MODERATOR: Angela Coleman, General Manager, Conservation Ontario

Angela Coleman is the General Manager of Conservation Ontario, the organization representing Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities. Angela graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa in 2009 and was admitted to the Bar of the Province of Ontario in 2010. In addition to her work at Conservation Ontario, she teaches the Municipal Law Program for the Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers in Ontario. She also speaks to various audiences on municipal, property, and governance topics. Before joining Conservation Ontario, Angela was General Manager at the South Nation Conservation Authority.

PANELIST: Chandra Sharma, President & CEO, Conservation Halton

Chandra Sharma is a passionate advocate for the natural environment with a personal mission to create common ground for conservation-focused action. With a progressive leadership portfolio and grassroots experience, Chandra has an impressive track record of delivering transformative and impactful results, building strong stakeholder relationships, and inspiring teams of talented, purpose-driven individuals.

Chandra assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer of Conservation Halton in September 2024, after having served as Chief Administrative Officer of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) since 2020.

An appointed member of Conservation Ontario’s Board of Directors, Chandra has the privilege of collaborating with dedicated colleagues to support the work of the province’s 36 conservation authorities in administering $3.8 billion worth of flood prevention infrastructure, delivering robust hazard management, Great Lakes and watershed science programs, providing outdoor education to more than 400,000 students annually, and safeguarding 150,000 hectares of protected greenspace for habitat protection and community wellbeing.

Chandra has also served as a board volunteer and member of expert committees for organizations including TD Friends of the Environment, Ontario Nature and the Canadian Institute of Planners.

Chandra is dedicated to ensuring that the work of conservation authorities remains more relevant than ever in supporting quality of life in the communities they serve and managing natural hazard risks in rapidly growing urban centres and across productive agricultural landscapes.

PANELIST: Jessica Kaknevicius, CEO, Forests Ontario

Jess is the CEO of Forests Ontario, an organization focused on conserving, restoring and growing Canada’s forests to sustain life and communities. Jess is passionate about creating connections between people and forests. A graduate of the University of Toronto’s Master of Forest Conservation program, Jessica (Jess) Kaknevicius has spent over 17 years in the non-profit sector, including over 10 years with Forests Ontario in a range of management and director roles focused on growing education and awareness programming, fundraising, and supporting strategic development for the organization, and most recently as CEO leading the strategic direction of the organization.

She also acted as the Vice-President of Education for the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), where she played a critical senior leadership role overseeing philanthropic efforts and government agreements, governance, and supporting strategic planning and communications. She is a well-known advocate for the forest sector and co-founded Women in Wood, a networking group for women in the forest and wood-related sectors to share advice, information, and encouragement. She lives in Toronto with her husband, son and dog.

PANELIST: Marie-Paule Godin, Manager of Provincial Operations – Ontario, Ducks Unlimited Canada

Marie-Paule Godin joined Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) in 2023 as the Manager of Provincial Operations for Ontario.

Marie-Paule obtained her Bachelor of Science in Forestry and Environmental Management from the University of New Brunswick (UNB) with a wildlife minor. Following her passion for wildlife and wilderness, she gained more than 20 years of experience in environmental studies and conservation, leading diverse teams, building strong stakeholder relationships, and managing large-scale complex projects.

In her home province of New Brunswick, Marie-Paule started her career with the Canadian Forestry Association of New Brunswick. Here, she grew the Envirothon competition in 2011, the first international competition in New Brunswick to involve teams from nine provinces and 45 U.S. states. As the technical team leader at UNB, she was a member of research teams working on wildlife habitat studies and conservation efforts related to forest birds and seabird populations in Canada and the Caribbean. Moving to Ontario in 2012, Marie-Paule continued her work in environmental stewardship with the national non-for-profit organization, Tree Canada. She led a team focused on engaging the public and executing initiatives to increase canopy and forest cover in communities and forests across Canada.

Marie-Paule lives in rural Ottawa (Vars) with her husband, three young daughters and Rally, their English Setter.

PANELIST: Alison Howson, Executive Director, Ontario Land Trust Alliance

Alison Howson is the Executive Director of Ontario Land Trust Alliance, an organization focused on celebrating and strengthening land trusts across Ontario. She is also a co-founder of the Alliance of Canadian Land Trusts a national voice for the land conservation community. She believes that conservation, which is thoughtful, well planned, and connected, through networks of nature and community, is essential for the future of our planet.

Alison has been a passionate advocate for nature for many years. Before moving to Canada in 2013, she held positions leading teams focused on protecting habitats and species in the context of changing land use policy, primarily in the UK, but also in Asia. Her career experience includes leadership in financial management and operations, developing solutions based on sound research, advocating for better outcomes for nature and managing large complex programs. She also has a passion for open and positive participation.

Alison lives in Toronto with her family and spends as much time as she can connecting with nature.