Our Team

Abby grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia and completed her bachelor's degree in sustainability and sociology at Dalhousie University. Prior to starting her bachelor's degree Abby backpacked Australia to explore a different culture and environment. While there, she discovered a passion for working towards a sustainable future, inspired by the state of the Great Barrier Reef, activism to preserve endangered wildlife and inclusivity towards different groups. She hopes to use this passion to strengthen and engage communities in her home province to combat climate change, and is currently working with EAC's clean energy deep canvassing project. When not at the EAC, Abby can be found hiking and exploring local sites across the province.

Anika Riopel is a passionate transportation advocate and ocean education champion.  She believes fiercely in working through partnerships to reduce barriers for a more just and sustainable future. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts and Environmental Sustainability from Dalhousie University and a culinary certificate from Sault College. Prior to moving to Halifax, Anika worked as a curriculum developer and scuba instructor with Connect Ocean in Costa Rica. During her undergrad, she focused on ocean-centric experiential learning, place-based and adult education. She continues to freelance as a SCUBA instructor at Torpedo Rays Scuba Adventures with a specialization in disabled diving. 

Ashleigh has been using bikes as her primary mode of transport since renting one in Berlin in 2009 to see the sights. 11 years, 3 bikes and a BA in Resource and Environmental Studies later, she has travelled across continents to finally pull up at the Ecology Action Centre joining the team as Making Tracks Coordinator. Her absolute favourite thing is experiencing the change in people's confidence and skills in cycling with practice and safety education. Igniting a love for cycling and people who bike in everyone she meets; her goal is to have cycling included as a life skill taught in all schools and see more cycling in road user education.

Ever since he stumbled onto metro plans for his hometown of Ottawa late one night in high school, Ben has been fascinated at how infrastructure and geography shape people's lives. He believes that if done properly, transit and trails can provide independence, and the ability to step out of our geographic comfort zones to share experiences with people and places we might not otherwise interact with. Good transit makes our communities stronger and the world a little bit smaller. When he's not at EAC, you can find Ben knitting, working with Jewish-Indigenous solidarity projects, or developing plant-based versions of dishes traditionally full of animal products.

Hailing from northern New Brunswick, Brandy first discovered her passion for community engagement and fundraising through their work with the Canadian Cancer Society. Graduating St. Thomas University in 2020, Brandy went on to pursue a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership at NSCC. While in school, Brandy worked with numerous organizations, including the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Charlotte Street Arts Centre. In their free time, Brandy enjoys hanging out in the woods, rock collecting, crocheting, quilting and performing comedy.

Brittney was born and raised in Belize before moving to Newfoundland in 2017 to pursue her studies. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading and going outside for walks/hikes/anything adventurous. She holds a BSc in Environmental Science and a Masters in Environmental Science, both from Memorial University. Her favourite part of her field of work is the experience she gets from working with such a knowledgeable team.

Caitlin moved to Halifax from rural Ontario in 2014 to pursue an Honours degree in International Development. Passionate about working collaboratively and learning from others, Caitlin loves to explore how community-driven initiatives can work to effectively fill gaps in the food access sector. Prior to joining the EAC, Caitlin worked for the Mobile Food Market chasing a keen drive to be part of ongoing efforts to promote food access across the region. When not at the office, Caitlin can be found sewing, swimming and spending time outdoors. Caitlin is excited to build relationships and help drive meaningful change at the EAC.

Chris is a communications professional and experienced environmental campaigner with two decades of experience. He was the Sustainable City columnist for The Coast for number of years and has also authored four books. He has worked at ENGOs in Toronto and Halifax. His work has had a strong educational and community-building components, including delivering online and in-person workshops that have varied from training aspiring writers to informing grade-school children and senior citizens about the history and ongoing legacy of residential schools. He lives in Halifax with his partner, two children and an 80-pound lapdog.

Christina is dedicated to advancing seafood sustainability through policy changes, industry improvements and consumer education. She works as the Eastern Canada representative for SeaChoice, a partnership formed by the Ecology Action Centre, David Suzuki Foundation and Living Oceans Canada. Christina is a graduate of the Master of Marine Management program from Dalhousie University and holds an undergraduate degree in Marine and Freshwater Biology from the University of Guelph. She was awarded the Marine Affairs Gold Award for her academic achievements and the skills she gained that are critical for marine management.

