Board of Directors

Helga Guderley made St. Margaret’s Bay her home since retiring in 2010 from being a professor of comparative physiology at Université Laval for 30 years. She continues to teach graduate students at Dalhousie University because the amazing variety of physiological adaptations of living organisms continues to delight her. Helga became involved with environmental advocacy shortly after arriving in Boutiliers Pt., fighting the clear cutting on nearby Crown lands. The strong support of her petition against the use of biomass for power generation started her collaboration with the Ecology Action Centre, in particular the Wilderness section. The EAC’s work in its various departments has consistently impressed her and she looks forward to working more closely with the organization.

Helga was born in Dayton Ohio, to recently arrived German immigrants. She did her PhD in Zoology at the University of British Columbia where she met her husband, John Himmelman. They have two grown sons and a lovely little grand-daughter. They look after a mix of gardens and forest in Boutiliers Pt. and enjoy being near John’s homelands along the La Have river. She enjoys hiking, biking, swimming, being in natural landscapes and knowing the names of the plants she sees.

Virginia started her environmental career in 1989 with a degree in Environmental Science and volunteering with Peterborough GreenUp in Ontario. She has worked in the public sector for most of her career while continuing to support the programs of Environmental Not-for-profits. Virginia has managed environmental programs for school boards and led government consultation projects. While working for Nova Scotia Environment she was involved with developing waste management policy, participated in the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment Waste Reduction Working Group, and led staff training. Virginia served two terms on the Board of Directors for the Clean Foundation. Her capacity to focus on the big picture resulted in outcomes that are environmentally sound and cost effective. Since retiring in 2017, Virginia has volunteered with Canadian international development organizations in Myanmar and Tanzania. Projects included a community waste management plan and an environmental report for a national college. When not overseas, Virginia has volunteered with the Immigrants Services Association of Nova Scotia and Halifax Public Library Immigrants Services.

To the age of nineteen, Alyda lived on a dairy farm in Ontario which fostered her abiding gratitude for nature’s beauty. These early years also influenced her commitment to support local farmers, and, through the community created by farmers’ markets, getting to know the people who grow our food. She’s a year round commuter cyclist, backyard composter, and funnel spiders live in her basement. As a Professor at Atlantic School of Theology (AST), she teaches and researches in the areas of Christian Theology and Ethics with a focus on the poetics of ethics and theology. She regularly teaches courses in Sexual Ethics, Mystical Theology, and Theological Ethics & the Climate Crisis. She has been the President of AST’s faculty union since it certified in 2009, serves as Chair of the Research Ethics Board (AST), and as an Associate Editor (poetry) at the Dalhousie Review. Her most recent publications are works of poetry, Dust or Fire (2016) and Poisonous If Eaten Raw (2021, winner of the J. M. Abraham Atlantic Poetry Prize).

Curtis Whiley, a sixth-generation African Nova Scotian from Upper Hammonds Plains, is a dedicated public servant and social entrepreneur committed to advancing and liberating Black communities in Canada. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and an MBA specializing in Social Enterprise Leadership. In 2022, he founded the Upper Hammonds Plains Community Land Trust to preserve historical lands, create affordable housing solutions, and empower his community through collective action. Curtis's leadership aims to preserve his heritage's integrity and history through innovation and community-led transformation.

Dawn was born and has lived most of her life in Halifax. Her early career was in the field of nutrition where she worked as a clinical dietitian in both Alberta and Nova Scotia. Having completed a Master in Health Administration, and training as a leadership coach Dawn enjoyed several roles in the NS health system in the areas of staff wellness, leadership development and coaching, and change management. Throughout her career Dawn fostered a systems view of how living-systems like teams, organizations, forests and oceans actually behave as a means to achieve lasting change. An eco-system view of life continues to be Dawn’s sweet spot in retirement as she engages in volunteer opportunities that contribute to enhancing the health of the planet. Dawn is a life-long nature enthusiast and is most happy on her bike, on a seaside hike or on the golf course.  She can also be found on her yoga mat as the sun comes up.

