Who We Are

Steve Thomson

Chair

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY (AGRICULTURE)

Steve has a long record of service to the community and of working on behalf of B.C. ranchers and farmers. He represented Kelowna Mission as the MLA from 2009 to 2020 and served as Minister of Agriculture and Lands, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources and Rural Development. Steve is the former executive director of the BC Agriculture Council. He has served with the BC Fruit Growers Association, the BC Milk Producers Association, as the President of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and as a director of the Kelowna Museum. Steve loves sports and is dedicated to his family.

Eamon O’Donoghue

Vice Chair

COMMUNITY (ENVIRONMENT/CONSERVATION)

Eamon O’Donoghue grew up in Toronto and has lived in northern B.C. for 33 years. He worked for various ministries with the BC Public Service for 32 years, starting as a Park Ranger with BC Parks and retiring as the Associate Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Forests. Eamon oversaw BC Wildfire and chaired the Task Force on Emergencies, which released its recommendations to address the growing threat of wildfire in April 2024. Eamon lives on a 160-acre property with his wife and children, is a builder who mills his own wood for construction projects, makes cheese and yogurt from the sheep he raises, and grows 10 different varieties of potatoes. His favourite hobby is collecting and restoring axes. Eamon usually works on the farm during his holidays, but he did snorkel in Hawaii this year. His favourite place to explore is Ireland.

Jennifer Robertson

Treasurer

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY (TRANSPORTATION & UTILITIES)

Jennifer is a Registered Professional Biologist with over 30 years of environmental consulting and energy utility experience in B.C. She spent 15 years in the field as a Fisheries Biologist on small- and large-scale projects across the province. Many of the fish and fish habitat enhancement projects she was responsible for involved invasive species management. Her current role is Director, Sustainability & Environment at FortisBC, where she leads a team of environmental and sustainability professionals. Her team provides corporate environmental oversight for the organization, including aquatic and terrestrial resource management and vegetation management.

Scott Pearce

Secretary

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY (TRADE & RETAIL)

Scott has been involved in the nursery industry for 40 years, with a diploma in Landscape Horticulture from BCIT and experience working in both the wholesale and retail nursery trades. Scott has been a partner in GardenWorks, with ten garden centre locations, since 2007. His responsibilities include plant purchasing, merchandising and marketing. GardenWorks has been working with ISCBC for the past 12 years, involved in the PlantWise and Grow Me Instead programs.

Nadia Chan

Past Chair

GOVERNMENT (LOCAL)

Nadia Chan has over 20 years of experience working in urban forestry. She is currently the Manager, Trees and Landscapes with the City of Surrey’s Planning and Development Department. Nadia is a Director with the Invasive Species Council of BC, the Pacific Representative for the Canadian Urban Forestry Network, and the Chair of BCIT’s Forest and Natural Areas Management Program Advisory Committee.

Karen Brandt

Director

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY (NATURAL RESOURCES)

Karen Brandt is a communications and government relations professional who has a passion for sustainability. For the past 30 years, she has held a number of senior positions in the public and private sectors where she has built common positions and partnerships with First Nations, environmental groups, customers and governments. She was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba and holds an honours Bachelor of Journalism (minor Political Science) from Carleton University in Ottawa. She is currently Senior Vice President, Public Affairs & Partnerships with Mosaic Forest Management.

Before transitioning to government work, she was employed by the BC Cattlemen’s Association as a policy analyst and communications coordinator. Currently, she resides on a hobby farm in Kamloops with her husband and two teenage sons. Her free time is dedicated to supporting her children, whether at the hockey rink or cattle shows, watching them grow and learn.

Danielle L. Cuthbertson

Director

GOVERNMENT (PROVINCIAL)

Born and raised in Kamloops, B.C., Danielle attended the University of Alberta, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business Management. As a Professional Agrologist, she has accumulated 19 years of experience in both the private and government sectors, specializing in integrated resource management. With a decade of experience in operational Crown range management, she has been actively involved in negotiating and mediating solutions related to Crown range issues. Additionally, she has spent five years providing strategic leadership and support to the Invasive Plant Program for the Province of BC.