Claire is an experienced communicator, digital marketer and manager. Prior to joining the EAC team, Claire worked with Engage Nova Scotia as the manager of community relations. With an undergraduate degree in sociology from Queen’s University and an advanced diploma in public relations from NSCC, Claire has overseen the communications function on various public engagements and marketing campaigns to gather community input and drive change. Claire is an avid thrifter, surfer, hiker, and all-around outdoor enthusiast.

For media inquiries, please email or call (902-877-5125).

Emily is a passionate advocate for building collaborative networks focused on equity, empowerment, and sustainability. They believe that our best defense against climate change and other intersectional issues is cultivating community and solidarity through learning, listening and storytelling, and that the best way forward is always 'together'. Their path to the Ecology Action Centre spans over a decade of work in youth programming, social justice and leadership training & facilitation. They hold a BA (Honours) in Environment, Sustainability, and Society and have completed certificates in Intercultural Communication and Graphic Design. When Emily is not hard at work supporting the Directors and the variety of projects on the go at the EAC, they can be found most often with a book or sketchbook in hand, enjoying natural spaces or on a friend's porch with their dog, Mocha.

Emma grew up on a farm in southwestern Ontario riding horses and constantly being outside. She has always loved the beauty of the world around her and has had the privilege to see many different natural wonders, from visiting Europe and Asia to living in New Zealand and B.C. and finding a home in Nova Scotia. She is proud to be part of an organization that takes action to keep our world beautiful, healthy and sustainable. When not working in admin, Emma can be found gardening, reading and out exploring the Maritimes with her German Shepherd, Wizard.
 

Emma was born in raised in Prince Edward Island until she decided to move to Halifax in 2022. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology from the UPEI. Emma has been interested in everything ocean for as long as she can remember. When she’s not in Indian Point checking on her kelp babies, you can find Emma snuggled up on the couch crocheting with her cat, Mouse, or at the nearest thrift store. Her favourite part of her position at the EAC is when she gets to go to the kelp plant in Indian Point and work by the water all day.

I’m a first generation Canadian, speaking English, French and German. I grew up on the south shore of Montreal, lived in Munich, Toronto, then Halifax. My connection to EAC began in 2001, when I first became a member and joined the Built Environment Committee. After moving across the harbour to Dartmouth in 2009 my family has been slowly getting our 100-year-old home as close to net-zero as we can. With over 30 years of experience in community engagement I enjoy creating social spaces for people to come together, explore ideas and develop community driven change.

Helen is an experienced accountant who brings her many years of expertise in bookkeeping, project accounting and general accounting to the EAC.  Helen recently relocated from British Columbia and has now settled in Halifax. She joined the EAC team in 2020.  Environmental issues and awareness have always been part of Helen's life and she is happy to be a part of a team that does such important work in her local community and the province at large.  In her spare time Helen enjoys hiking, photography, gardening and is a multimedia artist.  

Holly grew up in Nova Scotia and has a passion for marine protection. She recently completed a Master of Coastal and Marine Management degree from the University of Akureyri in Iceland, where she completed her thesis on recreational shark fisheries in Nova Scotia. She also holds a BSc in Biology from Mount Saint Vincent University. Prior to this, she has worked as an Environmental Science Instructor for the Whale Camp in Grand Manan, New Brunswick. 

Hi there! I'm Jillian Ramsay, your Green Cities Officer with the Built Environment Team at the Ecology Action Centre. I've been nurturing a passion for environmental education for over five years now. Originally from Toronto, I made Halifax my home seven years ago to pursue my Master's at Dalhousie University in Resource and Environmental Management. My days at EAC are filled with planning and leading outdoor events across HRM, all aimed at connecting communities with nature and advocating for the protection of our green spaces. When I'm not working, you'll find me off-trail, practicing plant identification, playing frisbee or volunteering at the Grainery Food Co-op. Let's make our cities greener together!

Joanna is deeply inspired by the beauty of the natural world and is dedicated to environmental and social justice. She loves a good conversation about the apocalypse, community care, and what it means to bring about truly transformative change. She is also a bit of a language nerd, and her academic background is in Linguistics and Language Studies. Joanna is EAC's Community Engagement Coordinator and has been with the Centre since 2013. When she's not facilitating meetings on Fern Lane, you might find her teaching breathwork and meditation with the Art of Living Foundation, riding her bike, or weaving tiny rugs. 

