Our Team

Dr. Jane Goodall

Dr. Jane was known around the world for her 65-year study of wild chimpanzees in Gombe, Tanzania. However, in the latter part of her life, she expanded her focus and became a global advocate for human rights, animal welfare, species and environmental protection, and many other crucial issues. Jane was passionate about empowering young people to become involved in conservation and humanitarian projects, and she led many educational initiatives focused on both wild and captive chimpanzees. She was always guided by her fascination with the mysteries of evolution — and by her staunch belief in the fundamental need to respect all forms of life on Earth.

Bella Lam

Bella has worked in sustainable development and international cooperation for over 25 years, amplifying the voices of local partners in Sub-Saharan Africa and across Canada. She has been a strong advocate for co-creating multi-stakeholder initiatives and bringing groups from different sectors together to scale impact in an increasing interconnected world. She joined the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada in 2016 and is currently leading a dedicated team to grow community-led conservation, empower youth environmental leadership, and advance Dr. Jane’s legacy. Bella is passionate about building a world where animals, people, and the environment can truly thrive together. Her love of nature means that, when not at work, Bella is usually hiking on a trail somewhere.

Alice Irene Whittaker

Alice Irene Whittaker is an author and environmental communications leader who has spent fifteen years in nonprofit leadership and executive roles focused on gender and environment. In this role, she leads an incredible team in advancing Jane’s legacy, ensuring sustainability of the organization, and sharing stories that inspire Canadians to turn hope into action. Jane Goodall is Alice Irene’s personal hero, and it was visiting Gombe in 2007 and meeting the local Roots & Shoots group that opened her eyes to the interconnectedness of animals, people, and the environment. As shown in her essays published in national outlets and her debut book Homing: A Quest to Care for Myself and the Earth, she believes in the power of stories to move people to act. Alice Irene is the mother of three young children. With her family of five and brood of chickens, three cats, and two dogs, she lives in a cabin in the woods in La Peche, Quebec on unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe land.

Alison Cuffley

Alison brings over a decade of experience working with SPCAs and Humane Societies across Canada, with a strong focus on equity, decolonization, and One Health approaches in partnership with Indigenous communities. As Senior Manager, Canada Programs, they oversee the Canadian Programs portfolio, including Roots & Shoots, advancing the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada’s Hope to Action strategy by supporting youth, especially those from underserved communities, to lead community-based conservation grounded in reciprocal, respectful relationships and connected to the Institute’s global network. Alison is passionate about this work because it centres relationships first, uplifts Indigenous-led land care, and affirms the interconnectedness of all living beings within the Tapestry of Life. Outside of work, Alison enjoys exploring their neighbourhood on foot or two wheels, meeting cats, and trying new coffee spots — especially when baked goods are involved.

Becca Dean

Becca brings over nine years of nonprofit fundraising expertise, with a background in Psychology and Gender and Women’s Studies that informs her people-centred approach to her work. At the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, she builds meaningful partnerships with donors and the causes they care about, inspiring hope through action and philanthropy. Inspired by Dr. Goodall’s vision of a more sustainable and just world for all living things, Becca is driven by her remarkable legacy and the stories of those whose lives she touched. Outside of work, she finds balance in the outdoors — camping, knitting, reading, and spending time with her rescue dog, Tater.

Bonnie Smith

Bonnie holds a Master’s in Environmental Governance and Conflict Mitigation, and has spent over a decade supporting and developing international programs in sectors ranging from children’s rights to women’s empowerment. In her role as Program Development Manager, she focuses on building equitable, community-led initiatives that are central to the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada’s new strategic plan. She is motivated by the belief that protecting our natural world is only possible when programs are designed by the community, with the voices of women, children, and Indigenous groups at the heart of the process. Outside of work, Bonnie enjoys spending time outdoors and staying active.

Catherine Collins

After five years’ experience with a medical and research non-governmental organization, Catherine’s interest in human health shifted into plant-based foods and planetary health, leading her to join the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada in 2019. In her role as Database Manager, she customizes solutions for the database and integrated platforms that improve the experience of our supporters in giving to the Institute’s programs and connecting with Jane’s message. Catherine is passionate about sustainability, environmental stewardship, and conservation as a means to preserve a bountiful home on Earth for people, wildlife, and all living things. When not working, she is busy introducing her two young children to the wonders of the natural world through hikes, gardening, cooking and baking, and reading.

Lyila Omar

Lyila joins JGI Canada after working with various NGO’s and nonprofits focused on youth, education, and sustainability.

She graduated with a degree in Political Science and Environmental Studies, and furthered her education in International Development & Project Management. As someone that has worked in diverse industries prior to development, Lyila is excited to share her knowledge and skills to help reach JGI Canada’s goals.

I’m proud to work at JGI Canada because I get to witness colleagues that are dedicated and engaged with their work in conservation, biodiversity, and animal welfare. All the while, bringing hope and positivity to make an impact. I’m also proud to work at JGI Canada because this organization makes a point to change for the better each year with each project, learning lessons along the way to truly make an impact that is sustainable in our communities. 

