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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Matthew loves to engage with the public about environmental issues and the science surrounding them. As Communications Manager, 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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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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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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Specializing in science, natural history and public affairs, Martin has worked as a freelance photographer for over 25 years. Photography has taken him across the country from the Canadian High Arctic to the halls of Parliament Hill.
Pivoting from a long-time supplier to a part-team member, Martin will be helping the Ottawa Riverkeeper team with communicating its on-going initiatives and events. Having spent so many summers in the North, Martin is eager to explore the incredible watershed we have in our own backyard and help make it accessible to more of the public.
Martin is a graduate of Ryerson University and holds an MA in Journalism from Indiana University. He is a former academic advisor and teacher for the School of Photographic Arts: Ottawa. You’ll see him on the water with his kayak and his camera.
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Ian is a data specialist who grew up canoeing and kayaking in Ottawa, and is excited for the opportunity to help protect our river.
He is an Oracle Certified Professional with an Information Systems Developer diploma from Willis College, and has over 20 years of experience working in local community-based charities.
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For Melinda, providing strong administrative support to the team is a chance to share her passion for protecting the waterways and to ensure that Ottawa Riverkeeper can focus on what they do best.
She knows the cultural importance of identification to place in bringing about change and hopes to grow the sense of pride locals have for our watershed. Having travelled the world, volunteering for WWF and other environmental organizations, she is so grateful for the opportunity to be helping watch over the waters she grew up in. Being dubbed a “water baby” from birth, she loves swimming, canoeing and has recently fallen in love with Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP).
Melinda has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature.
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Jorge brings an overall 10 years of experience in scientific research as a researcher, teacher and coordinator of research projects in the fields of freshwater biology and aquatic ecology. Prior to obtaining a PhD in Biology from the Université du Québec à Montréal in 2018, Jorge gained valuable experience working with public organizations such as the European Commission in Belgium, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in Nova Scotia and the Convention on Biological Diversity in Montréal by supporting their mandates in advancing the conservation of biodiversity and the protection of natural resources.
More recently, Jorge was a postdoctoral researcher at McGill University, conducting and coordinating research on the influence of multiple stressors on aquatic communities. Since moving to Ottawa in 2019, Jorge has worked as an environmental consultant with Environment and Climate Change Canada by reviewing the validity of various indicators used to assess the ecological status of natural protected areas at the landscape level.
Jorge loves to go for adventure walks, bike rides and canoe trips along the Rideau and Ottawa rivers with his family and friends! Jorge is also an enthusiastic all-season nature photographer!
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As a Watershed Research Intern, Meghan is involved in assisting with initiatives such as Watershed Health Assessment and Monitoring at Ottawa Riverkeeper. She is excited to be working with Ottawa Riverkeeper to support projects that benefit the watershed.
Meghan has a B.A. in Geography and Geomatics from Carleton University and is currently working on her M.Sc. in Geography at Carleton. Her thesis will investigate and model how land use and climate changes impact stream temperatures. She has had experience in environmental fields with conservation authorities as well as federal and provincial government.
Meghan enjoys spending much of her free time rowing, skiing, and having picnics around the Ottawa River.
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Jeffrey is currently studying at Algonquin College in the public relations program. As communications intern, Jeffrey has the opportunity to help promote and educate the issues facing our watershed and demonstrate how we’re making a positive change. He’s excited to contribute to the river’s protection while expanding his knowledge of the watershed and its necessary communications, all alongside a supportive team.
Some of Jeffrey’s favourite activities include biking, skiing, skating, and hiking. Moving to Ottawa less than two years ago is allowing Jeffrey to experience the trails, landmarks, and the Ottawa River watershed for what feels like the first time. He looks forward to all the opportunities and experiences to come.
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Rebecca is in her final semester of Social Communication (B.A.) studies at St. Paul University. Prior to joining Ottawa Riverkeeper, she worked as an Editorial and Administrative Assistant for Ottawa-based think tank Cardus. Rebecca holds an Ontario College Diploma in Journalism from Algonquin College, and has also worked as an editor, writer and photographer in various contexts.
As Fundraising and Communications Intern, she has the opportunity to learn and communicate the ways in which donors have assisted in moving forward the mission of Ottawa Riverkeeper. She believes in the power of storytelling, and looks forward to having opportunities to learn the stories of those she encounters. Rebecca enjoys a good cup of tea (usually accompanied by a book), board games, playing beach volleyball, and walking in nature.
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