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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.
Krystle@squamishcan.net
Krystle@squamishcan.net
Gabriela Lech - Food Systems Manager / 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.
Gabriela@squamishcan.net
Gabriela@squamishcan.net
Ari Bandel - Zero Waste & Communications Coordinator
Following Ari's previous experience working as the Re Use It Centre Manager in Whistler; She is excited to work with community members to find sustainable solutions to curb the impact of climate change in our own community, and beyond.
Ari@squamishcan.net
Ari@squamishcan.net
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.
Marc-Andre@squamishcan.net
Marc-Andre@squamishcan.net
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.
Marie-eve@squamishcan.net
Marie-eve@squamishcan.net
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.
Sasha@squamishcan.net
Sasha@squamishcan.net
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.
*On leave
*On leave
Farrah T. Schwab - Valleycliffe Garden Coordinator
Farrah is a permaculturalist, eco-therapy guide and experienced environmental educator with a focus on helping others deepen their relationship with the more-than-human-world (nature!) . Born and raised in South Africa, she comes with a love for the sun, and for music (which she integrates into her daily life). She is a part time hobby herbalist with a love for making medicinal tea blends. When she's not out in the garden, or blending teas she's playing private music events, singing at local yoga studios or putting together creative community events.
Liam Trewhitt
A lover of the outdoors, when not working on the school farm or gardens Liam can be found outside on his bike. An avid mountain bike racer, Liam is always looking for adventure!
Kelly Mapleston- Waste Auditor
Kelly the walking Waste Auditor
Favourite app: Waste wizard
Last thing to look up on waste wizard : plastic coat hangers!
Favorite post waste audit beverage: ice matcha
With a passion for making a difference and a love of walking, Waste Auditing in our Squamish neighbourhoods is a great way to spend a summer morning for Kelly.
Kelly is enjoying learning about all the new items that can be recycled in BC and then where to take them if they can't be placed in the curbside tote. Having recently moved to Canada from Australia she knows how important it is to educate new comers and locals alike. As items that can be collected curbside in some places (like Glass) can not be collected here, instead you can take them to the depot.
Be sure to say hi and ask Kelly any questions if you see her out and about
Favourite app: Waste wizard
Last thing to look up on waste wizard : plastic coat hangers!
Favorite post waste audit beverage: ice matcha
With a passion for making a difference and a love of walking, Waste Auditing in our Squamish neighbourhoods is a great way to spend a summer morning for Kelly.
Kelly is enjoying learning about all the new items that can be recycled in BC and then where to take them if they can't be placed in the curbside tote. Having recently moved to Canada from Australia she knows how important it is to educate new comers and locals alike. As items that can be collected curbside in some places (like Glass) can not be collected here, instead you can take them to the depot.
Be sure to say hi and ask Kelly any questions if you see her out and about
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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.
Kari Chambers
Kari is a Project Coordinator for two local non-profits in the Health sector and has an educational background in Anthropology and indigenous studies. She first became involved
with Squamish CAN through the community gardens. Kari spends her free time working in the garden, volunteering with Squamish Streamkeepers, and exploring the outdoors. Kari is passionate about growing food locally, protecting our riparian habitats, and reducing waste in our community.
with Squamish CAN through the community gardens. Kari spends her free time working in the garden, volunteering with Squamish Streamkeepers, and exploring the outdoors. Kari is passionate about growing food locally, protecting our riparian habitats, and reducing waste in our community.
Hilal Savas
Hilal is a circular economy specialist with over a decade of experience in project management, business development, and sustainability across various industries. Her expertise spans waste reduction strategies, circular projects, and a particular emphasis on the built environment and reusable packaging systems.
Currently, Hilal works as a consultant, focusing on empowering communities to embrace circular thinking and supporting their transition to a net-zero future. She firmly believes in the power of local communities and local innovation. As a mentor at the Project Zero incubator in BC for the past three years, Hilal actively contributes to finding scalable solutions that work best for communities. Hilal is excited and honoured to contribute as a member of the Squamish CAN Board of Directors, to help shape a future for the community that is both waste-free and equitable.
Currently, Hilal works as a consultant, focusing on empowering communities to embrace circular thinking and supporting their transition to a net-zero future. She firmly believes in the power of local communities and local innovation. As a mentor at the Project Zero incubator in BC for the past three years, Hilal actively contributes to finding scalable solutions that work best for communities. Hilal is excited and honoured to contribute as a member of the Squamish CAN Board of Directors, to help shape a future for the community that is both waste-free and equitable.
Hayden Gould
Hayden believes that it’s in communities, like Squamish, where small actions can lead to big
impact in creating a more sustainable future. Squamish CAN creates the platform for any member of the Squamish community to get involved, learn, ask questions, and change to
produce the most positive impact. With a background in sustainable development, Hayden has
worked in waste reduction and energy/emissions management roles. He would love the opportunity to support Squamish CAN, as a Director on the Board, in its zero waste and
energy/emissions management projects.
impact in creating a more sustainable future. Squamish CAN creates the platform for any member of the Squamish community to get involved, learn, ask questions, and change to
produce the most positive impact. With a background in sustainable development, Hayden has
worked in waste reduction and energy/emissions management roles. He would love the opportunity to support Squamish CAN, as a Director on the Board, in its zero waste and
energy/emissions management projects.
Gizem Kaya
Gizem works as the Food Security Programs and Community Development Manager at WCSS. Her education is in Developmental, Economic and Environmental issues in International Studies. With a background in fundraising for environmental non-profits, she looks forward to contributing to Squamish CAN and is dedicated learning and decolonization.
Jane Raycraft
Jane is excited to share her deep experience as an accountant with a sustainability perspective,
based on an interdisciplinary master’s degree that links sustainability to accounting. Jane has
an understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with climate action here in
the Sea to Sky based on a recent sustainable forestry project with the Howe Sound Biosphere
Region Initiative (HSBRI). In addition to bringing great non-profit volunteer experience, she is
committed to the mission and values of Squamish CAN and believes that the organization has
the potential to make a significant impact on the sustainability and resilience of the Squamish
community.
based on an interdisciplinary master’s degree that links sustainability to accounting. Jane has
an understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with climate action here in
the Sea to Sky based on a recent sustainable forestry project with the Howe Sound Biosphere
Region Initiative (HSBRI). In addition to bringing great non-profit volunteer experience, she is
committed to the mission and values of Squamish CAN and believes that the organization has
the potential to make a significant impact on the sustainability and resilience of the Squamish
community.
Pamela McGarel
Pam is a sustainability consultant and entrepreneur with a specialty in responsible tourism. She runs a small-group educational travel company in BC, Mosaic Earth Travel, along with various side projects for the Squamish Community Foundation and supporting businesses in adopting sustainability initiatives. Pam is excited to contribute her passion for change and skills in project management and community engagement to Squamish CAN & #39;s important programs.
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