Our Team
Get to know the small team of dedicated staff that work hard every day to promote, protect and improve the health of our beloved Ottawa River.
Christian Bacque
Summer InternRead Christian's Bio
Christian is the Summer Intern for Ottawa Riverkeeper. He works with different members of the team on a wide variety of projects, learning what it takes to be an advocate for our river.
He studies at Gisele Lalonde high school and is currently in a COOP in the faculty of environment. Christian’s favorite water activities are kayaking, canoeing and swimming. Close
He studies at Gisele Lalonde high school and is currently in a COOP in the faculty of environment. Christian’s favorite water activities are kayaking, canoeing and swimming. Close
Julie Baribeau
Communications AssociateRead Julie's Bio
We would like to thank our many donors and supporters who help fund this position.
Julie is the Communications Associate at the Ottawa Riverkeeper. She is passionate about finding creative ways to reach and engage with the many audiences that have a stake in ensuring that our watershed can provide drinkable, fishable and swimmable water for generations to come.
She brings a wealth of experience to our organization, having worked for over 15 years to move our communities towards sustainability. She also holds a M.A. in Communication from the University of Ottawa, a Certificate in Renewable Energy from the University of Toronto, and a B.Sc. concentration in ecosystems science from Cornell University.
Having grown up on the Ottawa River, Julie loves to swim, canoe, and sail, and is super driven to protect the river she loves. Close
She brings a wealth of experience to our organization, having worked for over 15 years to move our communities towards sustainability. She also holds a M.A. in Communication from the University of Ottawa, a Certificate in Renewable Energy from the University of Toronto, and a B.Sc. concentration in ecosystems science from Cornell University.
Having grown up on the Ottawa River, Julie loves to swim, canoe, and sail, and is super driven to protect the river she loves. Close
Meredith Brown
RiverkeeperRead Meredith's Bio
We would like to acknowledge and thank the Leacross Foundation for being a patron of the Riverkeeper.
With years of experience in protecting and restoring the Ottawa River, Meredith works to establish responsible and accountable monitoring, assessment, enforcement, and long-term planning for the river.
She holds degrees in biology and environmental engineering from Queen’s University and the University of Guelph. Additionally, she holds a Masters in Resource and Environmental Management from Simon Fraser University where she studied with Robert Newbury, a world-renowned river engineer and stream restoration specialist.
Meredith enjoys many river activities, but she especially adores swimming down rapids on the Gatineau River with her son, Charlie. Close
She holds degrees in biology and environmental engineering from Queen’s University and the University of Guelph. Additionally, she holds a Masters in Resource and Environmental Management from Simon Fraser University where she studied with Robert Newbury, a world-renowned river engineer and stream restoration specialist.
Meredith enjoys many river activities, but she especially adores swimming down rapids on the Gatineau River with her son, Charlie. Close
Chloe Hillier
Director of Donor RelationsRead Chloe's Bio
We would like to acknowledge and thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation for providing funding for this position.
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. Close
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. Close
Larissa Holman
Riverwatch CoordinatorRead Larissa's Bio
We would like to acknowledge and thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation for providing funding for this position.
Larissa 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. Close
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. Close
Emma Konrad
Communications CoordinatorRead Emma's Bio
We would like to thank our many donors and supporters who help fund this position.
Emma holds a Bachelors of Journalism from Carleton University. She has prior experience in marketing and online engagement, which she will use to communicate Ottawa Riverkeeper’s objectives.
A former competitive swimmer, Emma is committed to keeping the river clean – after all, her favourite activity has her spending more time diving under the water’s surface than floating above it. Close
A former competitive swimmer, Emma is committed to keeping the river clean – after all, her favourite activity has her spending more time diving under the water’s surface than floating above it. Close
Fanny Lanoix
Outreach and Education ManagerRead Fanny's Bio
We would like to thank our many donors and supporters who help fund this position.
As Outreach and Education Manager, Fanny thinks it is very important to raise awareness in our communities, because every small step can make a big difference in protecting the Ottawa River. She has been passionate about nature and the environment since she was young, and looks forward to bringing that passion to her work, both in the office and in the community.
