John Cooper is eager to draw on strengthened connections to investigate relationships among ecological economics, energy production and expenditures, renewable energy and fuel technologies, and the policy choices of government in redefining those energy and environmental systems.

 

John is a driven individual with a strong orientation towards setting and attaining goals. He consistently strives to achieve at the highest level with a dedicated and thoughtful approach to learning. Strong communication and leadership skills have allowed him to gain a diverse knowledge of environmental issues that has enabled professional and academic growth. John’s participation as the Minister of Natural Resources for the Queen’s Model Parliament is indicative of his desire to work with people from diverse and interdisciplinary backgrounds while applying classroom education to active research.

 

Raised in southern Ontario, John’s concern for environmental issues in an urban setting was fostered at an early age.  He has enjoyed growing his own produce in community gardens, exploring Ontario’s natural reserves and travelling many countries around the world. John is passionately devoted to sport and has competed in triathlons, hockey, football, baseball and rugby. These are some of the attributes that has shaped john’s desire to work and live in an environmentally conscious community.

 

 

An interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental sustainability is something that Jarrett values highly.  Through experiences gained from living and traveling abroad, Jarrett has seen the effectiveness of this framework and plans to apply to his passion of ocean conservation.  Through his volunteer experience working at the Bimini Biological Field Station in the Bahamas, Jarrett has already achieved one of his life goals of working with sharks. Through this experience, Jarrett has refined his career interests to the area of marine habitat protection and coastal management.

 

Although Jarrett has narrowed his career interests, he has also expanded his knowledge and understanding of the area of ocean and coastal management with specific interest in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).  This particular area of management is something that he is truly passionate about contributing too.

 

Responsible, dependable, and adaptive are words often used to describe Jarrett’s character.  As a manager for the past six years, Jarrett has extensive experience in a leadership position, but also thrives as a supporting team member.  With his excellent interpersonal skills and willingness to listen and learn, Jarrett was an effective teacher and leader to his team.

 

 

Gary has visited and worked in various countries throughout the world.  Through these experiences, he has learned about a wide range of cultures, views and environmental issues.  These experiences have given him valuable insight and firsthand experience on a variety of significant issues pertaining to environmental management.

 

Through working in different countries and settings, Gary has shown himself to be able to adapt and learn quickly while performing under strict deadlines in fast paced environments.  Gary’s friendliness, persistence, and open mindedness have helped him successfully integrate and perform in these unfamiliar surroundings with ease.  His communication, leadership, teamwork, and interpersonal skills have been essential in working as a teacher in South Korea, where communication barriers were frequent and cultural differences were vast. Gary continues to develop these skills as a Teaching Assistant at Dalhousie University.

 

Associates describe Gary as an honest, dedicated and respectful person who brings a positive hard working attitude to whatever he does.  He is interested in a career where he will have the opportunity to use his skills and education to play a significant role in making effective positive changes for his employer and the environment.

 

 

As an individual with a passion for learning and a diverse set of interests Erica’s career goals involve greener business development, implementation and management.

 

Erica earned her Honours Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Toronto specializing in Developmental Biology. As part of her degree she had the opportunity to study Shakespeare in a summer abroad program in Oxford University to further her communication skills. She is currently pursuing her Master of Environment and Resource Management degree at Dalhousie University to gain an interdisciplinary understanding of current environmental challenges.

 

With experience on freshwater and urban ecology research teams in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Toronto, Erica brings strong interpersonal team-working skills to any task she takes on. A summer spent sampling insect diversity in native and non-native urban trees developed her innovative thinking and creative problem solving skills as well as her ability to manage tasks simultaneously.

 

Erica values integrity, innovation, diversity and ongoing learning. These are characteristics she aims to impart to future projects and contribute to organizations in either the public or private sector.

