THE ELK RIVER ALLIANCE TEAM
CHAD HUGHES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
BSc Environmental Science
chad@elkriveralliance.ca
Exploring and learning about this amazing river has been a passion ever since I swapped the Outback deserts for the mountains of the Kootenays. I’m so glad to have the opportunity to use my skills and experience to protect the place we fish, float, and live. I feel the community has a huge role to play in environmental conservation and through the ERA I want to help citizens and visitors of the Elk Valley safeguard the river on which we work and play.
EVGENI MATVEEV, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
MSc Marine Biology
evgeni@elkriveralliance.ca
One of the most important (yet often missed) components of the scientific process is communicating research to the public. Over the years I’ve accumulated experience in event planning, writing, data visualization, research synthesis, and graphic design so I can best relate scientific findings to the public. I think science is exciting, but often shrouded in obscure terminology. My goal is to get the local community excited about the science and nature around them, and thereby be more engaged in protecting their ecosystem.
ANNE-CAROLINE KROEGER, PROJECT MANAGER
MSc Bioresource engineering
anne@elkriveralliance.ca
As a general science student studying side-by-side with engineering students, I was struck at the ability of engineering students ”to get projects done” through project management skills, and I wanted to learn the ways of effective project managers. I applied these skills with increasing confidence over the five years I worked in an environmental consulting firm in Québec City. My interest in running exciting projects in high-performing teams has grown every year since my early student years.
AYLA TREADWELL, CAMP DIRECTOR
BSc Earth Sciences
camps@elkriveralliance.ca
I live with my 2 children in Fernie, BC. I am passionate about conserving and exploring our beautiful mountains, free-flowing rivers and wild spaces. I strive to empower my fellow community members to care for our watersheds. I believe that connection to nature is what will inspire youth to take action and create positive change in our world. I have been working as an environmental educator in the Elk Valley since 2011. I deliver various programs in partnership with non-profit groups including the Elk River Alliance, Wildsight and CBEEN. I hold a BSc of Earth Science from the University of Calgary.
FYNLEY KUIJT, ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICIAN
BSc Forest Science, Ecology and Management
fynley@elkriveralliance.ca
After working in ecology in Alberta over the last few years, it’s wonderful to be involved in environmental work close to home, in Fernie. Growing up in the Elk Valley has given me a huge appreciation for this landscape and I’m grateful to be able to contribute to restoration and the watershed monitoring efforts in this area.
SARAI RAMIREZ SALDAÑA, ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICIAN
BSc Biology
sarai@elkriveralliance.ca
I was born in Mexico City, Mexico and raised in the town of Villahermosa in the state of Tabasco. My love and passion for the environment and nature took me to study Biology at the University of Lethbridge, in Canada. Ultimately I fell in love with this country and I want to use my skills and abilities to help my community and help save the planet!
ALESHIA CONLEY, PROGRAM ASSISTANT
Bachelors of Global and International Studies
aleshia@elkriveralliance.ca
I was born and raised in Stouffville, Ontario and have spent the last couple years living in Ottawa after attending Carleton University. During January through March 2024 I did a three month volunteer placement at the Elk River alliance through the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s Canadian Conservation Corps program. During that time I fell in love with Fernie and I am super excited to be getting out in the field and to help run camp this summer.
FINLAY THOMSON, ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICIAN
finlay@elkriveralliance.ca
I was born and raised in Inverness, Scotland. Home of the Loch Ness Monster! After moving to Fernie 5 years ago for one ski season, I caught the classic Fernie bug, come for the winter but stay for the summer. I am really looking forward to contributing to the restoration projects so we can maintain a healthy river for everyone to enjoy.
CAITLIN HENNEKER, ELK RIVER WATERSHED COLLABORATIVE MONITORING PROGRAM MANAGER
caitlin@elkriveralliance.ca
I’ve always had a passion for water conservation thanks to growing up on Tīkapa Moana (the Hauraki Gulf) in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), Aotearoa New Zealand. After cutting my teeth in corporate communications while longing to do more for our planet, I went back to university to gain a Masters in Applied Conservation. Marrying this together, I love using my varied skill set spanning creative copywriting to strategic planning, to play our part in conserving the Elk River watershed.
CYNTHIA FRASER, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
cynthia@elkriveralliance.ca
JENNIFER O’DONNELL, BOOKKEEPER
info@elkriveralliance.ca
PAST STAFF MEMBERS
KAILEIGH McCALLUM, ECOLOGIST
MSc Biodiversity and Conservation
kaileigh@elkriveralliance.ca
A long-standing passion for nature and a desire to understand it drives me in my need to protect the Elk River watershed. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring my enthusiasm for environmental conservation to a community with such a strong connection to its rivers and a love of nature at its heart. By continuing to learn about our watershed, and encourage others to do the same, we can foster this incredible connection to it and ensure the health of our rivers for future generations.
CHRIS BUSH, RESTORATION TECHNICIAN
Environmental Science Associates degree
chris@elkriveralliance.ca
After volunteering with the alliance for only one summer in 2018 I realized conservation fieldwork was what I wanted to do. Some research into what was required, a lot more volunteering, and two years to acquire an Environmental Science Associates degree and that dream eventually come true. As a nature lover and with water being an essential part of all life I feel privileged to be able to spend my days doing my part in trying to restore and maintain healthy natural environments for us and nonhuman animals alike.