Our Team
Executive Director - Lex van der Raadt formed an interest in the environment from growing up on stories of adventure and exploration. His voracious appetite for knowledge led to degrees in archaeology and English, and a thirst for sharing with others all he has learned. In his spare time, Lex enjoys culinary experimentation, creative writing, and designing games.
Fund Development and Membership Coordinator - Crystal Mackenzie is a born and raised Calgarian. Her environmental consciousness began at an early age when the 3Rs, composting, and reusable grocery bags were everyday things in her home, long before it was common practice. Since then, her passion for a clean, safe environment for everyone has only gotten stronger. Her post-secondary schooling focused on education and communication techniques, and she uses this to share her deep passion for water and watershed health. Crystal also runs a local literary magazine, and is a creative writer and editor, in her spare time.
Bookkeeper - Surina Gupta
Program Staff
Specialist, Green Workplace - Grace Wark has always been fascinated by the nature in her own backyard. Growing up exploring places like Nose Hill Park and Inglewood Bird Sanctuary sparked a curiosity for how wildlife persist within our cities and what we can do to co-exist within the urban landscape. After completing studies in Environmental Science and Geography, Grace started her career in the conservation sector, where she gained a strong interest in using community-based tools to support local ecosystems. She is excited to work with Calgary’s communities to promote sustainable ways of living and working in our beautiful city. Outside of work, Grace enjoys nurturing her veggie patch, exploring Calgary’s local wetlands and creating digital art.
Coordinator, Green Kids & Generation Green - Kyra Owens has a passion for science communication. From her time at the University of Calgary, she found her love for plants and conservation, graduating with a Bachelor's in Plant Biology. From there, her work with summer camps and the Calgary Horticultural Society has led to her desire to teach kids about the wonders of our environment, especially through hands-on learning. Overall, Kyra has a desire to inspire a future generation of scientists. Outside of work, she enjoys tending to her houseplants, hiking, baking, and cooking.
Educator, Green Kids & Generation Green - Nancy Selin is a nurse with a great passion for teaching and learning. She has great memories of camping as a child and now as a mother of 3, she does the same with her family most weekends in the summer. A good camping weekend also includes an easy read and some bird watching. Her desire to learn more about how to care for our planet grew when she volunteered with her son's class on a field trip to the Material Recovery Facility. Together with her family, Nancy is learning how best we can care for the world in which we live and play.
Coordinator, Green Homes & Communities - Dawn Hardy
Community Outreach Specialist - Judi Vandenbrink has been enjoying environmental pursuits since she was a child. Growing up just outside of Kamloops with the freedom to explore the area’s hills, creeks, and wildlife. She has made Calgary home since 1987 and has worked in the environmental sector for over 20 years; promoting sustainable building technologies, leading riparian restoration work, developing stewardship programs, organizing volunteers, leading tours, writing, presenting, and spreading the sustainability message. Judi has a BSc in Ecology from the University of Calgary, has attended numerous conferences and workshops. When she is not working she enjoys: kayaking, hiking, cycling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, gardening, music, pets, and exploring the natural environment with family and friends. She especially enjoys spending time with her 5 year old granddaughter.