 

 

Joel Fortier is a young French and English speaking man who likes to be challenged and continuously seeks out opportunities to learn. Originating from Iqaluit, Nunavut, Joel has job experience in a wide range of areas for the Government of Nunavut. He has worked as a finance officer, prison caseworker, office administrator and policy analyst. These different jobs have allowed him to not only develop a well rounded skill-set but have also allowed him to collaborate with people from all around Canada. Today, Joel has shifted his focus to environmental sustainability and is seeking an opportunity to develop his skills in that sector.

 

Around the workplace, Joel is cheerful and approachable. He has an extensive history of participating in workgroups and thus would be a tremendous asset to any employer seeking someone that is able to integrate easily into a team environment. This is not to say that Joel will just stand back and wait for directions. He is prominently a leader that is able to take charge when objectives need to be met. His time management and research abilities allow him to be successful in any project he takes on but most importantly it is his advanced problem solving and organizational skills that set him apart from others.  He knows that it is important to work in an environment where he can be himself but it is equally important for him to work on projects that have an impact in the real world.

 

 

Valerie is a keen naturalist and avid outdoorswoman who has been dedicated to environmental causes from a young age.  She enjoys travelling and is particularly interested in discovering different cultures and their perspectives on nature.

 

Five years of extensive experience in environmental education with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority have helped Valerie to develop strong communication and team working skills. She possesses a strong scientific background which includes an undergraduate double major in Wildlife Biology and Renewable Resource Management.   Valerie is a quick learner and is highly adaptable.  This was demonstrated in her internship with a non-governmental organization in Panama where Valerie had to conduct interviews in a setting, climate and language which were initially outside of her comfort zone. 

 

In her career, Valerie plans to address issues such as water resource conservation, species at risk preservation and climate change.  She is also planning to further develop her research skills and understanding of resource management techniques.  Valerie’s work and volunteer experiences have enhanced her passion, dedication and enthusiasm for her field of study which she looks forward to applying in her career.

 

 

Ashley Graham has always had an avid interest in the natural world and was pleased to discover as a teenager that her passion could transcend into a lifelong career.  Since graduating from Carleton University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, Ashley has had the great opportunity of applying her knowledge and skills to various projects all over Canada in the fields of hydrology, fisheries and climate action.

 

Ashley is a dynamic individual who is always keen to take on new challenges as she enjoys the professional growth that comes from these opportunities.  She has developed strong communication and interpersonal skills through the delivery of environmental education programs both on the water and in a classroom setting.  Ashley is also fluent in French and English. Previous experiences as a manager has made Ashley an effective team leader who can also work as a valuable team player.

 

Outside of the academic and professional setting Ashley enjoys challenging herself on her mountain bike and her downhill skis.  She has also taken a keen interest in learning about softball since joining a team this past summer.  Ashley would like to apply her knowledge and passion to the field of water sustainability following her graduation from MREM.

 

 

Nicole is a passionate, driven young woman with a commitment to strengthening rural communities, both in Canada and abroad. She has a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Philosophy from the University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C. Nicole is capable speaking both French and Spanish, and brings with her an array of experiences from diverse settings. As an employee she is driven and hard working, always looking to challenge herself in new ways. 

 

Having lived and worked in Europe, Latin America, and North America, Nicole is interested in how complex worldviews shape our understanding of the world. Working in Nicaragua as a farmer and teacher has been helpful in developing interpersonal skills, hands-on learning with the land, as well as an ability to frame the complexity of socio-political issues in a meaningful way. The lasting relationships she formed in Latin America demonstrate an adaptability and commitment to long-term community development. 

 

Back home Nicole has always paired her academic studies with community outreach and hands-on learning. She has completed a farm apprenticeship, participated in the development of community food plans, as well as been floor manager in a five-star restaurant. This range of experience has been paired with her academic career. Nicole is a published author and has worked as a research assistant through the University of Victoria. In addition, Nicole has worked as a field technician with wolves in the Canadian Rockies, solidifying her skills in the outdoors, working with GPS and GIS technology, and putting her interest in wildlife management to practice. 

 

At this point in her career, Nicole is looking to work with rural communities on issues of resource management, and continue her education of the relationship between people and their environments. 

