Our Team

Ashley Priem

Ashley Priem
Co-Executive Director

Born in England and raised in Winnipeg, Thunder Bay has been my home since the 90's. My love of nature and the outdoors steered me towards a degree in biology and then work as a park interpreter in Manitoba and Ontario, before settling in at EcoSuperior. I have had the pleasure of working at EcoSuperior since its inception in 1995 with a 9-year break in the middle to raise my children. My programs have changed over the years which keeps me on my toes and always learning new things. These days, I coordinate the Adopt a Storm Drain program, the Keep it Superior program, and Depave Paradise, all of which encourage residents to appreciate, and protect our great lake, Superior. My proudest work accomplishment is introducing Open Streets to Thunder Bay and the positive feedback from participants! I believe that our built environment has a huge impact on how we connect with our community which impacts our health and well-being.


Contact Ashley:

T: 807 624 2658
E: ashley@ecosuperior.org

Erin Moir

Erin Moir
Co-Executive Director

I grew up being strongly encouraged to play outside and I was fortunate to spend summers on family camping trips. As a result, I have become passionate about the outdoors and the environment.

My main focus is Education and Outreach, working most often in classrooms delivering Ontario curriculum-linked environmental programming. Since graduating from Lakehead University with an Honours in Outdoor Recreation, Parks & Tourism and a Bachelor of Natural Science, I started in the field of environmental education in 2006. I have worked as a naturalist and zone ecologist intern with Ontario Parks, a heritage interpreter and school programmer at Fort William Historical Park, and Environmental Education Coordinator for the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority. I love to explore the outdoors with my family and continue to learn the importance of connecting our youth to landscapes and wild places.


Contact Erin:

T: 807 624 2143
E: erin@ecosuperior.org

Stannis Gibson

Stannis Gibson
Support Guru

I grew up in beautiful downtown sunny Oxdrift. Always outside, gardening, and canning with my parents this was our way of life. I then had the amazing experience of front-line Customer Service as postmaster in the incredible communities of Hudson, Nestor Falls, and Vermilion Bay. I love NWO and the incredible beauty it has to offer, and Thunder Bay is no exception. I am so grateful to have lived here over the past 12 years. Hiking, exploring, and nature are huge parts of my life. I am overjoyed to have the opportunity to be your Support Guru at EcoSuperior. I believe everything we do impacts our lives and our planet, and we all have the option to leave each place in a little better condition than how we found it i.e. kind words or picking up trash. We are all in this together.

I look forward to connecting and serving you and our planet when you contact us at EcoSuperior.


Contact Stannis:

T: 807 624 2140
E: customerservice@ecosuperior.org

Keelyn Tougas

Keelyn Tougas
Education Coordinator

Born in Thunder Bay, I was raised with a natural curiosity for the environment. I started my career as a Dental Hygienist but quickly felt my purpose was elsewhere. I followed my passions to complete a Bachelor of Science, which allowed me to obtain my Teaching degree. After completing a teaching placement with EcoSuperior I knew this was something I wanted to pursue. Being able to blend my passion for education and the environment in developing educational programs is a dream come true.


Contact Keelyn:

E: education@ecosuperior.org

Brian Mpoza

Brian Mpoza
Finance Manager

My passion for finance can be traced back to my pre-professional days. Whether as a young shareholder in the family business or as a student at Confederation College, I have been on a finance and human resource trajectory from the start. I enjoy learning about different financial management skills and how I can use them to help individuals and organizations make effective financial decisions. This has enabled me to meet and network with a diverse group of people.

Prior to coming to Thunder Bay in 2018, I lived in Kampala, Uganda, where I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Makerere University in 2015. I gained experience working as a risk mitigation officer at Stanbic Bank, Uganda and as a finance administrator at Bold Ventures, a non-profit Organization in Entebbe, Uganda. Since then, I have obtained Ontario graduate certificates in International Business Management and Human Resource Management at Confederation College. At the college, I also had the opportunity to participate in a leadership role as a student representative on the student union executive board. Besides work, I am committed to playing musical instruments at a local church and offering basic guitar and piano lessons. I also enjoy playing and watching basketball.

I am inspired by EcoSuperior’s overarching mission geared towards building a healthy future for people and the planet. I am thrilled to be part of a dynamic, purpose-driven, and eco-friendly team. “The Planet is ours but also for the future generations to come”


Contact Brian:

E: finance@ecosuperior.org

Kennedy Bucci

Kennedy Bucci
Rethinking Waste Coordinator

Growing up in Thunder Bay, I have always been drawn to pristine landscapes. Most of my summers are spent backcountry camping, canoeing, fishing, and foraging in our boreal ecosystem. My passion for the environment led me to pursue a BSc in Wildlife Biology and Conservation at the University of Guelph and a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Toronto. My doctoral research focused on the presence of microplastics in the Great Lakes ecosystem and the harm they pose to freshwater fish. The scientific papers I published on these topics have been used by the Canadian government to enact policies, including the Single-Use Plastic Ban.

I am excited to bring my education and research background to the EcoSuperior team, and to work with the community to increase waste literacy, facilitate citizen science, and divert plastic pollution from our lakes


Contact Kennedy

T: 807 624 2142

E: rethinkingwaste@ecosuperior.org

Denise Smith

Denise Smith
Rethinking Waste Coordinator

On Leave

I was born in Thunder Bay, and though I have since lived in many different communities across Canada, I’ve always been drawn back to this city as the most wonderful place to live. This area is blessed with an abundance of places to connect with the land through hiking, skiing, paddling, camping, and more. I am thrilled to be a part of an organization that promotes the well-being and protection of the land, waters, and all its inhabitants through everything we do.

In my career as coordinator and educator in the non-profit field, I have gained a wide range of knowledge and experience in creating inclusive, accessible, and engaging programs and events for folks from all walks of life. My background is in the arts; I completed my HBFA degree at Lakehead University and my Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Regina. I am excited to bring my creative approach to programming to the EcoSuperior team.


 

Haley Gillies

Haley Gillies
Program Coordinator

I am originally from southern Ontario, and I have always enjoyed spending time outside and learning about the landscape around me. In 2019, I completed my BSc in Biology at Nipissing University in North Bay and then decided to settle in Thunder Bay. Over the past few years, I have loved exploring the area in and around Thunder Bay, and I feel so lucky that I get to live in such a beautiful part of the province. When I am not at work, you can find me out hiking or sipping a coffee at Marina Park. I am very excited to be taking on the role of Program Coordinator! I strive to be a helpful and friendly first point of contact for the community as they reach out to EcoSuperior. I am grateful to be working with such an amazing team and organization!


Contact Haley:

T: 807 624 2148
E: raingardens@ecosuperior

 

Amy Ryan

Amy Ryan
Communications Coordinator

Born and raised in Thunder Bay, I have cultivated a deep appreciation for the natural beauty of this region throughout my lifetime. My upbringing included camping, fishing, and exploring the outdoors. The beauty of Lake Superior and the surrounding area has always inspired me to want to do more to protect it, aligning me with EcoSuperior's motto of creating a healthy future for people and the planet.

Having a degree in Education, experience in Customer Relations, and a passion for Social Media Management, the role of Communications Coordinator is a perfect fit. My proficiency extends from developing personal websites to creating impactful campaigns for local businesses. I am eager to use my skills and expertise to help propel EcoSuperior's mission forward, facilitating meaningful connections within the community and contributing to our collective growth and impact. I'm honoured to be a part of such an amazing team.


Contact Amy

E: communications@ecosuperior.org