CURRENT
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Taylor Toffan - President
President-Elect - position vacant
Melanie Dubois - Past-President
Melanie is a biologist for the federal government. Her work is currently focused on understanding and quantifying resource requirements of pollinator (focus on native bees) pollinator contributions to agro-ecosystems, as well as implications of and mitigations for pollination services deficits. She also works with quantifying and understanding interactions of wildlife and natural systems with agricultural ecosystems, reporting on ecosystems service, and assessment of risks that predispose livestock operations to predation and/or crop systems to depredation. Her Masters in Natural Resources Management from the University of Manitoba focused on integrated vertebrate pest management and economic cost thresholds for wildlife damage in forage systems. Melanie also maintains her certification as a Wildlife Biologist through the Wildlife Society and remains endlessly curious.
Nathanial Bridges - Secretary
I completed my Land and Water Management student at ACC in 2022, I also have a BSc in Environmental Science and Environmental Studies from Bishops University, and I am an Environmental Professional Trainee through EcoCanada. I have a great interest in the environment, its preservation, and its interactions with anthropogenic activities.
I have experience working on the TWS Manitoba Chapter executive board as the secretary for the past term and was also the president of the ACC Students Association through 2021 and 2022. While in that position I have led the successful partnership of our association with the Manitoba Association of Post Secondary Students; put in place the association's first Strategic Planning session; oversee the budget draft for the 2022-2023; and reworked the board manual to provide guidelines for members to be more effective in future terms.
Tracy Maconachie - Treasurer
Tracy holds undergraduate degrees in Geography (Honours), Environmental Studies and English from the University of Winnipeg, a Computer Analyst-Programmer Diploma from Red River College and a masters degree in Natural Resource Management from the Natural Resources Institute at the University of Manitoba. She worked in the private, public and non-profit sectors, health care and academia before returning full-time to her roots in the conservation field as a conservation biologist working with two of Manitoba’s iconic bird species – peregrine falcons and piping plovers. Tracy joined Manitoba’s Peregrine Falcon Recovery Project as a volunteer to care for six captive-bred chicks being hack-released in Winnipeg and has been the Project’s Coordinator for almost 30 years. She has also worked with the Grand Beach Piping Plover Guardian Program, as the Provincial Stewardship Coordinator for the Manitoba Piping Plover Recovery Program and continues to maintain the Program’s website and blog as a volunteer. Tracy also volunteers for International Hope Canada, a humanitarian, volunteer-run non-profit in Winnipeg that repairs/refurbishes surplus medical equipment and supplies otherwise destined for the landfill. With the assistance of local partners, these donated materials are packed and shipped to clinics/hospitals in lower-income countries. Tracy is the Provincial Policy Specialist (Manitoba) for Ducks Unlimited Canada.
Collin Armstrong - Member at Large
Collin is a Wildlife Biologist for the Government of Manitoba under the Wildlife Branch. Collin has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geography & Environment from Brandon University where he graduated in May of 2020. He has experience in various wildlife projects such as moose population management, monitoring and managing wildlife diseases, mitigating human-wildlife interactions in Northern Ontario, and conducting wildlife population surveys only to name a few. Prior to this Collin has held various titles such as Wildlife Technician, Wildlife Health Technician, and Aquatic Invasive Species Watercraft Inspector. Outside of work Collin can be seen out hiking the many trails of southern Manitoba, identifying birds, backcountry camping with friends, or putting his kayak in the water for an early morning paddle.
Janine Wilmot - Northern Rep
Janine grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario and graduated from Lakehead University with an Honours Bachelor of Science (biology major) in 1997. She has previously worked on forest ecology research teams for government and industry. In 2011, she began her current role with the Government of Manitoba’s Wildlife Branch as a Human-Wildlife Coexistence Biologist. Janine lives in Swan River, where she has served on several local boards in various roles including secretary, chair and president.
