Our People
EECOM is made up of network organizations and individuals across Canada, volunteers, and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who are elected by EECOM members.
Participation on the Board of Directors is one of the ways to help shape EECOM’s contribution to environmental and sustainability education in Canada and to engage in meaningful dialogue with individuals and partner organizations across the country.
The EECOM Board of Directors represents leadership in the field of environmental and sustainability education. The Board is composed of professionals across Canada who demonstrate leadership and expertise across many fields of the environmental movement.
If you’d like to serve on the board, please contact info@eecom.com with ‘Board Membership’ in the Subject line.
Meet the 2024 EECOM Board of Directors
Adam Young
Chair (Ontario) he/him/his
He has created environmental programs for organizations such as Scouts Canada, the Canada Science and Technology Museum, and Little Green Thumbs. Adam is a proud graduate of Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke, Quebec, and completed his Masters with the Sustainability and Education Policy Network at the University of Saskatchewan.
Adam continues his volunteer work with EECOM while working full-time for the Bank of Canada Museum and as a part-time instructor at the University of Ottawa. In his free time he finds time to kayak the Rideau Canal, ski in Western Canada, and bike tour through Quebec.
Haley Guest
Vice Chair(Nova Scotia) she/her/hers
Jason Armstrong
Treasurer (Ontario) he/him/his
Jason is naturally curious and loves learning, so working in a museum setting keeps him stimulated. Working on the Let’s Talk Energy project has been an amazing experience. Energy is such an interesting topic that has many elements and off-shoots, including economy, environment, sustainability, development, technology, and politics…it continues to fascinate Jason!
When not at work, Jason likes to canoe and hike in the woods around the Ottawa/Gatineau area. Jason is also an avid reader and enthusiastic board game player, and loves to cook for friends and family.
Ryan Benson
Secretary (Yukon) he/him/his
He sees EECOM as an important hub for connecting passionate educators across Canada. The more we share perspectives, challenges, and successes from coast to coast to coast the closer we move to a more sustainable and thriving society. Ryan’s current interests: The intersections of outdoor, environmental and experiential education (OE3); learning networks; climate change in northern environments; incorporating First Nation Ways of Knowing Doing and Being into Yukon’s Environmental Education initiatives.
Anna-Lee Vienneau
Director (New Brunswick) she/her/hers
Beyond work, Anna-Lee finds joy in film photography, community 2SLGBTQ+ projects, forest walks with Gipsy, and heartfelt moments with Melissa, embracing each with zest and authenticity.
Danika Strecko
Director (British Columbia) she/her/hers
Her experience teaching high school sciences makes her a keen collaborator with students and teachers about how to inspire learners of all ages to solve environmental challenges. Her work includes helping to launch and implement Project Learning Tree’s Forest Literacy Framework for both US and Canadian audiences. Danika earned a Master of Educational Technology, B.Ed., and B.Sc. from the University of British Columbia.
Janna Barkman
Director (Manitoba)
Janna brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise, with a Master of Teaching from the University of Toronto and a Master of Development Practice from the University of Winnipeg. Before teaching, Janna developed and facilitated environmental learning programs at institutions such as FortWhyte Alive, Momenta, and Evergreen Brickworks. Her work and research pursuits have taken her to a variety of natural spaces, from Northern Manitoba to downtown Toronto and to rural India.
As a mother of two young children, Janna is committed to raising them alongside her partner and family, instilling a deep sense of environmental and social responsibility while nurturing their awe and appreciation for the natural world's wonders.
Laura Sims
Director (Manitoba)
In her research, she specializes in education for sustainability in formal and non-formal learning contexts. In formal contexts, she looks at education for sustainability in pre-service teacher education in Canada. In non-formal contexts, she works with small-scale farmers in Latin America to understand the learning process involved in transitioning from conventional farming practices to more sustainable ones. Laura taught high school for 10 years. Laura loves playing outside, particularly enjoying wilderness camping, skating on the river trail, cross-country skiing, and cycling. She works, lives, and plays in English, French, and Spanish. Laura values how EECOM brings together passionate individuals from all different educational contexts in the spirit of sharing to advance environmental and sustainability education.
Marie-Élaine Desmarais
Director (Manitoba)
For Marie-Élaine, environmental education plays an important role in well-being and wellness because it helps children to learn in a different way. She has been a friend of EECOM since 2017. Marie-Élaine’s current interests: Long walks with her dog; getting people outdoors; increasing EECOM’s bilingual offerings.
Natalie Graveline
Director (Alberta) she/her/hers
She has worked with Inside Education for over 6 years, and previously worked as a natural history interpreter for the City of Edmonton and Alberta Parks. At one point she had her goals set on becoming a high school science teacher, discovering the impact that could be made by bringing students outside and experiencing the natural world firsthand changed her trajectory towards a love for environmental education!
When she’s not in the forest you can find Natalie biking, swimming, and hanging out with her husband and her cat!
Shannon Harding
Director (Nova Scotia) she/her/hers
Shannon’s current interests: Climate education; behaviour change; education policy and practice; experiential/inquiry/place-based education; education for sustainability; learning competencies; governance; teacher education; cross-curricular approaches to teaching and learning.
Stephanie Doyle
Director (Quebec) she/her/hers
Stephanie’s current interests include: Eco-anxiety, climate justice, environmental stewardship projects, climate change, biodiversity, and SEL education as well as being outdoors - running, biking, hiking, or snowshoeing.
Timothy Straka
Director (Québec) he/him/his
Certified to teach in British Columbia, Ontario, and Québec, Tim has taught primary, secondary, post-secondary, and adult learners experientially across North America and in Central Europe, the Arctic, and Antarctica. He enjoys trail running, skiing, paddling, swimming, biking, hucking Frisbees and back-country travel. Tim actively supports EECOM’s efforts to grow as a diverse and inclusive pan-Canadian learning network. He lives with his family on unceded Algonquin Anishnaabeg territory.
Interested in joining the EECOM Board?
Board members are elected by the membership at the annual Annual General Meeting. Terms are for two (2) years.
As a Board member, you will be expected to participate in virtual Board Meetings once per month, and to contribute 2-5 hours per month to the work of EECOM through various committees. To serve on the Board, a candidate must be an EECOM member in good standing and must be at least 18 years of age.
Please email info@eecom.org for more information, or, to submit your intention to run for the Board at the next election!