Our Team

Kathryn's Bio

We have our own secret energy source, and it’s called Kathryn. She energizes and inspires the entire education team, with her incredible vision and positivity.

Kathryn is an enthusiastic, experienced science educator, who loves to play a role in creating aha moments for others. When light bulbs start going on, you know Kathryn is in her element, engaging others in learning which makes the future bright and full of promise.

• Director - Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication
• Alberta Emerald Foundation Judging Panel

Jill's Bio

Jill has been with Inside Education since 2008. In those days you could find her leading students through Alberta’s forests, co-chairing youth summits, and learning alongside amazing teachers.

After a brief hiatus, Jill hung up her hiking boots and began working behind the scenes as our Operations Manager.  

• Acadia School Parent Advisory Society
• Director on the Acadia Community Garden and Art Society

Jayme's Bio

As a youth at 4-H summer camp, Jayme’s world opened up to environment, sustainability, and community issues. She learned the importance of education and shared perspectives.

Jayme loves watching people’s faces light up when they make important connections, and see the world in a new way. It starts with the opportunity to explore and discover. That’s the promise behind every sunrise and the reason Jayme wakes up every morning.

Laura's Bio

We have our roots in forest education, which brought Laura to our door. Laura is an impressive and competent educator, completing her double Masters in both environmental management at UNB, and science in forestry and agriculture at the University of Eastern Finland.

She is a leader, mentor and teacher in both team sports and the classroom. Laura brings a unique perspective and depth of experience to our part of the woods.

Chloe's Bio

Chloe brings a range of communication experience to the Inside Education team, including non-profit, corporate, and government. She has provided leadership, great ideas, and new direction to the team.

When Chloe isn’t working, you can find her with her husband chasing their kids around, hopefully outside somewhere!

Natalie's Bio

Natalie is a Program Manager out of the Edmonton office and her professional passion is sharing her excitement about nature with students!

She has a background in Conservation Biology and Secondary Education and has found her dream job in a place where she can be the fun class guest and teach the topics she loves the most.

Born and raised in Alberta, Natalie loves the summer in Edmonton, cats, camping, and knitting, and her favourite field trip activity is pond dipping!

Adean's Bio

Adean comes from Edmonton and spent her childhood exploring the great outdoors that Alberta has to offer. Adean took her love of nature and applied it to her studies.

She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Alberta, and then moved abroad to study for her Master of Science in Forest and Nature Conservation from Wageningen University.

Adean is super excited to use her passion and knowledge of the environment to inspire the next generation. Her hobbies include hiking, camping, skiing, or nerding out about Star Wars. 

Kat's Bio

Kat (she/her) hails from Calgary and spends most weekends hiking, camping, riding horses, or cross country skiing!

Inspired by the enjoyment of the outdoors and her passion for the environment, she attended Lakehead University and received an Honours Bachelor of Outdoor Recreation where she studied accessible recreation, expedition management, and rural tourism.

Kat loves teaching about wetlands and watersheds especially, so be ready to nerd out about aquatic invertebrates if you give her the chance.

• Member of the Youth and Young Professionals Committee - Bow River Basin Council

Braeden's Bio

Braeden graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences and Bachelor of Education in Secondary Science from the University of Calgary.

With Braeden’s science classroom teaching experience, he strives to bring relevant hands-on learning opportunities to students and teachers alike. He loves “light-bulb moments” from students and encourages everyone to make authentic connections with the real world.

Braeden brings enthusiasm and a love for nature to every program he leads—always ready with a nature pun whenever he can sneak one in! Outside of work, Braeden enjoys hiking, baking sourdough, and playing disc golf.

• Former Director - Calgary Region Airshed Zone

Dan's Bio

Dan (he/him) is a born-and-raised Calgarian who has spent the majority of his professional career eating his way through the Canadian food and beverage scene.

Although he was initially in search of great-tasting food, what he found instead was a passion for both the environment and his local community.

When Dan isn’t working, you can likely find him shooting hoops on a neighbourhood basketball court, riding his bike through Calgary’s vast pathway network, or exploring the wonder of the Canadian Rockies. 

