Our Staff

Ontario Nature Staff and Contract Services

Caroline Schultz - Executive Director

Caroline has directed Ontario Nature’s programs and operations since 2005. Caroline previously served as conservation director for the Canadian Nature Federation for 10 years, leading the organization’s national advocacy, science and stewardship programs. She was also chair of BirdLife International’s Americas regional council, helping to develop and lead a partnership of national member NGOs from more than 17 countries to advance biodiversity conservation throughout the region. Caroline holds an M.Sc. in ecology and a Masters of Management degree in voluntary sector leadership.

Lauren Wright - Executive Assistant

Lauren joined Ontario Nature in July of 2010. She works closely with the senior management team and board of directors, and coordinates special events. Previously, Lauren worked as a tracking leader for a conservation charity in Malaysian Borneo. She holds an M.Sc. in primate conservation from Oxford Brookes University in the UK and a B.A. in anthropology from the University of Toronto.

John Gunn - Director of Finance and Administration

John joined Ontario Nature as director of finance and administration in early 2008. He has held a number of senior finance and administration positions with non-profit organizations, primarily in the arts sector, including the Vancouver Symphony, the Vancouver Opera, The Arts Club and The Living Arts Centre. John is a Chartered Accountant and holds a B.A. in economics and geography and a Masters of Public Administration. He is an avid naturalist and particularly enjoys hiking and birding.

Conservation & Science

Anne Bell - Director of Conservation and Education

Anne has been directing Ontario Nature’s conservation and education programs since 2007. She holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Studies and has almost 20 years experience working as an environmental educator, researcher and advocate for government and non-profit organizations. Anne loves to go birding, camping, swimming, and skiing and to play hockey with her husband and two young daughters, Kestrel and Castilleja.

Mark Carabetta - Conservation Science Manager

Mark oversees Ontario Nature's 2,100-hectare nature reserve system and leads many of our conservation projects and initiatives. Mark has been engaged in conservation and restoration efforts for more than 15 years, with a focus on forested and aquatic habitats. Prior to joining Ontario Nature, his positions have included director of conservation science at the Connecticut Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, and environmental scientist at a private consulting firm where he specialized in wetland and river restoration, and dam removal.

Julee Boan - Boreal Program Manager

Julee lives in Thunder Bay and is leading our Boreal Program. She works collaboratively with First Nations, industry and local conservation groups to seek environmentally responsible approaches to economic development in northern Ontario. She is currently completing a Ph.D. in Forest Sciences with research focused on mitigating timber harvesting impacts on woodland caribou. For 5 years, Julee has also served as a Board member of Environment North. When she isn't pounding the pavement advocating for environmental sustainability, she paddles, plays guitar (poorly, but with great enthusiasm) and shares her love of the outdoors in northern Ontario with her son Simon Sweetwater, and the best dog in the world, Lola.

Lisa Richardson - Education Program and Nature Network Coordinator

Lisa heads up Ontario Nature’s Education Program and Nature Network of more than 140 local community conservation groups. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto where she earned a B.Sc. in zoology and psychology. Prior to joining Ontario Nature in 2006 as the Volunteer for Nature Coordinator, Lisa worked with the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre running their volunteer-based national shoreline cleanup program in Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces.

Peter Rosenbluth - Northern Connections Coordinator

Based out of Ontario Nature's Thunder Bay office, Peter leads capacity building and collaboration among a network of conservation organizations across northern Ontario. Previously, Peter worked as a research consultant for the Assembly of First Nations and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and has also served as a community-based conservation specialist for the Center for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development in Hanoi, Vietnam. Although he used to look forward to adventures abroad, Peter now prefers to explore the exotic landscape of northern Ontario.

Sarah Hedges – Nature Guardians Coordinator

Sarah joined Ontario Nature in August 2010 and oversees their Nature Guardians Program, a youth-based environmental education initiative. Sarah has completed her B.Sc. in environmental science from Queen’s University, and has had significant experience working with children and youth from previous positions at a summer camp and an outdoor education centre. Sarah enjoys international travel and spending time at her cottage.

Joshua Wise - Greenway Program Coordinator

Josh joined the Ontario Nature team in the spring of 2011. His interest in the natural environment led him to study Geography at the University of Guelph and later to do a Masters degree in Environment and Sustainability at the University of Western Ontario. Previous work in the environmental field has included positions at Parks Canada, the Ministry of Natural Resources as well as other environmental NGOs in Canada and Bolivia. Josh spends his free time playing sports and enjoys any opportunity to go hiking and canoeing.

