Our Staff

Interim Executive Director

Lana has dedicated her career to tackling environmental and social challenges, with noteworthy nonprofits including the David Suzuki Foundation, FishWise, and the Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation. She is passionate about bringing PODS to life as a community hub for connection, learning, and inspiration to help people experience the natural world in ways that spark both wonder and action.

With expertise in leadership, communications, and fundraising, Lana believes lasting change happens through collaboration, storytelling, and education. She is excited to guide the Loon Foundation’s work alongside a talented team to build a better future on the Sunshine Coast.

Outside of work, Lana enjoys a coastal life with her husband, twin children, and their Rhodesian Ridgeback. Whether exploring tidepools, wandering forest trails, or enjoying a sunset in her kayak, she finds daily inspiration in the beauty around her. 

Operations Assistant

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.

Grant Writer

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.

Field Research Supervisor

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
Field Research Supervisor

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.

Manager, EarthFair Store

Dale is Canadian born, but she grew up in the mid-west and eastern USA and moved with her family to England in her teens. She studied law and worked for 15 years as a solicitor in London. Dale decided to leave the rat-race of London with her husband, Michael, and they discovered the serenity of the Sunshine Coast in the spring of 2001. Dale was a founding director of the Loon Foundation and served as the secretary for many years. She also helped in establishing the Foundation’s charitable status and organized many board meetings during the building of the Iris Griffith Centre. Dale's first Sunshine Coast job was at Community Futures. She later became a Marriage Commissioner and worked part-time in the Madeira Park Post Office. Dale and her husband opened Bluewaters Books in Madeira Park in 2009. They donated the store to the Foundation in 2013, and it is now known as the EarthFair Store. Thanks to Dale, the store has become a central hub of Madeira Park life.

Financial Officer

Ieva was born in Latvia where she completed a bachelor’s degree in finances and marketing. Her passion to explore and adventure led her to travel and live in different countries for a decade. On one of those adventures, she came to British Columbia, where she instantly fell in love with its beauty. Now on the Sunshine Coast, she is raising her children while studying accounting at Capilano University and working for the Loon Foundation as a bookkeeper. She is a knitter and book reader in her free time, but mostly you can find her swimming year-round in local lakes or hiking and exploring the outdoors with her children. She believes that the most important thing is teaching the new generation to be knowledgeable and respectful of our environment.

Assistant Field Biologist

Sidney grew up on the Sunshine Coast in Roberts Creek and has been interested in nature, particularly biodiversity, since she was a child. She pursued this interest in her undergraduate education, receiving her BSc in Zoology from UBCO.

Sidney is excited to be able to use her passion and education with the Loon Foundation monitoring local biodiversity and marine trends. She hopes to continue to make an impact in her local community and beyond.

In her spare time, Sidney enjoys skiing, hiking, and biking, especially when her dog Aspen is able to join!

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.

Environmental Education and Events Coordinator

Brigid grew up in North Vancouver, BC, fostering a love for nature and animals through hiking, camping, and exploring the beaches for sea creatures. They were very active with several sports including high-level soccer, music lessons, and committed volunteer work.

After moving from North Vancouver to Pender Harbour in 2021, Brigid began volunteering for the Loon Foundation's Coastal Waters Monitoring Program. Combining volunteer time and working with marine life was a dream come true!

Brigid earned a Bachelor of Science in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Victoria (2025), with a focus on marine and coastal management and conservation. This was a Co-op program which included work terms in environmental consulting, and wildlife monitoring.  

Their relevant work experience includes environmental consulting with TerraWest (2022), environmental monitoring with Barsanti Environmental (2025), Western Painted Turtle monitoring with Wildlife Preservation Canada (2025), and the Loon Foundation’s Coastal Waters Monitoring programme during a co-op in 2022.   

Brigid is very passionate about preserving the environment and diversity in both nature and societal culture to create resilience and diverse solutions to combat climate change and threats to species at risk.