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, Legislative and Property Services – Kathryn Lockyer
- Director, Corporate Services – Linda Charlebois
- Chief Human Resources Officer — Natalie Blake
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, Peel Climate Change Partnership, and is currently serving on the Province’s Conservation Authorities Working Group to provide advice on regulatory changes and guidance documents.
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. John is a member of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute, Canadian Institute of Planners, 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). Darryl provides leadership to a diverse team that supports TRCA’s vision for The Living City and focuses on improving access to learning opportunities for all throughout our jurisdiction. These initiatives include school programs, educational outreach, stewardship, youth employment and mentorship, professional training for new Canadians and industry practitioners, sustainable technology performance evaluation and TRCA’s accessibility program.
Chief among Darryl’s goals is to strengthen TRCA’s role as a leader in education and training through the redevelopment of TRCA education facilities and programs in community learning with an emphasis on building partnerships to improve health, learning and economic outcomes through an environmental and sustainability lens in the communities we serve.
Darryl holds a Bachelor of Arts from McMaster University and is presently completing a Diploma in Municipal Administration.
Sameer Dhalla
Director, Development and Engineering Services
Office Phone: (437) 880-2279
Sameer.Dhalla@trca.caAdministrative Coordinator: Victoria Ryk
victoria.ryk@trca.ca | (437) 880-2120
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.
Kathryn Lockyer
Director, Legislative and Property Services
Office Phone: (437) 880-2278
Kathryn.Lockyer@trca.caAdministrative Coordinator: Lisa Peng
Lisa.Peng@trca.ca | (437) 880-2329
Kathryn Lockyer is the Director, Legislative and Property Services at Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). She leads a dedicated and capable team providing diverse programs and services, including: governance and administrative functions of the Board of Directors and related sub-committees; operational policy management, development and implementation of TRCA’s risk management program; providing a full range of legal services, opinions; leading and optimizing TRCA’s procurement process; and, providing strategic direction and operational requirements for the TRCA’s Real Estate portfolio, including the securement of land, management, rental and lease of TRCA land and building assets.
Kathryn obtained her law degree from Queen’s University and is a member of the Ontario Law Society with over 34 years of experience in both private and public practice as well as extensive experience in municipal and education governance and administration.
Linda Charlebois
Director, Corporate Services
Office Phone: (437) 880-2260
Linda.Charlebois@trca.caAdministrative Coordinator: Lisa Peng
Lisa.Peng@trca.ca | (437) 880-2329
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.
Natalie Blake
Chief Human Resources Officer
Office Phone: (437) 880-2281
Natalie.Blake@trca.caHR Coordinator: Ruth Danso
Ruth.Danso@trca.ca | (647) 426-4489
Natalie Blake is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). Natalie provides strategic advice, guidance and leadership in all HR areas, including the formulation, implementation and administration of strategic human resources initiatives.
Natalie holds a degree in Psychology from York University and a certificate in Human Resources Management, Change Management and Advanced Dispute Resolution. Natalie is a Certified Prosci Change Management Expert.
Natalie is a member of the Human Resources Professionals Association and holds a CHRL designation.