North Coast Ecology Centre Society: Meet the Board  

Sandra grew up down the road in Terrace exploring the bush and the creatures of the north coast that live here. After a few years away obtaining her Professional Engineer designation, she returned to the area, moving to Prince Rupert in 2016. Sandra still enjoys spending time exploring the world around her with her Newfie dog, Jake, and seeing children light up when learning about sun dews and sea stars and bears. She hopes her work with the North Coast Ecology Centre Society will help to bring more opportunities for people to interact with the living things and systems unique to the north coast.

Colin retired from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, where he had worked as the North Coast Area Director. Much of his career focused on championing collaborative processes and fostering positive relationships with Indigenous communities throughout BC. As a resident of Prince Rupert for the past decade, Colin and his partner spend a great deal of time enjoying and appreciating the outdoors. They can be found in remote coastal anchorage’s in their sailboat or possibly hiking or camping somewhere between the Yukon and Baja. 

Elizabeth completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2013, and received a Master’s of Zoology in 2019 from the University of British Columbia. Her thesis research investigated the potential relationship between marine protists and the Sea Star Wasting Disease in Ochre Sea Stars on the Northwest Coast. She has a background primarily focused in the marine intertidal zone, and is employed at Ecofish Research as a Project Manager.

Jessica grew up and completed her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology in Saskatchewan, before moving west and settling down in Port Edward. She is currently employed as a biologist at McElhanney, working on projects with marine and freshwater impacts. Currently, she is working on her masters degree in Fisheries Resource Management. Jessica loves to work and play outdoors in the PNW with her partner and GSP. She enjoys salt and freshwater fishing, hiking, camping, hunting, and snowboarding. She is very excited to grow with the NCECS and share her passion for PNW ecosystems with local communities.

Born and raised in Port Edward / Prince Rupert, his parents are the late James and Simone Stewart of Kincolith, Nisga’a Nation. He has two daughters, Grace recently graduated with a degree in Biology and a Minor in Chemistry and Molecular Science, and she just completed a Marine Internship in Greece. Hannah is close to obtaining a degree from Emily Carr University and is a certified kayak guide, employed last summer giving tours around Salt Spring Islands. Farley is completing his certification at SFU in Community Economic Development and enjoys practicing his guitar and learning about his culture. He is constantly looking for advice on how to have a better relationship with his two cats Sisko and Scout. 

Anita hails from Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. The sun, sand, and sea have always been an innate part of her being. She is passionate about nature and water. She loves exploring the outdoors and going on new adventures to discover all nature offers. Anita has a master’s in Environmental Engineering and another in Sustainable Environmental Management. She has participated in and organized several beach cleanup, turtle conservation, and coastal protection initiatives, during her time in Trinidad, Mumbai, and Los Angeles. Her master’s research publication was on the “Persistence of fecal indicator bacteria in Santa Monica Bay beach sediments,” which combined her interest in environmental and coastal protection. Becoming a PADI-certified open-water diver in 2017 opened a new beautiful underwater world to discover and explore. The ecological impacts of anthropogenic activity on the aquatic ecosystems, coral reefs, and the invasion of lionfish in the Caribbean regions are some of the areas of interest to her. She moved to Prince Rupert in 2020 and is excited to be involved in the community. She looks forward to exploring the local north coast ecology and working with the NCECS to promote and educate others about their initiatives.

Sally grew up on the northeast coast of England, near the Scottish border, and from a young age had a passion for the ocean. She earned a BSc in Marine Biology from Newcastle University in 2016 before moving to Canada's west coast, looking to explore its shores and climb its mountains. Sally fell in love with the moody Pacific Northwest, with it's bright red salmon and it's many shades of green. In 2022, she completed a PG Diploma in Applied Coastal Ecology from Coast Mountain College in Prince Rupert. She worked for Ocean Wise, conducting cetacean research and getting involved with community outreach. Sally is now working as a biologist at McElhanney, handling terrestrial, aquatic and marine projects across BC. Sally is excited to contribute her time and expertise to NCECS, and engage with the north coast community and beyond.

Born and raised in Vancouver, BC, Kennedy has always found comfort in having the ocean as her backyard. She earned her B.Sc. in Biology in 2017 from a small liberal arts college in Southern California. Her experience as a fisheries observer on BC commercial trawl vessels, combined with six years at Triton Environmental Consultants focusing on Prince Rupert marine projects, has provided her with extensive knowledge of coastal ecosystems—from ocean depths to intertidal zones. Passionate about sharing marine science and conservation with others, Kennedy looks forward to fostering education and community engagement as a member of the NCECS board.

Joe finished his Bachelor's degree in marine biology from the University of Victoria becoming a Scientific Diver at Bamfield Marine Sciences Center on Vancouver Island in 2010. Joe first came to Prince Rupert later that year as an At-Sea Fisheries Observer and spent several years accompanying trawl vessels across the North Coast for the commercial fishery and on DFO stock assessment surveys. Since then, he has spent many days diving throughout Prince Rupert and the North Coast in his career as a marine biologist with Ausenco. Joe's work involves marine ecosystem and habitat assessment and the design and implementation of restoration and compensation projects, including eelgrass transplants, salt marshes, and kelp seeding. Joe is excited to help share the amazing natural world around Prince Rupert with everyone!