Staff
| | Founder and Executive Director Janet has an Honours B.A. in Environment and Resource Management and a certificate in Permaculture Design. After graduating, she worked in various positions with organizations such as Pollution Probe and the Women’s Health and the Environment Network. In 1996 she started a small, tree seedling distribution project in Toronto’s South Riverdale neighbourhood. Many years later that project has grown to become LEAF. In February of 2003, Janet received the Arboriculture Award of Merit from the International Society of Arboriculture for her work in community-based urban forestry. She served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Urban Forest Council from 2002 to 2006 and served as a Green Toronto Awards judge in 2008 and 2009. Janet’s focus in the last few years has been on building the great team of staff, board and volunteers at LEAF and on working with them to develop the strategic direction of the organization. If I were a tree, I would be a willow: resilient, never giving up, ambitious and vigorous. |
 | Manager, Residential Planting Michelle, B.Sc. Forest Conservation and ISA Certified Arborist, holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Forest Conservation, with a focus in Urban Forestry, from the University of Toronto. She has conducted urban forestry field work through completion of a full urban tree inventory of the University of Toronto, St. George campus, under the guidance of Professor Andy Kenney. Other work experience has included office administration and supervisory roles. She has been working at LEAF since August 2008, starting as the Office Coordinator and being promoted to Manager, Residential Planting Programs. Early in 2009 Michelle became an ISA Certified Arborist. Michelle focuses her work time on improving and expanding LEAF’s residential planting programs, developing new partnerships and managing the day-to-day planting program operations. She also tinkers with the computers to make sure all staff are up to date with software and all IT needs are met. In her spare time, Michelle likes to play guitar in bands, cook new recipes, attempt gardening and walk through parks! If I were a tree, I’d be the hackberry because it supports wildlife, has interesting bark and is very complex. | |
 | Field Supervisor Michael has an Honours degree in Biology with a specialization in Biodiversity from McMaster University. After attaining his degree, Michael graduated from a practical Field Assistant Trainee program that focused on flora and fauna identification and ecological land classification. He has worked for over seven years as a landscape foreman, and has also conducted plant and bird inventories as well as field surveys in diverse areas of the province. Michael is the Field Supervisor for the Backyard Tree Planting Program. He runs the spring and fall tree planting operations as well as the backyard tree consultations and evaluations. He enjoys working in the field and helping people find a tree they will enjoy. In his spare time he plays a lot of soccer and goes bird watching. If I were a tree, I’d be a silver maple because of its size, strength and resilience. | |
| Residential Planting Program Assistant If I were a tree, I would be a sugar maple because I thrive in most environments (but especially in the sun), have inner strength, and can’t live without maple syrup!
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 | Residential Planting Program Intern Mat joined LEAF this spring as a
way to grow his roots and expand his canopy. He thinks that there can
never be too much shade. He would like to offer up these lines in lieu
of a biography: If I were a tree I would be a burr oak, slow growing careful observer. | |
 | Data Management and GIS Consultant A recent graduate of Ryerson's Spatial Analysis Program, Chris Greene conducted his Master's research with LEAF's Backyard Tree Planting Program. As part of his work, Chris helped to restructure the LEAF database, enabling BTPP to better monitor planting statistics and participation rates across the city. Chris also holds a Masters of Environmental Studies degree from York University, and is currently pursuing his PhD in Environmental Science at Ryerson. In his spare time, Chris enjoys playing the guitar. If I were a tree, I’d be a black spruce, common in the wetlands back home and a little scraggly. | |
 | Backyard Tree Planting Program Assistant Katherine first joined LEAF during the summer of 2009 as Program Assistant for the Backyard Tree Planting Program. She continues to hold this role on a part time basis while attending Ryerson University’s Urban and Regional Planning program. Her interest in making our communal urban landscape healthier with small individual changes, like planting a backyard tree, attracted her to LEAF. Katherine provides support to our residential planting programs, assisting with customer service, research, and program development projects, and always with a smile. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Science from McMaster University. In her free time she can be found cycling along country roads, tasting samples at farmers markets or spending time in her kitchen baking up a storm. If I were a tree, I would be a peach tree; they remind me of my childhood days spent picking fruit! | |
