Board of Directors

Jeff Sheldrake (he/him)

Chair

Occupation

Executive Director, BC Public Service

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

I have held several leadership positions related to land management, property negotiations, infrastructure development, natural resource and conservation project implementation and Indigenous relations.  My employment experience includes positions in the BC public service, local government, residential real estate sales and mortgage brokerage.  I have a degree in geography from the University of Victoria, and hold professional diplomas in Urban Land Economics and project management.

Interest and Vision for TLC

I am very interested in supporting the vision laid out by TLC in its current Strategic Plan.  I feel that the values, principles and objectives described in the plan align well with my own values for conservation.

Other Organizations:

• Board of Directors, Victoria Heritage Foundation:  2018 – present
• Chapter Director, Real Estate Institute of British Columbia:  2001-2007

Dr. Paleah Moher has more than a decade of experience in the field of environmental toxicology and human health risk assessment. She has detailed knowledge of conducting human health risk assessments in multiple routes of exposure, such as air, water, and food, for various types of contaminants and pollution. Paleah sits as a scientific advisor for the Federal Government’s pesticide management agency, has chaired various working groups and advisory teams, and often lectures at various universities. She is a UN recognized global expert on the health impacts of artisanal gold mining, mercury, with many years of experience developing and implementing successful occupational health and safety programming. As someone from the Canadian Arctic with strong familial ties to the Inuit, she has a deep appreciation for the value of community engagement and Indigenous ways of knowing.

Kelly Fretwell works on science communication and community science with the Hakai Institute. Her initial love of B.C.’s coastal ecology came from exploring shorelines and forests while growing up on the Saanich Peninsula, followed by inspiring field-based courses focused on biodiversity and restoration during her BSc in biology and environmental studies at the University of Victoria. Kelly also has a Masters of Marine Management from Dalhousie University, with a focus on the environmental assessment processes and cumulative effects issues surrounding shipping impacts on focal species in the Salish Sea. Prior to working for Hakai, Kelly’s employment experience was similarly focused on biodiversity and connecting people to their local nature in non-profit and academic settings: she was a citizen science project coordinator with the B.C. Parks Foundation, an ecosystems technician with the Mayne Island Conservancy, and a research assistant with the Starzomski Biodiversity Lab at UVic—where she developed a species identification website for B.C.’s central coast.

Frances Sloan Sainas (she/her)

Director

Occupation

Retired Educator, former manager in the hospitality industry.

Involvement with TLC

My relationship with TLC began in 2001 when I was working at the Open Learning Agency and completing my Masters Degree in Leadership and Training at Royal Roads University. TLC sponsored my major project, Building an Educational Strategy for TLC. Since 2001, I have been an active member, TLC Lower Mainland Committee representative, financial supporter of TLC and a member of the Board since 2015.

Interest and Vision for TLC

I applaud the past and especially the current TLC Board for their service and work to make TLC once again a leader in conservation. I am invigorated by the positive growth and direction of TLC and want to continue to be part of the leadership team. It is an exciting time to be involved with conservation. TLC has an opportunity to be part of the federal government’s commitment “to protect 30% of our territory by 2030” with TLC’s covenant program and land protection initiatives. TLC is also part of the solution with First Nations reconciliation through projects like SISȻENEM (Halibut Island) with the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council. Finally, linked to my Masters degree, TLC has become a leader in naturalists education with TLC’s Deertrails program. I want to continue to serve on the TLC Board and work with TLC’s devoted and competent staff to ensure that TLC’s future remains sustainable and impactful.

Penny Crawford

Director

Occupation

Retired Senior Human Resources Professional

Skills, knowledge and/or experience

My career spans 30 years of experience in human resources, working in the for-profit sector with organizations as small as 50 employees to global publicly traded companies with 25,000 employees.  I have deep experience in employee development, change management, coaching leaders, recruitment and team building.  Four years of my career was spent living in the southern hemisphere, giving me exposure to the people and culture of Australia and New Zealand.  Key skills gained through work/life experience include: objectivity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence and conflict resolution.

Interest and Vision for TLC

To support TLC in delivering on the goals set out in the strategic plan.  My values are aligned with TLC and I believe we all have the responsibility to protect the land, plants, animals and water as they are the precious resources that must be nurtured for all the coming generations.

Involvement with TLC

I have been a member of TLC since 2023.

Other Organisations

Dogwood BC – since 2018
Abkhazi Garden Volunteer – since 2021
Victoria Climate Action Team – since 2022

Gina Delimari

Vice Chair

Occupation

Mediator.

Skills, knowledge and/or experience

I have a BA in Political Science (McGill University, 1988), and MBA (Royal Roads University, 2003) and a Certificate in Conflict Resolution: Third-Party Intervention (Justice Institute of BC, 2019).

I offer mediation services for two party and multi-party disputes and stakeholder facilitation services. My mediation areas of interest are: land use; First Nations issues; inter-governmental issues; natural resource/environment issues; high-conflict personalities; public policy issues; landlord-tenant issues; company-community engagement; stakeholder engagement; employment/workplace issues. I am experienced in resolving complex, multi-party, difficult disputes in high profile, high conflict areas with major financial implications through collaborative conversations. I have negotiated agreements to settle land use conflicts with Indigenous groups, federal-provincial land and cash transfers, and workplace contractual disputes.

