Our Board of Directors (also known as the Steering Committee) comprises volunteers nominated from Member Groups, and elected at our Annual General Meeting to 3-year terms. There are a total of 13 members allowed to be on the board and up to half of the positions can be comprised of individual members who are also elected at the AGM.
CHAIR, Laura Tyler
Manitoba Energy Justice CoalitionLaura Tyler has only been in Manitoba a few years but that hasn’t stopped her from becoming a stalwart community organizer on justice issues that affect our province such as hydro development, austerity policies and food security. Laura is a dedicated volunteer for Manitoba Energy Justice Coalition and is the Executive Director for Sustainable Building Manitoba. With a background in marketing and business development (she earned an MBA from Ryerson University in 2010) and film studies, Laura is passionate about fusing creativity with team building in order to increase her community’s capacity to achieve goals. As a major proponent of big organizing, she gets great joy from bringing people together. Laura is lucky to have spent time working for film festivals, zoos, museums and advocacy groups.
VICE CHAIR, Cameron Hunter
IISDCameron Hunter is a Policy Analyst at the International Institute for Sustainable Development working on climate change adaptation both internationally and across the Canadian Prairies. Through initiatives like ClimateWest and the NAP Global Network, Cameron works with governments, communities, and other organizations to accelerate efforts to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Cameron holds an M.Sc from the University of British Columbia in geography and a B.Sc (Hons.) from the University of Winnipeg.
Cameron enjoys spending time outdoors canoeing, hiking, skiing, and relaxing at his family cottage in Nopiming Provincial Park. His love of the outdoors and nature is what inspires his work on the environment and climate change.
TREASURER, Phil Lancaster
Member-at-LargePhil Lancaster (LLB, LLM) spent the majority of his work career as a consultant with and for First Nations on a wide variety of governmental issues including traditional justice, law, education, resource extraction, employment matters and other issues of importance to First Nations. Phil has also taught as a sessional lecturer in a number of universities including the University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina, University of Winnipeg and the University College of the North. He taught courses in Aboriginal law and Rights, Conflict Resolution and Property law.
SECRETARY, Lindsay Robinson
Sustainable Building ManitobaLindsay Robinson is a professional engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, as well as additional training and certificates in aerospace engineering, sustainable development, climate change science and negotiations, building science and energy modeling. He is currently working towards the completion of a Solar Energy Engineering Micromasters through the Delft University of Technology, based in the Netherlands. Lindsay currently works for Crosier Kilgour and Partners as an Energy Simulation Engineer and Project Manager, and has previously worked for Boeing Canada as a Manufacturing Engineer. He has volunteered his time for a variety of causes including the Winnipeg Folk Festival, Habitat for Humanity, Engineers Without Borders Manitoba, Career Trek and the several sustainable building projects around Manitoba.
Josh Brandon
Social Planning Council of WinnipegJosh Brandon is a community animator with the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg. He conducts public policy research on issues of poverty, housing and income. He co-edited Poor Housing: a Silent Crisis, a book about low-income housing in Winnipeg. He was chair of Make Poverty History Manitoba (2016 to 2018). He is also a committed environmentalist, with work experience at a number of environmental organizations including the Manitoba Eco-Network, Green Action Centre and Greenpeace. He served as a community/environment representative on Health Canada’s Food Expert Advisory Committee and participated in the 2008 International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD). He is past chair of the Canadian Environmental Network (2011 to 2016). In 2018, he ran for City Council in the Daniel McIntyre ward in Winnipeg.
Harrison Briand
Green Action CentreHarrison is an environmental educator passionate about creating programming for underserved communities. He has a degree in Environmental Studies with a Minor in Geography from Carleton University, and a Technical Diploma in Water and Wastewater Management from Algonquin College. After completion of his studies, Harrison spent two years living on a First Nations Reserve in Northern Ontario delivering experiential environmental programming to youth. It was this experience that fostered his interest in Indigenous allyship and programming that supports capacity building. Harrison has also spent time living in Costa Rica working with endangered sea turtles, and has tree planted in BC for the past three summers. Although new to Manitoba, Harrison is excited about his newest venture here – a tiny home build with his partner.
Vicki Burns
Hog Watch ManitobaVicki Burns is a graduate of the University of Manitoba’s School of Social Work. After working for the first 20 years of her career in human services, Vicki joined the Winnipeg Humane Society as Executive Director in 1994. During her 14-year tenure there, Vicki became a vocal advocate for all animals with a particular focus on farm animals. At that time, during the 1990s, the hog industry expanded exponentially and the welfare of the pigs in the massive industrial facilities became a priority. It was at this time that Vicki became part of a newly formed coalition, Hog Watch Manitoba, whose goal was to promote an environmentally, ethically, and economically sustainable hog industry. After leaving the Humane Society in 2008, Vicki became involved in work to protect and restore the health of Lake Winnipeg. The blue-green algae blooms (many of which contain toxins) are a threat every year. The connection between the state of the lake and Manitoba’s hog industry is a troubling one and Vicki has worked to bring awareness and change in this area.
