Stephen Woodley

President

Stephen is an ecologist who works on global standards for protected and conserved areas with the IUCNs World Commission on Protected Areas. In the past, Stephen worked as a consultant, field biologist, university researcher, and the first Chief Scientist for Parks Canada.

Gord Hill

Secretary, Governance

Gord is a long time Chelsea resident, environmental lawyer (now retired), former director and volunteer at the Distress Centre of Ottawa-Carleton, and ski coach in Chelsea. In 2022, Gord joined the ACRE Board of Directors as secretary for the organization. He is also a member of the Larrimac Forest Stewardship Committee.

Gary Fehr

Treasurer

Gary has been a long time Chelsea Resident, moving to the hills in 1992. He is an active member of the community, participating in a number of organizations including; past board member/treasurer with the Cascades Canoe Club, supporting Syrian refugees, past volunteer with Chelsea Nordiq, and active in many sports such as downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, biking, hiking, and canoeing. With a background in business, Gary has taken on the role of Treasurer for ACRE.

Heather Barna

Special projects

Heather is a second generation Canadian who cares deeply about good relationships among all beings. For over two decades she has used conservation planning as a way to think carefully about how to attend to those relationships, working for provincial and national land trust organizations and as an independent consultant. Heather is a mother of two, and thoroughly grateful to have made a home nestled between Gatineau Park and the Tenagadino Zibi.

Andy Shaw

Accounting / Finance

Andy has lived in Chelsea since 2018. As a member and volunteer bookkeeper with ACRE, he has seen the importance of conserving land and strengthening biodiversity. By sharing his experience in business, information management and project delivery, Andy looks forward to continuing to support ACRE in its mission to protect the environment and ecological integrity around the Gatineau Park.

Stephan Moresoli

Geomatics / Membership

Stephan Moresoli is a graduate of the Geomatics Sciences Program at Laval University (Québec City). He obtained both his Québec Land Surveyor and Canada Land Surveyor licenses in the early 1990s. From 1991 until 2020 he was a Land Surveyor at the Surveyor General Branch of Natural Resources Canada.

Meredith Brown

Special projects

Meredith is an environmental engineer, water protector, educator and the founding Executive Director and Riverkeeper for the charitable organization Ottawa Riverkeeper. For several decades Meredith has been developing trusting relationships and collaborations to protect and restore nature. Meredith is the Director of Special Projects for Canadian Geographic and serves on the Great Lakes Water Quality Board of the International Joint Commission as well as the Canadian Canoe Museum. Meredith is the mother of two awesome humans and is grateful to live by the rapids of Tenagadino Zibi in the heart of Wakefield.

Olga Tasci

Special projects

Olga’s professional life has been devoted to co-operative housing for over 30 years, and now she leads a national agency charged with administering co-op housing programs for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). Olga has lived in Chelsea since 2000, where she and her partner have raised their two daughters. She has volunteered with Chelsea Nordiq Ski Club and La Fab Arts Centre. Passionate about preserving forests and natural areas in the community, she loves to explore the Gatineau Hills.

Francois Leclerc

Special projects

Francois Leclerc worked for the National Capital Commission for 34 years, the last 12 of which were spent at Gatineau Park. During his time with the park, he had the opportunity to manage a wide variety of projects, some of which closely align with ACRE's mandate, such as the development of infrastructure, trails, and the rehabilitation of natural ecosystems. He’s also an avid outdoorsman, cross-country skier, and mountain biker, which gives him a deep understanding of the importance of conserving natural environments.

Staff

Valeria Kuzivanova

Program Manager

Valeria has more than 5 years of experience managing environmental projects and a master’s degree in Natural Resources Management. Most of her previous work was done in collaboration with Indigenous communities in Manitoba, Ontario, and Northwest Territories. Valeria's dream is that one day she will be walking with her grandchildren on one of the lands managed by ACRE and telling them that she has contributed to the acquisition of this property.