Juli's love for nature was nurtured during her childhood in Pokhara, Nepal, where she cherished the breathtaking views of Mt. Annapurna and treasured the treks and hikes with her father. This deep connection to the environment led her to study environmental engineering and later pursue a Master’s in Resource and Environmental Management at Dalhousie University. Juli has worked extensively in environmental advocacy, policy and climate change education, addressing issues like water and waste management, resource recovery and energy. Outside of work, she enjoys walks, hikes, painting and reading.

Born and raised in Warsaw, Poland Julia completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies at the University of Warsaw, mainly focusing on feminist issues in literature. She moved to Nova Scotia in February 2021, and immediately fell in love with living close to the ocean. Finding work with the Ecology Action Centre enabled her to combine her professional experience in data stewardship with her personal passion for protecting the environment. In her free time, she is either doing yoga, cuddling with her cat Beans, or thrifting.
 

Karen is a lifelong learner and connection-maker, driven to create meaningful impact through community and creativity. She thrives on building relationships that make a difference. Originally from Toronto, Karen has made Nova Scotia home for over 20 years. Outside of work, Karen fills her cup with great conversation, laughter, good food and travel. A lover of the arts, word nerd, feminist and tech enthusiast, she’s always chasing a spark of kismet with curiosity and discovery.

Karen spent her childhood exploring the woods and waters of Ontario and Quebec. Her passion for the environment, paired with a lot of hard work, has earned her a BSc. in Ecology, and Masters of Environmental Studies. Since moving to Nova Scotia in 2005, Karen has worked as a conservation planner and biologist and volunteered with the Young Naturalists Club. Karen has training in Wilderness and Remote First Aid, OCC Field Leader (Hiking, and Winter), and Reconnecting with Nature workshop facilitation. When not devoting herself to the EAC’s good work, she can be found in her garden, paddling, cooking up a storm, or laughing with her two wild little boys.

Kate Brooks is a Community Climate Activator with the Ecology Action Centre which means that she gets to be involved in community outreach supporting climate action. Kate comes from a public library and adult education background and also ran a subsistence farm in the Cape Breton hills for over 20 years. She believes that tackling the climate crisis will involve learning better ways of communicating, working with and supporting one another.
 

Katharine is a sustainability researcher and coastal community enthusiast from Vancouver, BC who has called Kjipuktuk/Halifax home since 2017. Katharine holds a BA in International Development & Sustainability from Dalhousie and a diploma in GIS & Data Visualization from NSCC. She is passionate about using diverse methods of science communication to build community and inform more just energy policy along the way.

Kortney likes to think outside the box. Fascinated by how people interact with their environments, built and natural, she wants to see how we can creatively imagine the future of our communities. Prior to joining the EAC team, Kortney completed her Master of Planning at Dalhousie University and Honours Bachelor of Arts in Environmental and Resource Studies from Trent University. When not at the office, Kortney is usually exploring the Nova Scotia coast with her film camera in tow.

Laura recently graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Environmental Studies and a Diploma in Future Cities. Laura moved to Halifax to join the EAC and have access to an abundance of nature. Prior to her role at the EAC, she gained experience in event planning, creating and delivering environmental education workshops and taught camping skills to beginners. Outside of work, you'll often find her rock climbing, swimming, hiking or working on her latest cross-stitch project.

Lis is a membership acquisition officer with the Ecology Action Centre.

Originally from Los Angeles, CA, Lisa Lee and her family moved to Halifax from Vancouver in 2015. She's especially proud and inspired by the mission and hard work of EAC and its staff, and happy to help out with any technical or administrative needs, event planning, troubleshooting or beautifying that is needed. When not at EAC, she can be found with her two sons playing board games, climbing trees, reading, journaling, creating very abstract watercolors, taking walks and more.

Madelaine is passionate about the power of collective action to preserve nature and wildlife. She strongly believes in fostering deep connections with nature with a view to conservation. Before her work with EAC, Madelaine worked in program development in forest immersion schools and outdoor recreation programs. Madelaine moved to Halifax to earn her BA in Psychology and Gender & Women's Studies from Dalhousie University. She fell in love with Nova Scotia's access to the outdoors, coastal areas and friendly community. Since graduating, Madelaine discovered a passion for fundraising while leading EAC's canvass team. You can usually find her climbing, camping and hiking when she's not at work.

Maggy loves EAC’s complexity, how it lives its values and that it remains sassy even at 50. Her involvement with EAC goes back almost 20 years and includes 10 years as the Managing Director (2007-2017). Maggy has a BA (Philosophy) and BSc (Biology) from Dalhousie University. Her non-profit career spans sub-sectors including entrepreneurship, international development, experiential education and inclusion as well as consulting work in facilitation, strategic planning and conflict resolution. She enjoys poison dart frogs, urban cycling, wooden canoes and being called a scientist by her nieces. 

