Janet McKay (© 2023 Janet McKay / LEAF)

Executive Director

Janet McKay (she/her)
416.413.9244 | janet[at]yourleaf.org

Janet holds an Honours B.A. in Environment and Resource Management. She founded LEAF in 1996 and became a founding member of the Green Infrastructure Ontario Coalition in 2009. Janet is passionate about making room for nature in our cities. In her time away from LEAF, she loves spending time outdoors with her young son.

 

 

© 2018 Rachel Marcus (© 2018 Rachel Marcus)

Operations Director

Erin MacDonald (she/her)
416.413.9244 | erin[at]yourleaf.org

Erin is a lifelong lover of plants and nature and has been a part of the LEAF team since 2014. She holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph and has over thirteen years of professional experience dedicated to environmental education and stewardship across the non-profit, municipal and private sectors. Before joining LEAF, Erin worked at the City of Vancouver where she helped residents green their neighbourhoods and supported the City’s urban food-growing movement. In her current role at LEAF as Operations Director, she oversees overall organizational operations.

 

© 2018 Brian Millward

Community Programs Manager

Brian Millward (he/him)
416.413.9244 | brian[at]yourleaf.org

Brian holds a Master's of Environmental and Life Sciences from Trent University. He has worked with LEAF over the past 2.5 years within the Community Programs team, delivering engaging environmental programs across the GTA. Brian is passionate about connecting people with nature and is committed to making the LEAF community an inviting space for everyone. As the CP Manager, Brian is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Community Programs.

 

 

Sarah in front of a tree (©2021 Sarah Halonen)

Senior Stewardship Coordinator

Sarah Halonen (she/her, they/them)
416.413.9244 | sarah[at]yourleaf.org

Sarah holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Western University. With over 15 years’ experience in the environmental not-for-profit sector, Sarah has coordinated a wide range of stewardship programs connecting people of all ages, abilities, and identities with urban nature in Toronto’s High Park, Allan Gardens Park and Conservatory, and green spaces across London, UK. Sarah enjoys exploring wild places, gardening, insect and plant photography, and botanical sketching. As the Senior Stewardship Coordinator, Sarah oversees our volunteer programs, including Community Tree Planting, Urban Forest Demonstration Gardens and volunteer outreach.

 

Natasha Jovanovic (© 2023 Natasha Jovanovic / LEAF)

Education Coordinator

Natasha Jovanovic (she/her)
416.413.9244 | natasha[at]yourleaf.org

Natasha holds an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences with a specialization in sociology and a minor in geography from the University of Ottawa. She has over four years of experience in the not-for-profit sector including coordinating biodiversity programs that promoted naturalizing urban spaces by planting native species. Natasha is passionate about engaging communities through environmental education and exploration of the urban forest. As the Education Coordinator, Natasha oversees our educational programs, including tree tours, the Young Urban Forest Leaders program and the Tree Tenders Training program.

 

Jessie (© 2024 LEAF)

Community Housing Stewardship Coordinator

Jessie Cripton (Any pronouns/he/she/they)
416.413.9244 | jessie[at]yourleaf.org

Jessie holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Sexual Diversity Studies and Critical Studies in Equity and Solidarity from the University of Toronto. Jessie is passionate about supporting people in feeling empowered to create the communities they wish to live in. The Community Housing Stewardship Coordinator oversees the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) Planting and Stewardship Program and York Region Housing Stewardship Initiative.

 

 

© 2011 Brenna Anstett

Residential Planting Programs Manager

Brenna Anstett (she/her)
416.413.9244 | brenna[at]yourleaf.org

Brenna holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography and Environmental Governance from the University of Guelph. She is also an ISA certified arborist. Brenna has worked with the Residential Planting Programs team at LEAF for over eight years and her past experience includes research in dendroclimatology at the University of Guelph and tree planting with the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority. She is passionate about reforesting the urban environment though educating people about the right tree in the right place and she loves teaching others about fun tree facts. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, hiking and landscape photography. As the Residential Planting Programs Manager, Brenna is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Backyard Tree Planting Program.