 

 

An enthusiastic and motivated individual, Kayleigh is eager to contribute her knowledge and abilities within a professional environment. She strives for excellence on both a personal and professional level, she is a valuable team member and she accomplishes individual objectives proficiently.

 

Holding an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Geography and English (2009) from Carleton University, Kayleigh is pursuing her Master of Resource and Environmental Management (MREM) in the School of Resource and Environmental Studies at Dalhousie University.

Kayleigh spent 16 months with Export Development Canada's (EDC) Environmental Advisory Services Department.  The experience strengthened her knowledge of international and national environmental standards as well as contributed to her experience with research and environmental policy. Amongst other initiatives, Kayleigh contributed to modifying and updating the Department’s procedural manual which will be applied in 2010.

 

Growing up in Canada's capital city, Kayleigh developed an appreciation of urban outdoor spaces which sparked a strong interest in conservation. In her spare time, Kayleigh trains for long distance races and participates in various team sports. She is planning to pursue a career in Environmental Impact Assessment or Protected Areas Management.

 

 

Earning two advancing promotions in just five years, Justin has demonstrated his leadership strength and his passion for the environment. He spent the last five summers working with silviculture in remote bush camps in Northern Canada. Becoming one of the youngest foremen in the company, he has proven his ability to act as an effective communicator, to work with tight deadlines, and in situations of shifting priorities. 

 

In addition to his professional successes, Justin has proven his abilities in a wide variety of areas. He is volunteering with the Nova Forest Alliance, has a publication in the Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education, and has won two National and provincial soccer titles.

 

Justin’s background in Biology at Queen’s University coupled with a Masters in Environmental Resource Management from Dalhousie has prepared him with great understanding of the biophysical and socio-political aspects of resource management. Extremely devoted to ecosystem health Justin wants to develop and implement practical solutions to managing ecosystems and resources.  For his career, Justin is planning to become immersed in the complex discipline of natural resource management.

 

 

Laura has learned to value and appreciate nature and the environment.  As a child, her family began a recycling initiative in her community, and Laura grew up as an avid camper and outdoorswoman. She was on the Sustainability committee at Queen’s University where she integrated recycling into residences.  Volunteering is important to Laura and she has been an active volunteer for nearly a decade.

 

As Property Researcher for the City of Kingston, Laura created a database of all city owned properties for effective management, and researched creating a sustainable soccer complex in Kingston. She wrote the proposal and presented it to the city.  Her proposal for $50,000 was successful and the sustainable soccer complex is under construction. Laura has also spent a year teaching English in Korea, working in a foreign setting and learning to adapt to new situations in a creative environment.

 

Aside from being a hard working, passionate, and organized person, Laura is also a varsity athlete. She is playing her fifth year of soccer for Dalhousie. As a soccer player, Laura has learned time management, leadership, communication, and goal setting skills. She brings these valuable assets to her future career in Environmental Consulting or Management.

 

 

Passionate, creative and personable are adjectives which describe Catherine Joudrey. She is dedicated to environmental issues and has spent five years volunteering and working for environmental organizations, such as the Ecology Action Centre and Clean Nova Scotia. Her successful projects include providing adult education for the Environmental Home Assessment Program, instilling a sense of wetland appreciation to grade fours through Project Webfoot and facilitating wetland curriculum throughout Canadian classrooms.

She has researched, written and published numerous articles on environmental issues, most recently a story on the Lorax Woodlands. Catherine has the ability to plan, develop, collaborate and implement successful programs as evidenced by her work on the multi-disciplinary Watershed Management Committee and Clean Nova Scotia’s 20th Anniversary Committee.

 

Catherine is actively involved in community events and for four years has volunteered at the International Bluenose Marathon as a customer service representative. Working towards completing a dual Masters degree in Resource and Environmental Management and Library and Information Management, she will be one of the first in Canada to graduate with this degree. She is open to any experience that can combine the knowledge base of her degrees and past job experience.

