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.

Mel Lehan (he/him)

Director

Mel is a long time community activist who is interested in preserving and protecting special places.  Some of his successful projects include; saving a heritage church from being torn down and then turning it into a thriving community space – St. James Community Square;  preserving the character neighbourhood of West Kitsilano by getting a bylaw to stop demolition of houses in that area;  helping to have part of the Point Grey Foreshore declared a natural foreshore in perpetuity and thus not allowing development in this oasis of urban nature. Mel was also instrumental in bringing a Farmer’s Market to Kitsilano.

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.

Andrew Stewart (he/him)

Director

Occupation

Retired Lawyer.

Skills, knowledge and/or experience

Involvement in various not for profit boards with a particular focus on governance, finance and member communication. Problem solving and analytical skills developed during a 38 year career as a practising solicitor in Victoria, B.C. My legal practice included corporate small businesses, not for profits, First Nations, professionals and individuals. I also acted as the Managing Partner for Cook Roberts LLP, a Victoria law firm, which included as many as 24 lawyers and 30 plus support staff during my management tenure. I gained considerable experience in managing professionals and organizing an extensive and varied support structure.

Interest in TLC

To assist TLC in fulfilling its mandate of long term support for and growth in conservation covenants in B.C. To promote and enhance the reputation of TLC as a stable and effective agent for conservation for the benefit of many future generations. To promote TLC’s development of collaborative relationships with other conservation organizations, First Nations and all levels of government.

Other Organizations

• Board Member/VP – YM-YWCA of Victoria
• Board Member/Chair – Maxwell International Baha’i School
• Board Member/Treasurer – Victoria Bar Association
• Board Member – Bays United Youth Soccer Association
• Partner/ Managing Partner – Cook Roberts LLP
• Legal Advisor – Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group Society

Penny Crawford

Director

Occupation

Retired Senior Human Resources Professional

Skills, knowledge and/or experience

I am a retired, senior human resources professional with proven results in the areas of employee development, coaching, change management and facilitation. Growing up my chores included weeding and watering our large vegetable garden. I believe this foundation fostered my deep appreciation and respect for the natural environment. I enjoyed helping my dad when he became a beekeeper. Through my mom’s work at a garden center, I landed a summer job. I have always felt energized by getting my hands in the soil and can often be found talking to birds and petting plants. In retirement, I have spent time with family, volunteering, environmental advocacy work and riding my bike. I’ve been involved with the movement to save old growth trees in BC for the past 2 years.

Interest and Vision for TLC

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.

Gina Delimari

Director

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.

ve 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 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.