Our Staff

Coastal Waters Monitoring Manager

Jenn completed her Bachelor of Science at Simon Fraser University in 2010 and majored in biology with ecology and evolution. She has worked on many projects, including research on bivalves as water quality indicators in the Burrard Inlet and Howe Sound, population studies of the Western sandpiper and dunlin at Boundary Bay, monitoring and management of mosquito populations in Metro Vancouver and on the Sunshine Coast, and mark-recapture studies of crab populations in Belcarra Regional Park. At SFU, she worked with graduate students on salmon conservation by tracing nitrogen isotopes through plants and animals to investigate marine effects on inland ecosystems.

Development Director

Michelle is passionate about conservation of the Sunshine Coast’s precious species, habitats, and ecosystems. She is delighted to use her grant writing skills to help the Loon Foundation to gain funding support for the organization’s valuable facilities, programs, and projects. When not working on grant proposals, Michelle can be found out in the field studying wildlife and collaborating with community partners to conserve, restore, and enhance habitat to help ensure the survival of species at risk. For the past 20 years, together with husband Dave Stiles, Michelle has led the Sunshine Coast Wildlife Project. Michelle holds a BSc from UBC and MSc and PhD from Stanford University. She is a Registered Professional Biologist and a member of the Western Painted Turtle Recovery Team, BC Bat Action Team, and Western Screech-Owl Working Group. Her work has always focused on balancing the needs of humans and wildlife.

Coastal Waters Monitoring Assistant

Danielle grew up in rural Alberta, where a love of wildlife and prairie landscapes sparked her passion for conservation. Her interest deepened through the Canadian Conservation Corps, where she saw how conservation and community work together. She later worked in youth environmental education and, in 2025, earned a Diploma in Conservation Biology from NAIT.

After moving to the Sunshine Coast, Danielle joined a Wildfire Risk Reduction crew, volunteered with the Pacific Ocean Discovery Station, and eventually became part of the Loon Foundation team. She enjoys fieldwork, ecological monitoring, and community engagement, and is always eager to learn more about local ecosystems.

One of her favourite west coast memories is watching humpback whales from Daniel Point. She’s also fascinated by shoreline invertebrates and the diversity of life found in tidepools.

Outside of work, Danielle enjoys beachcombing for sea glass, birding, and creative projects at home.

Research Coordinator

Meghan is a heritage specialist, scientific illustrator, and nature nerd with interests ranging from art and writing to science and ecology to museums and culture. These many facets have a common goal: to share her sense of wonder with others by facilitating deep connections with science, culture, and the natural world.

Meghan has a BA (Hons) in Anthropology from McGill University and an MA in Archaeology from Memorial University of Newfoundland, as well as more than six years experience working in archaeology and heritage on BC’s Northwest Coast. She has contributed biological illustrations to local field guides and technical reports, taught nature journalling workshops that combine creativity with observational science, and co-organized food events that showcase local ecosystems through seasonal foraged ingredients.

Operations Officer

Hanna grew up in Rossland, British Columbia, and recently earned her Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Victoria, specializing in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. She has worked in Canada and internationally, supporting projects in Austria and France, and brings organizational and communication skills to the Loon Foundation. Outside of work, Hanna enjoys skiing, hiking, and traveling, and is excited to contribute to projects that make a positive impact on the community and environment.

Summer Student (Seasonal)

I am a third year student at Emily Carr university, specializing in visual art and ecological practices. I aspire to share my love for the arts and outdoor education with the next generation of young artists and creators.

Summer Camp Manager (Seasonal)

Caroline is completing her degree in Environmental Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University, with studies focusing on the intersections of ecological, economical and societal factors in building sustainable communities and effective conservation strategies. Growing up in Calgary then overseas, Caroline experienced a diverse range of ecosystems and witnessed the impact humans have on them. With a passion for wildlife and learning, inspiring her to pursue environmental education. Understanding the importance of communities in effective sustainability initiatives, Caroline is excited to play an active role in youth education, harnessing natural curiosity to encourage stewardship.

