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About Us
Contact Us
Canadian Boreal Initiative
30 Metcalfe Street
Suite 402
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5L4
Canada
T: 613 230-4739
F: 613 230-9685
Email: info@borealcanada.ca
Boreal Team
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Larry Innes
Executive Director
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Larry is the Executive Director of CBI, where he leads collaborative conservation efforts involving First Nations, environmental and industry partners across Canada’s Boreal region. Over the past four years, CBI and its partners have worked to designate some 40 million acres for conservation, largely by supporting First Nation-led conservation and land use planning initiatives. Larry has over a decade of experience in this area, having advised and represented the Innu of Labrador and several other First Nations addressing major mining, forestry and hydroelectric developments. Larry holds a law degree from the University of Victoria, a Masters in Environmental Studies from York University, and is also a graduate of McMaster University’s interdisciplinary Arts & Science Programme. He is called to the bar in Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador, and practices with Olthuis, Kleer, Townshend, a Toronto law firm specializing in Aboriginal and environmental law. |
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Matt Carlson
Ecologist |
Matt is an ecologist interested in applying conservation biology and scenario analysis to identify land use strategies capable of maintaining the integrity of boreal ecosystems. Since joining CBI in 2004, Matt has worked on a diversity of projects such as identifying management actions for maintaining the role of Canada’s forests and peatlands in climate regulation; assessing the future impacts of land use in the Mackenzie watershed; and establishing conservation planning principles for the boreal region. Matt is also an ecologist with the ALCES Group – a collaboration of ecologists providing strategic land-use planning advice – and has a Masters of Science in Conservation Biology from the University of Alberta. Matt lives in Ottawa with his wife and two children. When not at work, Matt can be found running trails, or after his kids. |
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Valérie Courtois
Senior Advisor, Aboriginal Relations
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Valérie is a specialist in aboriginal issues and forest ecology. She completed her undergraduate studies in Forestry Sciences at the University of Moncton in 2002. Valerie regularly lectures at conferences and universities around the world, focusing on ecosystem planning and First Nations issues. As environmental planner for the Innu Nation in Labrador from 2003 to 2009, Valerie was responsible for land-use planning and management of environmental programs. Valerie has worked as a consultant in Aboriginal Forestry, including certification and spatial planning. Valerie has been CBI’s Senior Advisor, Aboriginal Affairs since 2010. In 2007, Valerie was awarded the James M. Kitz Institute of Forestry for her early-career contributions to the profession of forestry. You can reach Val at vcourtois [at] borealcanada ca. |
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Liliane Day
Communications Coordinator
613 230-4739 x 2516
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Liliane, who majored in Social Communications, is CBI’s communications coordinator. Raised in Montreal, as a Jeune naturaliste she spent her summers in the north east region of Lanaudière by Maskinongé lake, exploring the woods and water streams. Her career started in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry. Her journey brought her to Ottawa where she raised her children, Geneviève and David. Liliane brings enthusiasm and positive spirit to the team. Her interests revolve around outdoors activities such as sailing on the Outaouais river with her husband, John. She loves spending precious time with her two lovely grandchildren, Mordecai and Madeleine. Liliane supports all communications activities, with a special focus on the Québec campaign. |
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Sarah de Jonge
Administrative & Events Coordinator
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Sarah takes care of administrative duties and event planning for the CBI office. Her past administrative experience makes her well suited to fill in for this maternity leave position. Sarah holds a Geological Engineering Degree from Queen’s University and has worked in the field in many countries as a Geologist and Junior Geophysicist. She has recently settled in Ottawa, and is excited to be a part of the effort to conserve Canada’s Boreal Forest. Sarah enjoys traveling, yoga, and spending time outdoors, especially on multi-day hiking and biking trips. |
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Jonathan Feldgajer
Regional Program Manager
709 896-2510
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After graduating with a joint degree in environmental studies and economics from the University of Toronto, Jonathan fostered his skills for effective advocacy through a varied professional career. His efforts include working with the Toronto Food Policy Council and coordinating Toronto Water’s Green Roof Pilot Incentive Project; enhancing food security with both Toronto Council Fire Native Friendship Center, and rural indigenous communities in Ecuador; and building a youth-focused conservation program for CPAWS in Nova Scotia. Now living in Goose Bay, Labrador, Jonathan manages CBIs many regional partnerships across the country while also moving forward conservation files in Newfoundland and Labrador. Hunting, trapping, fishing, canoeing, and camping are also a big part of his life. |
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Suzanne Fraser
Director of Communications
613 230-4739 x 2530
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Suzy is CBI’s communications director, working out of the Ottawa office. Suzy has worked in communications for almost 20 years, primarily in the fields of environmental, energy efficiency, and social justice. Her primary interests lie in harnessing the tools of social media, traditional communications, and media to bring about positive societal change. A transplanted Maritimer, Suzy lives in Ottawa with her family where she skates the canal in the winter, and spends the summers exploring PEI’s beaches with her boys. You can reach Suzy at sfraser [at] borealcanada ca. |
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Mary Granskou
Senior Advisor,
Government Relations
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Mary has over 20 years experience in the environmental field in senior positions with the federal government, environmental NGOs and multi-sectoral groups. Since 2005, Mary has been the Senior Advisor, Government Relations for CBI. Prior to this, she worked as a policy advisor to Prime Minister Jean Chretien and previously as a parks policy Director. Other current clients include Training Resources for the Environmental Community and charitable foundations. From the mid-80s through the 1990s, Mary worked for several environmental NGOs; she was national executive director of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, and then was with World Wildlife Fund and Friends of the Earth. She holds a Masters in Environmental Studies from York University. |
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Anne Levesque
Senior Advisor
250 213-9429
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Anne has 28 years of experience in developing, leading and managing regional, national and international conservation and environmental awareness programs. Her focus has been on building strategic alliances and partnerships with corporations, governments and organizations concerned with issues of sustainability. Anne’s particular interest lies in supporting multidisciplinary teams in the development of campaigning, stakeholder relations and social marketing strategies. Prior to working with CBI, she was the National Executive Director of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and led organizations in British Columbia and in New Brunswick. Anne managed an international funding program for the Canadian International Development Agency and developed environmental sustainability programs in the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua and in Ecuador. She has a Master’s degree in business administration; is an avid outdoors person fascinated by the natural wonders of our planet; and is devoted to her yoga practice. |
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Katherine McCran-Leach
Office Manager
613 230-4739 x 2559
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Katherine has been working with CBI since its inception. Working out of the Ottawa office, Katherine manages operations, assists the Executive Director, and provides support to the Boreal Leadership Council.