Marla loves helping people untangle complex problems. She coordinated EAC’s community food programs for a decade before becoming Managing Director in 2017. She has a B.A. and a Master of Environmental Studies. When not at the office, she can be found mucking around in her garden, canoeing, and exploring the city by bike.

Matt has worked as a bicycle technician for the last seven years in Victoria, Toronto and Halifax. Prior to working in the cycling industry, Matt completed a Bachelor of Music, specializing in Jazz Trumpet Performance, at Humber College in Toronto. As a passionate cyclist, he believes that life is better by bike, and seeks to empower as many people as possible to experience joy on wheels. He is excited to share his knowledge of bike maintenance and safe cycling practices with communities across Nova Scotia through the Pop-up Bike Hub.

As Project Manager of the Kelp Kurious project, Merydie supports small-scale entrepreneurs to develop cultivated kelp products and works to foster the overall development of Nova Scotia’s cultivated kelp sector to become a source of economic development for coastal communities. 

Prior to joining the Ecology Action Centre, Merydie worked in the non-profit sector managing joint federal and provincial funding for socio-economic development projects in Nova Scotia’s Mi’kmaw communities. She also led community engagement on an award-winning coastal restoration project on the North Shore of Nova Scotia and has election and political campaign experience. 

Merydie holds a BA in International Politics and lives on the South Shore of Nova Scotia. Together with her husband, she enjoys spending time at the beach and spotting wildlife along the coast.

From spending childhood weekends at her grandparents’ farm, to working in Banff National Park during the summers between school, to WWOOFing (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) in Canada and abroad, and to exploring urban parks during her free time, Mimi continually finds ways to meaningfully connect with nature and engage in life-long learning. Mimi holds a Master’s Degree in Criminology; her research applies concepts from the emerging field of ‘Green’ Criminology (which studies human-caused ecological crimes and harms) and advocates for the protection of, and justice for, freshwater in Canada. 

Mimi works with both of EAC’s Coastal and Wilderness teams.

More comes from a background in farming and research. They have a degree in molecular biology and, post-graduation, spent several years studying plant phylogeny and micropropagation techniques in a laboratory setting. Having worked with and for several urban farms, they hold food work close to their heart. In their role at the Ecology Action Centre, More aims to make both the means and ends of food production more accessible to the community. 

Previously a Senior Coordinator on the EAC's Coastal Team, Nancy Anningson has stepped into a new role with the EAC as Director of Operations and Development! Nancy brings a lovely collaborative spirit, a passion for learning and, as a former managing director of a non-profit, a lot of relevant expertise to EAC’s operations. She looks forward to connecting with you again in this new role. 

Nicolas grew up in the Caribbean island of Grenada that has informed his work as an interdisciplinary ocean advocate with a background in marine biology, international development and marine management.

His interest in human-ocean relationships has led him on storytelling journeys through photography, film and podcast covering topics from sea turtle conservation in the Caribbean to great white sharks and coastal access in Nova Scotia.

Nicolas is passionate about the complex socio-ecological challenges of the coast including access, development, equity, climate change and conservation.

When not at the EAC, Nicolas spends his time scuba diving and photographing the underwater world.

Raymond is a long-time member of the EAC team. He has been a leading advocate for protecting natural areas throughout the province and for improving land-use practices for the benefit of biodiversity conservation. Raymond is also a nature photographer, writer, angler and dedicated nature conservationist who has served on many boards and advisory groups, including the national board of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), the Nova Scotia Salmon Association (NSSA) board and provincial Ministerial Advisory Committees on Aquaculture and Off-Highway Vehicles. When not in the office Raymond can usually be found standing waist-deep in one of Nova Scotia's salmon rivers, flinging bits of fur and feather to indifferent fish.

Since rejoining EAC in Jan of 2020, Rebecca has focused on improving the sustainability of our fisheries in Atlantic Canada while also working with communities in the Gros Morne region to ensure sensitive marine ecosystems are protected and our marine resources are used responsibly. In 2006, Rebecca received a B.Sc. in Marine Biology from Dalhousie University, a B.Ed. in 2011 and a Master of Arts in Environmental Policy in 2018 from MUN. In her 15-year career, Rebecca has researched zooplankton and the changes in our oceans developed hands-on educational programs and, offered recommendations to improve environmental and fisheries-related policies and programs at the Provincial and Federal level.

