and experiencing different cultures and cuisines. Her childhood was spent growing up between Saudi Arabia and Sudbury, Ontario. This allowed her to become more adaptable, open-minded, and appreciative of different cultures, people, and diversity. Her hobbies include photography, drawing, and reading – she is a lifelong learner. Muditha has a creative eye for event planning, decorating, and staging. She enjoys being out in nature, swimming, snorkeling, and exploring hiking trails. She currently lives in Ottawa, Ontario with her husband, her young daughter, and her orange tabby cat.

She has over 10 years of experience in fundraising. Prior to her role at CPAWS, Ursula worked for Nature Canada as their Database Manager and for the Canadian Cancer Society as a Programmer Analyst. She enjoys traveling from coast to coast across our beautiful country with her husband, two children and dog, which she takes camping during the summer.

Growing up in the outdoors and volunteering within their community, Lane has a lifelong passion for the outdoors, as well as an appreciation for the hard work that protects it. Originally moving to Ottawa to study journalism, they discovered a passion for data storytelling and geomatics (digital map-making) which led them to re-orient their studies towards analysis and knowledge mobilization. Some topics they are passionate about include environmental policy, Indigenous sovereignty, and urban equity. They consider themselves a lifelong learner, and are always looking for new ways to educate themselves and get involved. In their free time, Lane can be found exploring new places, taking photos, making all kinds of different artwork, or cooking a delicious soup.

A well-trained auditor with 3 years of working experience, she holds a master’s degree in finance from a renowned University in Nepal. She has volunteered for Canada Africa Community Health Alliance (CACHA) as well. She loves to paint and cook in her leisure time. She resides in Ottawa with her husband and daughter.

Outside of Work, Chadi loves going hiking and visiting new places. He is also passionate in Science, History and Geography. He lives with his wife in Gatineau, Quebec.

Prior to joining CPAWS, Nahiyan worked as a Banking Officer in a Bank in Bangladesh. And prior to that she worked at TD Bank Canada as Customer Service Officer. She comes from a banking, client service and sales background. Nahiyan has an extensive knowledge of credit card billing and credit line policies and payment processing.  She has experience in cash and cheque reconciliation, as well as working with multiple currencies. She has a vast knowledge of bank application procedures and working with different types of banking software.

She was born in Bangladesh but grew up between Bangladesh and Canada. She has a Diploma in Business Administration from Algonquin College. Back in High school she used to be part of the environmental club which partook in various projects that benefit the environment. Nahiyan loves to travel and try out new cuisine. She is passionate about caring for the environment and urges family and friends to do the same. She is excited to join CPAWS and start making a positive impact.

She has a Bachelor’s degree in International Business and a Master’s degree in Administration and International Business, which she studied in Paris, France.  She speaks English, French, Portuguese and her native tongue, Spanish.

She has worked as an Operations Manager and she defines herself as an Operational Excellence Advocate, a customer-centered professional and a People person. She has contributed for 15 years to manage and streamline the business operations for supply chain and tech organizations and more recently, she contributed to a non/profit organization.

She loves reading fiction and singing in a choir. She loves travelling and discovering new countries and cultures.

Celina feels Canadian nature as part of her home: nobody could have imagined her snowshoeing, hiking or paddling in lakes before!

With experience in administration and operations support, Samir brings structure, adaptability, and a strong customer service mindset to his work. Motivated by organizations working for the public good, he is proud to support CPAWS’ mission to protect nature for present and future generations