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Jessica laxExecutive DirectorJess brings twenty years of systems change and network-building experience in the non-profit sector to A2A. She has spent her career building networks that have together been able to achieve incredible things that no one organization or individual could do alone.
She is a nature nerd who is passionate about wild places and our responsibility to our more than human kin. She lives in Ottawa with her husband and two kids. Biking the A2A is on her family's bucket list. |
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ALEISHA PANNOZZOCOMMUNICATIONS LEADAleisha is the Communications Lead at A2A Collaborative. Working in the non-profit sphere for just under a year, she brings her expertise and passion for environmental science to raise awareness of the A2A region and the critical importance of ecological connectivity. With a bachelor's degree in environmental science from the University of Guelph, Aleisha's education has provided her with a strong foundation in research and a comprehensive understanding of environmental dynamics. She is interested in policy, sustainability, climate change, conservation, animal welfare, and social justice. As stewards of humanity, Aleisha acknowledges that we must protect each other, our environment, and all the creatures that call Earth home. In her free time, she liked to read, hike, crochet and cook delicious vegan meals.
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Officers
President: The President’s duties are currently being assumed by the Executive Committee: Kate, Gary, and Emily.
Vice President: Kate Cleary
Secretary: Emily Conger
Treasurer: Shaer Biabani
Past President: Gary Bell
Vice President: Kate Cleary
Secretary: Emily Conger
Treasurer: Shaer Biabani
Past President: Gary Bell
2024-2025 Board of Directors
Alex French
Alex is a conservation and sustainability advocate from Potsdam, New York. He previously worked for Clarkson University’s Institute for a Sustainable Environment as Clarkson’s Assistant Director of Sustainability. He is now an Analytical Manager at the Climate Action Reserve. Alex has a M.Sc. in Environmental Policy.
Bill Brown
Growing up in the Catskill Mountains of New York, Bill has always been drawn to forests and wildlife. Most of his work has been focused on conservation at the Adirondack Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy. Bill holds a B.Sc. in Biology and Environmental Studies from St. Lawrence College and a MPS in Natural Resources from Cornell University. He looks forward to continuing his work here at A2A, and exploring new areas, such as the Madawaska Highlands, the Frontenac Arch, and Indian River Lakes.
Caroline Katona
Caroline is our newest board member, joining in late 2023. She is currently serving as the Senior Development Officer at the Nature Conservancy of Canada. She has a B.A in International and Global Studies from the Glendon Campus of York University.
David Miller
David has a Planning degree from the University of Waterloo and M.Sc. from UBC, and has spent much of his working life as an environmental planner for municipalities and conservation authorities in Ontario. He formally served as A2A's Executive Director.
Doug Munro
Doug previously worked as a Stewardship Manager for the Adirondack Land Trust. He is a long-time hiker and skier of Adirondack Park, and knows the Thousand Islands are well as his family has a multi-generation camp and philanthropic interests there.
Emily Conger
Emily moved to the A2A region in 1970 and became keenly interested in conserving the area's wildlife. She has been working on environmental and sustainability issues since the 70s and has worked with a variety of organizations over the years. She previously served as a consultant and teacher for the Upper Canada District Board of Education.
Gary Bell
Gary previously worked as the Nature Conservancy of Canada's Program Manager for Eastern Ontario. He received his B.Sc. from Queen's University and his M.Sc. and Ph.D from Carleton University. His current work is focused on the A2A region where he has completed conservation planning for the Frontenac Arch and has negotiated the purchase of over 4,000 acres of priority conservation lands.
John Davis
John is the Executive Director of The Rewilding Institute and a Rewilding Advocate for the Adirondack Council. He also serves as a volunteer land steward in Split Rock Wildway for the Eddy Foundation and is the author/editor of several publications on wildlands conservation.
Kate Cleary
Kate is currently an Assistant Professor at SUNY Potsdam. She earned her Masters in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology in 2010 from Colorado State University and her PhD in Conservation Genetics in 2016 from the University of Idaho.
Ken Buchan
Ken is a geophysicist and canoeist with a deep interest in conservation issues. He helped develop the original A2A Conservation Initiative in the 1990s and has been a long-time board member ever since. He is currently on the board of the Quetico Foundation. He previously served as a board member and president of the Ottawa Valley Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.
Sonia Nobrega
Sonia is the Senior Manager at the Queen's University Biological Research Station. She has an M.Sc. in Biology from Queen's University.
Alex is a conservation and sustainability advocate from Potsdam, New York. He previously worked for Clarkson University’s Institute for a Sustainable Environment as Clarkson’s Assistant Director of Sustainability. He is now an Analytical Manager at the Climate Action Reserve. Alex has a M.Sc. in Environmental Policy.