 

 

Rob is an outgoing and intelligent individual with a fierce passion for environmental preservation.  Through his degree in Environmental Engineering he has developed a strong understanding of the physical problems facing the planet. He is pursuing a well rounded education through the Masters in Resource and Environmental Management program at Dalhousie University. His career path will involve environmental protection, conservation or remediation.

 

It is his focus on preservation that led Rob to become a tree planting crew boss where he was hired for his exceptional communication and organizational skills. This experience put Rob directly in charge of eight employees and the mandate to plant approximately 250,000 trees in two months. His time in the woods led Rob to realize that he needed to discover more of Canada. He took a 16 month journey across the country, living, working and exploring nine provinces and the Yukon. This adventure confirmed his desire to positively impact our environment.

 

As an active wilderness guide Rob has seen firsthand the beauty and ecological importance of the Canadian wilderness.  He spends his free time playing in the outdoors which he strives to conserve.

 

 

Marie-Eve is never short on energy. Being highly motivated and always dedicated, she can focus on getting the task at hand done. She graduated from McGill University with a degree in Bioresource Engineering and is now enrolled in her Masters of Resource and Environmental Management. She expects this degree will broaden her understanding of environmental issues by integrating management skills into her technical engineering knowledge.

 

Her interest in agriculture demonstrates how her passion for cooking extends beyond the kitchen. This is why she aspires to work towards changing these resource systems to limit impacts on the environment and focus on local and sustainable foods.

 

Speaking three languages comes in handy when Marie-Eve travels abroad. She enjoys a diverse set of interests from her volunteer work in Beach clean-up’s with CPAWS and Surf riders’ foundation to her participation in agricultural judging competitions. Her involvement in academic, athletic and community life was recognized with the McGill Athletics Atkinson Trophy for sportsmanship, leadership, ability and maturity.

 

 

Elaine Mailman has learned to adapt and overcome challenges in any situation. She enjoys new adventures and will never turn down an opportunity to learn new skills.  She has worked in fast paced environments for a long time, learning many new skills along the way.  Interested in greening business and industrial ecology, Elaine is looking forward to the future.

 

Elaine loves traveling and spent last year living in Bangkok, Thailand teaching English to elementary school students. She also took time to visit many countries in South East Asia and gained invaluable knowledge while living abroad. As a member of the Canadian Forces army reserve since graduating from high school Elaine has completed leadership courses and truly enjoys being a member of the team.

 

Trustworthy, dependable, sociable and goal oriented, Elaine is an asset to any organization. During her undergraduate time at Memorial University in Newfoundland, she worked while she studied and was able to keep a balanced lifestyle showing exemplary time management skills.  Rock climbing, dancing, and hiking are three pastimes that she truly enjoys. She is looking for new projects and challenges to contribute meaningful improvements to the way business is done.

 

 

It is with determination, innovation and confident optimism that Caroline tackles challenges. To tell you the truth, she loves them.  Whether it is through being a globetrotter, an alert photographer or an evolving capoeirista, Caroline can draw on various skills to match the situation.  She may be best described as a leader with great organizational skills.

 

Highly adaptable, Caroline has called northern Canada home. She spent four years in the environmental field: working in the tundra as a biologist and doing Species at Risk consultations with northern communities. As she is a quick learner, she partook in the highly dynamic worlds of consulting, private industry and territorial government. Adept socially, she joins new teams easily and smoothly.

 

Carefully chosen, her university studies reflect her need for a greater appreciation of her responsibilities for the planet of tomorrow. As she considers herself a citizen of the world, she is willing to put in the extra effort that is needed to make a difference. 

 

While travelling to Antarctica, Caroline developed a profound interest in alternate indices to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that measure the true wellbeing and progress of a nation. She plans to focus her career towards sustainable environmental prosperity.

