OUR TEAM

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.

Lacey is studying computer science and sustainable development at Simon Fraser University. Her passion for the environment and dedication to climate action are at the core of everything she does. Any opportunity she can, she loves spending time outdoors- hiking, walking, swimming, and connecting with nature. Lacey's roots in Oakville have motivated her to conserve and protect these areas close to her heart. She is beyond excited to work with Oakvillegreen and make a positive climate impact in her community.

Mukhnaam Kaur is the Environmental Stewardship Coordinator at Oakvillegreen Conservation Association, where her work focuses on securing funding for environmental programs, developing educational resources, and working closely with the community to increase awareness and enhance biodiversity in Oakville’s urban landscapes. With a Master’s in Climate Change and a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies focusing on Geography and Environmental Management, Mukhnaam is dedicated to advancing climate action through education and community engagement, empowering community members to become proactive stewards of our planet and drive meaningful change both locally and beyond.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kai is an IT professional with over 30 years of extensive knowledge and hands-on experience. Before moving to Canada in 2000, he worked as a software engineer in China and Japan. Kai has been living in Oakville since 2000. He cares about the community and the environment. He loves nature and physical exercise, and is passionate about trees and actively involved in events to advocate biodiversity. Being a board member of two non-profit community organizations - "The Voice of Oakville" and "The Oakville Chinese Residents Association", Kai volunteers to organize and coordinate many outdoor community activities that promote green mindset and environmental education.Kai holds a Master's degree in Pattern Recognition & Intelligence Control and two Bachelor's degrees in Computer Science and Engineering, and Applied Mathematics.