The ALUS Team

CEO of ALUS since 2016, Bryan Gilvesy was the third participant to join the ALUS program and has been raising grass-fed beef with ALUS’ support since 2006. Bryan is a champion for progressive, sustainable farming and ranching, having embraced these methods on his own farm, Y U Ranch. The Y U Ranch has received numerous awards for its contributions to the environment and sustainability, including: (2016) Beef Farmers of Ontario, Environmental Stewardship Award; (2013) Premier’s Leadership Award for Agricultural Innovation; and (2009) International Texas Longhorn Breeder of the Year. Bryan holds a degree from the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western University, where he is Executive in Residence for Agriculture and Sustainability. Bryan is based in Tillsonburg, Ontario.

Lynn ensures that ALUS runs smoothly all over the country. Lynn has been working in the non-profit sector for over 20 years, notably as the General Manager of ALUS Ontario, a founder and senior staff member at Everdale (Environmental Learning Centre and Organic Farm), the Co-op Coordinator at the West End Food Co-op, as well as a member of the Environmental Advisory Committee of Erin, the Everpure Biodiesel Co-op and the Climate Change Action Group of Erin. She was the winner of the Credit Valley Conservation Award of Excellence in 2010. Lynn holds a Certificate in Co-operative Management from the Schulich School of Business. Lynn is based in Toronto, Ontario.

Mary-Ellen looks for intersections where technology services and solutions can help ALUS reach its objectives. She aims to help ALUS build unique partnerships with individuals and corporations to develop new strategies that deliver innovative outcomes. A former technology executive, Mary-Ellen served as a Vice President at Microsoft Canada for close to 13 years. Prior to working in technology, Mary-Ellen spent close to two decades working for Canadian public and private broadcasters and began her career as a forester after graduating from Lakehead University with an Honours B.Sc. in Forestry. Passionate about sharing her breadth of experiences and knowledge, she now helps a range of organizations, including ALUS, break new ground in technology and innovation. Mary-Ellen is based in Toronto, Ontario.

Katherine works with business leaders to cultivate high-impact partnerships that deliver brand value while achieving corporations’ sustainability objectives. Prior to joining ALUS, she led a national multimedia trade publication, Water Canada, and held leadership roles at Canadian Water Network, Grand River Conservation Authority and the former National Roundtable on the Environment and Economy. She holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies from York University, a Bachelor of Journalism from Ryerson University, and a certificate in Water Management and Wetland Restoration from the University of Guelph. Katherine is based in Toronto, Ontario.

Nadine is responsible of the development and implementation of our multiplatform strategy for internal and external communications. A digital and communications professional for more than twenty years, Nadine has been at the forefront of the digital transformation of the media industry and of the way we work and communicate. Nadine has held various leadership positions in media as well as at Microsoft and Cirque du Soleil. Before joining ALUS, as a consultant, she has assisted various enterprises and not-for-profit organizations with their internal and external communications and project management needs. Throughout her career, she has been guided by her desire to engage in meaningful work and to create collaborative and inclusive work environments. Nadine is based in Montreal, Quebec.

Jill has a varied background in the non-profit sector, where she has worked closely with the business community. Prior to joining ALUS, Jill founded and managed for over 8 years Stock Exchange, a premium regenerative ag ‘nose-to-tail’ wholesale food production business. Jill’s personal interest and motivation to advance ALUS dovetails naturally with her desire to contribute to a strong community and create a healthier environment for her children to grow-up and thrive in. Jill is excited to stay connected to the agricultural community while helping to implement nature & climate solutions with the support of our partners. Jill is based in Waterloo, Ontario.

Christine liaises with our community coordinators and serves as a management resource for local ALUS projects throughout Alberta. Christine has extensive reclamation and project-management experience with collaborative research groups working in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region. She has also worked extensively with non-profits, chairing boards for animal rescue and many local events and initiatives. Christine obtained her B.Sc. in Biological Sciences from the University of Calgary, where she focused on wildlife conservation and genetics, and holds a Diploma in Animal Sciences. An entrepreneur with her own consulting agency, Christine continues to act as wildlife and biodiversity expert and advocate for First Nations stakeholders in Northern Alberta. Christine is based in Calgary, Alberta.