 

 

Having worked with the private sector, government and non-profit organizations in Kenya, the UK and the US, Mathew has a great deal of cross cultural experience in environmental management and social development. He holds a Bsc. degree in Ornamental Science and Landscaping from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology-Kenya, with an undergraduate research project focusing on the impacts of mining in Kenya and proposals for best practices in managing the industrial ecosystems.

 

Mathew has undertaken advocacy work at the UN headquarters in New York and worked on education and landscape management activities in the UK. He also undertook research and prepared rehabilitation master plans for Lafarge Ecosystems, the company managing Haller Park, a world famous case study on successful post industrial rehabilitation. He has also volunteered with the Dalhousie Eco-Efficiency Centre.

 

He enjoys travelling and plans to go round the world in his efforts to promote sustainable environmental practices. His love for the environment was motivated by traveling around Kenya and witnessing the severe impact on livelihood due to rapid environmental degradation in rural areas. He hopes to participate in research and development of solutions to different environmental challenges and in future work with international policy making organizations.

 

 

Allison holds a BAH in Geography from Queen’s University and is pursuing her Master’s of Resource and Environmental Management at Dalhousie University. She is passionate about the environment and is keen to apply her enthusiasm along with her skills and knowledge to her career. Her main areas of interest are in marine conservation and the management of oceans and coastal ecosystems as well as the social impacts from development on coastal communities.

 

Vancouver, B.C. is home to Allison but she enjoys spending time in other countries to experience different geographies and cultures. Her travels have taken her throughout South East Asia and South America. She recently completed a CIDA internship in Guyana where she facilitated training, conducted field work, and took part in a project which assisted local communities to become more self-sufficient. These experiences provided her with a greater understanding of natural resource management, conservation, and participatory approaches to sustainable development.

 

Working with people from diverse backgrounds in both the non-profit and private sectors has proven that Allison is an adaptable open minded individual who works well as part of a team. She strives to create a healthy balance between work and pleasure and spends her spare time horse-back riding, snowboarding, running and camping. She enjoys challenges and trying new things whether it is skydiving or learning a different sport.

 

 

Intrigued by the natural beauty of eastern Canada, Leigh followed her sense of adventure to Dalhousie University. From urban landscapes to protected wilderness areas, Leigh’s interest in the environment was fostered by field experience across a variety of ecosystems during her undergraduate degree. With her Honors degree in Conservation Biology from the University of Western Ontario, she is continuing to develop her interest in protected areas and sustainability with a Masters of Resource and Environmental Management.

 

Working in multiple public positions, most recently at The Toronto Zoo, Leigh developed great social skills and is able to handle stressful situations tactfully. Her personable and easy going nature allows her to easily transition between leadership and team member roles. This is illustrated by her involvement as Vice President of the Biology Undergraduate Society in which she organized both social and academic events.

 

Leigh loves swimming and has enjoyed teaching and lifeguarding for several years. She enjoys the outdoors in all weather and likes to participate in team and individual sports, especially volleyball and dance. She looks forward to enjoying these familiar pastimes throughout her journey on the east coast.

 

 

Over the past few years, Vinay has developed a huge passion for water and food security, especially for less privileged communities. Born and raised in Kenya, Vinay is fully committed to making a change in these peoples’ lives in the near future. He has shown remarkable qualities as a team member, excellent leadership skills, strong work ethic, and is responsible, committed and dedicated to producing quality work. He is open to new ideas and very eager to explore opportunities.

 

As an intern at the United Nations Environment Programme in Nairobi, Kenya, he worked in the Ecosystems Section in the Division of Early Warning and Assessment focusing on land and water in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Furthermore, he was involved in a UN-organized volunteer activity for the less privileged communities in Nairobi. He continued to work at Trent University as a research assistant for Climate Change, Food Security and Water Health in Northern Canada.

 

With these valuable experiences and skills, Vinay is currently working on his Master in Resource and Environmental Management at Dalhousie University. Vinay is extremely active in squash and tennis and loves socializing with people. He enjoys traveling and discovering new places.