She holds a Graduate Certificate in Ecosystem Restoration from Niagara College and a B.Sc. in Environmental Science with a specialization in conservation and biodiversity from the University of Ottawa. Fanny’s favorite water activities are kayaking and canoeing, as well as swimming during hot summer days. Close
She holds a Graduate Certificate in Ecosystem Restoration from Niagara College and a B.Sc. in Environmental Science with a specialization in conservation and biodiversity from the University of Ottawa. Fanny’s favorite water activities are kayaking and canoeing, as well as swimming during hot summer days. Close
Margot Maclaren
Events AssistantRead Margot's Bio
Margot is the Events Assistant for the summer of 2018. Through this position, she helps organize the events that are crucial to spreading Ottawa Riverkeeper’s message. As a rower with the Ottawa Rowing Club, the organization’s goals are near to her heart.
She is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in Biodiversity and Conservation within the McGill School of Environment. Close
She is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in Biodiversity and Conservation within the McGill School of Environment. Close
Gwen Marty
Community Engagement and Events AssistantRead Gwen's Bio
As Community Engagement and Events Assistant, Gwen believes that involving the community is the greatest way to raise awareness for the Ottawa River and the issues threatening water quality.
She currently studies conservation at the University of British Columbia and is excited to work to protect the river this summer. As an outdoor activity enthusiast, she can be found spending her free time canoeing and swimming. Close
She currently studies conservation at the University of British Columbia and is excited to work to protect the river this summer. As an outdoor activity enthusiast, she can be found spending her free time canoeing and swimming. Close
Meaghan Murphy
Senior Scientist - on maternity leaveRead Meaghan's Bio
We would like to thank our many donors and supporters who help fund this position.
Meaghan is currently on maternity leave.
Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting ecological data in the watershed, Meaghan excels as our data warrior. She keeps the team informed of ecological impacts caused by river issues. She coordinates and assists over 70 Riverwatchers as they protect the river and become strong leaders within their own communities.
She holds a Ph.D. in Geography and M.Sc. in Biology from McGill University as well as a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Mount Holyoke College. Meaghan has taught at both McGill and Carleton University and has been a post-doctoral fellow at both Université du Québec à Montréal and McGill. She loves walking along the shoreline with her daughters while sharing her great passion for the river by identifying plants and animals, and teaching them that every living thing has a name, a story, and a history. Close
She holds a Ph.D. in Geography and M.Sc. in Biology from McGill University as well as a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Mount Holyoke College. Meaghan has taught at both McGill and Carleton University and has been a post-doctoral fellow at both Université du Québec à Montréal and McGill. She loves walking along the shoreline with her daughters while sharing her great passion for the river by identifying plants and animals, and teaching them that every living thing has a name, a story, and a history. Close
Patrick Nadeau
Executive DirectorRead Patrick's Bio
We would like to thank our many donors and supporters who help fund this position.
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. Close
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. Close
MJ Proulx
Director, Watershed CouncilRead MJ's Bio
We would like to acknowledge and thank MEC, Ville de Gatineau, and Echo Foundation for providing funding for this position.
Bringing together elected officials, First Nation representatives, conservation experts, hydro-power generators, regional tourism and boating associations, as well as other groups of river enthusiasts from across our watershed is essential to ensuring the responsible management and healthy future of the Ottawa River. MJ's role is to facilitate collaboration among these stakeholders as they build an inclusive and visionary Watershed Council that will be focused on actions and tangible results.
MJ has many years of experience in the humanitarian sector and in federal departments. She has also lived and worked in Chicago (U.S.), Manchester (UK), and Freetown (Sierra Leone). She holds a master in Journalism from Carleton University and a Certificate in Project Leadership from Cornell University. MJ's favourite water activities are exploring tributaries in her kayak and surfing (small) ocean waves on her paddleboard. Close
MJ has many years of experience in the humanitarian sector and in federal departments. She has also lived and worked in Chicago (U.S.), Manchester (UK), and Freetown (Sierra Leone). She holds a master in Journalism from Carleton University and a Certificate in Project Leadership from Cornell University. MJ's favourite water activities are exploring tributaries in her kayak and surfing (small) ocean waves on her paddleboard. Close
Dave Rayner
Operations ManagerRead Dave's Bio
We would like to thank our many donors and supporters who help fund this position.
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 Shafley
Events and Volunteer CoordinatorRead Katie's Bio
We would like to thank our many donors and supporters who help fund this position.
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. Close
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. Close