Western Rep - position vacant
Holly Gamblin - Graduate Student Rep
Holly recently joined the Manitoba Chapter as the Graduate Student Representative. As an incoming doctoral student at the University of Manitoba, Holly's PhD research with the Churchill Fox Project emphasizes spatial ecology and interactions between the Arctic and red fox. Her research interests include spatial ecology, carnivore ecology, behavioral ecology, human-wildlife conflict, trophic cascades, and predator-prey interactions. Before joining the Churchill Fox Project Holly worked with the non-profit organization Institute for Wildlife Studies as the Island Fox Project Manager, where she led a variety of data collection efforts using telemetry, necropsy, and mark-recapture techniques to monitor long term population trends of the San Clemente Island fox. Holly received her B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Wildlife Conservation from Humboldt State University, California, where she studied habitat use of Humboldt martens in northern California, an endangered forest carnivore once thought to be extinct. She has also been an active member of the Western Section of the Wildlife Society, serving as the secretary for the student chapter of TWS during her undergraduate program as well as giving numerous oral and poster presentations at TWS conferences. Outside of wildlife she enjoys baking, weightlifting, practicing Spanish, swing dancing, and backpacking.
Taylor Galvin - Undergrad Rep
Taylor Galvin (Anishinaabekwe, Brokenhead First Nation), is an award-winning fourth-year Environmental Sciences student, land-based educator, water protector, land guardian, and president/co-founder of the University of Manitoba’s Indigenous Concern on the Environment. Taylor is a board member for the Brokenhead Wetland Ecological Reserve (Director of Interpretive Tours), as well as a board member on UMFM 101.5 FM (University of Manitoba's campus radio station). Taylor's focus area for her undergraduate degree is Wildlife Management, with a goal of developing an Indigenous Wildlife Management strategy for non-indigenous researchers who aim to work with and empower Indigenous communities. Currently, she is the Indigenous Science & Wildlife Liason with the newly formed Indigenous Science Division under Environment and Climate Change Canada.
PAST
EXECUTIVE TEAMS
2022/2023
President - Melanie Dubois
President-Elect - Tracy Maconachie
Past President - Justine Josephson-Laidlaw
Secretary - Nathan Bridges
Acting Treasurer - Tracy Maconachie
Member at Large - Brandice Bator
Northern Rep - vacant
Western Rep - Jack Claussen
Grad Student Rep - Holly Gamblin
Undergrad Student Rep - Amanda Hopcraft
2021/2022
President - Melanie Dubois
President-Elect - Tracy Maconachie
Past President - Justine Josephson-Laidlaw
Secretary - Sukhmanpreet Grewal
Treasurer - Alyssa Reimer
Member at Large - Hannah Martin
Northern Rep - Ryan Shewchuk
Western Rep - Jack Claussen
Grad Student Rep - Vacant
Undergrad Student Rep - Aditya Gandhi
2020/2021
President - Justine Josephson-Laidlaw
President-Elect - Melanie Dubois
Past President - Brian Kiss
Secretary - Emily Thoroski
Treasurer - Alyssa Reimer
Member at Large - Hannah Martin
Northern Rep - Ryan Shewchuk
Western Rep - Allison Kraus-Danielsen
Grad Student Rep - William Dowie
Undergrad Student Rep - Katrina Wilcox
2019/2020
President - Michel Leclaire
President Elect - Justine Josephson Laidlaw
Past President - Michel Leclaire
