Work and Leadership in Science, Practice, and Policy
I bring evidence, strategy, and systems thinking to some of the most complex challenges in conservation today. Across research, applied practice, multi-sector partnerships, and policy engagements, my work is about turning knowledge into decisions that matter for landscapes, communities, and governance systems.
My professional work centers on three complementary roles:
Further information includes my scientific publications, public speaking, and interviews and profiles.
My professional work centers on three complementary roles:
- Advancing conservation science that informs action
- Shaping strategy and practice across sectors
- Bridging evidence to policy and governance
Further information includes my scientific publications, public speaking, and interviews and profiles.
Current role
Director of Science & Research, and Weston Family Senior Scientist, Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC)
NCC is the largest environmental NGO in Canada. In this leadership role, I guide organizational research priorities, strengthen scientific rigor across programs, and ensure that evidence directly informs strategic decisions and on-the-ground conservation outcomes.
We have collaborations with ~200 research partners across Canada and internationally. I work with NCC staff, partners, and decision-makers across scales to translate complex evidence into actionable insight.
I focus on:
We have collaborations with ~200 research partners across Canada and internationally. I work with NCC staff, partners, and decision-makers across scales to translate complex evidence into actionable insight.
I focus on:
- Embedding evidence into strategy and planning
- Integrating disciplinary and interdisciplinary science to inform decisions
- Initating, strengthening, and supporting partnerships that scale conservation impact
- Mentoring science leaders and supporting career growth in the field
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Leadership Across Sectors
I have also held research and leadership roles with academic institutions, non-profits, and collaborative networks where I worked to strengthen the links between science and policy, and to amplify research for practice, planning, and decision-making.
These include:
Across contexts, my work aims to build bridges between knowledge and action: connecting researchers, managers, communities, and policy processes.
These include:
- Research leadership in large-scale landscape conservation
- Collaborative initiatives in biodiversity and connectivity
- Multi-sector engagements linking science with government and NGO practice
Across contexts, my work aims to build bridges between knowledge and action: connecting researchers, managers, communities, and policy processes.
How I work
I approach conservation science and leadership with an emphasis on rigor, relevance, and relationships:
- Rigor: grounding decisions in the best available evidence, thoughtfully evaluated and transparently communicated.
- Relevance: aligning research questions with the needs of managers, partners, and policy processes.
- Relationships: cultivating trust and collaboration across disciplines, organizations, and sectors to ensure that evidence moves into practice.
Selected Impact Areas
Bringing science into decisions
I work to ensure that ecological research and socio-ecological evidence inform planning, governance, and policy conversations -- not just academic publications.
Building capacity
I mentor emerging leaders, support professional development, and teach communication, strategy, and narrative skills that expand influence beyond traditional scientific audiences.
Scaling collaboration
I help coordinate partners across boundaries — disciplinary, institutional, and geographic — to expand the scale and effectiveness of conservation efforts.
I work to ensure that ecological research and socio-ecological evidence inform planning, governance, and policy conversations -- not just academic publications.
Building capacity
I mentor emerging leaders, support professional development, and teach communication, strategy, and narrative skills that expand influence beyond traditional scientific audiences.
Scaling collaboration
I help coordinate partners across boundaries — disciplinary, institutional, and geographic — to expand the scale and effectiveness of conservation efforts.
Examples of Outcomes
While a full list of contributions spans decades, some illustrative impacts include:
- Science used in large-landscape conservation planning and implementation
- Evidence integrated into policy and assessment dialogues
- Multi-sector partnerships advancing cross-boundary stewardship
- Leadership development through fellowship programs, workshops, and mentorship