Involvement with TLC

I have been a member of TLC since 2023.

Other organizations

I volunteer on the Practice and Calls to Action Committees of the Mediate BC board of directors. I am also on the Conflict Intervention Service roster of the Bar Association of San Francisco assisting parties in residential and commercial real estate disputes.

Bil Hetherington

Director

Occupation

Principal, New Wave Advisory

Skills, knowledge and/or experience

Bil Hetherington has worked in the energy, mining, and chemicals sectors in Canada and around the world and is currently Principal for New Wave Advisory, a consulting firm focused on helping companies thrive through the energy transition. His skill set includes public affairs, regulatory affairs, communications, and stakeholder relations, with a specialization in capital project stakeholder risk management.

Bil moved to Victoria, British Columbia in 2021 with his wife and two children.

Involvement with TLC

Bil has been a member of TLC since 2024.  Bil is committed to helping the world achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals and is passionate about conservation and preserving biodiversity.

Other organizations

Bil has served as a volunteer and board member for various initiatives in the communities he has lived in and in his role as an energy transition leader.

Casey Macaulay

Director

Occupation

General Manager of the Wells Gray Community Forest in Clearwater, B.C.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

I have worked in various capacities in the BC forest sector from technical field work in planning forestry activities, to developing partnerships with Indigenous communities. I pivoted to regulatory work and have been the registrar for the forestry profession since 2014. I have a diploma in forest technology, a degree in forest management and a masters in conflict analysis and management.

Involvement with TLC 

To support the TLC in organizational excellence and strengthening partnerships while contributing to the conservation of biodiversity in BC. Climate change and habitat loss are a growing concern to the people of BC and it is important to find tools to mitigate this.

Other Organizations

I am a Registered Professional Forester. I am also a visual artist, woodworker and member of the Kamloops Art Council. I sit on the program advisory panel for the BC Institute of Technology (Forest and Natural Areas program) and the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (Natural Resources Technology program.)

I have worked in various capacities in the BC forest sector from technical field work in planning forestry activities, to developing partnerships with Indigenous communities. I pivoted to regulatory work and have been the registrar for the forestry profession since 2014. I have a diploma in forest technology, a degree in forest management and a masters in conflict analysis and management.

Hassan Arif (He/Him)

Director

Occupation

Treaty Implementation Manager – Government of British Columbia, Ministry of Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation
Adjunct Assistant Professor – University of Victoria, School of Public Administration

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

My background encompasses work in the public sector and academia in land use, economic development, and First Nations Relations.

I currently work on the implementation of modern treaties with First Nations with the B.C. Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. This work has included developing, with federal and First Nations partners, implementation plans for treaties and supporting and facilitating First Nations voting on initialed modern treaties. My previous roles in the British Columbia government include land use policy and development of legislation with the Ministry of Forests and with the Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation.

I have also worked as a lawyer for the New Brunswick government and has worked as a university instructor at the University of Victoria and the University of New Brunswick where courses he has taught include Urban and Regional Economic Development and Sociology of Law.

Involvement with TLC 

My vision is to support the conservation of valuable natural sites in British Columbia, to communicate the work of TLC to a broad audience, and to support positive relations with First Nations on land use and conservation.

Other Organizations

Member of the Law Society of British Columbia.

John Allen

Director

Occupation

Natural Resource Development Consultant

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

As a manager and Registered Professional Forester (Ret) in natural resource development and operations, with over 25 years of broad and diverse experience in British Columbia and Ontario, I understand how to engage and work collaboratively with industry, government, and community stakeholders to navigate government policy and land tenure regulations to reach a goal.

During my career, I have had the opportunity to work closely with several B.C. First Nations communities on development initiatives. These collaborations introduced me to their rich cultural heritage and traditional knowledge. I gained an understanding of the impact that colonization has had on First Nations People and the land, and a belief in the value of co-management of natural resources and special places by a collaboration of western science and traditional knowledge. I believe that co-management can advance reconciliation and strengthen relationships between First Nations and other stakeholders. It will also contribute to the vision of The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC).

Involvement with TLC 

I bring to TLC a commitment to preserve special places and the value they add to the quality of life of British Columbians – now and into the future.

Andrew Morgan

Director

Occupation

I am currently helping the Canada Water Agency to develop their first strategic plan (part time). I am a semi-retired after working 31 years with the government of British Columbia.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

I have an undergraduate degree in Political Science from Carleton University, and a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Victoria. I have worked across both federal and provincial governments in a variety of capacities, mainly in the area of policy and regulatory development. Throughout my career, I have managed people, programs and budgets. I have worked on both the social side of government and the natural resource side.

Interest and Vision for TLC

TLC’s, mission, vision and values resonate with me. I want to give back to British Columbia and Canada by protecting biological diversity for the benefit of current and future generations. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as well as the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals offer foundational guidance to my approach.

Other Organizations/Interests

I have been a volunteer with Saanich Volunteer Services Society for a few years. I also like to get out on the ocean in a canoe, go snorkelling, play hockey and go hiking. Baking, cooking and home repairs also keep me busy.