David Crockett, Chair
VP, Integrated Planning, London Health Sciences / St. Joseph's

Cindy Graeme, Secretary
Manager of Community Projects, London Community Foundation

Kate Graham, Director
Manager Corporate Initiatives, City of London

Ian Greasley, Director
Owner, Bloomers at the Market

Paul Knill, Director
Partner, Siskinds

Stephanie Lentz, Treasurer
Chartered Accountant, Deloitte & Touche

Director Biographies

John Nolan, Director
University of Western Ontario

Kate Rhodes, Director
Vice President and Producer, Wizards of Video

Mitchell Schurmans, Director
Vice President, Oak Trust

Dean Sheppard, Vice-Chair
Environmental Consultant, Axent Consulting

Veronica Stoiber, Director
Associate Director, Major Gifts, United Way

Fred Wideman, Director
Supervisor, Document Services, Thames Valley District School Board

Amber Cantell
Project Manager

When she was younger, Amber Cantell dreamed of one day working with a group in her hometown of London that would be called Operation ReLeaf "or something like that", so needless to say she's very excited to be working with the ReForest London team as the organization's new Project Manager.

Amber holds a Bachelor degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo as well as a post-graduate certificate in Ecosystem Restoration from Niagara College. Amber has previously worked as a green building education coordinator for the Ecology Action Centre in Halifax and as the Well Aware project coordinator for Waterloo Region Green Solution.

In addition to her work for ReForest London, she is pursuing a Masters degree in urban planning. Her research is primarily in greenway neighbourhoods in which community trails are placed in lieu of roads between the fronts of homes while roads are located behind people's backyards.

Her favourite tree is Eastern Cottonwood.

Amber Cantell

Julie Ryan
Executive Director

Julie Ryan is the Executive Director of ReForest London, an organization she co-founded in 2004. Previously, Julie has worked in various positions as a writer, educator, and non-profit organization manager. She was a regular columnist with the London Free Press for 2 years, and has consulted with several environmental organizations in Ontario. Julie has a Master's degree in Education from the University of St. Thomas, and a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Carleton College.

Julie volunteers for the London Potters Guild, school, church, and neighbourhood organizations. In 2003, Julie received Special Congressional Recognition from Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson for her work building a coalition peace organization in Dallas Texas.

Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Julie has also lived in Cleveland and Dallas. She moved to the Forest City in 2003. In 2011, she became a Canadian citizen. She is married with three children and lives in London’s Old South neighbourhood.

Her favourite trees are a Red Oak and Redbud.

Julie Ryan

Gabriele Sanio
Project Leader

Gabriele Sanio is trained as a landscape architect from the University of Guelph, 1988.
Gabriele has practiced in Canada, Ireland and Australia with both private firms and governmental agencies. Gabriele’s design experience has involved both public spaces such as riverside amenity walks, large scale planting projects for highways and public parks and private projects ranging from industrial landscapes, commercials settings and many private gardens.

Over 15 years Gabriele has a monthly design column for “The Irish Garden” magazine where she presents topical issues that influence the design of outdoor spaces and planting considerations. She specializes in native plantings and expanding the provision of food as a design element in residential and community gardens. Gabriele teaches various design courses and studio’s at Fanshawe College.

Gabriele Sanio resides in her home town of London, Ontario and runs a landscape design practice “Microenvironments” with support from her husband, 3 children, 1 dog, 2 Budgies, 1 turtle and all the fish and frogs in the pond. 

Gabriele Sanio

Katie Van Den Berg
Special Projects Coordinator

Katie Van Den Berg is proud to work for ReForest London as the Special Projects Coordinator, and happy to start her second year with the organization.

Katie was born and raised in the Forest City, and currently lives in beautiful Old South London. Katie's love for protecting nature and animals started at the young age of 6 when she made her first donation to a non-profit to protect wildlife, and choose to become a vegetarian, which she remains today.

Katie holds an Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design from Fanshawe College. Prior to joining the ReForest London team Katie worked as a Creative Assistant at Scholar's Choice Moyer for 3 years and as a Bookkeeper at Food Basic's for 8 years.

Katie enjoys giving back to her community by devoting time each week volunteering at the Women's Community House, and countless other non-profits.

Her favourite trees are:
White Oak
Eastern White Pine, Provincial Tree of Ontario

Katie Van Den Berg