We are committed to the fair and respectful treatment of all people. We believe there is strength in diversity. At 4 Directions, we aim to create a welcoming environment for everyone, encouraging full participation
Our incredible company continues to strive to be an Indigenous Centre of Technical Excellence
Conservation Ecologist & Indigenous Engagement/Placemaking Specialist from Curve Lake First Nation, Ontario.
Originally from Saint John, New Brunswick, Jeff has been living in Ontario over the last 3 years.
Brodie is currently completing a Masters in Geography at the University of Guelph.
Courtney (Acadian/English settler) completed a PhD at the University of Waterloo
and has lived in Ottawa for the last year.
Matt is originally from Edmonton, Alberta where he obtained a Bachelor's degree
in Environmental Science at Concordia University of Edmonton.
Kayla Wright recently joined 4 Directions of Conservation Consulting Services as the Director of Relationships & Engagement.
Francis Chua recently joined 4 Directions of Conservation Consulting Services as the Vice President of Relationships & Strategy.
GINIW (GOLDEN EAGLE)
FOUNDER
Conservation Ecologist & Indigenous Engagement/Placemaking Specialist from Curve Lake First Nation, Ontario.
Gary loves to connect and educate through nature, especially with wildlife photography and storytelling. He believes we can all make conscious decisions on how we impact Mother Earth and the next seven generations. He spends much of his time educating the youth about “All Our Relations,” his favourite students being his two children.
Gary often acts as the bridge between the Indigenous Community and the western style of governance, having successfully collaborated with many stakeholder groups, institutes, government agencies, Indigenous communities, and political organizations to address environmental concerns and identify practical solutions.
(HE/HIM)
TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGIST
Originally from Saint John, New Brunswick, Jeff has been living in Ontario over the last 3 years. Jeff holds a Master of Environmental Science, Conservation and Biodiversity, from the University of Toronto. Prior to this he completed a MSc in Biology at Concordia University, and a BSc in General Biology at the University of New Brunswick.
Jeff has worked in the non-profit sector for 4 years focusing on species at risk monitoring, land conservation, and landscape science. He gained experience working one-on-one with land trusts across Ontario to support various stewardship activities including invasive species management, ecological land classification, and climate change vulnerability assessments. He also coordinated outreach events such as guided nature hikes, tree plantings, workshops, and conferences.
(SHE/HER)
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Brodie is currently completing a Masters in Geography at the University of Guelph. Brodie’s working on a thesis studying the varying cultural relationships to fire on the landscape here in Ktaqmkuk, and the ways in which these varying relationships impact the social ecological systems within this territory. Through this research, Brodie is a part of the Conservation through Reconciliation partnership under the biocultural indicators and outcomes stream, and the People, Plants and Policy (3P) Lab, as well as the Conservation of Change Lab through the Coastal Routes Network.
(SHE/HER)
WETLAND AND INVASIVE SPECIES ECOLOGIST
Courtney (Acadian/English settler) completed a PhD at the University of Waterloo
and has lived in Ottawa for the last year. She has nearly 10 years of experience
in wetland ecology, ecological restoration, and invasive species management.
This includes working with multi-disciplinary teams to evaluate how wetland
ecosystems respond to invasive Phragmites australis (European common reed)
management in Lake Erie coastal wetlands. She is currently also a postdoctoral
fellow at Carleton University and is dedicated to taking care of the land.
(HE/HIM)
WETLAND ECOLOGIST
Matt is originally from Edmonton, Alberta where he obtained a Bachelor's degree
in Environmental Science at Concordia University of Edmonton before moving to
Waterloo, ON to get his M.Sc. from the University of Waterloo. Over the past
12 years Matt has worked at multiple universities where he was a research
project manager and worked on interdisciplinary wetland projects across Alberta
and Ontario. Matt's experience includes invasive species management, species
at risk surveys, wetland monitoring and assessment, and using GIS techniques
to improve wetland conservation.
(SHE/HER)
DIRECTOR OF RELATIONSHIPS AND ENGAGEMENT
Kayla Wright recently joined 4 Directions of Conservation Consulting Services as the Director of Relationships & Engagement. Kayla’s academic background is in Civil/Environmental Engineering Technology from Conestoga College and she has furthered her education in various online certifications including subjects such as Climate Change and Sustainability. Kayla also holds a Cross Cultural Environmental Awareness Training certification and is a Certified Technician (C.Tech.) with OACETT. She is currently working towards a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Practice with Royal Roads University. Kayla has experience working both in the nuclear sector and consulting field from which she is able to draw experience to facilitate discussions between various proponents and Indigenous communities. Kayla first started working with Indigenous communities during her time in the nuclear sector – working towards creating meaningful relationships with the local communities while developing environmental stewardship and monitoring programs, and implementing regulatory compliance processes including processes to support the duty to consult. Over the last 3 years, Kayla has assisted organizations such as: (1) Curve Lake First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation in matters of consultation and relationship building with proponents across multiple sectors – and she continues this commitment through 4 Directions of Conservation Consulting Services; (2) First Nations Power Authority in matters related to the National Indigenous Advisory Council for the Small Modular Reactor Action Plan; (3) The Invasive Phragmites Control Centre in matters related to the management and control of invasive Phragmites, including supporting the development of a provincial strategy to include Indigenous perspectives.
(HE/HIM)
VICE PRESIDENT OF RELATIONSHIPS & STRATEGY
Francis Chua recently joined 4 Directions of Conservation Consulting Services as the Vice President of Relationships & Strategy. Francis Chua is inspired by work that creates a better environment and community through meaningful, supportive, and compassionate relationships. His experience is in the development, implementation, and practice of environmental compliance, environmental stewardship, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility. This includes evolving meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities; as well as establishing mutually valuable partnerships with individuals, community groups, government and regulatory agencies. He is drawn to developing and shaping teams, organizations, and processes. He aspires to leave this world having made a difference in the lives of others.
Francis graduated from The University of Western Ontario with a degree in Biochemical and Environmental Engineering and a degree in Environmental Science. Over the last 3 years, Francis has assisted organizations such as: (1) Curve Lake First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation in matters of consultation and relationship building with proponents across multiple sectors – and he continues this commitment through 4 Directions of Conservation Consulting Services; (2) First Nations Power Authority in matters related to the National Indigenous Advisory Council for the Small Modular Reactor Action Plan; (3) The Invasive Phragmites Control Centre in matters related to the management and control of invasive Phragmites, including supporting the development of a provincial strategy to include Indigenous perspectives. He is a former Director of the Board for Community Foundation Grey Bruce.
He previously held the position of Director in a progressive career that spanned 17 years with Bruce Power L.P. with increasing accountabilities in the areas of Environment & Sustainability, Environmental Management & Programs, Community & Indigenous Relations; including delegated responsibilities in the areas of Regulatory Affairs and Corporate Affairs. He provided leadership in the development and implementation of company strategies, policies, standards, procedures based on regulations and best industry practice in the delivery of the environmental management, protection, and monitoring programs; including the integration of sustainability plans. He held primary accountability for company critical environmental compliance approvals, regulatory licences and permits, environmental assessments; providing leadership to environmental managers, coordinators, officers, specialists, inspectors, consultants, and contractors to achieve company goals and objectives.
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