Biographies
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- Chief Executive Officer — John MacKenzie
- Chief Financial and Operating Officer — Michael Tolensky
- 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
- 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.
Michael Tolensky
Chief Financial and Operating Officer
Office Phone: 437-880-2278
Michael.Tolensky@trca.caAdministrative Coordinator: Lisa Peng
Lisa.Peng@trca.ca | 437-880-2329
Michael Tolensky is the Chief Financial and Operating Officer at Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). Michael leads the Corporate Services division, with the primary mandate of providing timely and seamless support for fundamental business operations. The division takes proactive leadership to address standard operating procedures, opportunities for organizational improvements and results that are both financially and strategically sustainable.
Michael is a graduate of the Schulich School of Business at York University and a Chartered Professional Accountant. Michael earned his certificate in Not-for-Profit and Charity Finance Leadership from CPA Ontario as well as CPA Canada’s Public Sector Certificate Program. Michael also acts as a financial advisor to Toronto and Region Conservation Foundation (formerly The Living City Foundation).
Anil Wijesooriya
Director, Restoration and Infrastructure
Office Phone: 365-566-2358
Anil.Wijesooriya@trca.caAdministrative Coordinator: Sanju Shampur
Sanju.Shampur@trca.ca | 365-566-0044
Anil Wijesooriya is the Director, Restoration and Infrastructure. He leads a multi-disciplinary team focused on building nature based infrastructure to achieve safe and resilient communities.
The team has expertise in construction project delivery, erosion risk management, restoration, and enabling professional services that include environmental assessment, trails design/development, soils, archaeology, and surveying.
TRCA is uniquely positioned to provide high quality and cost effective end-to-end capital works, in addition to longer-term partnership programs that mitigate risk and improve ecological health throughout our jurisdiction. Anil’s focus with the team and our partners is ensuring that both our communities and infrastructure are better prepared for climate-change impacts.
Anil holds a Master’s of Urban & Regional Planning and is a member of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute and Canadian Institute of Planners. He also sits on the Board at Birds Canada and the Patient Safety and Quality Committee of the Board at Sinai Health System.
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: 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.
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.