Biographies
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- Chief Executive Officer — John MacKenzie
- Director, Restoration and Infrastructure — Anil Wijesooriya
- Director, Conservation Parks and Lands — Richard Ubbens
- Director, Education and Training — Darryl Gray
- Director, Development and Engineering Services – Sameer Dhalla
- Director, Policy Planning – Laurie Nelson
- Director, Corporate Services – Linda Charlebois
- Director, Legislative and Property Services – Wendy Law
- Chief Human Resources Officer – Cynthia Ogbarmey-Tetteh
John MacKenzie
Chief Executive Officer
Office Phone: (416) 667-6290
John.MacKenzie@trca.caChief of Staff: Michelle Sirizzotti
Michelle.Sirizzotti@trca.ca | (437) 880-2275Executive Coordinator: Leena Eappen
Leena.Eappen@trca.ca | (437) 880-2349
John MacKenzie is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and a Director on the Board of Toronto and Region Conservation Foundation (TRCF). John and his team strive to strengthen relationships between TRCA, partners, and stakeholders by working closely with all levels of government, community, and environmental organizations, improving client service, and successfully delivering programs and projects. John represents TRCA on several intergovernmental and inter-agency committees to advance TRCA’s mandate including the Port Lands Executive Steering Committee, Toronto’s Emergency Management Program Committee, the Lake Ontario Partnership, Greenbelt Golden Horseshoe Conservation Authorities Collaborative, and Peel Climate Change Partnership.
John holds a Master’s of Science Degree in Planning from the University of Toronto and an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geography and Urban and Environmental Studies from Brock University. John has served on government advisory panels including the Crombie Panel for the Coordinated Review of the Growth Plan, Greenbelt Plan, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and Niagara Escarpment Plan and others. John is a member of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute, Canadian Institute of Planners, Ontario Association of Impact Assessment, and the Urban Land Institute.
Anil Wijesooriya
Director, Restoration and Infrastructure
Office Phone: (365) 566-2358
Anil.Wijesooriya@trca.caAdministrative Coordinator: Dianna Amaral
Dianna.Amaral@trca.ca | (437) 880-2388
Anil Wijesooriya is the Director, Restoration and Infrastructure at Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). Anil leads a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team dedicated to building nature-based infrastructure that fosters safe and resilient communities. His leadership encompasses construction project delivery, erosion risk management, environmental restoration, and a suite of professional services including environmental assessments, trails design and development, soils management, archaeology, and surveying.
Anil holds a Master’s degree in Urban & Regional Planning from Queen’s University and is a registered professional planner, holding memberships with the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute.
Beyond his professional commitments, Anil has served on the Patient Safety and Quality Committee at Mount Sinai Health System and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board at Birds Canada.
Richard Ubbens
Director, Conservation Parks and Lands
Office Phone: (437) 880-1922
Richard.Ubbens@trca.caAdministrative Coordinator: Ally Pettit
Ally.Pettit@trca.ca | (437) 880-1929
Richard Ubbens is the Director of Conservation Parks and Lands at Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). Richard provides leadership to a dedicated team of professionals who operate and manage the Conservation Parks, Lands, campgrounds, and Bathurst Glen Golf Course. Management, protection, and sustainability of wonderful parks, trails, and activities for the purposes of excellent recreational and learning opportunities for area residents and tourists to the region are some of the primary focus areas of the Conservation Parks and Lands division. The team is integral in purposing green space for community enjoyment and integrating recreational activity with nature and learning — from pre-settlement days to present day. Recognizing the incredible value that nature and learning bring to societal wellbeing and health, Richard guides his team to care for and respect the resources we manage and the communities who visit and use them.
Richard holds a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of Toronto and is a Registered Professional Forester (R.P.F.) with the Ontario Professional Foresters Association.
Darryl Gray
Director, Education and Training
Office Phone: (437) 880-2280
Darryl.Gray@trca.caAdministrative Coordinator: Sabrina Pariselli
Sabrina.Pariselli@trca.ca | (437) 880-1990
Darryl Gray is the Director of Education and Training at Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), leading a large and diverse team of highly skilled education, museum, and sustainability professionals and practitioners working to build a vital, vibrant, and sustainable Greater Toronto Area.