 

 

Kathleen Rankin is a hardworking, self-motivated individual, who loves to learn and experience new things.  As a current student in the Masters of Resource and Environmental Management program, Kathleen is passionate about environmental issues especially wildlife protection, species at risk and coastal zone management.

 

In addition to having a strong  background in biology, Kathleen has many interests in other fields such as politics, business, psychology and geology as well as social issues like world religions, conflict resolution and human rights. Kathleen’s interests have led her to enrol in a variety of courses, to volunteer and to get involved in a range of extracurricular activities. All of these experiences have taught her many important skills and made her well-rounded and adaptable. 

 

Working in the private sector, Kathleen has developed strong interpersonal skills and learned to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. She gained valuable experience in the business world and understands the importance of being professional. In every aspect of her life Kathleen prides herself on her dedication, organization and time management skills.

Kathleen is an active individual, who loves travelling and being outdoors. She is enthusiastic, passionate and looks forward to the new challenges and experiences of a career in environmental conservation.

 

Jen Ross is a passionate and enthusiastic individual who is eager to learn from, and educate others.  Motivated to increase environmental awareness in the fields of conservation and sustainability Jen is seeking new opportunities to gain experience in the environmental industry. 

 

Growing up in rural Alberta placed Jen in a setting where she was surrounded by nature, which spurred her passion for agriculture, wildlife and the environment.  Quick to become involved within her community, she has been part of many volunteer groups and organizations such as 4-H.  Community involvement strengthened her public speaking and presentation skills while providing insight to how various NGOs function.  With an interdisciplinary undergraduate degree in Aquatic Resources and work experience at a conservation area, Jen has a wide range of environmental interests and values an interdisciplinary approach to management.

 

Strong interpersonal skills and flexibility allow Jen to work in a team not only as a member, but also as a leader who is confident in making decisions and organizing people and projects.  Interested in both public and private sectors, Jen will approach her career with heart, efficiency, and an open mind ready to get the most out of her experience.

 

 

Time spent at the family cottage, on camping trips, and participating in outdoor activities has given Joseph a long-lasting interest in the natural environment.  His interests continue to influence his educational and professional career as well as his future goals, and the Master of Resource and Environmental Management program proved to be a perfect fit.  Joseph is a motivated, enthusiastic, loyal, and hard working individual passionate about environmental conservation and stewardship.  His specific interests lie in fisheries and aquatic habitat management and water quality issues.

 

Joseph completed his Bachelor's degree at McGill University in Agriculture and Environmental Science.  During this time he had the opportunity to study and conduct research in various exotic locations.  He was able to follow-up research in East Africa by undertaking a year-long independent project that is currently in the process of being published.  Through this, Joseph was able to gain valuable hands on experience, and also learned valuable organizational, self-motivational, and time management skills.

 

Through work experience with organizations such as the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ottawa Airport Authority, and volunteer experience with the Rideau-Valley Conservation Authority and the Sackville River Association, Joseph also gained an understanding of environmental and conservation issues from a variety of perspectives.

 

 

Clear blue oceans, colorful, lush vegetation and a variety of wildlife are some of the things that Michelle grew up with on the island of Jamaica and inspire her to advocate for the environment. She has thus gone on to pursue an education in Environmental Management.

 

In her experience, Michelle has worked in a variety of sectors. At a not-for-profit organization, the Toronto Green Community, she honed her leadership skills while managing volunteer teams, distributing weekly online newsletters, addressing volunteer concerns, and reporting to the Executive Director. She created the organization’s first Volunteer Development Plan which outlined a two year plan for volunteer recruitment, training and retention. Following this, Michelle decided to take her work outside and assumed the position of stream monitoring technician for the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. During the summer months she acted as crew leader for Citizen Scientists, a volunteer organization which monitors the Rouge River Valley in Toronto.

 

The ideal career path for Michelle is one in wildlife or water conservation. She is also interested in green businesses and environmental consulting. Her passion for sustainability, willingness to learn, organization and dependability make her an excellent addition to these work environments.