Staff

Tegan Moss

Tegan Moss (she/her/they/them) is the Executive Director at GreenUP. Tegan has a Bachelor’s of Arts, with Honours, in Environmental Studies from Trent University and is an award-winning leader. Since 2010, Tegan has been working to increase climate resilience by teaching community building, active transportation, and sustainable gardening. As the former Executive Director at B!KE, Tegan grew a small grassroots organization into one of the highest capacity community bike shops in Canada. Tegan recently served as an executive on Board of Directors for the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area and Vélo Canada Bikes. Tegan is energized by working with people to achieve beautiful things. As the Executive Director at GreenUP Tegan strives to engage community in addressing the climate crisis. In her free time Tegan can often be found riding her mountain bike in the Ganaraska Forest or with dirty hands in her wild and wonderful garden.

705-745-3238 Ext. 203 | tegan.moss@greenup.on.ca

Vern Bastable (he/him) is the Director of GreenUP Ecology Park and Landscape Programs. Vern has been an integral part of GreenUP’s urban forest program and the operations of the tree nursery in GreenUP Ecology Park. He earned an Ecosystem Management Diploma from Fleming College and is an Ontario certified tree seed collector. Vern’s expertise is with urban forest management and municipal heritage tree designation.

705-745-3238 Ext. 217 | vern.bastable@greenup.on.ca

Christy Leslie (she/her) is the Director of Finance and Operations. Christy has over 25 years of office/finance/payroll experience and non-profit experience in social services, health care, social justice, and philanthropy prior to working at GreenUP. Christy is excited to see Peterborough continue to evolve into a more sustainable community. While while toy poodles are part of the family, they (her husband and Christy, not the dogs) enjoy antiquing, and adding to their pottery mug collection. Besides that, Christy (AND the dogs) enjoy playing outside or watching CFL football, cooking shows and true crime stories.

705-745-3238 Ext. 215| christy.leslie@greenup.on.ca

Natalie Stephenson (she/her) is the Director of Programs, for school and business programs. Natalie has a Bachelor’s of Arts, with Honours, in Environmental Resource Studies and Sociology from Trent University. She is passionate about the intersections between social and environmental problems. Natalie has a host of experience in grassroots community organizing. When she’s not working on Green Economy Peterborough, you will find Natalie riding on our local trails with her two kiddos, and volunteering on community projects, including King Edward Community Garden and Peterborough VegFest.

705-745-3238 Ext. 223 | natalie.stephenson@greenup.on.ca

Clara Blakelock (she/her) is a Program Manager & Registered Energy Advisor with GreenUP, performing home energy audits. Before starting with Green UP, Clara spent six years with Green Communities Canada as a project manager working on initiatives to advance transformative green infrastructure in Canadian communities. Clara has a Master’s in Engineering and Public Policy from McMaster University, and has received her Advanced Certificate in Sustainable Energy Management. She volunteers on the Peterborough Environmental Advisory Committee. She also spends time mending, sewing, cycling, and wrangling her young children.

clara.blakelock@greenup.on.ca

Ashley Burnie (she/her) is a Program Coordinator at GreenUP working with Shifting Gears and Active School Travel Peterborough. Ashley holds a Bachelor’s of Arts, with Honours, in Global Development Studies from Queen’s University, a post-grad in Project Management from University of Toronto and is a member of the Project Management Institute. Ashley comes about her love of planning and executing projects by way of 10 years of organic farming, where she also found time to become a Red Seal Chef. Ashey is a passionate proponent of people of all bodies and abilities feeling empowered and safe to access active transportation and outdoor spaces. When Ashley isn’t planning events or making spreadsheets, you can find her riding her road bike, sewing her wardrobe or taking very slow nature walks with her young family.

ashley.burnie@greenup.on.ca

Jackie Donaldson (she/her) is the Hub Coordinator for Green Economy Peterborough. Jackie has thirty years of experience in the non-profit, public health, municipal, and small business sectors. Jackie has a Bachelor of Arts Honours (Anthropology), Bachelor of Education, and Master of Arts (Sustainability Studies) from Trent University. She is a Sustainability Excellence Associate with the International Society of Sustainability Professionals and has a certificate in Non-Profit Leadership from Fleming College. Jackie is an active community volunteer who has been on numerous boards and steering committees. She is currently the chair of B!KE. While activating climate engagement and action is central to how Jackie moves in the world, she also loves a good adventure: canoe tripping with her family; exploring towns and communities, including her own; cycling whenever she can, and; seeking out (and sampling) butter tarts listed on the Kawarthas Northumberland Butter Tart Tour.

jackie.donaldson@greenup.on.ca

Hayley Goodchild (she/her) is a Program Coordinator at GreenUP. Her professional interests include ecological landscape design, green infrastructure, and all forms of collaborative climate action! Hayley has coordinated a variety of projects and programs at GreenUP since 2018. She has a Certificate in Landscape Design from Toronto Metropolitan University, a PhD in Environmental History from McMaster University, and an Honours BA in International Development Studies from Trent University. She enjoys traveling, making compost, talking to plants, and otherwise puttering in her garden.

705-745-3238 Ext. 213 | hayley.goodchild@greenup.on.ca

Laura Keresztesi (she/her) is a Program Coordinator at GreenUP. Laura holds a Bachelor’s of Community Design from Dalhousie University and a post-graduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems from Fleming College. Since graduating, Laura has enjoyed working in the field of community development in a variety of different capacities. From helping to plant kitchen gardens in Tegucigalpa to working in a Toronto City Councillor’s office, Laura has been honoured to have the opportunity to work directly with neighbours, forming meaningful relationships and partnerships while working towards shared goals. Currently, Laura leads the municipal Rain Garden Subsidy Program in collaboration with the City of Peterborough and is also leading the NeighbourHOODs program. Laura is grateful for any opportunity to be outside. She enjoys gardening, camping, cycling, pottery and is always eager to explore and imagine the world with her young children – as long as she’s had her morning quota of Yorkshire Gold.