Secretary/Treasurer - Emily Thoroski
Member at Large - Kathryn Yarchuk
Northern Rep - Ryan Shewchuk
Western Rep - Allison Kraus-Danielsen
Grad Student Rep - Cody Carlyle
Undergrad Student Rep - Hannah Martin
2018/2019
President - Michel Leclaire
President Elect - Justine Josephson Laidlaw
Past President - Brian Kiss
Secretary - Elise Couillard
Treasurer - Emily Thoroski
Member at Large - Megan Dudenhoeffer
Northern Rep - Christa Dubesky
Western Rep - Melanie Dubois
Grad Student Rep - Jessica Lang
Undergrad Student Rep - Kathryn Yarchuk
2017/2018
President - Brian Kiss
President Elect - Michel Leclaire
Past President - C-Jae Breiter
Secretary/Treasurer - Laura Burns
Member at Large - Agnes Pelletier
Member at Large - Peter Tarleton
Northern Rep - Christa Dubesky
Western Rep - Melanie Dubois
Grad Student Rep - Amelie Roberto-Charron
Undergrad Student Rep - Dominik Simard
2016/2017
President - C-Jae Breiter
President Elect - Brian Kiss/Serge Scrafield
Past President - Stephen Petersen
Secretary/Treasurer - Laura Burns/Alana Wilcox
Member at Large - Agnes Pelletier
Member at Large - Michelle Ewacha
Northern Rep - Karlyn McFadyen
Western Rep (non-voting) - Melanie Dubois
Grad Student Rep - Amelie Roberto-Charron
Undergrad Student Rep - Eric Melvin
2015/2016
President - Stephen Petersen
President Elect - C-Jae Breiter
Past President - Dennis Brannen
Secretary/Treasurer - Rosemary Dohan
Member at Large - Meagan Hainstock
Member at Large - Daniel Dupont
Northern Rep - Maria Arlt
Grad Student Rep - Michelle Ewacha
Undergrad Student Rep - Cassandra Clayton
2014/2015
President - Dennis Brannen
President Elect - Stephen Petersen
Past President - Rob Officer
Secretary/Treasurer - C-Jae Breiter
Member at Large - Rosemary Dohan
Northern Rep - David Raitt
Grad Student Rep - Marika Olynyk
Undergrad Student Rep - Laura Kiernan
2013/2014
President - Rob Officer
President Elect - Dennis Brannen
Past President - Erin McCance
Secretary/Treasurer - C-Jae Breiter
Member at Large - Tim Sallows
Northern Rep - David Raitt
Grad Student Rep - Allyson Menzies
Undergrad Student Rep - Karlyn McFadyen
2012/2013
President - Rob Officer
President Elect - vacant
Past President - Erin McCance
Secretary/Treasurer - Marianne Schutz
Member at Large - Tim Sallows
Northern Rep - Shaun Greer
Grad Student Rep - Brian Kiss
Undergrad Student Rep - Jenna Black
2011/2012
President - Erin McCance
President Elect - Fiona Scurrah
Past President - Jonathan Wiens
Secretary/Treasurer - Dale Wrubleski
Member at Large - Chris Smith
Member at Large - Marianne Schutz
Grad Student Rep - Robert Officer
Undergrad Student Rep - Lauren Hayhurst
2010/2011
President - Jonathan Wiens
President Elect - Erin McCance
Past President - David Walker
Secretary/Treasurer - Dale Wrubleski
Member at Large - Jennifer Ruch
Member at Large - Chris Smith
Member at Large - Lauren Hayhurst
Student Rep - Marianne Schutz
2009/2010
President - David Walker
President Elect - Jonathan Wiens
Past President - Garth Ball
Secretary/Treasurer - Dale Wrubleski
Member at Large - Erin McCance
Member at Large - Chris Smith
Member at Large - Lauren Hayhurst
Student Rep - Jennifer Ruch
2008/2009
President - Garth Ball
President Elect - David Walker
Past President - Derek Kroeker
Secretary/Treasurer - Dale Wrubleski
Member at Large - Grant Wiseman
Member at Large - Erin McCance
Student Representative - Sarah McEwan
2007/2008
President - Derek Kroeker
President Elect - Garth Ball
