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Board of Directors

ID: David smiles by tree-lined mountain water

David Barbosa

David (he/him) immigrated to Canada from the Philippines as a toddler and grew up in Vancouver having fond memories playing in the outdoors. Today with his wife and children, is very thankful to live on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. As a father of five, he cares deeply about future generations and sees protecting Mother Earth as a priority.

David is a CPA, CA and holds a BBA from Simon Fraser University. He began his early career in a multinational accounting firm, then joined a clean tech start-up which further drove his passion for sustainability. Now a consultant, he brings 20+ years of industry experience working with entrepreneurs providing strategic financial and corporate leadership.

During his spare time David is actively involved in his local community and enjoys cooking, going on nature walks, and looks forward to spending time with his family on new outdoor adventures. More recently, he has taken an interest in learning more about the circular economy and how individuals, communities and businesses can use circular economy strategies to protect wildlife and promote biodiversity.

ID: Carla smiles over coastal cliffs wearing dark sunglasses because it's sunny!

Carla Giles

Carla she/her) grew up in South America and Europe and gained an appreciation for nature and community from an early age. She currently lives on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) First Nations.

Carla has experience implementing sustainability solutions to support a transition to a low-carbon economy. Carla is passionate about helping organizations embed sustainability principles and innovative practices across their operations, business models, and governance frameworks.

Carla’s experience is grounded on a B.Sc. (Hons) in Economics and Computing Science, and a M.A. focused on agroecology, family farming and rural movements. Carla is also a UX Designer, a Certified Association Executive and an EcoDistricts Accredited Professional committed to guiding urban and community development by putting equity, resilience, and climate protection at the heart of every decision.

ID: Catarina smiles with rectangular eyeglasses, short brown hair, blue top.

Catarina Moreno, President

Catarina (she/her/hers) grew up in Berlin, Germany and since then she has spent over 20 years living and working in the UK, Ecuador, and Colombia. She has been calling Canada home for the past few years and is deeply grateful to now live, work and play on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded stolen territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

To her role as board director at CPAWS BC, she brings 15 + years of leadership and management experience in social profit organizations and as a consultant and facilitator in strategic planning and succession planning. Outside of work she has just discovered canoeing and can be found poring over trip reports to decide on her next adventure.

ID: Kathy smiles near lush riveride with brown hair, purple top.

Kathy Scalzo

Kathy is the recently retired President of Scalzo & Associates, a Vancouver-based consulting group. Her expertise in strategic planning, organization development, change and transition planning, and facilitation and education has been used by health care and non-profit organizations for over 25 years.

Kathy holds a B.Sc. from the University of Washington and a M.Sc. from Pepperdine University, and is working toward a PhD at the University of British Columbia. 

ID: Kayan smiles with long dark hair

Kayan Yu

Kayan (she/her) is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) with over a decade of experience working with government, not-for-profit, and First Nation organizations. She is an assurance partner at BDO Canada LLP.

Kayan grew up in the Lower Mainland and currently lives in Vancouver on the unceded territory of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. An avid traveller, Kayan is grateful to have experienced the natural habitats protected by conservation efforts across the world.

Kayan holds a B.Sc. (Biochemistry) from the University of British Columbia, and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA).

ID: Pradnyasmiles with dark hair tied back and white top

Pradnya Sawant, Vice-President

Pradnya Sawant (she/her) is an oceanographer by training and an environmentalist by passion. Over the years, she has worked in the fields of Marine Science Research and Policy, Environmental Consultancy, and Education and Outreach. She has carried out research activities in the coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico and those of the Arabian Sea, where she worked with different stakeholders on projects funded by federal governments and the World Bank. 

With a keen interest in bridging the gap between science and policy, she has also volunteered her time and expertise for environmental awareness and advocacy, working with several regional, national and international environmental organizations. Along with her scientific knowledge and non-profit leadership experience, she brings her passion and strong commitment to environmental conservation. She is honored to serve to help protect the wilderness, the beautiful parks, mountains, coastline, and the waters of BC and the traditional, ancestral, unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples.

Pradnya Sawant holds a doctoral degree in Marine Science (Oceanography) from The University of Southern Mississippi, USA and a Master’s degree in Zoology (Marine Science) and Bachelor’s in Zoology from the University of Mumbai, India.

Ewelina_CPAWS_Photo

EWELINA KRZYZANOWSKA

Ewelina (she/her) was born in Poland and immigrated along with her family to Canada as a young child.
She grew up in Toronto and Barrie, completing an undergrad in Business in Ottawa. Ewelina spent time
studying abroad in Chile and completed her MBA in Spain. An avid traveller and lover of the outdoors,
she is grateful to reside on and enjoy the beauty of the traditional, ancestral, and unceded stolen
territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh
(Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Ewelina works in the outdoor retail industry, championing folks to enjoy the outdoors in a sustainable
and responsible way. To her role on the board, she brings a wealth of experience in leadership and
management as well as a passion for the preservation of BC’s wild spaces. In her spare time, she enjoys
cycling and camping in the summer or skiing in the local mountains in the winter.

Gregory McKinley - Headshot2

GREGORY MCKINLEY

Greg (he/him) is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and Senior Manager at MNP LLP, a professional services firm, where he provides accounting, consulting and tax advice to businesses and not-for-profit organizations.

Greg has lived most of his life in the District of North Vancouver and respectfully acknowledges the original peoples of these lands and waters, specifically the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) peoples, on whose unceded ancestral lands the District is located. Greg spends most weekends exploring the North Shore mountains and recognizes the importance of protecting wilderness right next to one of Canada’s largest metropolitan areas and throughout British Columbia.

Greg holds a BBA from Simon Fraser University with concentrations in Accounting & Finance.

 

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CHARLENE SEWARD

Charlene Seward is a member of the Squamish Nation, with close family ties to the Snuneymuxw Nation. Charlene’s background includes convening diverse groups for dialogue on reconciliation, decolonization, sustainable community development and food sovereignty. Charlene is dedicated to rebuilding Indigenous food sovereignty, supporting First Nations communities to steward their territories, building meaningful relationships and creating brave spaces for dialogue that support change at multiple levels.    
 
Charlene is the Indigenous Program Lead at Clear Seas and previously worked with Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Reconciliation Canada. 

The CPAWS-BC team intends to challenge the belief that all pronouns can be assumed and practices sharing of gender pronouns to create a supportive community for all people. If we fail to respect someone else’s gender identity, it is not only disrespectful and hurtful but also oppressive (1). Learn more about CPAWS-BC commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within every aspect of our work to protect lands, inland waters, and ocean.