Grant has been a supporter of EAC since its early days and has served on the board in the past.

He retired in 2016 as a professor of public policy, conflict resolution and organizational behaviour at Dalhousie University. He had a long career as a university-based adult educator helping Nova Scotia non-profits on matters of leadership and governance. He now writes on this subject and occasionally advises groups.

Grant was born and went to school in Saint John, N.B. He and his spouse Susan have two grown daughters, and four young grandchildren, who, with their partners, are all living in Nova Scotia. Adding to the mix there is a sweet but complicated 9-year old, border collie named Gracie. He keeps busy exploring as many nearby trails as he can find (dog in the lead), cooking and baking, binge watching TV mystery series, reading children's books and putting shoes on little feet. 

He is also involved as chair of a local resident-business community group, the Pleasant-Woodside Neighbourhood Association in Dartmouth.

Laurette Geldenhuys was trained as a physician and a pathologist in South Africa and has master’s degrees in Anatomical Pathology and Medical Education. She is a Professor at Dalhousie University and specializes in her medical practice in the pathology of medical diseases of the kidney, including transplantation. She also has interests in Medical Education, the Medical Humanities, including Medical History, and most recently and most passionately, Planetary Health.

She served as Division Head and Service Chief of Anatomical Pathology at the QEII Health Sciences Centre for 10 years; and is a Past President of the Canadian Association of Pathologists (CAP-ACP); Vice Chair of the CAP- ACP Section on the Humanities and International Health; Chair of the CAP- ACP National Specialty Network on the Environment; Board Member of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE); Chair of the CAPE Nova Scotian Regional Committee (CAPE NS); and member of the Department of Pathology Green Team, and St. Matthew’s United Church Earth Spirit Action Team.

She is particularly interested in the greening of health care; the health effects of the climate emergency; and the beneficial health effects of spending time in nature.

Her three lovely daughters, her two adorable grandsons, and her love of nature inspire her in her planetary health advocacy.

Luke Morine, CPA, is the Chief Financial Officer of Glooscap First Nation and Glooscap Ventures, where he provides strategic financial leadership across Nation administration, community programs, business enterprises and economic development initiatives. Over more than a decade in senior finance leadership, he has worked with Indigenous governments and organizations to strengthen governance, support sustainable growth and help leaders make informed decisions that create lasting value for their communities.

Growing up in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley, Luke developed an early appreciation for the land through time spent working on local farms and raising animals. These experiences fostered a lifelong respect for the connection between healthy ecosystems, resilient communities and sustainable livelihoods. His career later took him to Inuvik, Northwest Territories, where working alongside Inuvialuit organizations and communities deepened his appreciation for Indigenous knowledge, environmental stewardship and the close relationship between people, culture, and the land. Throughout his career, Luke has worked closely with boards, executive leadership teams and community stakeholders to advance financial sustainability, effective governance and organizational governance. He and his wife, Rebecca, are raising their two children in Nova Scotia, where they enjoy spending time together outdoors. Luke is excited to contribute his governance and financial expertise in support of the Ecology Action Centre’s vision of a just and sustainable future for Atlantic Canada.

Originally from Finland, Milka moved to Halifax in 2020 with her family after three decades of studying and working in Europe and Asia. Most of her professional career she has worked in and advised multinational companies on corporate responsibility and sustainability. In 2018, Milka co-founded her own ESG (environment, social and governance) consultancy firm, specializing on business and human rights; helping companies identify and manage diverse human rights risks, including human rights implications of net zero strategies and the transition towards a low carbon economy. 

Milka is passionate about building better dialogue and finding new and innovative models of collaboration between the private and non-profit sectors. She has previously served on the board of the Global Network Initiative, a multistakeholder organization promoting and advancing freedom of expression and privacy rights across the technology ecosystem. She currently acts as a technical expert to Safe Online, a UNICEF-managed global partnership fund that finances and helps scale up technology solutions, research and awareness programs to fight online child sexual exploitation and abuse. 