705-745-3238 Ext. 206 | laura.keresztesi@greenup.on.ca

Eileen Kimmett (she/her) is a Program Coordinator for the GreenUP Store and Resource Centre. Eileen has been interested and concerned about the environment since her teens and is excited to be a part of the GreenUP team. Eileen is an avid volunteer who supports a variety of causes, she loves and supports Downtown Peterborough. Along with her family, she is frequently seen shopping or enjoying treats at local shops and restaurants. Eileen is a proud mom of three teenagers and was a stay-at-home parent for many years. In her down time, Eileen tends to her pollinator gardens and raises Monarch Butterflies. Outside of work and dining you might find her weightlifting, running, or cycling with her husband Joel.

705-745-3238 Ext. 222 | eileen.kimmett@greenup.on.ca

Bryn Magee (he/him) is a Registered Energy Advisor with GreenUP’s Residential Programs. In the past, Bryn volunteered for four years in the GreenUP Store and Resource Centre. Bryn has a Master’s in Environmental and Life Sciences from Trent University, an Advanced Cooperative Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Industrial) from Centennial College, and is a Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.) with the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT). Away from work, Bryn can be found enjoying the beautiful outdoors for all it has to offer through numerous activities.

bryn.magee@greenup.on.ca

Collin Richardson (he/him) is a Registered Energy Advisor with GreenUP’s Residential Programs, performing home energy audits. His position is supported by 15 years as an Avionics Maintenance Engineer, entrepreneurship and primary caregiver to his young children. Collin has an interest in helping people and the environment towards sustainability. Volunteering at animal shelters and adopting them at home, animals have always been a mainstay in his life. Outside of GreenUP, Collin can be found practicing Tai Chi, canoeing, reading, meditating and sharing experiences with his children.

collin.richardson@greenup.on.ca

Karen O’Krafka (she/her) is a Program Coordinator with GreenUP. She coordinates Ecology Park School Programs, Earth Adventures, Girl’s Climate Leadership, and the Peterborough Children’s Water Festival. Karen holds a Bachelor’s of Arts with Honours in International Development Studies with a focus on Sustainable Community Development from Guelph, and a Bachelor’s of Education in Outdoor and Experiential Education from Queen’s University. With Karen’s passion for environmental sustainability and education, she has spent two decades working and volunteering on both the west and east coast, as well as many local and international environmental non-profits, camps, outdoor education centres, schools, and conservation authorities. Karen creates and coordinates meaningful, action-oriented youth education on water and climate by weaving together her recent work for the community collaborative Pathway to Stewardship and Kinship, as a co-founder and instructor of Hardwood Nature School, and as a long-time board member with the Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario.

705-745-3238 Ext. 207 | karen.okrafka@greenup.on.ca

Lili Paradi (she/her) is the Communications Manager for GreenUP. She holds a Master of Science degree in Science Communication from the University of Edinburgh and a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Biology and Conservation. She is eager to share compelling and empowering stories to as many people about the nature of people and the planet. Behind the scenes, Lili is an avid hiker, traveler, book-lover and enjoys jumping into as many bodies of water as possible with her family and fluffy Hungarian Puli dog.

lili.paradi@greenup.on.ca

Natasha Sheward (she/her) is the Program Coordinator for Net Zero Farms, a Green Economy Peterborough Pilot Project. Natasha has a Bachelor of Commerce from Toronto Metropolitan University specializing in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and a Bachelor of Arts, with Honours, in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems from Trent University. When not working on Net Zero Farms, she is the Coordinator of the Trent Vegetable Gardens, a local field-to-table farm. Natasha is passionate about connecting her experiences in agriculture with her passion for community connection and co-learning to strengthen the local food system. She can be found on the weekend journaling in local coffee shops, preserving garden veggies, and indulging in all that the outdoors has to offer.

natasha.sheward@greenup.on.ca

Catriona Sinclair (she/her) is a Program Coordinator at GreenUP. She has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Humanities from the University of Toronto, is an Associate of the Ontario College of Art (now OCADU) and has diplomas in Career & Work Counselling, and Recreation & Leisure Studies. She is concerned about climate change and the environment, and is glad to be working in a position that helps create positive change. She and her husband, Angelo di Petta, a noted Canadian ceramic artist, together with their young daughter Gillian moved from downtown Toronto to an acreage near Millbrook 28 years ago and never looked back. Gillian’s rural upbringing is reflected in her career as Greenhouse Coordinator at Alderville First Nation Black Oak Savanna. Catriona loves observing nature, canoeing, swimming, hiking, and camping, having grown up with a cottage in Algonquin Park. Her other interests include sewing and weaving, where she exercises her passion for colour, as well as reading, watching TV, and feeding the birds.

catriona.sinclair@greenup.on.ca

Jessica Todd (she/her) is the Communications Assistant and GreenUP Store & Resource Centre Associate. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental and Resource Science from Trent University. Jessica is passionate about spreading environmental awareness and sustainability. She is excited to see Peterborough continue to evolve into a more sustainable community. Jessica hopes to see separated bicycle lanes and a green bin program in the future. Outside the office, Jessica enjoys cycling along the trails, spending time with family, baking, and crafting.

705-745-3238 Ext. 222| jessica.todd@greenup.on.ca