Sophie Dessureault

Director

GOVERNMENT (LOCAL)

Sophie is the Integrated Pest Management Coordinator for the Vancouver Park Board. Working in this role since 1997, she develops and implements policies and procedures to deal with the various pest problems found in the city’s many facilities, parks and plantings. Most recently her responsibilities have included managing projects such as developing the Vancouver Park Board’s Invasive Species Management Strategy and completing a city-wide invasive plant species inventory.

David Ensing

Director

GOVERNMENT (FEDERAL)

Dave is a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Summerland, B.C., where together with a team of technicians and graduate and undergraduate students, his research program focuses on the ecology and evolution of invasive plants and their biological controls. He has studied invasive plants of priority to B.C. since his undergraduate studies in 2010 (B.Sc. Hons, UBCO, 2011) and has since completed his M.Sc. (Biology, UBCO, 2013) and PhD (Biology, Queen’s University, 2019), where he studied the evolutionary ecology of species range limits, or why species occur where they do, and not where they don’t. This research background is well placed for understanding the range expansions of invasive species. When not at work, Dave enjoys mountain biking, backcountry camping and keeping invasive plants out of his yard with his family!

Christine Gelowitz

Director

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY (NATURAL RESOURCES)

Christine is Chief Executive Officer of Forest Professionals British Columbia (FPBC), a regulatory body that governs the professional conduct of 5,400 forest professionals licenced to practice professional forestry in British Columbia. Christine has over 25 years of work experience in the B.C. provincial government and non-profit sector. She has worked as an executive leader since 2011 and is a strategist specializing in the development of policies and the delivery of programs related to forestry, natural resources, and professional regulation. Christine is at ease in work environments with ambiguity and complexity and is able to drive decisions, nurture alignment and connection for important change.

Growing up in Saskatchewan, Christine moved to northern B.C. in 1994 and immediately fell in love with ‘Super, Natural British Columbia’. Inspired by her surroundings, she went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management and continues to hold active registration as a Registered Professional Forester (RPF). When she isn’t working Christine can be found on Vancouver Island with her family enjoying the lake, a forest trail or ski hill – or inside a hockey rink.

Grahame Gielens

Director

GOVERNMENT (PROVINCIAL)

Grahame Gielens is originally from the Lower Mainland and now resides in Pinantan Lake, just outside Kamloops. Since joining the Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MOTT) in 2017, Grahame has served as the Environmental Roadside Manager, overseeing MOTT’s invasive species management program and providing expertise in vegetation, reclamation, and erosion and sediment control. Prior to this role, he worked as an environmental consultant for five years.

Grahame holds an MSc from Simon Fraser University, where his research focused on the ecology of pollinators. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time on his hobby farm with his wife and animals. He is also an active member of the Pinantan Lake Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Jonathan (JJ) Holmes

Director

GOVERNMENT (INDIGENOUS)

JJ is the Operations supervisor and safety officer with Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corporation based in Merritt, BC. When it comes to invasive species, JJ fulfills many roles, including educating and coordinating training for employees to become Certified Pesticide Applicators. JJ works with a wide variety of organizations and First Nations communities to increase awareness of invasive species impacts. With lots of boots on the ground, he is keen to promote stewardship of the land and protection of food sources and medicinal plants. Away from stewardship, JJ is actively involved in the local Minor Hockey league.

Javier Maldonado

Director

GOVERNMENT (FEDERAL)

Javier Maldonado is currently a Policy and Program Leader with the Horticulture Section at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and is also acting as National Manager. Javier has experience in the operational delivery of CFIA’s plant health programs, policy development and management of various plant pest-related issues. He was also part of a team that won the 2019 Together in Action Award in the Partnership in Innovation and Leadership category from ISCBC for his contribution to the Japanese Beetle Response in B.C. Javier also received a CFIA President’s National Award in 2023 in the category of Innovation and Best Practices for his work on the Survey 123 implementation project. Javier completed a Master of Environmental Toxicology degree in 2004 from Simon Fraser University in B.C.

Jennie McCaffrey

Director

COMMUNITY (TOURISM/RECREATION)

Jennie is the Vice-President of Health & Education at BC Parks Foundation and has always been passionate about connecting people to nearby nature. Jennie’s career as a conservation educator has led her from the Vancouver Aquarium’s education department to teaching master’s courses at UBC, training educators across the province through the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation & Fisheries and Oceans Canada, leading Indigenous learning initiatives and behaviour change at the Invasive Species Council of BC, and growing a community of support for nature through her work focused on the intersection of health, education and conservation with the BC Parks Foundation.

