Pat Letizia, Executive Director

Pat is known for her enthusiasm and candor, and is an ardent champion for the environment and the voluntary sector. She has been with the foundation since 1996, prior to which she completed a Bachelor of Science Honours degree at the University of Calgary while raising 3 young children, carpooling, volunteering for several organizations and holding down a part-time job. She inherited some of her drive and independent spirit from several generations of Alberta homesteaders. Under her leadership, Alberta Ecotrust has grown significantly in both financial assets and community impacts.

Always active in the community, Pat is a founding director and past chair of the Canadian Environmental Grantmaker's Network and the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations, past chair of the City of Calgary's Environmental Advisory Committee and member of the Round Table for imagineCalgary where she and 34 other community leaders created a 100 year vision for the City of Calgary. She has significant experience in local, provincial and national arenas of environmental philanthropy and non-profit program development, and is regularly invited to contribute her ideas and expertise in a range of advisory and leadership roles.

Stuart Peters, Program Director

Stuart Peters is an environmental scientist who has been working on solutions to enhance the sustainability of Alberta communities over the last 12 years. Having worked in management, R&D, program delivery and field operations across industry, government and the non-profit sector, Stuart brings a broad base of expertise that includes community engagement, strategy development, scientific analysis and performance measurement to the Ecotrust team.

During his career, Stuart has worked for various water resource management and non-profit development projects with The City of Calgary, O'Connor Associates, Calgary Carshare Co-Operative and Alberta RiverWatch. In his role as Alberta Ecotrust Program Director, Stuart is focused on developing new initiatives and enhancing the Foundation's operations that build on Alberta Ecotrust's positive model for innovative and meaningful environmental collaboration.

A native Calgarian, Stuart has a passion for nature and can be often found enjoying local trails with his family and friends.

Bonnie Glines, Administrative Assistant

Having spent the last 15 years living in various parts of Canada, Bonnie has returned to her roots in Calgary, where she  is very pleased to have joined Alberta Ecotrust team. She has spent the majority of her years away working in the not-for-profit charitable sector, most recently in Ottawa with Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (National Office) and Family Service Canada. She brings to her position a wide range of financial and administrative experience, coupled with a passion for the environment.  Bonnie is an avid animal lover and spends all her free time showing and training her Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers. 

Jayme Nelson, Program Coordinator

From a small town outside of Edmonton, Jayme has been a part of non-profit work from a very young age.  A product of her 10 years of experience in 4-H, she is a passionate speaker and an enthusiastic leader. While studying Environmental and Conservation Sciences at the University of Alberta, she was a co-founder for Active Citizens Television, a youth-driven media initiative aimed to educate, motivate and "ACTV-ate" Albertans to discover and pursue sustainable living practices and promote ecological consciousness.  Since her time as a resident at the Ecohouse at the University of Alberta, Jayme has been an avid supporter of social change and community building.  Her most recent experience has been with Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils, and she has a keen interest in watershed issues. She is pleased to be in Calgary, and is thrilled to be part of an organization that reflects her values! Jayme is also excited to continue to be a part of the vibrant, dedicated community that makes up Alberta's environmental sector.

Wanda Spooner, Manager, Partner Development

With Alberta Ecotrust since 2003, Wanda brings a variety of work, life and volunteer experience to her position. An ardent supporter of "community," Wanda's journey in the voluntary sector began over 20 years ago and has included a rich diversity of employment. She has coordinated communications for the local tourism bureau; managed media relations on a brain injury awareness tour; directed corporate and individual major gift solicitation in the arts; and is now leading a partner development program supporting the environment.

As a volunteer Wanda has contributed in both member and board capacities to organizations focused on advancing local and international development, music and culture, and disaster and social services. Most recently, Wanda received the five year milestone award from the Regional Council of the Canadian Red Cross for volunteer service ranging from member at large to past president. Wanda has temporarily taken a hiatus from volunteer activities as well as her love of travel and adventure as she acquaints herself with the newer and much more challenging position as mother of two young children.

Bart Robinson, Manager, Communications

Bart brings many years' experience in communications, conservation and community stewardship to his position of Communications Manager.  In former years, he was an award-winning journalist, a founding editor of Equinox Magazine, the Executive Director of the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, and a Fortune 500 business consultant with Business Design Associates. More recently, he has been a Senior Associate with The Natural Step Canada and the Program Director of the Bow Valley Sustainability Hub. In 2007, he completed a two year stint as a Research Associate at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, where he studied the policy sciences and large-scale conservation.

Kim Kiel, Program Manager, Grants & Capacity Building

Kim is pleased to bring her passion for Alberta's natural resources to Alberta Ecotrust Foundation. She has over twelve years of experiences within Alberta's environmental community in a range of capacities. From working as a foam-head-wearing (and award-winning) nature interpreter, to the Education Director for a national environmental charity, Kim has gained a variety of environmental non-profit perspectives and insights that she will bring to this position. Kim also enjoys sharing her love of music, theatre, travel, and the great outdoors with her lovely and terrible two-year old. Kim is currently enjoying a well-deserved maternity leave, and will be expected back in 2012.