When not working, Milka is mostly likely found outdoors in nature, her true happy place.

Natasha was born and raised in Dartmouth and grew up in a family of entrepreneurs. Her formative years were spent traveling and later, seeing her father dive deeply into the world of recycling, an industry the family is still involved with 20 years later. Early on, this impacted the way she viewed sustainability and the impact we were having on our beautiful planet. Two children later, the urgency and passion for the outdoors and protecting its beauty continue to grow. Professionally, Natasha has worked at both the provincial and national levels of sport for over 18 years, including working as a full-time snowboard coach for seven of those. Now in the final stretch of her MBA in leadership, she’s passionate about driving positive change in sport, the community she resides in and beyond.

Owen Skeen is a student and union organizer, an artist and a writer. Owen currently serves as Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students Nova Scotia and as a board member of the Nova Scotia Public Interest Research Group, while studying at the University of King's College. Owen previously served as President of the Student Union of NSCAD, where he developed an art practice that engages the intersections between public art and insurgent political action.

As a student organizer, Owen is recognized for his contribution to the advancement of student syndicalism within the national student movement. As co-chair of the CFS National Student Strike Committee, Owen has worked with students across "Canada" to build capacity and precedent for student strikes and combative union organizing to press for divestment demands relating to environmental justice, Indigenous sovereignty, anti-war and anti-imperialism, anti-capitalism and internationalist solidarity; as well as demands for free and accessible high-quality college and university education for all.

Owen lives and works as an uninvited guest in Kjipuktuk, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq, with his partner, Beah, and their cat, Cassie.

Pauline Raven is a dedicated environmental advocate with over 30 years of executive experience in the non-profit sector. Her career has been defined by grassroots activism and effective policy change, including her eight-year tenure on Kings County Council, where she successfully championed agricultural land protection and renewable energy projects that prioritize environmental and social justice. 

Recognizing the urgent need for climate action, Pauline recently completed advanced certifications in Climate Change Action and Community Capacity Building, with a specific focus on Indigenous-led leadership. A longtime admirer of the Ecology Action Centre, she is proud to serve on the board, working to advance climate justice and community-centered solutions during this critical time.

Scott is a sustainability professional currently based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Scott has been living in Halifax for nearly two decades. While studying at Dalhousie University, he earned a bachelor of arts degree in creative writing and later a master's in resource and environmental management (MREM). Scott’s career grew between Halifax and Toronto, working in business development for CarbonCure Technologies, Marine Renewables Canada, and CanACRE. Scott is currently employed as director of development at Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), a Danish-based private equity firm that deploys capital globally across renewable energy assets. His role focuses primarily on a portfolio of onshore wind energy projects in central New York, which he began developing in 2019 while employed with Natural Forces in Halifax. Outside of work, he is an avid cyclist and a musician with an active studio practice. He is a strong advocate for the arts in Halifax – you’ll regularly find him attending concerts, festivals, art openings and theatre performances throughout the city.

Tania Cheng is a strategy designer, change facilitator and community builder who brings over 20 years of experience across the
charitable and nonprofit sector as a leader, board member, volunteer and consultant. Their work is informed by emergent strategy, systems thinking, design thinking, liberatory practice, participatory methodologies and equity and anti-oppression — with lived experience as a racialized queer and non-binary person. Prior to working as an independent consultant leading Seahorse Strategies, Tania held senior positions at EcoSchools Canada, Coralus and Feminuity. Tania holds a Master in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership from Carleton University and an Honours Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo. They bring 16 years of board experience, having served on the boards of Imagine Canada, Inside Out and The Otesha Project. 

Tania leads with love and is guided by core values of creativity, courage and care. After moving from Toronto to Tantallon in 2020, Tania co-founded St. Margaret's Bay Pride in 2024 to raise 2SLGBTQIA+ visibility and inclusion in her local community. When not working or building community, Tania enjoys playing and watching basketball, making ice cream and spending time with their wife, toddler, and Yorkie.

