Kristen Foxcroft

Keyara's Bio

Keyara Carifelle is a member of the Bigstone Cree Nation located in Northern Alberta. Keyara is a recent alumnae from the University of Alberta with a bachelor of arts in Native Studies and a minor in Political Science. Currently, Keyara is an Assistant Implementation Officer for the Federal Government in Northern Forestry.

Keyara’s roles are to assist with grants and contributions for The Indigenous Forestry Initiative Program, as well as deliver Indigenous Knowledge to federal employees through our Knowledge Exchange Program and our Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Program. Keyara is grateful to work alongside the Elder-in-Residence, and many other Elders throughout Turtle Island in helping to braid Indigenous Knowledge with Western Sciences, while providing Cultural competency training.

Northern Forestry Centre

Stephanie's Bio

Stephanie Leonard (She/Her) was brought on by Aseniwuche Winewak Nation of Canada in 2017 in the roll of Environmental Coordinator. As part of the Land and Resource Department, Stephanie assists with environmental projects, consultation activities, GIS mapping, and is the Program Manager for AWN’s Caribou Patrol Program, which received an Emerald Award in the Wildlife and Biodiversity category in 2023.

Stephanie loves being outdoors near the small mountain town of Grande Cache, where she lives, spending time camping, hiking, and horseback riding. She is passionate about the work she does with caribou and on the environment.

Aseniwuche Winewak Nation of Canada

Jessica's Bio

Jess is passionate about creating connections between people and forests. A graduate from University of Toronto’s Master of Forest Conservation program, Jessica (Jess) Kaknevicius has spent over 15 years in the non-profit sector including nearly nine years with Forests Ontario in a range of management and director roles between 2009 and 2018, focusing on growing education and awareness programming, fundraising, and supporting strategic development for the organization.

She also acted as the Vice-President of Education for the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), where she played a critical senior leadership role overseeing philanthropic efforts and government agreements, governance, and supporting strategic planning and communications. She is a well-known advocate for the forest sector and co-founded Women in Wood, a networking group for women in the forest and wood-related sectors to share advice, information, and encouragement.

Forests Ontario

Women in Wood

Ben's Bio

Ben Cress is an environmental enthusiast with a passion for sustainability and conservation. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and over 10 years of hands-on experience in the energy sector, Ben has led numerous initiatives including emissions reductions, waste management, water management and biodiversity conservation.

His expertise includes environmental regulations and compliance and finding innovative solutions to complex environmental challenges. Ben is passionate about reconnecting people with nature and changing how we value the services and wisdom nature offers.

Keyera