Ilana's Bio

Armed with a degree in Environmental and Conservation Sciences from the University of Alberta, Ilana (she/her) is passionate about all things nature and sustainability.

From the vast grasslands, to the mucky bogs, Ilana has navigated all of Alberta’s ecosystems. She loves talking energy, and is eager to share her knowledge and experience in the fields of Land Reclamation and Oil and Gas with students and teachers.

In her free time, Ilana can be found reading, hiking, or practicing her photography skills.

Julie's Bio

Growing up in Calgary and on Vancouver Island, and now living in Edmonton, Julie spends as much time as she can outside, whether that’s hiking, camping, surfing, cross country skiing, or birdwatching.

Her love for the outdoors led her to pursue a degree in Environmental Science. While in university, she discovered her passion for Environmental Education, and she loves creating meaningful and memorable experiences for both students and teachers.

Terri's Bio

Terri grew up close to the Rocky Mountains and has done extensive hiking and biking through the many trails it has to offer.

She loved being out in nature so much that she went to school for Outdoor Education and Adventure Tourism so she could get paid to play outside everyday. She even studied in Norway for a period of time, learning about Friluftslive which translates “open air living” or the love of outdoor living.

When she is not outside seeking out adventures you can find her in her garden, trying out new hydroponic techniques, or practicing American Sign Language.

• Diploma - Adventure Tourism Outdoor Recreation
• Certificate - Level 3 ASL

Katie's Bio

Katie (she/her) grew up in Calgary and enjoys spending her free time going out to the mountains to go hiking, camping and skiing.

Graduating from the University of Lethbridge with a degree in General Science and Science Education, she gained valuable teaching experience and is passionate about providing exciting, hands-on learning opportunities for both students and teachers.

While in university, Katie discovered a passion for environmental and outdoor education and loves to see students getting outside and learning from the environment.

Mackenzie's Bio

Mackenzie graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Secondary Education, specializing in chemistry and earth and atmospheric sciences.

Driven by a passion for teaching and a love for the natural world, her goal is to inspire all to explore science through outdoor and hands-on experiences. Whether it’s hiking up a trail, paddleboarding across a lake or camping in the mountains, Mackenzie faces the outdoors with infectious enthusiasm.

Mackenzie believes that learning should also be an adventure, and that science can be a blast in and out of the classroom!

Lainey's Bio

Lainey (she/her) grew up in a small town outside of Edmonton and has always been a nerd for nature! Her love for all creatures, furry, slimy, and everything in between, inspired her to pursue an education in Conservation Biology.

Nothing makes Lainey happier than telling everyone about random nature facts that are always ready in her back pocket! She loves teaching students and teachers about how even the smallest critters can make the biggest difference.

Outside of work she loves hiking, kayaking, attempting to ID plants and bugs, and enjoying a good book with a large cup of coffee.

Neil's Bio

Neil is a high school teacher at St. Albert High School. Neil is a veteran of many of Inside Education’s adventures, including oil sands and agriculture professional development programs, he’s come with us on A+ for Energy adventures, and as one of Alberta’s leaders in ag-education, really helped us launch our own agriculture education programs in 2016.

In addition to numerous agriculture education projects in his school, Neil also led a group of students from Morinville High to the international Envirothon in North Carolina. Neil’s vast experience and background includes two terms as the youngest-ever Councillor for the City of St. Albert.

Vicki's Bio

Vicki is the Executive Director of Environmental Innovation at Alberta Innovates. In addition to being recognized as one of Canada’s Young Women in Energy award winners, Vicki has been a speaker at multiple Inside Education events over the past few years and always appreciates the enthusiasm the students and teachers have for learning.

She plans to continue to connect and share leading edge research with the Inside Education programs in her role on the Board. . When she isn’t working, Vicki can be found exploring with her two young boys.

Billy-Joe's Bio

Billy-Joe has over 20 years of IT experience in the energy, municipal government, and retail industries. Currently, as General Manager, L48 Digital Technologies & Global Strategy, Billy-Joe is accountable for all Digital and IT services for ConocoPhillips.

With her passion for technology, she is also passionate about education and STEM. The opportunity to work with Inside Education to bring tangible experiences to the students aligns with her goals. She leads a volunteer-based organization called Girls Talk Tech, which aims to educate and empower young women to embrace technology for the future.