In her free time Caroline enjoys hiking, reading, crocheting, and hanging out with her cats!

Director of Strategic Partnerships (CEDAR)

Growing up on the Salish Sea, I developed a deep passion for the area and its inhabitants. The more I learned, the more I became committed to conserving this amazing part of the world. This passion led me to become involved in The Loon Foundation and PODS. I truly believe that protecting the natural world begins with sharing knowledge and inspiring action.

With a background in marine biology and a focus on both sustainable food systems and ocean conservation, I dedicated much of my career on understanding the challenges of and finding practical solutions for sustainable seafood production. Over the past 25 years, I have worked in fisheries and aquaculture-related research, education and advocacy, as well as in commercial fisheries. I was part of the founding team behind the Ocean Wise seafood program in 2005. In 2013, I co-founded The Fish Counter, an award-winning sustainable seafood market and restaurant in Vancouver. In recognition for this work, I was named one of the most influential people in the Canadian food industry by the Globe and Mail.

Outside of my professional life, I love spending time with my family, especially when it involves activities on or near the water – whether its paddling, diving, beachcombing, or traveling to new places for fresh adventures.

Coastal Waters Monitoring Assistant

Having grown up on the Sunshine Coast, Emma spent summers swimming, fishing, and exploring the shoreline in search of crabs. She was inspired by this upbringing and earned her degree in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology from UBC Okanagan and is now currently completing a Master’s in Ecological Restoration at BCIT.
Throughout her career, Emma has gained a diverse range of terrestrial and marine experience through work with Okanagan Regional Parks, Tidepools Aquarium, Calgary Zoo, and DFO. Her master’s work has been equally varied, from building beaver dam analogues to conducting early-morning bird surveys, she's continually learning something new.

Now returning to the Sunshine Coast, Emma is excited to deepen her connection to the land and bring her knowledge and experience back to the place that first sparked her passion. Outside of work and school, she can often be found exploring the outdoors, searching for salmon, discovering insects, and investigating the fascinating creatures found in tide pools.

Advancement Specialist

Jess Scott is a nonprofit and conservation professional with a decade of experience leading complex initiatives, building cross-sector partnerships, and securing and stewarding funding from government, industry, and philanthropic partners. She brings expertise in fundraising, strategic communications, program management, and community engagement, with a passion for connecting people with the natural world and building communities of supporters who make conservation possible.

Throughout her career, Jess has developed and managed multi-year conservation and citizen science programs, and co-created a system which reduces vessel impacts on whales throughout the Pacific Northwest. She is known for her collaborative approach, strong organizational skills, and ability to build genuine, lasting relationships with partners, funders, volunteers, and communities.

Jess holds a Master of Science in Marine and Fisheries Ecology from the University of Aberdeen and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Victoria. She lives on the Sunshine Coast, where she enjoys hiking, paddleboarding, exploring the coast, and spending time outdoors with her family.

Volunteer Member Ambassador

Sylvia retired from her job as a secondary school teacher in Delta, BC and moved to Pender Harbour in 2016. She quickly learned that this community relies heavily on volunteers and almost immediately found herself “working” various gigs. She became a volunteer at the Pender Harbour Library and joined the Board of Directors of the Pender Harbour Reading Centre Society, read with and to children in grade 1 at Madeira Park Elementary School and prepared hot lunches at the Pender Harbour Secondary School. She also joined the Board of the Pender Harbour Community School Society. And her introduction to the Loon Foundation was as a volunteer at the EarthFair bookstore.

Like many residents of Pender Harbour, Sylvia has encouraged and supported the creation of PODS (Pacific Ocean Discovery Station). Now that construction has begun, she would like to devote some of her energy and enthusiasm to ensuring that this project continues to progress. Given her background as a Social Studies teacher (B.Ed, M.Ed Simon Fraser University), Sylvia also wholeheartedly embraces the educational, environmental and cultural contributions that the Loon Foundation represents.