GREEN TEAMS CANADA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Lower Mainland Green Team
- Program Coordinator
- Lower Mainland Green Team Program Coordinator
Andrea is a passionate environmentalist who believes in empowering individuals and communities at the grassroots level to strengthen education, stewardship, and collective action for a more sustainable planet. Andrea completed her bachelor's in Environmental Studies with a focus on Ecological Restoration and Rehabilitation and a minor in Geography and Environmental Management at the University of Waterloo, and has since been involved in several conservation initiatives in the Great Lakes Region. Andrea recognizes the importance of taking an interdisciplinary approach to tackle today's environmental challenges and aims to engage local citizens to strengthen their relationship with nature and foster a sense of belonging and community.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Lower Mainland Green Team
- Program Manager
- Lower Mainland Green Team Program Manager
Ashton is passionate about environmental education and community engagement, and is particularly interested in addressing climate change.Ashton believes strongly in the mission of Green Teams of Canada (GTC). She has served on its board and has volunteered with the Lower Mainland Green Team. Having completed a B.Sc. in Environmental Sciences at UBC, she has extensive knowledge on environmental processes and how humans perceive and interact with their lived environments. Throughout university she was involved in various sustainability initiatives and has experience in interdisciplinary research, waste management and operations. Ashton strives to inspire and nurture young leaders to take action for the environment and reach their full potential.
Job Titles:
- Advisor
- Independent Insurance Agent
Brian is an independent insurance agent who helps individuals and businesses provide a comprehensive risk management plan. He wants to help connect people to nature, preserve habitats and biodiversity, and raise awareness about the impact of climate change. He is happily married and has a daughter. He stays active by taking his daughter out for walks and playing hockey. He is excited to help grow Green Teams of Canada!
Doug is a highly creative, problem solving and results oriented manager with experience in Human Resources, Marketing and Public Relations. He has been on the Board of Directors for Volunteer Canada and spends much of his time volunteering for a wide variety of organizations such as the United Way, Youth Without Shelter, Habitat for Humanity, BC Games 55+ (an annual multi-sport event) and the Credit Valley Conservation Authority. He's an avid motorcyclist, skier, kayaker and sailor. He loves spending time with his grandchildren, is getting back into golf and enjoys taking care of green spaces removing invasive plants and planting native species!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Lower Mainland Green Team
Jessica is a geologist working in exploration for battery metals, currently as a consultant and prospector. She is a member of APEGBC with a B.Sc. in Geological Sciences from the University of British Columbia and an M.Sc. in Geology from Laurentian University. Jessica is passionate about the outdoors and volunteerism. She has a great interest in exploring nature, hiking and looks forward to playing a role in building a strong sustainable charity.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Leadership and Organizational Development Consultant and Coach
Jordan is a leadership and organizational development consultant and coach. He is deeply committed and energized by helping leaders and organizations improve how they engage their people and leverage systems thinking to achieve their goals. He has worked with organizations in healthcare, engineering, academia, government, and with many non-profits and charities to support their development. Jordan also loves getting as much surfing and basketball in as he can in his spare time.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Lower Mainland Green Team
- Program Manager
- Greater Victoria Green Team Program Manager
Kaitlin is a passionate environmental justice advocate and has been involved in creating and operating various events focused on public outreach and education. She believes in the importance of collective action and strives to support and strengthen community connections in nature. Kaitlin began by volunteering with the GVGT and is eager to make a meaningful impact on her local community. Having completed a B.A. at the University of Victoria with a double major in Environmental Studies and Anthropology and a minor in Indigenous Studies, Kaitlin believes in the importance of a holistic and inclusive approach to environmental restoration.
Kristen has been a Green Team volunteer since the very beginning in 2011. She is an environmental scientist, and has a degree in Natural Resources Conservation from UBC. She is currently a Permitting and Enforcement Officer at Metro Vancouver. Kristen loves being a mom of two. She is passionate about giving back to the community and really enjoys getting outdoors and getting her hands dirty. She is excited to be part of building Green Teams of Canada up and positioning it to scale up and grow!
Lyda believes inviting people into nature, engaging them in meaningful fun hands-on action will instills an environmental ethic which will lead to responsible environmental behaviour. She has worked and volunteered at non-profit sector for 20 years. Her background is in organizing, fundraising and outreach. In Feb 2011 she founded the Lower Mainland Green Team on social media and engaged over 3,000 eco-volunteers in the protection of the environment. It is through this work that Lyda has received a BC Achievement Foundation Community Award in 2019, the YWCA Women of Distinction Award in 2014 and was presented with the Frank Sanford Award for Community Service from Nature Vancouver in 2013.
Michele Chong CPA, CGA, is an accountant with experience in the corporate and charitable sector. She loves spending time with her 2 year old son and whenever possible being out in nature. She is keen to give back and help more people get connected to each other and nature.
Paul has spent his career(s) working in the natural resource sector. He has been a professional forester working across BC, a forestry instructor at a technical college and the leader for a Provincial Crown Agency regulator. He has a B.Sc. in Forestry from the University of Alberta and an M.Sc. in Environment and Management from Royal Roads University. Paul has always had a deep connection with the outdoors and in sharing that connection with others. He has recently started the next chapter in his career working as a volunteer with environmental charities.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Assistant Professor of Operations Management at McGill University
Sanjith is an assistant professor of operations management at McGill University, and his interests revolve around the sustainable management of business operations. He has previously served on the Transportation Advisory Committee to the City of Vancouver and has a deep commitment to practical approaches toward urban sustainability.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Lower Mainland Green Team
- Program Coordinator
- Greater Victoria Green Team Program Coordinator
Shannon is an HR professional with 15 years of experience supporting leaders in a variety of sectors. She understands the challenges and opportunities organizations face while leveraging talent and maintaining a culture of high performance.She enjoys spending time outdoors and has enrolled her son in a program that connects him with nature. She believes in the value of hands-on experiential education!
Steven practices environmental law, and insurance law. He also has a background in journalism and marketing. In 2013, he co-authored a research paper on climate change adaptation under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Steven also really cares about health and well-being. For 10 years, he volunteered with the BC Lions Society for children with disabilities and Easter Seals BC. He has been an advocate with Access Pro Bono Mental Health Program. Steven has lived in Japan and Singapore and loves to travel. In his spare time, you can find him hiking and cycling.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director of People & Culture at GHGSat Incorporated
Tania is Director of People & Culture at GHGSat Incorporated, mitigating methane through satellite detection. She has a BA in History, HR Management from McGill University, and an EMBA from McGill-HEC. She understands the repercussions of climate inaction and is committed to providing a better future for her children through hands-on engagement.
Teagan has worked for environmental non-profits for more than 5 years now and truly believes in people power change. She has spent her career getting people engaged in advocating for nature conservation and protection. Teagan believes that people must make a connection with something in order to fight to protect it, that's why she is so passionate about Green Teams of Canada's mission. On days outside of the office, you will find her getting her nature fix… from gardening to hiking, swimming, camping, and kayaking.
Tony has a background in corporate finance and private investments. He currently supports investments in early-stage companies focusing on climate solutions. His commitment to environmental causes comes from his appreciation for nature, and he is dedicated to supporting organizations that share this commitment. In his free time, Tony enjoys outdoor activities including hiking and racquet sports.