Bill Brown
Growing up in the Catskill Mountains of New York, Bill has always been drawn to forests and wildlife. Most of his work has been focused on conservation at the Adirondack Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy. Bill holds a B.Sc. in Biology and Environmental Studies from St. Lawrence College and a MPS in Natural Resources from Cornell University. He looks forward to continuing his work here at A2A, and exploring new areas, such as the Madawaska Highlands, the Frontenac Arch, and Indian River Lakes.
Caroline Katona
Caroline is our newest board member, joining in late 2023. She is currently serving as the Senior Development Officer at the Nature Conservancy of Canada. She has a B.A in International and Global Studies from the Glendon Campus of York University.
David Miller
David has a Planning degree from the University of Waterloo and M.Sc. from UBC, and has spent much of his working life as an environmental planner for municipalities and conservation authorities in Ontario. He formally served as A2A's Executive Director.
Doug Munro
Doug previously worked as a Stewardship Manager for the Adirondack Land Trust. He is a long-time hiker and skier of Adirondack Park, and knows the Thousand Islands are well as his family has a multi-generation camp and philanthropic interests there.
Emily Conger
Emily moved to the A2A region in 1970 and became keenly interested in conserving the area's wildlife. She has been working on environmental and sustainability issues since the 70s and has worked with a variety of organizations over the years. She previously served as a consultant and teacher for the Upper Canada District Board of Education.
Gary Bell
Gary previously worked as the Nature Conservancy of Canada's Program Manager for Eastern Ontario. He received his B.Sc. from Queen's University and his M.Sc. and Ph.D from Carleton University. His current work is focused on the A2A region where he has completed conservation planning for the Frontenac Arch and has negotiated the purchase of over 4,000 acres of priority conservation lands.
John Davis
John is the Executive Director of The Rewilding Institute and a Rewilding Advocate for the Adirondack Council. He also serves as a volunteer land steward in Split Rock Wildway for the Eddy Foundation and is the author/editor of several publications on wildlands conservation.
Kate Cleary
Kate is currently an Assistant Professor at SUNY Potsdam. She earned her Masters in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology in 2010 from Colorado State University and her PhD in Conservation Genetics in 2016 from the University of Idaho.
Ken Buchan
Ken is a geophysicist and canoeist with a deep interest in conservation issues. He helped develop the original A2A Conservation Initiative in the 1990s and has been a long-time board member ever since. He is currently on the board of the Quetico Foundation. He previously served as a board member and president of the Ottawa Valley Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.
Sonia Nobrega
Sonia is the Senior Manager at the Queen's University Biological Research Station. She has an M.Sc. in Biology from Queen's University.
Advisers
Ryan Danby: Queen's University Environmental Studies
James Dobson: Director- Zone 6A, Ontario Fur Managers
Steve Hounsell: Chair, Ontario Biodiversity Council; Board President, Trees Ontario; Past President, Ontario Nature; Senior Advisor – Biodiversity, Ontario Power Generation (Ret.)
Tom Langen, Ph.D.: Associate Professor of Conservation Biology and Behavioural Ecology, Clarkson University
James Lolley, B.Sc.(Hons), P.Eng: Small Business Owner (Ret.)
Ed Lowans: Sustainability Consultant; Author; Adjunct Professor, Sustainable Design
Larry McDermott: Executive Director, Plenty Canada; Ontario Human Rights Commissioner
Don Ross: Board Member, Frontenac Arch Biosphere
Cameron Smith, B.A., LLB.: Journalist, Author, Environmental writer
Ian Whyte: An enthusiastic amateur field naturalist, a continuing supporter of A2A since the early 1990s and an Associate editor of the ecocentric journal, The Ecological Citizen.
James Dobson: Director- Zone 6A, Ontario Fur Managers
Steve Hounsell: Chair, Ontario Biodiversity Council; Board President, Trees Ontario; Past President, Ontario Nature; Senior Advisor – Biodiversity, Ontario Power Generation (Ret.)
Tom Langen, Ph.D.: Associate Professor of Conservation Biology and Behavioural Ecology, Clarkson University
James Lolley, B.Sc.(Hons), P.Eng: Small Business Owner (Ret.)
Ed Lowans: Sustainability Consultant; Author; Adjunct Professor, Sustainable Design
Larry McDermott: Executive Director, Plenty Canada; Ontario Human Rights Commissioner
Don Ross: Board Member, Frontenac Arch Biosphere
Cameron Smith, B.A., LLB.: Journalist, Author, Environmental writer
Ian Whyte: An enthusiastic amateur field naturalist, a continuing supporter of A2A since the early 1990s and an Associate editor of the ecocentric journal, The Ecological Citizen.