Board of Directors 2016/17.
Graham Saunders (president)
Graham teaches meteorology at Lakehead University, Thunder Bay. He does research and writing for several publications about weather, climate and energy issues. He often speaks about these issues in elementary and high schools, church groups and service clubs. He has made formal presentations at professional and academic conferences, and he presented the keynote address, Trends in Temperature and Precipitation in Northern Ontario during the 20TH Century: Implications for Regional Management (Quetico Centre, Dec. 2004). Graham is a member of CUSP and a member of the Social Responsibility Committee at the Bay Credit Union.
Karen Peterson (vice-president)
Lea Matuska (treasurer)
Lea Matyuska recently retired from the position of manager of the Bay Credit Union in Thunder Bay, a position she has held for over 20 years. She attended the University of Waterloo studying Planning and Environmental Studies, while concurrently attending Wilfrid Laurier University's business program. Lea has been involved in environmental activities sinceher teens, and has worked for both the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and the Long Point Region Conservation Authority. As a representative of Credit Union Central of Ontario's Legislative Review Committee, she gained valuable experience in reviewing and recommended change to Ontario's legislation. She currently serves on the Committee of Adjustment for the Municipality of Neebing.
Susan Grinstead (secretary)
Susan Grinstead was born and raised in Thunder Bay. Susan has been employed by the Lakehead Public Schools as an Educational Assistant for over 30 years. Her background education is geography and special education. She is one of the charter members of Environment North and is still active with them today. She is also an active member of Foresters, Nu-Vision Ministry, Suzuki Foundation, New Democratic Party and Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation. Her home is heated with a solarium addition and has been a host to EcoSuperior’s Renewable Energy Tour on several occasions. Her hobbies include: sewing, gardening, and writing. She is co- owner with her sister in a small card business called Horse and Dragon. Her passion is any solar technology.
Julee Boan
Julee holds a B.Sc. in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Victoria, a M.Sc. in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) through the University of London, England, and a Ph.D. in Forestry and the Forest Environment. She has 10 years of research and analysis experience in the field of conservation, with emphasis on protected areas planning and conservation analysis. She has extensive experience working in the non-profit sector, including fundraising and project management. Julee works extensively with aboriginal communities and northern grassroots conservation groups in Ontario. Previously, she worked on the Protected Areas Strategy for the Ministry of Sustainable Development and the Ministry of Forests in British Columbia, and conducted aquatic and salmon habitat research for a nongovernmental research organization in Clayoquot Sound, BC.
Scott Harris
Lucy Laframboise
Kirsten Annis
Kirsten Annis came to Thunder Bay in 2004 to attend Lakehead University where she attained an HBA in Political Science, a Certificate of Indigenous Studies as well as a Masters of Environmental Studies in Northern Environments and Culture. Kirsten is completing an Environment Officer internship at Four Rivers, the Environmental Services Group of Matawa First Nations Management, working with nine first nation communities in Ontario. She is gaining valuable experience and knowledge about the mining sector, project management and environmental legislation.
Roopa Rakshit
Roopa Rakshit has been involved with various Sustainable Development and Environmental activities with academic and developmental organizations like Lakehead University, Confederation College and EarthCare-City of Thunder Bay.
Roopa has extensive work experience with United Nations, International and multi-cultural organizations. She led the Information and Knowledge Management component of the Climate Adaptation project in Asia and lead a team in planning and organizing the annual Climate Change Adaptation Forum, Asia and the Pacific in October 2010 and March 2012 in Bangkok, Thailand that attracted 500, 800 delegates, respectively.
She is a show programmer at LU Community Radio-107.2 FM and the Secretary/Treasurer, Superior North HAAO (Hospital Auxiliaries Association of Ontario). Roopa holds a Master's degree in Natural Resources and Conservation and is currently working on her PhD.