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Staff

 

Community Programs Manager

Erin MacDonald (she/her)
416.413.9244 x12 | erin[at]yourleaf.org

Erin holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph and loves to see people connecting with and improving their urban landscape. Before joining LEAF, Erin worked as the Green Streets Coordinator with the City of Vancouver where she helped residents beautify and green their neighbourhoods and also worked to further the City’s urban food-growing movement. She loves to explore new places, new music, and dance!

 

 

Stewardship Coordinator

Brian Millward (he/him)
416.413.9244 x13 | brian[at]yourleaf.org

Brian holds a Master's of Environmental and Life Sciences from Trent University and is passionate with connecting people to the natural world. Before joining LEAF, he participated in a behavioural study of sloths in Costa Rica and studied prairie songbirds in Alberta. He has also lead Environmental Stewardship programs with summer camps and volunteer groups. Brian enjoys dancing, travelling, hiking, and performing stand-up comedy.

 

 

Education Coordinator

Lam Tran (she/her)
416.413.9244 x15 | lam[at]yourleaf.org

Lam holds a Master's of Forest Conservation from the University of Toronto, where the focus of her capstone was on inequitable tree distribution within cities and used the TCHC Planting and Stewardship Initiative as a case study in Toronto. She is passionate about environmental justice, sustainable living, and teaching tree facts. In her free time, she watches documentaries, does DIY crafts at home and tries to walk her cat.

 
 
 
 

Naturalization Assistant

Danielle De Vera (she/her)
danielle[at]yourleaf.org

Danielle holds an advanced diploma in Environmental Technology from Seneca College. She is passionate about incorporating green and low impact development technologies into traditional engineering and urban planning. She first joined LEAF as a volunteer in 2018 and is excited to support our mission as a Naturalization Assistant. Danielle's interests include reading, listening to music and spending time with her two dogs.

 
 
 
 

Naturalization Assistant

Simran Mehmi (she/her)
simran[at]yourleaf.org
Simran is completing her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Toronto. While participating in restoration and environmental outreach programs in the Credit Valley watershed, Simran developed a love for biodiversity conservation and aspires to continue her education in ecological restoration. She is excited to help enhance urban green spaces around the GTA and connect with like-minded people. Simran enjoys growing her own food, reading and looking for mushrooms while hiking.
 
 
 
 

TCH Research Assistant

James Marcucci (he/him)
james[at]yourleaf.org

James holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Ethics and Cinema Studies from the University of Toronto and is completing his Master’s of Forest Conservation at the University of Toronto. He is passionate about urban forestry and environmental policy. James aspires to improve green spaces in the urban environment through green facades, green roofs and rooftop gardens. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, biking, running, ice skating and watching films.

 
 
 
 

TCH Stewardship Assistant

Nuradin Mohamed-Nur (he/him)
nuradin[at]yourleaf.org

Nuradin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from York University. He is passionate about water management, urban gardening and educating youth about the environment. His previous work experience is in education, community activism and outreach. In his free time, Nuradin enjoys listening to audiocasts, reading about the next big thing in agrotechnology and playing table tennis.

 
 
 
 
 

TCH Stewardship Assistant

Ruiqi Zhao (she/her)
ruiqi[at]yourleaf.org
Ruiqi holds a Master’s of Landscape Architecture from the University of Toronto. Ruiqi has experience as a research assistant, where she studied the open spaces and community programs around large ravine parks. She is passionate about using maps and diagrams to explore greenspace, canopy cover, topography, and demographics to design landscapes that will create a better living environment. In her free time, Ruiqi enjoys travelling, tidy up her room and play with her fat cat.
 
 
 

 

Residential Planting Programs Manager

Brenna Anstett (she/her)
416.413.9244 x16 | brenna[at]yourleaf.org
Brenna holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography and Environmental Governance from the University of Guelph and aspires to continue her education in forest conservation. She is also an ISA certified arborist. Brenna's past experience includes research in dendroclimatology and tree planting projects with the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority. In her spare time, Brenna enjoys synchronized skating, travelling, photography, and hiking.
 
 
 

Residential Planting Programs Operations Coordinator

Jess Wilkin (she/her)
416.413.9244 x18 | jess[at]yourleaf.org

Jess holds a Master’s of Forest Conservation from the University of Toronto and is devoted to getting people outdoors with her to explore and learn about their shared environments. Jess started out with LEAF in 2016 as a participant in the Young Urban Forest Leaders Program and has past experience in both gardening and pollinator research. In her spare time, Jess enjoys walking, watching movies, caring for her plants and setting out on globe-trotting adventures.

 

 

Residential Planting Programs Field Coordinator

Adriana Rezai-Stevens (she/her)
416.413.9244 x0 | adriana[at]yourleaf.org
Adriana holds a Master's of Forest Conservation from the University of Toronto. She is also an ISA certified arborist. After studying environmental biology in her undergraduate program, she became passionate about environmental issues and ecological processes. She is excited about bringing nature to the City of Toronto by enhancing urban green spaces and tree planting initiatives. She has experience working in the renewable energy sector and is excited to build a career in urban forestry. In her free time, Adriana enjoys reading, fitness and getting outside for a long hike.
 
 
 

Residential Planting Program Assistant

Vivian Yip (she/her)
vivian[at]yourleaf.org

Vivian holds a Master’s of Science in Physical Geography from the University of Toronto. Her Master’s research examined the role that residents play in determining the species composition, health and distribution of the GTA's urban forest through tree species and site selection. She is passionate about environmental justice and increasing awareness of the importance of urban sustainability and the urban forest. In her spare time, she enjoys nature photography, hiking and watching TV shows.

 
 
 

Marketing Assistant

Meandra Provencal (she/her)
416.413.9244 x14 | meandra[at]yourleaf.org

Meandra holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of Toronto and is working toward a graduate certificate in Public Administration. She first joined LEAF as a volunteer in 2015 and has experience in environmental policy research and public outreach. She is passionate about community engagement and is excited to help protect and enhance the urban forest with LEAF. Meandra spends her free time biking, caring for her plants and cooking for her friends and family.

 

 

 

Executive Director

Janet McKay (she/her)
416.413.9244 x17 |  janet[at]yourleaf.org

Janet holds an Honours B.A. in Environment and Resource Management. She founded LEAF in 1996 and has focused on its evolution ever since.  Janet is also a founding member of the Green Infrastructure Ontario Coalition.  In her time away from LEAF, she loves travelling, hiking, and volunteering with a dog rescue organization.