Tony Charles became a budding environmentalist in high school, which lead to volunteering with the environmental organization Pollution Probe in Ottawa in the 1970s. He then moved to Vancouver, becoming an active volunteer with the city’s major environmental organization, SPEC (Society Promoting Environmental Conservation). When he then shifted to Halifax in the mid-1980s, Tony began a 40-year involvement with the EAC, working on a variety of projects and serving on the Board for a time, including as Co-Chair. He also became a longtime professor at Saint Mary’s University, specializing in environmental science, business sustainability and fisheries, oceans and coasts. Tony has a passion for supporting local communities in their environmental conservation activities, especially through his role as Director of the Community
Conservation Research Network (CCRN), a global network in which EAC has been an active partner.

Alongside his work with communities, Tony works internationally with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, on a range of topics such as fisheries, oceans, climate change, biodiversity and food security. Meanwhile, around Halifax, Tony is a dedicated commuter cyclist.

Zahra's (she/her) journey has taken her across the globe, having lived and worked or studied in Barbados, the United Kingdom, New York and Baltimore, USA, and throughout Atlantic Canada. She holds degrees from Mount Allison University, Dalhousie University, and Morgan State University.

Zahra is an architect, and principal of zzap, as well as a sessional instructor at Dalhousie University in the Faculty of Architecture and Planning. Based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Zahra brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for the built environment to her work. Her research delves into the implications of climate and social justice on the built environment, with a strong focus on housing and community, social inclusion, poverty disruption, architecture and colonialism, and the challenges of post-industrial cities.
Beyond her professional life, Zahra is deeply committed to her community. She actively volunteers with the Nova Scotia Association of Architects (NSAA), is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). Passionate about fostering diversity within architecture and related fields, Zahra has developed a youth job shadow program to introduce African Nova Scotians and indigenous youth to architectural practice. She also hopes to establish a NOMA student chapter at Dalhousie University.

In her free time, Zahra enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her beloved dog, Junie Jabarkus. Whether she's hiking, being near the water, listening to live music, making art or reading, Zahra is always looking for opportunities to be engaged and build community.

Ben grew up in the Annapolis Valley but now calls Dartmouth his home. Ben used to work as an energy coordinator at the Ecology Action Centre but has recently claimed the title of “Captain Energy” for various EAC fundraising events. Ben’s professional experience has been in environmental advocacy, energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emission accounting and policy analysis over the last 10 years. Ben is passionate about energy efficiency and renewable energy, and how these concepts are incorporated into existing buildings. Ben is also a regular bicycle commuter, with a keen interest in how municipalities can move people (not just cars) safely and efficiently. Ben is an avid gardener, hiker and beach enthusiast, and he is excited to share his energy, enthusiasm and hope for an environmentally sustainable future

Shawn Brayman completed a BSc in Computational Mathematics and a Master of Environmental Studies at York University. He founded a software firm specializing in personal financial planning that grew to serve users in more than 20 countries and multiple languages before being acquired by a NASDAQ-listed company in 2020.

For the last 15 years, Shawn has been an active researcher, earning several awards for his peer-reviewed work. He served as President of the
Academy of Financial Services, a global academic membership association, in 2024–25 and continues to serve on its Board. Over the years,
he has volunteered with numerous associations and foundations in Canada and the United States, receiving several honours, including the FP
Canada Fellow Distinction.

After retiring in 2022, Shawn and his wife, Nancy, sailed their boat, Stealing Summer — named after a short story he wrote about global warming — to Halifax. They chose to make Nova Scotia home in 2024. Since then, Shawn has remained active in environmental and climate initiatives, advocating for building decarbonization and EV infrastructure as board member of The Roy in downtown Halifax. He believes individuals and organizations can align their values with their financial decisions to strengthen both financial and environmental outcomes.