Programs Manager
Anelia joined Oakvillegreen in 2017 with an immense knowledge of nature and education, helping Oakvillegreen reach thousands of students, community groups and individuals through our nature-based and stewardship programming. Embracing years of experience with environmental education and conservation programs, Anelia works closely with the community to raise awareness and increase biodiversity in Oakville’s urban landscapes.
Anelia holds Master’s degrees in Geography and Education. She is an ISA Certified Arborist and a National Geographic Certified Educator. Anelia has great admiration for plants and believes that the more we learn, the better we can protect and care for our green spaces! She is active in the community, residing in Oakville with her family and spreading her love for nature through everything she does.
Stewardship Coordinator
Danilo is a recent graduate of the University of Toronto with a passion for environmental protection. Having grown up in Oakville, he is excited to contribute to the local community through conservation efforts and educational programming. While completing his degree, he worked with a hydrological research team studying urban riparian zones, which sparked a love for fieldwork and nature conservation.
Danilo has a B.Sc in Physical Geography, and a minor in Biology. He brings with him experience in Geographic Information Systems and academic research. He is looking forward to making an impact at Oakvillegreen!
"The great thing about Oakvillegreen is that it's about regular people coming together to speak up and share their concerns about nature and our environment. Please keep working together. You are making a difference."
President
Karen has a passion for protecting the environment and human health. During her time with Oakvillegreen she has played an active role in shaping the organization’s mandate and expanding key programs. She believes that global action on the environment starts where you live.
With a Nursing Science Degree from Queen’s, Karen worked in paediatrics before specializing in Maternal Child Care, teaching prenatal classes for twin/triplet parents at Sheridan College for 15 years. A mother of four, she was a key member in creating Halton’s first schoolyard naturalization project at Sunningdale Public School in 1997. The award-winning project (Dreamacres) continues today, along with its stewardship by the school community. The project’s challenges and successes jump-started Karen’s interest in creating healthy natural spaces for students throughout Oakville. Since that time she’s become an advocate for a healthy environment for all Oakville’s residents.
Karen received an Ontario Heritage Trust Award in 2012 for her efforts in preserving the Province’s Natural Heritage, along with the Government of Canada’s Sesquicentennial Award in 2017 for her volunteer work protecting and enhancing Oakville’s environment.
Director
John is a professional engineer with significant experience in the renewable energy field, primarily solar power, battery storage systems and district heating/geothermal systems. John is a graduate of the University of Toronto Chemical Engineering and holds an MBA as well. John is the Owner of JL Solar and Renewables, a small engineering company specializing in technical reviews on behalf of banks and renewable energy companies for commercial and utility scale solar power projects, and greenhouse gas reduction initiatives.
John was born and raised in the GTA, and has travelled extensively around the world for both business pleasure, including living in Tunisia, Chile, and across Canada. John is married with three grown children. His wife Denise is a jazz singer who performs regularly at local Oakville venues.
John has a keen interest in the transition to a non-carbon economy and what we as average people can do to help out, and make Oakville a better and greener place.
Secretary
Lauren is an emerging professional in the environmental sector with six years of experience working with non-profit and charitable organizations. Lauren holds a Masters of Information and a Masters of Museum Studies from the University of Toronto, and brings with her a skillset in nonprofit governance, project management, and community engagement. By day, Lauren works as the Programs Coordinator of the Bay Area Climate Change Council - an environmental collective seeking to help the Cities of Hamilton and Burlington reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 through climate policy and advocacy. Born and raised in Halton, Lauren has recently returned to the region and is thrilled at the opportunity to join Oakvillegreen to help protect and restore our natural lands.
Director
Bella is an entrepreneur, a community connector and a nature lover. Following her 20-year career in International Banking, she diverted her focus locally to connect and build supportive relationships between women entrepreneurs. Through her organization, MOM2MOM BIZ, small businesses join forces to take part in local charity initiatives while also networking. With Oakvillegreen, she intends to raise community and corporate awareness of the importance of nature conservation as well as to cultivate connections between people with nature. Bella's environmental mantra; "Connect with nature, to connect within" is one that she hopes others will embrace and understand.
Director
Catriona is a creative communications professional with a background in marketing, digital media and graphic design. She has a life-long interest in nurturing nature and applies her energy to her garden and spending as much time as possible outdoors, walking and biking. And she brings the outdoors in — as an artist — painting flowers and critters inspired by her photography.
Catriona has worked with WWF-Canada, writing articles and researching. In addition to working full time, volunteering in her community has always been important to her; she was a Girl Guide leader for more than 10 years and currently volunteers with Burlington Humane Society.
With OakvilleGreen, she will work on spreading hope and driving local action to take care of nature, in the present and for the future.
Treasurer
Avis is an outdoor enthusiast, gardener, low waste advocate and life-long learner. She has worked for over 30 years as a Finance professional, has held positions in both the public and private sectors and has served on community not-for-profit boards including the United Way and Acclaim Health. She has an MBA and holds a CPA, CA designation. Avis is excited to put her energy and skills into working with Oakvillegreen.
CANADIAN REGISTERED CHARITY #848592010RR0001
As stewards of the earth, we have the responsibility to honour and respect the four directions, land, waters, plants, animals, and ancestors that walked before us, and all of the wonderful elements of creation that exist. Oakvillegreen respectfully acknowledges that our work with the community takes place within the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, represented by Treaty 14 and Treaty 22, and on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabeg (Ah-nish-in-nah-beg), Attawandaron (At-tah-wahn-da-ron), Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-oh-sho-nee) and Metis peoples. We honour these rightful caretakers of this sacred land surrounding the Great Lakes, and we are grateful for their teachings.
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