Past President - Dale Wrubleski
Secretary/Tresurer - Leanne Wyenberg
Member at Large - Loriena Bernier
Student Representative - Jonathan Wiens
2006/2007
President - Dale Wrubleski
President Elect - Derek Kroeker
Past President - Karla Guyn
Secretary/Treasurer - Leanne Wyenberg
Member at Large - Marc Schuster
Student Representative - Jonathan Wiens
2005/2006
President - Karla Guyn
President Elect - Dale Wrubleski
Past President - Alex Miller
Secretary/Treasurer - Monica Reid
Member at Large - Marc Schuster
Student Representative - Pat Bergen
2004/2005
President - Alex Miller
President Elect - Karla Guyn
Past President - Rick Riewe
Secretary/Treasurer - Monica Reid
Member at Large - Garth Ball
Student Representative - Pat Bergen
2003/2004
President - Rick Riewe
President Elect - Alex Miller
Past President - Don Sexton
Secretary/Treasurer - Jacey Scott
Member at Large - Garth Ball
Student Representative - Derek Kroeker
2002/2003
President - Don Sexton
President Elect - Rick Riewe
Past President - Cory Lindgren
Secretary/Treasurer - Lisa Matsuba
Member at Large - Jacey Scott
Member at Large - Neil Mochnacz
Student Representative - Alex Miller
2001-2002
President - Don Sexton
President Elect - Vacant
Past President - Cory Lindgren
Secretary/Treasurer - Tanys Uhmann
Member at Large - James Froese
Member at Large - James Hood
Student Representative - Neil Mochnacz
2000-2001
President - Cory Lindgren
President Elect - Shane Roersma
Past President - Rhian Christie
Secretary/Treasurer - Tanys Uhmann
Member at Large - Dale Hutchison
Member at Large - Rich Davis
Student Representative - Neil Mochnacz
1999-2000
President - Rhian Christie
President Elect - Cory Lindgren
Past President - Bob Emery
Secretary/Treasurer - Tanys Uhmann
Member at Large - Dale Hutchison
Member at Large - Rich Davis
Student Representative - Shane Roersma
1998-1999
President - Bob Emery
President Elect - Rhian Christie
Past President - Jim Fisher
Secretary/Treasurer - Tanys Uhmann
Member at Large - Jackie Dixon
Member at Large - Melanie Dubois
Student Representative - Christian Hagen
1997-1998
President - Jim Fisher
1996-1997
President - Bruce Pollard
President Elect - Diane Bell
Past President - Cheryl Nielsen
Secretary/Treasurer - Jim Fisher
Member at Large - Glenn McMaster
Member at Large - Ron Bazin
Student Representative - Tanys Uhmann
1995-1996
President - Cheryl Nielsen
1994-1995
President - Dave Howerter
1993-1994
President - Dan Chranowski
President Elect - Dave Howerter
Past President - Robert Gill
Secretary/Treasurer - Dean Berezanski
Member at Large - Mike Etches
Student Representative - Diane Bell
1992-1993
Robert (Bob) Gill
1991-1992
Barry Jansen
1990-1991
President - Barry Jansen
President Elect - Vacant
Past President - Mark Mattson
Secretary/Treasurer - Ulrike Schneider
Member at Large - Dean Berezanski
Student Representative - Robert Gill
1989-1990
President - Mark Mattson
1988-1989
President - Ken DeSmet
1987-1988
President - Valerie Sutton/
Richard (Dick) Stardom
1986-1987
President - Rick Baydack
1985-1986
President - Jack Dubois
1984-1985
President - Kent Whaley
1983-1984
President - William (Bill) Koonz
1982-1983
President - Barry Verbiwski
1981-1982
President - Larry Bidlake
1980-1981
President - Wayne Cowan
1979-1980
President - Ron Larche
1978-1979
President - Bruce Batt
1977-1978
President - Merlin Shoesmith
1976-1977
President - Robert (Bob) Jones
1975-1976
President - Eugene Bossenmaier
1974-1975
President - Brian Ransom