1. Where and when were you born?
– Born (February 18, 1988) in Ottawa, Ontario. Moved to NL in 2014.
2. What is your current job and list some things you like about it?
– Executive Director of the Stewardship Association of Municipalities (SAM) Inc. (www.samnl.org) We are an Environmental Non-Profit Organization that works to secure, enhance and restore important wildlife habitat across the Province. We support over 52 municipalities (80% of the population), and I love working with all the different people and in the various places, from the Piping plover beaches of Codroy Vally and Cape Freels, to Cape Spear in St. John’s. Every town is different, and the people are the heart and soul of the communities. Getting to connect with people on the beautiful natural environment they so care deeply about is extremely rewarding and unique. It’s inspiring to know and learn from the different local stewards in each community, and just the fact that we can be a part of and support that journey is a source of pride for me.
3. How does it relate to your diploma or certificate?
– Corner Brook and specifically the Fish and Wildlife Program helped you appreciate the natural environment across NL. The program is broad and introduces you to various different aspects of the Environmental industry. For me, it provided me with foundational building blocks and helped me appreciate the nuances and difficulties of each aspect within conservation/environment. The program was really on the ground, and Newfoundland is beautiful. It was easy to fall in love with the natural environment and learn about everything around you- learn the names of the plants, see the different tracks in winter snow and know what animals live where, or drill into a tree and found out a short Tuckamore stump is 65+ years old.
4. What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done in your lifetime?
– raising two children. Also the most rewarding thing I have ever done.
5. What’s your favourite place in the world?
– my house in Torbay, with my two children, my wife and my dog.
6. Can you describe an experience that changed your life?
– see question 4- raising two children. It taught me patience and gave me an understanding of life I did not have before.
7. What’s your favourite movie or book?
– star wars.
– also anything in the “Guides of Newfoundland” series by Boulder Publications. The imagery is really nice, and a great guide to Shrub/Tree/Wildflowers identification.
8. Is your current career path as you originally intended?
Yes and no. I was open to any career path in the environmental industry but certainly dreamt/aspired to be in conservation. I tend to take a broader, landscape level ecosystem approach to things and like a career with a multitude of species and habitats, variation keeps it interesting. With SAM, I appreciate the role municipalities play in stewardship and see how we can make a real difference in a myriad of different ways.
9. What challenges did you face in launching your career?
Opportunities. At the time, in Newfoundland and Labrador, there were not a lot of opportunities for the conservation career I aspired to have, so much like stewardship, it takes time building those relationships, making connections and getting experience. You may have to relocate to get the necessary experience.
10. What advice would you give to your CNA first-year self?Say yes to any experience! As above, it helps to build that career and make those connections. Keep an open mind and be mindful. Above all, trust yourself- You got this.