With over 25 years of experience, Darryl leads transformative multi-sectoral partnerships in the areas of education, cultural heritage, and sustainability. These partnerships ensure that students and schools have equitable access to nature-based, out-of-classroom learning experiences; that industry professionals are equipped with the leading-edge research and training necessary to tackle complex challenges related to urban sustainability; and that a renewed vision for The Village at Black Creek is realized through community and institutional collaboration, including a modernized funding model.
Darryl provides senior leadership support to TRCA’s Natural Science and Education Committee and Partners in Project Green Executive Management Committee.
Darryl holds a Bachelor of Arts from McMaster University and a Diploma in Municipal Administration.
Sameer Dhalla
Director, Development and Engineering Services
Office Phone: (437) 880-2279
Sameer.Dhalla@trca.caAdministrative Coordinator: Lisa Facini
Lisa.Facini@trca.ca | (437) 880-2126
Sameer Dhalla is the Director of Development and Engineering Services at Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). Sameer provides leadership to an integrated team of engineers, planners and scientists who utilize watershed management and municipal planning to protect our communities from natural hazards (flooding and erosion), safeguard our water resources and create complete communities that integrate nature and the built environment.
Sameer leads TRCA’s flood management and mitigation program and is responsible for land use planning and permitting pursuant to TRCA’s regulation and policies. Sameer holds a Bachelor of Science in Water Resources Engineering from the University of Guelph and is a licensed professional engineer with Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO).
Laurie Nelson
Director, Policy Planning
Office Phone: (437) 880-2282
Laurie.Nelson@trca.caAdministrative Coordinator: Cindy Barr
Cindy.Barr@trca.ca | (437) 880-2298
Laurie Nelson is the Director of Policy Planning at Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). Laurie provides leadership to a diverse team to ensure that TRCA’s policy development, input and review functions are informed by the latest watershed research, and by the strategic objectives of managing water resources, natural heritage systems and natural hazards, creating complete communities, and facilitating a region-wide approach to sustainability to support TRCA’s Living City vision. Laurie serves on provincial, municipal and Conservation Ontario committees related to policy and conservation authority related initiatives, growth management and specialized planning studies.
Laurie holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Geography from Trent University. She is a Registered Professional Planner and a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners.
Linda Charlebois
Director, Corporate Services
Office Phone: (437) 880-2260
Linda.Charlebois@trca.caAdministrative Coordinator: Deepika Rampal
Deepika.Rampal@trca.ca | (437) 880-1998
Linda Charlebois is the Director, Corporate Services at Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). Linda leads a diverse team providing a wide range of organizational support including financial oversight and management, information technology and records management, strategic business planning and performance, and communications, marketing and event management.
Linda holds a Master of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School, complementing her Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and French Studies. Linda is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), and holds a Certified Human Resources Leader designation.
Wendy Law
Director, Legislative and Property Services
Office Phone: (647) 426-4535
Wendy.Law@trca.caAdministrative Coordinator: Deepika Rampal
Deepika.Rampal@trca.ca | (437) 880-1998
Wendy Law is the Director, Legislative and Property Services at the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), having oversight of Property and Asset Management, Legal & Risk Management, Procurement Services and the Clerk’s Office. Her diverse team manages TRCA’s real estate portfolio; provides legal, procurement, and contract management support to the organization; oversees TRCA’s policy framework and policy development process; advise on governance matters; and manages and provides administrative support at the Board of Directors and Committee meetings.
Wendy holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Political Science and History from the University of Toronto, a Juris Doctor from York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School, and a Master in Public Policy, Administration and Law from York University. She is also a Certified In House Counsel of Canada (CIC.C) and a Women Leadership Initiative Champion with the Urban Land Institute.
Cynthia Ogbarmey-Tetteh
Chief Human Resources Officer
Office Phone: (437) 880-1972
Cynthia.OgbarmeyTetteh@trca.caCoordinator, Human Resources: Sarah Bifolchi
Sarah.Bifolchi@trca.ca | (437) 880-2116
Cynthia Ogbarmey-Tetteh is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).
Cynthia provides leadership to a dedicated team of Human Resources (HR) professionals who provide strategic advice and guidance in all HR functions, including the formulation, implementation and administration of organization wide human resources initiatives that shape organizational culture and people strategy.
Cynthia holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management from York University, and an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial Relations and Sociology from the University of Toronto. She is a Certified Human Resources Leader with the Human Resources Professionals Association and holds additional certifications in Change Management, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Workplace, Advanced HR Law for Senior HR Executives and Human Rights Theory and Practice.