Katherine holds an Honours Degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo, graduating in a joint program with Wilfred Laurier University in Business Studies.
During her University Studies, she completed work terms with Environment Canada, the Environmental Engineering department at Toyota, the standard 14000 Secretariat for International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the Pembina Institute.
Katherine and her husband have trekked on each of the seven continents, with plans to spend more time exploring the Boreal with their young son. |
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Suzann Méthot
Regional Director, Quebec
514 792-1843
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Suzann became CBI’s Regional director for Quebec in October 2009, and, in November, she also became CBI’s representative at the Plan Nord consultation table.
Suzann has a solid knowledge of the environmental milieu in Quebec and an extensive network, particularly among First Nations communities. Over recent years, she focused on the principles of sustainable development.
Previously, Suzann was advisor for sustainable development and public relations for the Société de développement Angus. She is a member of the board of directors of Projets Saint-Laurent (Earth Day) and, until recently, a member of CRE Montréal’s board. |
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Shaunna Morgan Siegers
Regional Advisor
204.269.1131
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Shaunna is a band member of the Crees of the Waskaganish First Nation and has a long history of living and working in remote First Nations. She has a Master’s and a Bachelor of Science degree in botany and has nearly 20 years of research, Indigneous Knowledge and environmental science experience. Shaunna has a deeply held sense of responsibility to protect the environment and keep it healthy for future generations. She is driven to mitigate or eliminate social inequity often related with environmental damage. She is also motivated to work together to seek acceptable, well-balanced solutions to address the complex environmental, social, cultural and economic challenges we all face. Shaunna joined CBI in 2011 and works as a Regional Advisor. |
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Kendra Ramdanny
Senior Advisor, Alberta & Energy
780 863-4140
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Kendra joined the CBI team in 2007 and serves as Senior Advisor, Alberta and Energy. Her role focuses on managing relationships with Alberta-based Boreal Leadership Council members and developing pragmatic policy solutions to address the impacts of resource extraction in Alberta’s Boreal Forest. Currently, Kendra is working with a diverse group of interests from the Boreal Leadership Council (BLC) including industry (forestry and oil and gas), conservation organizations and First Nations to provide policy recommendations to the government of Alberta on what success could look like in the Boreal regarding land use planning.
Prior to joining CBI, Kendra worked in the oil and gas industry at BP Canada Energy Company and Nexen Inc. in a variety of capacities, including Aboriginal stakeholder relations, community investment and corporate communications. Kendra holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Calgary. |
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Alan Young
Director of Corporate Programs
613 230-4739 x 2565
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Since 2003, Alan has served as Corporate Program Director for CBI. In that capacity, Alan has worked to build strategic relationships and collaborative programs with a wide variety of companies in the finance, energy, forestry, mining and retail sectors. Alan has been involved in conservation and sustainability projects in North America, Latin America and Europe for the last 19 years. He has worked as a facilitator, planner, analyst and activist with conservation groups, Aboriginal organizations, industry and governments. He started his environmental work in 1991 as coordinator of the joint federal/territorial and Aboriginal government Porcupine Caribou Co-Management Board in the Yukon. From 1994 to 2002, he served as Executive Director of the Environmental Mining Council of BC. In 2002, Alan left EMCBC to form the Materials Efficiency Research Group, an Ottawa-based consultancy that specializes in bringing different sectors together to build joint solutions to social and environmental issues in the extractive industries nationally and internationally. |
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Stephanie Young
Office Coordinator
(Currently on leave)
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As the Office Coordinator for CBI, Stephanie’s job is ever changing, from reconciling invoices, editing and formatting documents, printing publications, to event planning. Stephanie worked as the administrative assistant at CBI for two years before leaving to work and travel in China. After three years in China, she was thrilled to return to CBI, so she could continue to raise awareness of the importance of the Boreal. Stephanie loves fall leaves, maple syrup and traveling. She can be coaxed into outdoor activities if bribed with chocolate. |
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