James Paterson - Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas Coordinator

James joined Ontario Nature in the summer of 2011 to work on the atlas project. He completed his B.Sc. in zoology at the University of Guelph and his M.Sc. in biology at Laurentian University. Before joining Ontario Nature, James worked researching, monitoring, educating and participating in stewardship programs focused on turtles and other reptiles throughout the province. He enjoys camping, hiking, bird watching and canoeing in new places across Ontario.

John Urquhart - Staff Ecologist

John joined Ontario Nature in 2009. He coordinates the Reptiles at Risk program and the Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas project. John has a B.Sc in ecology and an M.Sc in zoology. Prior to joining Ontario Nature, John worked for conservation, education and stewardship organizations (including the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Environment, the Toronto Zoo and the Toronto Region and Conservation Authority) and conducted research on reptiles and amphibians in Costa Rica.

Timothy Hayward - Research and Policy Analyst

Metcalf Foundation Intern

Tim works on environmental policy issues with a particular focus on aggregate extraction, and researches ways to align industrial activities with the conservation of important habitat in southern Ontario. He has a Degree in Applied Geography from Ryerson University and is currently enrolled in the M.ES. program at York University where his research focuses on bioregional planning in the Greater Toronto Area. He previously worked as a geographic information systems (GIS) operator. Tim is a volunteer with the Don Watershed Regeneration Council and enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and daughter.

Membership & Development

Kimberley MacKenzie - Director of Development

Kimberley joined Ontario Nature in late 2009 and directs individual and corporate giving. Kimberley started fundraising in 2000 as national development manager for La Leche League Canada where she started the annual fund and developed a national conference program for health care professionals. In 2005, Kimberley became executive director of the Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation. During her tenure, revenue increased by an average of 35 percent annually and the foundation received the small organization award for excellence in fundraising from the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Toronto Chapter.

Sonia Croasdaile - Annual Fund Manager

Sonia recently joined Ontario Nature in February 2011, and has more than 14 years of direct marketing experience. She manages the annual plan, which includes monthly donors and the membership program, as well as assisting with stewardship and connecting members with Ontario Nature’s work. Sonia was a senior account manager at DGN Marketing and the direct response marketing specialist at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind where she was a leader in building exceptional client relationships and developing marketing strategies. Sonia’s hobbies include power walking, running and sewing.

Randie Hanlan - Member and Donor Relations Coordinator

Randie joined Ontario Nature in 2005 after working at the Toronto East General Hospital Foundation as donor relations coordinator. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and has held many positions within a fundraising and member services capacity since she graduated from Seneca College in 2000. Outside of Ontario Nature, Randie is active in her community by chairing the personnel committee on the board of directors for the Owen Community Learning Centre.

Irene Milani - Database Coordinator

Irene oversees Ontario Nature's growing member and donor database. Previously, Irene held various positions at the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, including natural heritage coordinator, project manager and special assistant to the Hon. David Crombie. Irene has a B.A. in Urban Studies and Sociology.

Nicole Chamula - Foundation and Corporate Giving Coordinator

Nicole joined Ontario Nature in 2010 after completing an internship at Environmental Defence. She has a post-graduate certificate in Fundraising and Volunteer Management from Humber College and is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She also holds a B.ES. in Environment and Resources Studies from the University of Waterloo. Nicole enjoys any chance to travel and loves to be outdoors.

Communications

Victoria Foote - Director of Communications

Victoria became editor of ON Nature magazine in 2003 and director of communications in 2008. She earned a B.A. in philosophy and English and an M.A. in Environmental Studies focusing on environmental refugees. Victoria directs Ontario Nature’s online and offline communications and media outreach. With her husband and two hockey-obsessed sons, Victoria loves to escape to the cottage by Lake Haliburton in the summer, hike around Ontario and travel.

John Hassell - Communications Coordinator

John joined Ontario Nature in late 2009 in a communications role and as editorial assistant with ON Nature magazine. John holds a M.A. in International Development with research focusing on sustainable, community-based forestry and a B.A. in political science. He has worked in the non-profit sector for organizations with environmental and social justice mandates for six years. John is an active volunteer in his community and enjoys outdoor activities and international travel.

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