Loren Muth

Director

GOVERNMENT (INDIGENOUS)

Loren has served as an elected Councillor for the Ch’iyaqtel (Tzeachten) First Nation in Stó꞉lō territory for the past eight years. Throughout his career, he has championed various initiatives focused on food security, environmental stewardship, clean energy, waste reduction, local and post-secondary education, and community health. His global travels have fostered a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of the natural world. Loren holds a Bachelor of Science degree and is a Professional Agrologist. He is dedicated to enhancing food security and environmental stewardship while promoting holistic health, emphasizing the vital connection between people, land, nature, and food for overall well-being.

In addition to his council role, Loren actively works to improve Indigenous leadership and participation across various sectors. He serves as an Executive member of the S’ólh Téméxw Stewardship Alliance (STSA), represents the Indigenous Education Council (IEC) for School District 33, and acts as the First Nations Health Council representative for the Fraser Salish Region, which includes 32 communities. He also holds a position with the Emergency Planning Secretariat. In his spare time, Loren is an avid gardener, hobby beekeeper, and outdoor enthusiast. He enjoys giving presentations on mason bees at local garden centres, tending to his hobby farm, and managing a small apiary of up to 30 hives.

Terry Peters

Director

COMMUNITY (ENVIRONMENT/CONSERVATION)

Terry is a 32-year career firefighter, retired from his last position as Fire Chief/Director of Emergency Services for Powell River, B.C. While living in Australia for a year in 2005 on a Firefighter Exchange, he founded the International Association of Firefighters Global Alliance. Terry’s other career accomplishments include being a part-time Paramedic for the B.C. Ambulance Service and Deputy Sheriff for the B.C. Sheriff Service. Terry is a member of his local Invasive Species Board for the Powell River/qathet Region, and a local coordinator for the Powell River/qathet Broombusters. He is an avid fan of rock concerts, motorcycles, and travelling with friends and his wife of 36 years. He is a family man, with three children, three grandchildren, and a 12-year-old dog named Holden. Terry’s favourite pastimes include his 1969 Chevelle, fishing, and hunting.

Jennifer Psyllakis

Director

GOVERNMENT (PROVINCIAL)

Dr. Jennifer Psyllakis is the Acting Assistant Deputy Minister of the Resource Stewardship Division within B.C.’s Ministry of Water, Land & Resource Stewardship. She has worked for the Province of B.C. for almost 20 years in various capacities advancing new natural resource sector laws, policies and strategies, and associated program areas. She is passionate about collaborative approaches to advancing solutions for complex issues affecting wildlife and ecosystems. Jennifer was born in Kitimat and has lived in various communities throughout B.C. Jennifer holds a B.Sc. in Wildlife Management from McGill University, an M.Sc. in Biology from the University of Regina and a PhD in Natural Resource Management and Environmental Studies from the University of Northern British Columbia.

Joanne Sales

Director

COMMUNITY (ENVIRONMENT/CONSERVATION)

Joanne is the founder and Executive Director of Broombusters Invasive Plant Society. Joanne started with a group of 10 volunteers in Qualicum Beach in 2006 (and coined the now very popular name Broombusters). She has been organizing, educating and promoting the control of Scotch broom ever since. Now there are over 600 volunteers cutting broom for over 6,000 hours each year in 14 municipalities and districts from Vancouver Island to the Lower Mainland. Joanne and her family are active organic blueberry farmers on Vancouver Island.

Dan Tisseur

Director

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY (UTILITIES)

Dan is a Senior Environmental Advisor for Enbridge. He spent a decade as a freshwater biologist working for an environmental consulting firm with assignments throughout B.C. Dan has a BSc in Natural Resource Management, an M.Sc. in Environmental Practice, and is a Registered Professional Biologist. His work gives him great insight into industrial perspectives related to invasive species management and he has a great appreciation for the diversity and sensitivity of the various habitats across B.C. which could be threatened by the impacts of invasive organisms.