 

Jess Wilkin (© 2018 Jess Wilkin)

Residential Planting Programs Operations Supervisor

Jess Wilkin (she/her)
416.413.9244 | jess[at]yourleaf.org

Jess holds a Bachelor of Arts in Tourism and Environment Studies from Brock University and a Master of Forest Conservation from the University of Toronto. She is also an ISA certified arborist. Jess' Master's research explored the role of Ontario's electrical distribution corridors in creating native pollinator habitat. She has experience with urban gardening and started out with LEAF in 2016 as a participant in the Young Urban Forest Leaders Program. Jess is passionate about getting people outdoors to explore and learn about their shared environments. As the RPP Operations Supervisor, Jess is responsible for overseeing the Backyard Tree Planting Program office operations, scheduling and client communications.

 

Jon standing with trees (©2021 Sidney Cummings)

Residential Planting Programs Senior Field Coordinator

Jon Curtis (he/him)
416.413.9244 | jon[at]yourleaf.org

Jon holds a Bachelor of Science specializing in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Indigenous Studies from the University of Toronto. He is also an ISA certified arborist. He has long been passionate about the natural world, leading him to spend field seasons in Algonquin Park researching tick populations and the Amazon rainforest surveying amphibians. He has previously worked in the not-for-profit sector coordinating large-scale tree planting follow-up visits to conduct tree survival assessments and planting habitat evaluations for landowners. He is interested in combining his passion for wildlife and forest conservation at LEAF in hopes of creating a healthier urban community through tree planting and ecological restoration. As the RPP Senior Field Coordinator, Jon is responsible for supporting the Backyard Tree Planting Program field operations, including consultations, tree planting and follow-ups.

 

Amba P. standing in garden (©2023 Brenna Anstett)

Residential Planting Programs Assistant

Amba P. (she/her)
416.413.9244 | amba[at]yourleaf.org

Amba holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Environment and Urban Sustainability from Toronto Metropolitan University. With a diverse background in program facilitation and research, Amba has successfully delivered community food programs, urban agriculture and forestry initiatives across Toronto. Passionate about restoring landscape and forestry dynamics through thoughtful design, Amba's enthusiasm for creating beautiful green spaces and promoting ecological practices shines through in her work. As the Residential Planting Programs Assistant, Amba is responsible for supporting the Backyard Tree Planting Program office operations and client communications.

 

Joel standing in garden (©2023 Joel Sloggett)

Residential Planting Programs Field Assistant

Joel Sloggett (he/him)
416.413.9244 | joel[at]yourleaf.org

Joel holds an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in ethics and sustainability from Trent University and a Master’s of Sustainability with a focus on regional food systems from Trent University. He has over four years of professional experience in the environmental not-for-profit sector and has conducted and coordinated a wide range of sustainability related projects, including board facilitation for a cooperative vegetarian cafe, maintenance of trails and learning spaces at a forest school and food security/agricultural research focusing on Ontario’s “Land Between” region. Joel aims to enhance our collective environmental awareness through a better understanding and appreciation of the services provided by our urban forest ecosystems. As the RPP Field Assistant, Joel is responsible for supporting the Backyard Tree Planting Program field and office operations.

  

 

Justin Lewis (© 2022 Justin Lewis)

Marketing and Communications Lead

Justin Lewis (he/him)
416.413.9244 | justin[at]yourleaf.org

Justin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Waterloo. Justin has worked in both web and social media marketing and graphic design for over 10 years. He has years of experience volunteering with various conservation groups, helping with habitat restoration and invasive species management. He is passionate about native plants and their relationship with wildlife species and enjoys researching and teaching about our local ecosystem. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening at home, hiking, and spending time with his family. As the Marketing and Communications Lead, Justin oversees our marketing, communications and fundraising activities.

 

Mikahail L

Marketing Assistant

Mikahail L (he/him)
416.413.9244 | mikahail[at]yourleaf.org

Mikahail holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and minors in city studies and economics from the University of Toronto. After volunteering in the not-for-profit sector taking up a communications/marketing role right out of university, he quickly realized how impactful such a position can be and directed his career in this direction. After 3 years of deploying marketing strategies in multiple sectors, he joined us at LEAF. Mikahail is passionate about health and well-being and loves exploring green spaces. He knows how impactful green spaces can be for our health not only physically but mentally. As the marketing Assistant, Mikahail helps our Marketing and Communication Lead oversee our marketing, communications and fundraising activities.