Director
marsha@haltonenvironment.ca

Marsha’s journey over the last 20 years has been at the nexus of information management, environmental science, and social justice, with experience spanning every sector; private, entrepreneurial, non-profit and the public. She has worked both in Canada and overseas to improve water quality, protect species-at-risk, preserve ecosystems, and increase community resilience.

As a promoter of STEM literacy, Marsha has encouraged scientific inquiry at schools across southern Ontario and has engaged thousands of students in hands-on workshops. Through her own dedication to community service, Marsha’s work supports ambitious climate action that drives systemic change. Marsha has completed Climate Reality Training (2015), and has worked with several environmental and community organizations. 

More recently, Marsha’s sense of curiosity and commitment to lifelong learning, has brought her back to academia to further research on justice in urban climate transitions. As a current PhD Student, Marsha has both a Master of Environmental Science from the University of Toronto (M.Env.Sc.), and a Bachelor of Environmental Studies (B.E.S.) in Physical Geography with dual specializations in Information Technology and Biophysical Systems, from the University of Waterloo.

Volunteer, Fundraising, and Corporate Engagement Manager
reannan@haltonenvironment.ca

Reannan comes to us with a strong background in marketing strategy and event coordination. Reannan brings a strategic and highly organized mindset to the HEN team. She's completed a Bachelor's Degree in sciences and has a wealth of experience leading a variety of fundraising initiatives and community outreach events. Her experience in the fundraising world has developed her ability to build and sustain strong working relationships and partnerships throughout the community. In previous roles, Reannan has demonstrated her aptitude for developing effective strategies in line with organizational fundraising and corporate engagement goals.

Driven by improving quality of life in the community, Reannan is excited to be working with HEN’s community initiatives to tie together her passion for healthier communities and environmental issues.

Community Liason
cherry@haltonenvironment.ca

Cherry Collins was born in Johannesburg South Africa and has served the Travel Industry for over 35 years designing Safaris to Southern Africa and to Kenya and Tanzania often travelling with her groups. She had the distinct honour of meeting President Mandela in his lifetime. Her main passion alongside Travel over the years has been working towards helping with Food Insecurity/growing gardens, both here and in Africa. With her husband she co founded a camp in Johannesburg for underprivileged children who came ( from the surrounding townships of Johannesburg and Pretoria.) during the week and on weekends children were invited to a farm ( their home ) where they who could visit and play in a peaceful environment, enjoy good food, and sports in partnership with Interdenominational african churches and organizations and one of her jobs was to secure food and services from local business corporations to enable this. Busloads came and every child went home with a bag of food and clothes.

In Canada along with her husband she contributed to founding the Food With Grace food bank in Waterdown. She was the program Director working to secure food, engaging in major annual food drives in partnership with Sobeys in Waterdown. One memorable event was called "Fill the Bus" with community contributions.
The past three years she has managed the community gardens at the church of the Incarnation in Oakville going into the fourth year.. Planting, managing Volunteers, a volunteer herself. Harvesting and taking all of the produce to the local Oakville Food Banks.

As the community liaison person at HEN she will continue to work with Food Insecurity projects and Community gardens and will work within the community.

Community Climate Action Plan, Project Coordinator
sundus@haltonenvironment.ca

Sundus Hussain graduated from Imperial College London, the UK, with a degree in Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology following an undergraduate degree in Biology. She is passionate about environmental issues and the use of science and technology to tackle these challenges. She is excited to be working with Halton Environmental Network on greenhouse gas emissions inventory for the Halton community.She hopes this inventory will help shape new initiatives and bring awareness about GHG emissions within the Halton community. In her spare time, Sundus enjoys crocheting.

Communications and Public Relations Manager
kassandra@haltonenvironment.ca

Kassandra Jasek studied Political Science at The University of Western Ontario. Throughout her time at university she was heavily involved in extracurricular activities. She held the position of Online Media Director and Philanthropy Director at her sorority, as well as Philanthropy Director at Western’s Panhellenic Council. She hopes to use her online media and philanthropic skills to help enhance HEN’s online and public persona.

In her role as Communications and Public Relations Manager she creates and coordinates marketing and communications materials and content, including but not limited to website and social media content, newsletters, videos, fundraising material, infographics and promotional materials as needed. Kassandra has always cared deeply about the environment and looks forward to working towards a more sustainable future.

Director of Garden Programs and Environmental Education
elin@haltonenvironment.ca

Elin has always enjoyed exploring the outdoors and started developing a passion for environmental issues thanks largely to her grade 1 teacher and her elementary school Nature Club. After studying anthropology at the University of Guelph, Elin found that food was a perfect way to tie together her interests in cultural studies and environmental issues. She continued her studies at the University of Oslo, completing a program called “Culture, Environment and Sustainability.” Working on an organic farm in 2009, Elin learned a ton about growing food and was also reminded of how real carrots taste! Since 2010, Elin has worked as a School Garden Educator, teaching elementary school students about growing food, where our food comes from, and getting hands-on experiences in the natural world.

One of Elin's favourite things about school and community gardens is the community connection that grows around it. She believes gardening ignites curiosity from people in all age groups, across cultures and languages. Elin has a dream of creating a garden programme that brings together children and seniors, and believes that her community garden work with HEN will help bring about these opportunities. Elin also enjoys cooking, hiking, cross-country skiing and folk dancing.

Community Garden Manager
andrew@haltonenvironment.ca

Andrew is a passionate individual who values self-sufficiency and sustainability. With a deep-rooted desire to manage his own homestead someday, he pursued his academic journey by studying Bioethics at the University of Toronto and Green Business Management at Seneca College. Andrew's unwavering motivation to give back to the community and continuously learn fuels his determination to make a positive impact on the environment and society as a whole. His dream of creating a self-sustaining and eco-friendly space drives him to embrace challenges and grow as an individual while cultivating a greener future.