Paige liaises with our community coordinators and serves as a management resource for local ALUS projects throughout Saskatchewan and Manitoba. She has been involved with ALUS since 2012 when she came on board as the Program Coordinator for the first ALUS pilot program launched in Saskatchewan, and has also worked with a number of not-for-profit watershed organizations. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSA) from the University of Saskatchewan with a minor in Soil Science. Paige is based in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Nicole liaises with our community partners on the implementation of projects rooted in regenerative agriculture principles. Nicole has experience in the environmental non-profit sector, including the development, implementation, and management of nature-based solutions programs on a local, provincial and national level. She holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Toxicology from the University of Saskatchewan and has served in the Royal Canadian Navy as a reservist for 10 years, deploying both nationally and internationally as a Naval Combat Information Operator. Outside of work, Nicole enjoys reading, cycling, camping and hiking. She is located in Saskatoon.

Karen supports ALUS Coordinators in Alberta as well as Hub Managers from across Canada, and is also acting as program coordinator for ALUS Lacombe, Flagstaff and Vulcan. Karen is from Central Alberta and has spent her career in the Alberta agriculture sector. She has specific experience in the non-profit area particularly with the development of the organic grain sector where she applied her skills in program delivery and fund development. Karen also offers a background in agricultural lending and admits to enjoying budgets and ag finance. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSc) with a specialty in Agricultural Economics. Karen is based in Clive, Alberta.

Rebecca liaises with community coordinators and serves as a management resource for local ALUS projects in Ontario. Rebecca has experience in the agricultural and environmental non-profit sectors, most recently in the development and implementation of grasslands restoration programming at the provincial level. She obtained a B.Sc. in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems from Trent University. Outside of her work with ALUS, Rebecca can be found wandering the trails of Norfolk County with her family, introducing her toddler to the beauty of living in the Carolinian life zone.  Rebecca is based in Port Rowan, Ontario. 

Penny brings an extensive not-for-profit background in fundraising, stewardship, and database implementation and management to ALUS. As a member of the Partnerships team, she collaborates with corporate partners to ensure their sustainability objectives are met.  Penny lives in her multi-generational childhood home where she raises chickens, has an extensive organic garden, and stewards the ecologically sensitive and diverse land she lives on. She is based in Prince Edward County, Ontario.

Kirsten works to support ALUS’ community reporting and program evaluation efforts. She has experience working in rural stewardship across sectors, from academia to industry, focusing on agriculture and water quality in the Great lakes region. Previously, Kirsten also worked in the ag space as a Crop Specialist at AGRIS Co-operative. She brings project management, reporting and knowledge mobilization experience to ALUS from her time coordinating the Lake Futures project at the University of Waterloo. Kirsten holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science from the University of Guelph, and a Master of Science in Geography from the University of Waterloo. Kirsten is based in Sarnia, Ontario.

Zehra works to support ALUS’ reporting and data management initiatives. With a versatile background encompassing project coordination, knowledge management, and non-profit programs expansion across multiple sectors, she brings a breadth of experience to her role. Zehra has notably contributed to sustainable technology and business development initiatives. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science from Queen’s University in Biochemical Engineering. Outside of work, she pursues her passion for rock climbing. Zehra is based in Squamish, British Columbia. 

Calantha funnels her passion for words and the wild outdoors into crafting creative content and behaviour change marketing strategy to inspire on-the-ground action for environmental resilience and social good. Prior to joining ALUS, she worked for an Ontario conservation authority developing and delivering private land stewardship marketing and outreach strategies. She’s also owned her own artisan bakery and has been involved in supporting and promoting local culinary and agri-tourism initiatives. When not deep in the words, you’ll find her deep in the woods running trails. Calantha is currently based in Sutton, Quebec.

A communications and digital marketing specialist, Todd is responsible for content creation and our digital communication platforms. He also supports communities with their communication needs. Todd was previously at Actual Media, where he applied his skills in web development, search engine optimization, copy editing and client management. Prior to that, he lived and worked in Japan, volunteered in theatre and event production, and engaged in community organizing and activism. Todd holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Guelph and a certificate in print and digital publishing from Centennial College, and is passionate about the environment, cycling and chess. Todd is based in Toronto, Ontario.

Lili is responsible for ALUS’ communications in French as well as media relations and content. She collaborates with her communications team on a variety of communication efforts, such as social media, press releases and other documentation.