Rowan has been at EAC since 2012, and in that time has had the opportunity to connect with our community in a variety of roles, most recently as Communications Officer. A strong believer in the power of community, Rowan is excited by social and environmental justice, collective care, alternatives to capitalism, and meandering conversations about systemic change and community building. When he’s not at EAC he can usually be found writing, cooking, escaping to the woods, in a comfy chair with his nose in a book, or puttering around on whatever musical instruments happen to be in his general vicinity.

Sara Farias, a passionate non-binary individual from Brazil, is a dedicated advocate for cycling and road safety. Through their personal project "Nova Scotia by Bike," started in April 2022, Sara promotes safe cycling, community engagement and education. With a bachelor's degree in Social Science from their home country and a Professional Photography certificate from NSCC, they expertly combine their academic background with their profound love for photography, using it as a way to express their values. Driven by a strong belief in social justice, Sara advocates tirelessly, connecting with movements for 2SLGBTQ+ rights, women's empowerment and social equality, both in Brazil and beyond.

Sarah has a Bachelor of Journalism (Honours) from the University of King’s College. She is passionate about environmental education and climate justice, and she is thrilled to work with a team that drives important change. Prior to joining the EAC, Sarah worked as a journalist for radio and online platforms and conducted research and communications for a public policy institute. When not in the office, Sarah can be found running long distances, reading good books or cooking vegetarian meals.

Shannon's leads EAC's Marine Program. She has been working in advocacy for 15 years to improve fisheries and aquaculture policy, management and markets around the world to ensure the long-term ecological health of our ocean and support the livelihoods that depend on it. Shannon loves that her varied work takes her to international fishery negotiation tables, to the water with seaweed farmers in the Philippines and now in Canada, to boardrooms with sustainability leaders, and to the streets to protest environmental exploitation and injustice.

Simon’s work the with the EAC Marine team combines campaign development, community engagement and aquaculture policy. Simon helps to coordinate the Healthy Bays Network, a community-led organization working towards healthy marine ecosystems and sustainable coastal livelihoods in Nova Scotia. Prior to the EAC, Simon worked as a diver in B.C., and as a tree-planter, primarily in Northern Ontario. He has a graduate degree in Marine Management from Dalhousie University where his research focused on the social value of marine ecosystems, coastal planning and public participation.

Simone holds a B.Sc. in Biology and a Master's degree in International Development Studies from Saint Mary’s University. Her research interests range from climate change to issues of informal work in the Global South. She has a strong passion for projects aimed at addressing structural inequalities, gained through travel, research and educational experiences. New to Active Transportation issues, she is excited to expand cycling opportunities and resources to underserved communities via the Pop-Up Bike Hub - a mobile DIY bike trailer.

Born and raised in Halifax, Sophia has embraced her role as Team Lead of the canvassing team at the EAC, where she has dedicated two summers. Currently pursuing a degree in Medical Sciences at Dalhousie, Sophia aspires for a career in healthcare. Her passion for fundraising began during her initial canvassing experience with humanitarian aid organizations. She loves the local focus of the EAC’s work, finding inspiration in their community impact. Beyond her professional life, Sophia finds joy in yoga, movie nights, exploring new cuisines through cooking and dancing at music festivals. 

Stephanie has been working with the Active Transportation community since 2007, through ENGOs, universities, and grassroots community groups. She has been with the EAC's Transportation team since 2010 and is intent on helping create communities that support safe, healthy, walkable & wheel-able spaces for all. Stephanie has an MSc in Environmental Management (University of London) and a BA in Philosophy (CBU). She and her family live and work on the beautiful island of Cape Breton; her not-so-secret passions are leatherback sea turtles, attempting to garden, and being outside with her super kids, Oona & Osha. 

Thomas leads the EAC's policy advocacy on grid decarbonization. He is passionate about providing clean, affordable and reliable energy solutions for Nova Scotians and their families. Prior to joining the EAC, Thomas worked for Dunsky Energy and Climate Advisors as an intern. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Dalhousie University and Master of Arts in Sustainable Energy Policy from Carleton University.

Vicki loves the sense of connection food fosters between people and the environment. Vicki completed a Bachelors in Conflict Studies and Human Rights at the University of Ottawa and a Master of Public Administration at Dalhousie University, where she developed an interest in food policy. Various professional and volunteer experiences working at nonprofits and delivering community programs informs her work to increase access to services, while recent farm work experience inspires her work to support local food systems.