Vicki is currently Treasurer of Hog Watch Manitoba, Director of the Save Lake Winnipeg Project, and writes a blog H2O; Ideas and Action for Canada’s Water
Stacey Chaboyer
Member-at-LargeStacey Chaboyer grew up in Winnipeg and her roots are in Norway House Cree Nation (Kinisao Sipi) in Treaty 5 territory. She completed her Bachelor of Environmental Studies in 2010 from the University of Manitoba. She then moved to Calgary to pursue a career in Indigenous community engagement and regulatory consultation, and worked in the energy sector building relationships with First Nation and Métis communities in Alberta and Northeastern BC. Her most rewarding experience during this time was as a working group member for Sekweha Youth Centre in Janvier, AB, where she learned about integrating Indigenous culture, language, values and traditions into current educational experiences, or learning how to walk in two worlds.
She later completed a Master of Arts in Environmental Practice from Royal Roads University and moved to Winnipeg with her husband after their son was born. She now works for Fisheries and Oceans Canada, coordinating Indigenous programs around Great Slave Lake, NWT, including the Aboriginal Aquatic Resource and Oceans Management (AAROM) program and Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS) program.
Kathryn Dompierre
Lake Winnipeg FoundationKathryn is a Research and Development Engineer for the software company, GEO-SLOPE, working to improve the numerical tools available for geotechnical engineers and geoscientists. Previously, Kathryn completed a Ph.D. in civil engineering at the University of Saskatchewan on oil sands reclamation, and a M.Sc. in Environmental Policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science, where her thesis considered the impacts of oil sands mining on northern Indigenous communities. Kathryn is also on the Lake Winnipeg Foundation board, is a member of the Engineers GeoScientists Manitoba Committee for the Increased Participation of Women in Engineering, and organizes Blue Drinks (networking events for those in the water sector) through her involvement in the Canadian Water Network.
Karen Fletcher
Member-at-LargeKaren Fletcher (MN BN BA) has retired from a career in palliative and oncology nursing where she provided direct patient care in the community and held leadership positions at CancerCare Manitoba and the WRHA Breast Health Centre. She ended her nursing career after 7 years teaching nursing students at the University of Manitoba. Karen was a pioneer of yoga in Winnipeg and has had a life long commitment to walking more gently on the earth. She was on the UM Eco Team, a member of a tree committee with the City of Winnipeg and has written countless letters over the decades regarding environmental and animal welfare issues.
Trish Fitzpatrick
University of WinnipegMy pronouns are she/her. I am a Professor in the Department of Geography, and an Instructor in the Master’s of Development Practice – Indigenous Focus – at the University of Winnipeg. I have lived on Treaty 1 territory since 1999, first as a Master’s student at the Natural Resources Institute, and later returning after I completed my PhD.
I am a resource management geographer, concerned with what we can do to better manage our resources, and in turn, foster resilient and healthy communities. My research focuses on different aspects of environmental governance surrounding energy and mining development in Canada. I am particularly interested in impact assessment, follow-up & monitoring and community energy planning.
I previously served on the board of Green Action Centre (2006-2010), and the Churchill Northern Studies Centre (2008-2014). I took a break from volunteering for a short time while I was being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. In addition to serving on several University committees, I currently chair the Manitoba Eco-Network Policy Advocacy Committee and serve on the Sustainable Building Manitoba policy committee.
In my spare time, I garden and make pickles and other preserves.
Chantel Henderson
Member-At-LargeChantel Henderson has been on the board of directors for the Manitoba EcoNetwork since February 2020. She is passionate about environmental justice, conservation, education, sustainability, and clean energy. In 2016, Chantel was one of the first cohorts in the 2020 Catalyst Training Program offered through the Indigenous Clean Energy Social Enterprise which trains First Nation leadership who are interested in developing clean energy projects. She has a Graduate Diploma in Community Economic Development from Concordia University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban and Inner City Studies.
She is currently the new Clean Energy Coordinator for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs working with 62 First Nations around Manitoba on promoting and developing clean energy, energy efficiency, and addressing climate change. Chantel previously worked at the Green Action Centre promoting environmental education, in First Nation communities around Manitoba with a particular focus on waste reduction. During this time, she created a youth activity book “Protecting Mother Earth for the Next Seven Generations” which is available (free of charge) to First Nation schools, educators, and divisions around Manitoba.Chantel has sat on various boards including the
Daniel McIntyre St Matthews Community Association, Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal, and the Centre for Gender Advocacy. She sat on the University of Winnipeg Aboriginal Student Council from 2013-14
Her interests include networking, meeting people with similar passions, biking, walking on nature trails, electric vehicles, and volunteering at various organizations around Winnipeg such as The Winnipeg Folk Fest, Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Festival du Voyageur, Pride Winnipeg, and Folklorama.
Kirit Patel
Member-at-LargeDr. Kirit Patel is an Associate Professor of International Development Studies at the Menno Simons College affiliated with the University of Winnipeg & Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg. As an academic, policy analyst, and development professional, Dr. Patel’s teaching, research, and community engagement are focused on food security, environmental justice, and community empowerment. His current research examines various socio-economic and environmental issues related to environmental justice, nutrition security, rural-urban migration, biodiversity conservation, indigenous knowledge systems, and governance of common property resources in the Global South. Dr. Patel has raised close to four million dollars for various research projects in the last eight years and has extensively engaged undergraduate and graduate students in his research projects.
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