Marie Meloche

Marie has supported community-led programs in the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Canada since 2013, building her experience across grassroots organizations and international and national non-governmental organizations. In her role as Director, Programs, Marie supports the Programs team in deepening the impact of the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada’s work in Canada and Africa, in close collaboration with community-led partners, knowledge holders, and youth leaders for sustainable conservation outcomes. Motivated by seeing the work in action and by the power of climate solutions designed and led for and by local communities, Marie is committed to creating participatory, inclusive, and accountable spaces for change. Outside of work, Marie is an avid traveller and wildlife enthusiast who feels most at peace on the land.

Meagan Lortie

Meagan Lortie has spent over 10 years working in community-based roles, rooted in relationship-building, advocacy, and care-centred practice, leading her to work at the intersection of Indigenous rights, environmental justice, and community-led conservation. In her role, Meagan supports respectful partnerships with Indigenous communities and advances conservation approaches that centre Indigenous leadership, knowledge systems, and land-based stewardship. She is of mixed ancestry, with a settler mother of United Kingdom and German descent and an Indigenous and French father, and is actively reconnecting with her roots and community along the shores of Lake Huron. Guided by Dr. Jane Goodall’s legacy and inspired by the leadership of Indigenous youth, Elders, and local communities, Meagan is committed to building a more just and sustainable future for all relations. In her free time, she enjoys spending time on the land, reading, beading, and connecting with the community.

Meagan Thibeault

Meagan has a 10-plus year background in project development and digital communications, mainly working with sustainable coffee initiatives. As Operations and Projects Coordinator at the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, she brings her keen environmental perspective to organizational operations, working to support the team and coordinating special projects such as multi-day board summits that help advance the Institute’s strategic priorities. She is passionate about community-led environmental restoration and the potential for nature-based projects to change the world for the better. Outside of the office, Meagan manages her own sustainable coffee brand, practices speaking Spanish, and enjoys travelling the world to learn about different cultures and ecosystems.

Natalie Nguyen

Natalie has spent the last seven years dedicated to helping organizations better understand and engage with their communities. Experienced in non-profit marketing and communications, she’s also worked across industries such as tech, health and wellness, and higher education. She brings her variety of experiences and educational background in business to grow the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada’s digital presence. Proud to work alongside a team that inspires people all over the world to make a difference, Natalie infuses campaigns with strategic and analytical insights to build meaningful connections and advance Jane’s mission. She is a lover of good food, time spent with friends and family, and the beach.

Riley Lange

Riley has created digital content and shared stories online for more than 10 years, and spent years running social media accounts for some of the country’s highest-profile politicians. In this current role, Riley motivates people to take action by telling impactful stories and advances Jane’s legacy by sharing her powerful message. Inspired by the work that Jane did and that young leaders and local communities continue to do, Riley is committed to using his skillset to help build a better future for all living things. When he’s not on his computer, Riley can be found reading a book, watching a movie, attending a concert, or walking his friend’s dog.

Roksana Quayum

Roksana Quayum has a background in finance and accounting, with experience in both tech startups and public accounting firms prior to joining the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada. In her current role as Bookkeeper, she supports the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada’s financial operations through financial oversight, reporting, and compliance processes that help advance the organization’s strategic and programmatic goals. Roksana is passionate about supporting mission-driven work and takes pride in building strong, reliable financial systems that enable teams and programs to focus on impact. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

Taylor Smith

Taylor joins JGI Canada following a 5-year period living in the United Kingdom. Whilst abroad, she completed her master’s studies in Global Wildlife Health and Conservation and worked with several nonprofit organisations that focused on wildlife conservation and environmental sustainability.

Having returned to Canada, Taylor is thrilled to contribute her skills, passion, and commitment to nature conservation to the JGI Canada team. In her free time, you can often find Taylor hiking or exploring biodiversity on nature walks.

“Being part of the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada means that every day I contribute to a legacy of compassion, conservation, and community empowerment. I am proud to be part of an organization that is so deeply committed to creating a better future for people, animals, and our shared environment.”

Thalia Kornhauser

Thalia has been a dedicated fundraiser for over a decade, armed with a degree in environmental studies and a background in environmental education programming with the City of Toronto. Thalia has been fundraising for the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada since 2017 in various roles, including events, campaigns, and stewardship. She now leads the fundraising team with enthusiasm, while connecting with donors across Canada who are inspired to make a difference for all living things. Thalia is passionate about environmentalism and animal welfare with a key interest in community-led conservation, which initially drew her to the Institute many years ago while she was studying how organizations could better lead conservation work so that it includes people’s needs too. After an exciting workday at the Institute, Thalia can be found doing yoga, cooking up a new recipe, or on a long walk exploring the hidden green spaces of Toronto.