Our Team

As Riverkeeper Elizabeth (Algonquin/Irish) works as a strong advocate for a healthy watershed for generations to come, as well as providing a voice for its entire ecosystem.
Elizabeth has close to 20 years experience within the federal government and her community, working on partnerships and community development which bring together federal, provincial and Indigenous collaborators toward common goals linked to sustainable development.
Her favourite water activities are canoeing, swimming and collecting rocks along the shoreline of the Tenagàdinozìbi (Gatineau) river, McGregor Lake in Val-des-Monts, as well as other rivers, lakes and streams!
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As the Executive Director, Patrick is responsible for leading the team and managing the organization according to the strategic direction set by the Board of Directors.
Patrick holds a B.Sc in Biology from the University of Ottawa as a Loran Scholar and a M.Sc. in Forest Science from the University of British Columbia. Patrick has prior experience with working on provincial, national, and international environmental files while serving as an Executive Director for CPAWS Quebec.
His favourite river activities are paddling along the Dumoine River and swimming.
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Chloe is passionate about inspiring donors to be more engaged with the causes they believe in and works to steward Ottawa Riverkeeper supporters so they feel closely connected to the projects we do and can see the impact of their gifts.
She holds a B.A. from Concordia University in History and has worked in fundraising for over a decade. Chloe enjoys lazy, sunny beach days on the Ottawa River with her kids. Playing and swimming in the water and occasionally scuba diving and checking out old wrecks in the St. Lawrence River.
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Larissa investigates the numerous issues facing our watershed and oversees our community-based water monitoring initiatives. She works with Riverwatchers throughout the Ottawa River watershed, learning first-hand from the people invested in caring for this river and finding ways to support their efforts.
Larissa has a B.Sc. in Environmental Science from Concordia and a Masters in Resource and Environmental Management from Dalhousie University. She has worked with communities to advocate for renaturalisation projects along urban waterways and has encouraged the adoption of practices that protect freshwater lakes and rivers. Larissa's favourite river activity is to explore the tributaries and see how these smaller streams have shaped the land around them.
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For Dave, his role in the organizational support and development of Ottawa Riverkeeper is an opportunity to serve the river community, protect a critical watershed and work alongside some fantastic people. Previously, he held numerous positions with MEC, most recently as Ottawa store manager. Dave thrives being outside with friends and family and the swimmable, fishable (and canoe-able, and sail-able, and windsurf-able!) Ottawa River has always been a source of adventure.
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Katie is responsible for planning and managing Ottawa Riverkeeper's events, which raise essential funds and help bring the Ottawa River into the community spotlight. She also coordinates Ottawa Riverkeeper's fantastic team of volunteers whose collective efforts and skills help make Ottawa Riverkeeper's work possible.
With a B.A. in Rhetoric and Professional Writing and a Graduate Certificate in event management, Katie is committed to bringing people and communities together in support and celebration of the River.
Katie loves being on the water, from whitewater canoeing to a good old lazy river float, and has rarely met a body of water she won't jump into.
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Matthew loves to engage with the public about environmental issues and the science surrounding them. As Communications Coordinator, he gets to connect with the online community and spread information about Ottawa Riverkeeper’s mission and activities.
He has a B.Sc. in Biology from U of T, and a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Visual Communications from Fleming College. He loves spending time reading outside by the water.
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Katy holds a B.Sc.H in Biology from the University of Waterloo and an M.Sc. in Biology from the University of Ottawa. Her research has focused on the production of harmful algal blooms in Canadian freshwaters. Katy also has experience in the private sector where she worked as an environmental consultant and risk assessor.
Katy loves all activities around the water, be it canoeing or kayaking, exploring the natural flora and fauna, or just relaxing by the shore.
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Sharmila is responsible for administrative duties and organizational support. She is passionate about being engaged in issues relating to our watershed.
She has a background in strategies for protecting freshwater resources and intergenerational equity in water. She has a Masters in Law from the University of Ottawa with special focus on Environment and Sustainability Law. She has several years of experience in the private sector as a compliance advisor and legal consultant. She has also worked in teaching faculties at various law and management schools in India.
Sharmila enjoys swimming, canoeing and spending days at the beach with her family along the Ottawa River.
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Naomi is Anishinabe from the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation. She is rooted in her homeland and has a deep love for aki and nibi (the land and water). She is passionate about engaging and empowering youth to become the next generation of leaders and stewards of the land and water.
Her experience in educational program development and community engagement will be integral in bringing collaborators together to co-develop a shared vision for River School and transforming it into a reality. She is currently completing her Master of Professional Education in Indigenous Educational Leadership, with a research focus on reviving wìgwàs tcîmân àdisòkàn (birchbark canoe stories) for her family and community.
Her favourite water activities are swimming, fishing, and watching sunsets by the water. She loves all lakes, rivers, streams, and waterfalls within the unceded Algonquin territory, and has yet to sit and visit with them all.
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Mark has always been captivated by the beauty of the natural world, both aesthetically and in terms of the fascinating complexity of ecosystems.
