SABINE DIETZ – Chair

Sabine is currently Executive Director of CLIMAtlantic Inc and has worked as program and project coordinator on biodiversity conservation & education projects since the mid-1980s, as a co-program lead of the Maritimes Important Bird Areas program in the late-1990s, as Executive Director of a nature center (2005-2010), for Parks Canada as ecosystem scientist, and on climate change adaptation on various projects over the last 12 years. She is also co-founder of Aster Group (astergroup.ca), an environmental
services co-operative, and sits on the Board of Directors of Aster Foundation. She holds a BA, an MES, and a Ph.D. in biology. She was instrumental in building Nature NB’s capacity towards becoming a fully
staffed organization many years ago, and her volunteer work has always included building capacity in New Brunswick’s ENGO sector. Sabine loves backpacking, biking, kayaking and canoeing, and cross-country skiing in the winter. She and partner Roland Chiasson have two grown children.

LOGAN MCINTOSH – Vice-Chair

Logan is a passionate strategist, campaigner, and organizer in movements for environmental, democratic and economic fairness. Her background is in deliberative dialogue, mass distributed organizing and digital campaigning. She is Leadnow’s Campaigns Director, where she is especially excited to focus on merging digital tools and face-to-face organizing to win lasting change. In her five years with Leadnow.ca, she has led innovative campaigns at the intersection of political efficacy and high member energy and grown their community driven funding program and membership base.

WILLIAM DAVID – Secretary

William has been working on Indigenous environmental and Indigenous human rights issues at the international level, the national level and the community level for over twenty years. He is currently a Legal Advisor at Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and previously has worked in legal, advisory and director roles to advance the rights of Indigenous Peoples through education, strategic litigation, budgetary, and international advocacy. His expertise has landed him key roles in shaping Canadian legislation as well as shaping young minds teaching at the University of Ottawa.

WILLIAM (BILL) ROSS – Treasurer

Bill Ross is a business executive with Vercerta, a firm that specializes in risk management services, with particular focus on business economics and environmental issues.

In prior roles, Bill held executive management positions, specializing in Finance and Information Technology, with Enbridge Inc., a leading energy infrastructure manager; W.W. Grainger, a pre-eminent industrial distributor; and, Unilever, a global provider of consumer products.

Bill is a Chartered Professional Accountant, holds an MBA (with distinction) from the Richard Ivey School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of Stirling in Scotland.

Bill is also a Chartered Director and, most recently, is past Chair of the Board for Financial Executives Canada.

Bill is the current Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee for the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, whose mandate is to advocate economic and environment policies to promote sustainable development in the region.

As a keen participant in outdoor activities, Bill has a passion for the preservation of wildlife and their natural habitat. I am a regular hiker, cross country skier, long distance cyclist and runner who relishes the natural beauty of the outdoors.

RÉAL BISSON – Director

Until October 2007, Réal Bisson was the National Coordinator of the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk with the Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment Canada. Prior to his last assignment, he served for one year as the National Coordinator of the Ecological Gifts Program of Environment Canada. Over the course of his career, Réal has also occupied a variety of positions linked to the conservation and enhancement of wildlife with the Quebec Regional Office of the Canadian Wildlife Service. Réal was received as forest engineer from Laval University in 1972. He has been involved as a volunteer with the direction of various non profit organizations related to heritage interpretation, community tree planting, birds watching and others. Since 2013, he is the current president of QuébecOiseaux. He is well aware of various challenges that a non governmental organization dedicated to nature must afford to better serve the community.

Renata Woodward – Director

Renata is the former CEO of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick. Currently, she is a consultant who helps charitable organizations with engagement organizing, capacity building, fund-raising, land conservation, and policy development. She is a progressive leader, effective decision-maker, visionary, great communicator, and manager who can display sound judgment and bring the best out of a team of passionate and diverse people. She continues to work on advancing environmental protection in Canada. Her expertise lies within the realms of biodiversity, land and ocean conservation. She is passionate about Indigenous engagement and reconciliation, social justice, and ethical investing. She is a natural connector who wants to bring people together to work on “green” climate-just actions that will allow future generations to survive on our planet. Her education encompasses Natural Resource Management, nursing, and international business and development. She lived, studied, and worked in British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec. Her passions are organic farming, spending time with her family and friends, and enjoying nature as much as she can.

Ziona Eyob – Director

Ziona is a multilingual, international communications expert with over 10 years of experience developing and implementing audience and evidence-driven messaging strategies. As a policy communications specialist, she’s travelled the world coordinating, participating and reporting on a number of UN-level international events connecting governments, civil society and private sectors on climate change-related issues. Ziona is currently the Canadian Media Director for Stand.earth, where she is responsible for developing a variety of media initiatives that support Stand’s public relations and messaging goals. Prior to joining Stand, Ziona was a Communications Officer with the International Institute for Sustainable Development, where she supported policy researchers who work on climate and conflict-related risks, adaptation, mitigation, and energy subsidies. She was also previously with the Global Call for Climate Action where she was the North America Communications Manager for the GCCA’s rapid response communications service, The Tree.

Aviva Patel – Director

Aviva Patel is a director at Credit Valley Conservation, a municipally funded agency responsible for watershed management of the Credit River in Ontario. Over the past 17 years there she has led multiple programs including long-term ecological monitoring, natural area surveys, and protected area system development. She and her team develop and disseminate leading-edge watershed science for effective land use management and planning.

Previous roles include Research Manager at the University of Toronto, coordinating multiple research projects at a conservation biology lab, and a five-year stint at the Sierra Club of Canada as a member of the board of directors. Aviva holds a Bachelor’s degree (Honours) in Biology from Stanford University, California, and a Ph.D. in ecology from the University of Miami, Florida. She is a certified Senior Ecologist with the Ecological Society of America. Aviva enjoys hiking, travelling, reading, and cooking.