Our Staff

Ontario Nature Staff and Contract Services

Caroline Schultz – Executive Director

Caroline has directed Ontario Nature’s programs and operations since 2005. Caroline previously served as conservation director for the Canadian Nature Federation for 10 years, leading the organization’s national advocacy, science and stewardship programs. She was also chair of BirdLife International’s Americas regional council, helping to develop and lead a partnership of national member NGOs from more than 17 countries to advance biodiversity conservation throughout the region. Caroline holds an M.Sc. in ecology and a Masters of Management degree in voluntary sector leadership.

Lauren Wright – Executive Administrator and Office Manager

Lauren joined Ontario Nature in July of 2010. She works closely with the senior management team and board of directors, and coordinates special events. Previously, Lauren worked as a tracking leader for a conservation charity in Malaysian Borneo. She holds an M.Sc. in primate conservation from Oxford Brookes University in the UK and a B.A. in anthropology from the University of Toronto.

John Gunn – Director of Finance and Administration

John joined Ontario Nature in early 2008. He has held a number of senior finance and administration positions with non-profit organizations, primarily in the arts sector, including the Vancouver Symphony, the Vancouver Opera, The Arts Club and The Living Arts Centre. John is a Chartered Accountant and holds a B.A. in economics and geography and a Masters of Public Administration. He is an avid naturalist and particularly enjoys hiking and birding.

Lisa Richardson – Nature Network Coordinator

Lisa heads up Ontario Nature’s Education Program and Nature Network of more than 140 local community conservation groups. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto where she earned a B.Sc. in zoology and psychology. Prior to joining Ontario Nature in 2006 as the Volunteer for Nature Coordinator, Lisa worked with the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre running their volunteer-based national shoreline cleanup program in Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces.

Conservation & Science

Anne Bell – Director of Conservation and Education

Anne has been directing Ontario Nature’s conservation and education programs since 2007. She holds a Ph.D. in environmental studies and has almost 20 years experience working as an environmental educator, researcher and advocate for government and non-profit organizations. Anne loves to go birding, camping, swimming, and skiing and to play hockey with her husband and two young daughters, Kestrel and Castilleja.

John Urquhart – Conservation Science Manager

John joined Ontario Nature in 2009. He coordinates the Reptiles at Risk program and the Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas project. John has a B.Sc in ecology and an M.Sc in zoology. Prior to joining Ontario Nature, John worked for conservation, education and stewardship organizations (including the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Environment, the Toronto Zoo and the Toronto Region and Conservation Authority) and conducted research on reptiles and amphibians in Costa Rica.

Julee Boan – Boreal Program Manager

Julee lives in Thunder Bay and leads Ontario Nature’s Boreal Forest Program. She works collaboratively with First Nations, industry and local conservation groups to seek environmentally responsible approaches to economic development in northern Ontario. She is currently completing a Ph.D. in forest sciences with research focused on mitigating timber harvesting impacts on woodland caribou. For the past six years, Julee has also served as a board member of Environment North. When she isn't pounding the pavement advocating for environmental sustainability, she paddles, putters in her garden and shares her love of the outdoors in northern Ontario with her son Simon Sweetwater, and the best dog in the world, Lola.

Joshua Wise – Greenway Program Coordinator

Josh joined the Ontario Nature team in the spring of 2011. His interest in the natural environment led him to study Geography at the University of Guelph and later to do a Masters degree in Environment and Sustainability at the University of Western Ontario. Previous work in the environmental field has included positions at Parks Canada, the Ministry of Natural Resources as well as other environmental NGOs in Canada and Bolivia. Josh spends his free time playing sports and enjoys any opportunity to go hiking and canoeing.

Sarah Hedges – Nature Guardians Coordinator

Sarah joined Ontario Nature in August 2010 and oversees their Nature Guardians Program, a youth-based environmental education initiative. Sarah has completed her B.Sc. in environmental science from Queen’s University, and has had significant experience working with children and youth from previous positions at a summer camp and an outdoor education centre. Sarah enjoys international travel and spending time at her cottage.

James Paterson – Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas Coordinator

James joined Ontario Nature in the summer of 2011 to work on the atlas project. He completed his B.Sc. in zoology at the University of Guelph and his M.Sc. in biology at Laurentian University. Before joining Ontario Nature, James worked researching, monitoring, educating and participating in stewardship programs focused on turtles and other reptiles throughout the province. He enjoys camping, hiking, bird watching and canoeing in new places across Ontario.

Timothy Hayward – Research and Policy Analyst

Tim works on environmental policy issues with a particular focus on aggregate extraction, and researches ways to align industrial activities with the conservation of important habitat in southern Ontario. He has a Degree in Applied Geography from Ryerson University and is currently enrolled in the M.ES. program at York University where his research focuses on bioregional planning in the Greater Toronto Area. He previously worked as a geographic information systems (GIS) operator. Tim is a volunteer with the Don Watershed Regeneration Council and enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and daughter.

Membership & Development

Nicole Chamula – Senior Development Officer

Nicole joined Ontario Nature in 2010 after completing an internship at Environmental Defence. She has a post-graduate certificate in fundraising and volunteer management from Humber College and is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She also holds a B.ES. in environment and resources studies from the University of Waterloo. Nicole enjoys any chance to travel and loves to be outdoors.

Randie Hanlan – Member Relations Coordinator

Randie joined Ontario Nature in 2005 after working at the Toronto East General Hospital Foundation as donor relations coordinator. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and has held many positions within a fundraising and member services capacity since she graduated from Seneca College in 2000. Outside of Ontario Nature, Randie is active in her community by chairing the personnel committee on the board of directors for the Owen Community Learning Centre.

Irene Milani – Database Coordinator

Irene oversees Ontario Nature's growing member and donor database. Previously, Irene held various positions at the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, including natural heritage coordinator, project manager and special assistant to the Hon. David Crombie. Irene has a B.A. in urban studies and sociology.

Kavita Dogra – Development and Administrative Assistant

Kavita keeps in constant contact with Ontario Nature’s members and is involved in many of the organization’s day-to-day operations. Along with an honours B.A. in social sciences from York University, Kavita recently completed a Fundraising Management Certificate program from Ryerson University. Previously, Kavita worked as corporate communications assistant for the Dominion. In her spare time, Kavita co-founded a women’s rights organization called We Talk Women, volunteers regularly, loves photography and aspires to travel the world.

Communications

John Hassell – Communications Manager

John Hassell joined Ontario Nature in late 2009. He holds a dual role in communications and as a contributing editor for Ontario Nature’s award-winning magazine ON Nature. John has a M.A. in International Development Studies with research focusing on sustainable, community-based forestry and a B.A. in political science. He has worked in the non-profit sector more than seven years. John is an active volunteer in his community and sits on the editorial board of iAM – an e-magazine published by the Ontario Council for International Cooperation. He also enjoys outdoor activities, sports and travel.

Noah Cole – Special Projects Assistant

Noah is Ontario Nature's special projects assistant. Noah supports Ontario Nature's social media profile, manages photo research and helps with the organization’s day-to-day operations. Noah studied at The Western Academy of Photography and obtained his B.A. from the University of Guelph; he is currently studying Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Management at Ryerson University. Noah enjoys hiking, volunteering and exploring the great outdoors.

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