 | Manager, Marketing and Communications Kyle holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of King’s College/ Dalhousie University. As Manager of Marketing and Communications for LEAF, his tasks include marketing, promotions, media relations, monitoring and evaluation and special event planning. Kyle brings over a decade of experience in the environmental community having worked for such diverse organizations as Sierra Club, Coalition on the Niagara Escarpment, Earthroots, Environmental Communications Options and WWF-Canada. In addition, he has served on several boards including the Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA) where he was President of the Board of Directors from 2001-2004. When not advocating for the urban forest, he enjoys travelling, kayaking, beach volleyball and the Toronto Argonauts. If I were a tree, I would be the white pine; unique, stands out in a crowd, and represents the True North, strong and free! | |
 | Marketing and Communications Coordinator Matthew holds an Honours degree in Media Studies from the University of Guelph and a Diploma in Public Relations from the Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. His interest in trees stemmed from a strong passion for their visual beauty. In 2006 he was introduced to LEAF as a volunteer photographer, shooting some of the early Tree Tours and learning about the intricacies of the urban forest. Following graduation, Matthew took on a curatorial internship at the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, and helped to stage the 2009 Power Ball. In fall 2009 Matthew joined the LEAF team; he is responsible for the social media strategies, communications, event planning, media relations and in-house graphic design. Spending much of his time in the office, he is just as happy getting his hands dirty planting trees and shrubs. In his time outside of LEAF he likes to paint, cycle through the city’s natural landscape and document the things he finds interesting. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Wychwood Barns Community Association. If I were a tree, I’d be a red oak; sharp, destinct and patient. | |
 | | Manager, Volunteers and Community Engagement Amanda comes to LEAF with over 10 years of experience in the environmental community. She became active in the field at the age of 15 when she was elected Chair of the Campaigns Committee for the Student Environmental Network, part of the Toronto District School Board. Amanda represented youth on a number of issues. She was a part of a city-wide coalition to protect the Oak Ridges Moraine, helped bring the Eco Schools program to Toronto and sat on the National Board of the Youth Environmental Network. Amanda established her own organization “Smallworlds”, which highlights conservation organizations from around the world who work locally to preserve their wild spaces. In 2005 she became the Outreach Director for an international youth leadership organization based in Vancouver. She is now happy to be back in Toronto and working on urban forestry issues with LEAF. As Volunteer Coordinator, Amanda works with over 400 LEAF volunteers, engaging them in activities such as community outreach, office assistance, research and program help. She has begun a Volunteer Committees to help LEAF Volunteers play an integral role in both our Newsletter and the Volunteer Program. Amanda is also Chair of the LEAF Learning Garden Committee and takes great pleasure from speaking to the community about urban forestry issues and LEAF’s programs. Outside of LEAF Amanda enjoys working with a number of groups raising awareness on issues such as over fishing, climate change and transportation. If I were a tree, I’d be a white pine: a little wind-swept, artsy and branches off into several directions at once! |
 | Education and Stewardship Coordinator Lauren Brown 416.413.9244 ext 12 | lauren[at]yourleaf.org Lauren graduated with an Honours B.Sc. in Forest Conservation Science, also majoring in French Language and Literature. Her interest in forestry budded from her experience working on a family-run organic farm in Southern Québec, where she was inspired by the untamed beauty of the Laurentian forest. Returning to the city motivated her to continue cultivating her connection with nature, bringing her to LEAF. Lauren has also worked as a Learn-to-Row program coordinator and brings her leadership skills from her experience as captain of the Women’s Varsity Blues Rowing Team. Lauren started her work at LEAF as a volunteer, helping out in the office with the Back Yard Tree Planting Program. She is now administering and working to develop the Tree Tenders Training Program as well as establishing stewardship initiatives and other educational projects. Out of the office she can be found watching the sun rise on her daily row or tackling her next knitting project. If I were a tree, I would be a tulip tree: majestic, unique, competitive, and feels right at home by the lake shore! | |
 | | Community Outreach and Education Intern
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 | Arborist Laura, an ISA Certified Arborist, holds an honours degree in Forest Conservation Science from the University of Toronto, as well as a Horticultural diploma from Ridgetown College, University of Guelph. She has worked for many years in the field of Urban Forestry as a Consulting Arborist conducting tree inventories, assessments and plans of preservation. She has also worked as a grounds person, tree climber and landscaper. Laura has worked as an arborist for LEAF since February 2009, where she helps homeowners select the right tree for the right place in their back yard. Laura is an outdoor enthusiast and in her spare time enjoys hiking, skiing and outdoor photography. If I was a tree, I would be a red oak; they are strong, long-lived, and the most colourful of the oaks! | |
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