staff
Our professional staff bring the specialized skills and knowledge needed to advance our mission.
Karl Friesen-Hughes (he/him); 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 (she/her); 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 (she/her); 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 (he/him); 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 (she/her); 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 (she/her); 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 (she/her); 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.”
Mackenzie Nicolle (she/her); Membership and Events Coordinator
Background: Originally from Treaty 6 territory, nestled between the North and South Saskatchewan rivers; BA in Social Science and Communications from Canadian Mennonite University, experience in community building and event planning.
Skills: Brainstorming, connecting meaningfully with people, writing, creative problem-solving, strategic planning.
Favourite thing to do on/around Lake Winnipeg: Walking around the beaches and finding peaceful moments watching the rolling waves.