Executive Director

Katie Morrison

Katie (she/her) is a Professional Biologist with more than 20 years of experience in the environmental sector. She holds a B.Sc. in Environmental and Conservation Sciences from the University of Alberta and a Masters of Environmental Design from the University of Calgary. Katie has worked in Canada and Latin America for university research projects, nongovernmental organizations, and environmental consulting companies. She has an in-depth understanding of conservation, ecology, campaign and strategic planning, community engagement, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. Katie is an avid hunter, angler, and gardener and spends as much time as she can in the backcountry and the back yard, discovering the wonders of nature and our place in it.

Education Director

Jaclyn Angotti

Jaclyn (she/her) joined the CPAWS SAB team in June 2015 and is an Environmental Educator with over 15 years of experience leading science and environmental education programs. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Business minor from the University of Alberta and Master of Education from the University of Calgary. Her interdisciplinary Master of Education included studies in Education for the Environment and Poo’miikapii: Niitsitapii Approaches to Wellness. Jaclyn is passionate about social and environmental justice and is working with the CPAWS team to break down systemic barriers to outdoor recreation and environmentalism. Jaclyn grew up on an acreage outside of Strathmore where she explored nature, played with her dogs and cats, and helped grow garden and greenhouse crops. In her spare time Jaclyn can be found cooking, baking, gardening, and exploring nature with her husband.

Finance and Operations Director

Tatiana Jaciw-Zurakiwsky

Tatiana (she/her) has always been passionate about the outdoors… experiencing it, protecting it, and inspiring others to do the same. This passion has been a driving force in her pursuits over the past two decades, during which time she has worked and volunteered to educate the public and foster a love and respect for nature in youth. Through her roles at a non-profit youth organization and a national co-operative, Tatiana has engaged with a broad range of people from diverse groups on environmental stewardship. Tatiana’s extracurriculars include just about any activity that gets her outside, whether that be playing in the mountains, out on the water, or puttering around the garden.

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Kat Graves

Kat (she/her) was born and raised near the Rocky Mountains in Alberta and has lived and worked across the country, including in Banff, Toronto and the Kootenays. She has degrees in Urban Studies, Energy Management and Environmental Planning and has conducted research on issues like human-wildlife coexistence, and the vulnerability of Indigenous communities in Canada to climate change induced natural disasters. She is passionate about advocating for our wild spaces and species through evidence-based planning and policy, as well as creative communications.

Communications Specialist

Laura Morel

Despite growing up just one province over, Laura (she/her) was a teenager before she first saw a photograph of Alberta’s foothills — a tourism ad on the back of a magazine (this was before the age of smartphones and social media...). The golden sea of late summer grasslands, stretching toward snow-capped mountains in the distance, left a lasting impression on her. She was astonished that such a breathtaking landscape — so vastly different from the coastal bogs and rainforests of her hometown — existed just on the other side of the Rocky Mountains. Laura’s journalism career initially took her to Toronto and Los Angeles, but she eventually found her way to the foothills town of Diamond Valley, Alberta, where she now lives. Nowhere else has she felt as deeply connected to the land as she does here. She feels profoundly grateful to live and work on Treaty 7 territory and is honoured to have the opportunity to contribute to its conservation.

Conservation Science & Programs Manager

Josh Killeen

Josh (he/him) is a Professional Biologist with a background in environmental consultancy, academia, and wildlife biology. He holds degrees in biology and evolutionary biology from University College London (UK), The University of Groningen (Netherlands), and Université Montpellier 2 (France). He moved from the UK to Alberta in 2014 and soon fell in love with the province, its people, and its wild spaces. Josh believes that effective conservation, protection, and access to our natural spaces must be a priority for our society. Outside of work Josh loves to cook, garden and spend time hiking, scrambling, and climbing in the mountains.

