staff
Our professional staff bring the specialized skills and knowledge needed to advance our mission.
Karl Friesen-Hughes; Field & Data Technician
Background: M.Sc. from the University of Winnipeg; experience in water quality, nutrient cycling and climate change.
Skills: Field work and laboratory analysis; data management, analysis and visualization; scientific research and collaboration.
Personal connection to Lake Winnipeg: “Each year, my family and I rent a cabin for a week at Sunset Beach. It is my favourite time of the year. I have also been fortunate enough to go up and spend time at other people's cabins over the years. As long as I can hear the waves rolling in, I’m in my happy place.”
Michelle Jordan; Finance & HR Administrator
Background: Originally from the Philippines; bachelor’s degree in Commerce with a major in Management; accounting training from Red River College; more than a decade of experience in finance and administrative management, human resources and payroll; kids’ Sunday School teacher
Skills: Financial analysis, budget planning, organizational management; a developer and includer
Favourite thing to do on/around Lake Winnipeg: “I love to go biking, camping, and hiking with family and friends.”
Alexis Kanu; Executive Director
Background: A PhD in Environmental Science from the University of Manitoba; experience working with diverse organizations in the non-profit and community development sectors; life-long lake lover.
Skills: Government relations, strategic planning, organizational development, proposal writing, community outreach.
Favourite thing to do on/around Lake Winnipeg: “I love exploring new hiking trails with my kids, and spending time with family and friends at the beach.”
Kanak Kulhari; Community Engagement Coordinator
Background: Originally from India, came to Canada in 2019; Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Manitoba; current board director at the West Broadway Community Organization.
Skills: Effective communication, building strong relationships, creative problem-solving.
Favourite thing to do on/around Lake Winnipeg: “I enjoy swimming in the lake, relaxing on the beach and spending time with friends and family.”
Chelsea Lobson; Programs Director
Background: M.Sc. from the University of Manitoba; experience in freshwater ecology and working on large collaborative projects.
Skills: Communicating scientific results to a wide range of audiences, project co-ordination, engaging youth through science.
Personal connection to Lake Winnipeg: "Growing up, my grandparents had a cottage in Matlock. We would spend our days at Ralph Beach where I loved swimming, building sand castles and walking to the Salamonia Channel."
Fallon Moreau; Program Coordinator
Background: BSc in Environmental Science from the University of Winnipeg, specializing in Forest Ecology; experience in field work and data collection.
Skills: Field work, effective communication, problem-solving, relationship building.
Personal connection to Lake Winnipeg: “I grew up at Victoria Beach and have many cottage memories of walking down to King Edward Beach, trekking over to Elk Island – and of course, pier jumping when it got too hot!”
Anna Netsvetayeva; Donor & IT Administrator
Background: M.Sc. in Math; more than 10 years of experience in database analysis and IT administration.
Skills: Database design, development and management, technical support; a detail-oriented problem-solver.
Favourite thing to do on/around Lake Winnipeg: “I love spending time with my family at the beach. Watching the reflection of the sunset in the waves and feeling the fresh breeze recharges me with new energy.”