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Meet Our Team:
Squamish CAN Board of Directors
Squamish CAN Staff
Krystle tenBrink - Executive Director
Krystle began working on food initiatives with Squamish CAN in 2010. To date she has co-lead establishing the Squamish Food Charter; co-founding the Squamish Food Policy Council; the development of the CAN Grow Community Garden & Mamquam Edible School Yard & integrating food system policies into Squamish's Official Community Plan.
Gaby Barnes - Food Systems Manager
Gaby joined the Squamish CAN team in 2020, where she contributes to grant writing and is supporting ongoing food systems projects in the Sea to Sky Corridor, including leading the Good Food Program. Gaby is passionate about creating sustainable communities and believes that creating a thriving local food system is one of the most important and rewarding actions we can take. Gaby holds a MEd in Sustainability, and a BA in Environmental Studies and Poli Sci. She has worn many different hats in the sustainability field including: contributions to food systems, active and safe routes to school, community planning, and climate-change education. Some of Gaby's favourite things involve food - from growing in her garden, parading the farmers market, dining out, and cooking a good meal amongst friends and family, she is happiest when food is on the table. Gaby enjoys finding movement through biking, hiking, and yoga in the coastal rainforest and in her hometowns' Rocky Mountains. In 2020 Gaby and her partner Fraser welcomed their daughter into this world, accompanied by their four legged friend Rosa.
Jules Litster - Climate Action Manager & Communications
Originally from the island, Jules grew up with a strong appreciation for nature & the desire to take care of her home. She is passionate about all things zero-waste & creating positive conversations around living a more sustainable life. In her free time you’ll find her hiking, biking, climbing, & crafting.
Marc-André Gagnon - Edible School Garden Coordinator
Marc comes with a wide range of experiences from his years of tree planting and landscaping and horticulturist background. His passion sustainable gardening has given him a strong interest to share his knowledge in order to raise environmental awareness. Being a father of two, he cares about kids’ future and hope he can sow the seed of change in everyone’s mind.
Marie-ève Boutin - Seed Library & Greenhouse Manager
Marie-ève started with arts & photography in Québec & continued on to the film industry in Vancouver, intertwined with service industry roles. After starting a family in Squamish, landscaping followed, then permaculture design & volunteering with Squamish CAN which lead to her role as Food Projects Coordinator.
Gabriela Lech - Food Systems Coordinator / Community Garden Manager
Gabriela's background is in environmental science and climate change. She is excited about community-building and helping to build an inclusive food system that meets social and environmental needs. In her free time she enjoys climbing, hiking, cooking, and painting.
Kelina Kwan - Financial Coordinator
Kelina has been working with non-profits in different sectors for many years, including in arts and culture and social services. She loves wildlife and animals, and believes that we can create a sustainable and environmentally viable world where all creatures can co-exist. She is also a strong believer of zero waste and is excited to be part of Squamish CAN’s work and efforts.
Sasha Wilmott - School Farm Manager
Sasha has an infectious love for our earth and all the life it supports. Having spent many years with her hands in the soil she's discovered a real keen interest in growing good food and sharing about the benefit and joy of working with plants. You'd be equally likely to find her crouched low to the ground marvelling at the tiny creatures we share space with, taking great pleasure creating in the kitchen with home grown and local goodies or sharing stories and deep belly laughs with friends and strangers. Sasha loves people and believes strong community is the ticket to a good life. She's thrilled to join Squamish CAN as the School Farm Manager this year and welcomes any and all curious souls for a chat or a tour of the farm.
Constance Cope
Constance is an urban farmer, educator, and advocate for sustainable, accessible local food systems and small-scale agriculture. In 2019 she joined SquamishCAN where her work has included developing the Squamish Valley Agricultural Plan, creating policy integrating agriculture into urban development, managing Mamquam Edible Schoolyard.This past year, she led the creation of a 12,000sqft(1/4 acre) Urban School Farm in Downtown Squamish that runs classes and supplies fresh produce for the adjacent high school and elementary school.
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Holden Bonwit - President
Holden loves connecting with the environment through kiteboarding, hiking, and trail running. He’s passionate about measuring & improving our individual & collective environmental impact. With a background in engineering, he now builds growth strategies for early stage organizations.
Kelly-Jo Galvani - Vice President
A lover of slow food and long journeys, Kelly’s background is in communications with a specialty in event management.
Before taking a few years off to grow her family, Kelly worked in food systems and sustainability with the non-profit sector.
She’s passionate about local food and community building and loves a good dinner party with friends.
Before taking a few years off to grow her family, Kelly worked in food systems and sustainability with the non-profit sector.
She’s passionate about local food and community building and loves a good dinner party with friends.
Veronica McCaffrey - Secretary
Veronica has worked across Canada in healthcare and public health law, navigating complex systems, legislation and regulation and effectively using the law as a tool to solve problems, to enhance access to health justice and the protection of the public and public health and to develop knowledge and evaluation capabilities of Boards and organizational leadership necessary for responsible actions and governance in all parts of our Canadian health systems. She has also been a committed volunteer and Board member with a number of not-for-profit organizations. Veronica has a keen interest in food safety and security for children and youth and in the meaningful engagement of individuals in their communities to work towards solutions to climate change. She is looking forward to being a Board member and a part of the Squamish CAN organization.
Kari Chambers
Kari first became involved with Squamish CAN 4 years ago through the community gardens. With a background in indigenous studies & years working in the seniors sector, Kari currently works full-time for 2 local non-profits in the health sector & spends her free time in the garden, streamkeeping, and exploring the outdoors with her dogs. Kari is passionate about growing food locally & reducing waste in our community.
Luisa Burhenne
Luisa works in the field of renewable energy technologies & GHG emission reduction strategies. In her free time you will find her gardening in the Squamish CAN downtown community garden or exploring Squamish trails with her family.
Ilva Ravinska - Treasurer
Ilva moved to Squamish to pursue adventures in the mountains after having travelled around the world for several years. She is passionate about preserving her favourite playground - the great outdoors-and contribute to the local community with her knowledge in finances and accounting.
Ania Posacka
An ocean scientist by background, Ania has been studying the sources and solutions to plastic waste in our environment with non-profits, industry, governments, and Indigenous communities since 2018. In this role she has and continues to provide scientific expertise in support of microplastic policy development in Canada and internationally. Ania is passionate about sharing science on plastics and microplastics with the public through media and documentaries. Currently she is providing scientific leadership at a Canadian social enterprise tackling plastic pollution through technology, science, and partnerships. This includes the development of technologies for collection of microplastics data by citizens and communities. Ania strongly believes that “thinking global but acting local” and local innovation holds the greatest promise in tackling waste and pollution around us. She is excited to be part of the Squamish CAN Board of Director team and to help shape a waste free and just future for our community.
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