CONSERVATION COORDINATOR

Chloe Hahn

Born and raised on the Northwest Coast of British Columbia, Chloe (she/her) grew up exploring old growth forests, coastal tidal zones, and snow-covered mountains. Each experience she's had in nature has fostered a sense of appreciation, curiosity, and passion for conserving such spaces. While working in a grizzly bear conservancy and learning about the benefits of protected areas, Chloe pursued a joint degree in Environmental Studies, Political Science, and Outdoor Recreation Management before continuing to work in the policy, education, and engagement spheres of conservation. Chloe believes effective conservation is rooted in a holistic approach that balances the need for accessible natural spaces and preservation backed by science and policy. Bringing this guiding principle with her, Chloe moved to Alberta to explore new landscapes and conservation initiatives. In her spare time, you can find her hiking, biking, skiing, or fly fishing in the spaces she is honored to now be a part of protecting.

Outreach Manager

Vanessa Bilan

Vanessa (she/her) is certified as an Apprentice Interpretive Hiking Guide with the Interpretive Guides Association (IGA). Childhood trips to the mountains grew into a passion and lead her to complete a Bachelor of Health and Physical Education in Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership at Mount Royal University. At CPAWS, Vanessa shares her love of nature and the outdoors with others.

Interpretation and Experience Manager

Sheri Tarrington

Quite simply, Sheri (she/her) believes that all humans are better humans when they are encouraged to learn, explore and play outdoors. For more than 15 years, Sheri has dreamed, delivered and inspired a vast spectrum of environmental education programming on behalf of national parks, provincial municipalities, county school boards and her very own ecoliteracy outreach venture, In Their Nature. Possessing an honour’s degree in Canadian Studies from the University of Guelph, she is an accredited Professional Interpretive and Hiking Guide renowned for her infectious enthusiasm and wide-eyed love of nature. At her best and brightest when outdoor adventure and travel adorn her ‘someday soon’ calendar, Sheri joined CPAWS Southern Alberta in October 2018 with her heart set on a tango with Canada’s one and only West Coast Trail—so, stay tuned, as the universe has now been ‘officially’ informed…

Outreach Coordinator & Interpretive Guide

Lisa Shields

Lisa moved to Canada from the United Kingdom in 2009 where she continued her strong love for outdoor adventure and conservation. For the past 10 years Lisa has been with Search and Rescue. As a team leader, she leads weekly trail patrols and has been on the Board of Directors. Lisa is certified as a Professional Coach and Interpretive Specialist Hiking Guide. In a previous life in law enforcement Lisa achieved a provincial leadership award and now enjoys passing on leadership skills in a wilderness setting. Lisa’s passion for outdoor pursuits includes hiking, backpacking and mountain biking, but her greatest passion is inspiring people to love and protect our beautiful and magical rocky mountain parks by creating positive and life-changing experiences for all that attend.

FUND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

Carolyn Bouwsema

Carolyn’s connection with nature began as a young girl on her family farm in Ontario, exploring hiking trails, camping, and enjoying lakeside adventures with her family. She completed an Outdoor Recreation diploma from Sault College and then headed west, spending some time near Edmonton and now resides in Calgary. Her background includes leadership roles in nature-based educational programs, guiding kayak and canoe trips, teaching Nordic Ski lessons, recreational therapist for seniors, and community engagement. Carolyn brings an infectious energy and passion for everything that she does. Outside the professional realm, Carolyn dedicates her time to her Community Association and is a member of her local Search and Rescue team as a team lead and currently serves as the Community Relations Director on the board. When not immersed in work and community initiatives, she tends to her ever-expanding garden, enjoys various recreational activities with her husband and kids, hits the ice with her hockey team, and indulges in her love of baking and crafting.

Lead Interpretive Guide

Sabrina Ryans

Sabrina is passionate about helping youth and adults get outside and connect with their local landscape. She considers herself very lucky to have been able to build a career doing exactly that. Sabrina has a Bachelor of Applied Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership and holds certifications with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, the Interpretive Guides Association, Outdoor Council of Canada, Canadian Avalanche Association and Paddle Canada. Born and raised in Alberta, she is currently based out of the Crowsnest Pass where you can generally find her skiing, hiking, whitewater canoeing, or experimenting with new recipes.

Board of Directors

Chair

Jon Mee

Jon Mee is a faculty member in the Department of Biology at Mount Royal University. His expertise includes basic and applied ecology and genetics, and he has published over 20 scientific papers in these disciplines. Jon has also worked with the Committee on the Status of Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) to provide wildlife status updates and to identify conservation units. Jon teaches introductory and advanced biology courses, and has participated in public outreach on fish biology and conservation issues.