With an H.B.Sc. in Zoology and M.Sc. in Integrative Biology from the University of Guelph, and a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Visual Communications from Fleming College, he is committed to sharing his love of science, animals, and the environment with anyone and everyone, particularly through visual mediums like graphics and photography.
Mark’s favourite watershed activities include taking the (electric) motorized floating dock out on Lac Barnes in Val-des-Monts, and hiking river-side trails with his wife, dog, and camera.
The Ottawa River also holds an extra special place in Mark’s heart, because he proposed to his wife along its banks in Orléans!
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As Community Outreach Coordinator, Alejandro is responsible for connecting with the communities of the Ottawa River watershed in person and online. This allows him to pursue his passion of sharing environmental research with the people who most need it in and around his hometown of Ottawa.
Alejandro has prior experience working for research institutions such as the European Commission, the University of Toronto, and the Ministry of Education in Spain, and has spoken in the United Kingdom about his ongoing projects in wildlife conservation.
He holds a Master of Science in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management from the University of Oxford and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Portuguese Literature from the University of Toronto.
Furthermore, Alejandro is passionate about sharing his love for environmental conservation through his nature photography with which he aims to demonstrate the inextricable connection between nature and humanity in the 21st century. In fact, he held the photographic exhibition “Nature and Culture: Italian alpine reflections” in 2019 in Italy.
One of Alejandro’s favourite pastimes is laying in the ice and snow along the Ottawa River in -35°C weather to photograph the diversity of birds, especially ducks, that overwinter in the region.
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Katya is currently studying to be a high school teacher at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. As the Youth Leadership Coordinator, she is responsible for creating and facilitating educational programming for the Youth Water Leaders Program. This initiative allows Katya to use experiential education methodologies to teach young people about the importance of loving and protecting the natural world.
Katya’s favourite activities include rock climbing, canoeing and mountain biking. She grew up in Ottawa; swimming and playing in the Ottawa River watershed. She continues to camp, bike, and paddle in the area, and has recently taken up white water canoeing. She hopes to move back to the Ottawa area permanently after finishing her education to further enjoy the wonders of the local lakes and rivers.
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Pier-Antoine holds a B.A. in Translation from University of Montreal (2020). In summer 2017, he worked as an intern in Ottawa Riverkeeper’s communications team. In June 2020, he came back to the organization to help the team with French translation. He also works as a freelance translator and reviser in the fields of literature, environmental science and visual arts.
Pier-Antoine is born in Rouyn-Noranda, a mining town located in the northern part of the Ottawa River watershed, where he currently lives. In the winter months, he enjoys ice skating on lakes. In summer, he likes swimming and canoeing, as well as harvesting wild plants and going fossil hunting on the shores of Lake Temiscaming.
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As an events intern at Ottawa Riverkeeper, Harpriya is working with the team for planning and managing Ottawa Riverkeeper's events to raise funds and build a better and safer community for our valuable river.
She is pursuing Public Relations diploma from Algonquin College at present. While in her second semester, she worked for Interval House of Ottawa with her team to raise money for women fleeing domestic abuse. Originally from India, she has been doing volunteer work as a teacher, educating underprivileged kids. She served as an animal rescuer for stray animals as well.
Harpriya’s favourite water activities are swimming and spending time on the beach while reading. She also likes to paint by the shore.
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Amanda is currently studying towards a B.Sc.H in Sustainable Agriculture, Food Systems and International Development at the University of Trent. She is excited for the opportunity to work amongst and support such a dedicated team of professionals and increase her understanding of the issues the Ottawa River Watershed faces. She is particularly looking forward to the opportunity to connect with the people living within the watershed through community outreach and events this summer.
Amanda’s favourite water activities include swimming, canoeing and kayaking. She also loves exploring the different lakes, rivers and waterfalls within the Ottawa River watershed.
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As an intern with Ottawa Riverkeeper, Amanda is working with the team to help with the Swim Guide to help promote safe and swimmable beaches and waters for everyone to enjoy.
She has previously helped raise awareness and donations for Interval House of Ottawa through a campaign led by Algonquin College public relations students where she is in her last semester before graduating.
Amanda enjoys exploring and reading by the Ottawa River as well as finding new ways to engage with the community about important information regarding the health and quality of the water we all enjoy.
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Caitlin is currently an undergraduate student at Queen’s University where she is pursuing a BScH in Environmental Science and a Certificate in Law. Caitlin is incredibly excited to be working as a Water Quality Intern this summer where she will get the opportunity to analyze samples from all over the Ottawa watershed! Talk about a great way to spend a summer!
Caitlin has been fortunate to spend almost every summer of her life on the East Coast! Whether it was wading into the frigid waters in Nova Scotia or walking through the singing sands in Prince Edward Island, the opportunity to grow up swimming in the ocean is what inspired Caitlin’s love for the environment. As someone who is passionate about environmental advocacy and inspired to make a positive difference in the world, Caitlin cannot wait to work with the incredible team at Ottawa Riverkeeper to keep the watershed swimmable and safe!
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