Associates work on projects led by the Directors or Fellows. To apply to become an Associate is through a nomination to the Board by a current Director, Fellow or Associate.

Fiona Beaty

Fiona Beaty is a doctoral candidate in the University of British Columbia’s Department of Zoology. Her research focusses on the adaptive capacity of British Columbia’s coastal ecosystems to climate change effects. She also works with regional non-profit organizations on marine conservation and spatial planning research in the Salish Sea.

Sean Boyd PhD

Dr. Sean Boyd is a research scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Simon Fraser University. He studies Arctic geese and sea ducks with special emphasis on winter ecology and migration ecology.

Andrew Couturier

Andrew Couturier is a Senior Analyst with Bird Canada, where he has worked for more than twenty years on numerous national and international conservation initiatives.  In particular, he is widely regarded for his leadership in Bird Atlas projects across Canada and the Salish Sea Atlas.

Gillian Darling Kovanic

Gillian Darling is an award-winning television documentary director and producer. She has produced films on health, education, agriculture and economic development, and worked for National Film Board of Canada.

Liron Gertsman

Liron Gertsman is a naturalist and award-winning photographer. His eye-catching images have been widely recognized and awarded, sweeping the youth category of the 2018 Audubon Photography Awards and earning a highly commended designation in the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. He is currently studying biology at the University of British Columbia. Liron is working with Director Mike McKinlay to tell our science story through photography.

Ruth Joy, PhD.

Ruth Joy is a Statistical Ecologist in the School of Environmental Science and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Statistics at Simon Fraser University. Her research focuses on computational and statistical tools that help to manage and minimize anthropogenic stress in both marine and terrestrial species. She will be providing guidance to the Board in the development of a new marine station with Simon Fraser University.

Kate Keogh

Kate Keogh has been with the foundation since its inception and is a specialist in science and environmental education. She brings an understanding of classroom curriculum and practical ways that information from researchers can be incorporated into curriculum and made relevant to school age children. Kate served as a Director for 8 years and is our Archivist.

Josh McInnes

Josh McInnes is a marine ecologist and marine mammal researcher focusing mostly on foraging behaviour of transient (Bigg’s) killer whales and Risso’s dolphins. Josh has collaborated on marine mammal projects in Canada, USA, Australia and is a member of the Northern Indian Ocean Killer Whale Alliance.

Mike McKinlay

Mike McKinlay is the owner of Mike McKinlay Productions, a film production company in Vancouver. His awards include a Leo Award and Wildspace Festival Most Impactful Small Budget Film.

Rachel Sullivan-Lord

Rachel Sullivan-Lord is a marine ecologist and graduate student at Simon Fraser University in the Centre for Wildlife Ecology working with Dr. Ron Ydenberg. Her research, in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, focuses on non-consumptive predator effects and the strategic interactions between mammal-eating Bigg’s killer whales and their pinniped prey in the Salish Sea. Rachel also works as a small boat captain and expedition leader in Alaska, Antarctica, East Greenland, Iceland, Hudson Bay, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Douglas Swanston

Doug Swanston is a marine biologist who has recovered and relocated threatened and endangered animals under scrutiny of Species at Risk legislation. He also shares his passion with students and groups exploring the seashore.

Wendy Szaniszlo

Wendy Szaniszlo is a marine mammalogist who has worked on sea lion, gray whale and humpback whale research projects in collaboration with government, academic and not-for-profit organizations. She holds two degrees from the University of Victoria. Wendy has worked on species-at-risk and as a marine naturalist with Parks Canada, BC Parks, Department of Fisheries and Oceans and local eco-tour companies.