Vice Chair

Doug Firby

Doug Firby is Editor-in-Chief of Troy Media, Canada’s largest independent source of online news, features, and commentary. He has more than three decades of experience of writing and editing for newspapers, magazines and online publications in Ontario and western Canada. He is also an award-winning editorialist. When he was Editor of the St. Catharines (Ont.) Standard, the newspaper won its second-ever National Newspaper Award. And, like many writers, he has a handful of half-drafted novels languishing on his computer.

SECRETARY

Nigel Bankes

Nigel is an emeritus professor of law, having retired from the University of Calgary in 2021. Nigel spent much of his career working in the areas of energy and natural resources law, as well as international environmental law. He posts regularly on these issues on the University of Calgary's Faculty of Law blog. Nigel enjoys spending time in the mountains, cross country skiing, hiking and backpacking, and is passionate about maintaining the natural spaces of southern Alberta for the benefit of future generations. He is proud to have raised, with his wife Jane, two young adults with a love of the outdoors.

Lana Mezquita

Lana is a finance and strategic planning professional with over 10 years of experience, primarily in the agriculture sector. Her expertise includes strategy formation, forecasting, and financial analysis. She holds a CPA designation and an MBA from Queen’s University. Lana grew up biking and hiking on the protected land near her family farm in rural Manitoba. These days, you can find her taking advantage of Alberta’s beautiful landscapes – skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. Lana looks forward to taking an active role on the board, as she feels that preserving our beautiful land for future generations is of the utmost importance.

Phil Nykyforuk

Phil is a partner in the Advocacy Department of the law firm Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP in Calgary. He has practiced law for over 25 years and has resided in Calgary since 1993. Phil was an active volunteer with CPAWS in its campaigns to protect the Whaleback and Spray Valley in Kananaskis. He regards CPAWS Southern Alberta as an important and effective voice for the many Albertans who wish to protect and preserve our wild landscapes and the species that inhabit them. Phil welcomes the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors and help ensure that his children and grandchildren have the same opportunity to experience the wonders of nature in our province. Phil enjoys hiking, cycling, jogging, bird watching and nature photography. He and his family are frequent visitors to Alberta’s National and Provincial Parks.

Elliot Fox

Elliot is a member of the Kainai First Nation (Blood Tribe) in Alberta, Canada. He has over 25 years of private and public service experience in the land, environment and natural resource conservation and management arena as a front-line technician and senior manager. Elliot’s extensive experience includes working with federal, provincial and First Nations governments and non-governmental agencies in sustainable land use, environment and natural resource conservation and management.

Nicole Edge

Dr. Nicole Edge teaches in the business school at Mount Royal University in accounting where she seeks ways to support learners in understanding how the application of their skills and knowledge has an effect on their community (more than "just" technical accounting outcomes) and how they can choose to have a positive effect on their communities. Dr. Edge brings both technical skills (>25 years as a CPA-CA) and a range of experience in the nonprofit sector where she has fulfilled finance/accounting roles on a board previously (Fairy Tales Society, now Calgary Queer Arts) and has been involved in consulting/ advising/ business case building in the past (range of clients such as Fresh Start Recovery, Calgary Arts Commons, Hull Services, UofC work). The work CPAWS is doing in our communities resonates with her values and personal actions (she and her partner are currently working toward building a regenerative market garden in Sundre) and her motivation for becoming involved is to find ways to share her skills that may be useful in supporting CPAWS initiatives and goals.

Connie Van der Byl

Dr. Connie Van der Byl was appointed as Associate Vice-President, Research, Scholarship and Community Engagement at Mount Royal University in January 2023. She leads the office of research, scholarship and community engagement as well as Mount Royal University Institutes under the Provost. Connie was the Academic Director of Mount Royal University’s Institute for Environmental Sustainability for eight years and has been a faculty member in the Bissett School of Business since 2012 teaching courses in business strategy and sustainability. She has a PhD in Energy Management and Sustainable Development and had an early career in Alberta’s energy sector. Her research interests focus on organizations and their strategic responses to environmental issues.

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