When she isn’t behind a computer, you can find her climbing mountains and cycling open roads.

Sithara's Bio

Sithara Fernando is a teacher, enjoys working outside and loves to engage with indigenous communities. Sithara enjoys travelling to new places, likes to take pictures, be outside and have fun with her dog. She is a passionate advocate for marginalized groups and volunteers extensively. She often blogs, enjoys writing, and one day hopes to write a book about all of her experiences. She is an avid reader, an engaged employee, and likes working as part of a team. She is a very kind and attentive individual who cares about all of the folks around her.

Sithara is currently a Natural Resources Manager for the Akisqnuk First Nation.

Amit's Bio

Senior-level environmental scientist with multi-disciplinary knowledge and experience in wildlife, biodiversity, nature, water and land management as well as stakeholder and Aboriginal engagement 20+ years of direct experience in the oil and gas sector, with a variety of development types, resource plays, and geographic regions Detailed knowledge of regulatory compliance and reporting requirements in western and northern Canada and western United States Leadership of multi-stakeholder and committee groups 20 years of direct staff and team building, management, leadership and supervision experience in the oil and gas industry and oil and gas service sectors

Amanda's Bio

Amanda’s spark for science ignited at an early age exploring nature with her family and grew into a flame for space as she followed Canada’s journey skyward. She teaches Junior High Science, Math, Coding, and STEAM classes in both English and French in Beaumont, Alberta.

She believes in creating authentic cross-curricular learning opportunities for her students to apply to real-world problems, fostering a generation of young people armed to build a better future.

Amanda has received numerous A+ for Energy grants, has been recognized provincially by the Alberta Teacher’s Association Science Council and nationally with a Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence in STEM.

Catherine's Bio

Cat is Legal Counsel at Enbridge on the Safety & Reliability Law team where she supports work related to lands, the environment, and safety.

Cat first joined Inside Education as a Forest Educator in 2017 during which time she delivered forest education programs in southern Alberta, and coordinated two of the forest field sites.

Cat now returns to Inside Education as a member of the Board with the hope of utilizing her previous experience as a staff member, passion for energy and environmental education, and legal acuity to support the organization.

Outside of work, you’ll find Cat coaching girls rugby, skiing, or running with her dog, Hazel.

Jason's Bio

Jason has a long history with Inside Education. Drawing from his science and education background, Jason worked as an Educator with Inside Education for many years in the 2000s.

Later, he grew to fill the role of Inside Education’s Program Director from 2008 to late 2011. Today, Jason’s day job has him busy as Director of Regulatory Systems with Alberta Energy and Minerals. He is thrilled to again be a part of the Inside Education family, now as a Board member.

Away from work, Jason enjoys all kinds of water and snow sports with his family, playing a variety of musical instruments, and spending time under his vintage Volkswagen buses.

Ben's Bio

Ben Cress is a Calgary-based environmental professional with over 15 years of experience in the energy sector. He focuses on finding practical, creative ways to reduce environmental impact while improving performance, bringing a broad perspective shaped by working through a wide range of environmental challenges. While he offers an industry lens, his core passion is environmental stewardship and finding solutions that work in the real world.

 Ben was first introduced to Inside Education at a youth summit and has remained engaged ever since, drawn to its hands-on approach and its focus on curiosity, critical thinking, and the exploration of complex issues from multiple perspectives.

 As a board member, Ben is excited to support Inside Education’s work to help students and educators better understand the connections among energy, the environment, and everyday life.

Allison's Bio

Allison Mostowich is an experienced engagement and outreach professional in the areas of internal and external communications, energy efficiency, innovation commercialization, conventional resources, regulatory environments and small business start ups.

She has led teams and managed programs at the Energy Resources Conservation Board, the Alberta Energy Regulator, Energy Efficiency Alberta (where we first met Allison), Emissions Reduction Alberta, Efficiency Canada and now with FortisAlberta.

Her experience working with multiple levels of government, multiple leadership levels in organizations and businesses throughout the province has built Allison’s strong focus on an inclusive and practical approach to decision-making and implementation.