Board of Directors

Lana has dedicated her career to tackling environmental and social challenges, with noteworthy nonprofits including the David Suzuki Foundation, FishWise, and the Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation. She is passionate about bringing PODS to life as a community hub for connection, learning, and inspiration to help people experience the natural world in ways that spark both wonder and action.

With expertise in leadership, communications, and fundraising, Lana believes lasting change happens through collaboration, storytelling, and education. She is excited to guide the Loon Foundation’s work alongside a talented team to build a better future on the Sunshine Coast.

Outside of work, Lana enjoys a coastal life with her husband, twin children, and their Rhodesian Ridgeback. Whether exploring tidepools, wandering forest trails, or enjoying a sunset in her kayak, she finds daily inspiration in the beauty around her.  

Will Corse grew up on the Sunshine Coast and continues to call ch\'atlich (Sechelt) home, where he lives with his wife and their dog. With over two decades of experience in the construction industry, Will has built a career through a variety of roles, including log builder, estimator, construction manager, project manager, and department manager. For the past 12 years, he has specialized in the high-voltage electrical sector, where he currently leads a diverse team of experts.

Will is passionate about renewable energy and has a deep commitment to sustainability. His values align with the Loon Foundation's mission, and he is keen to help realize the potential for innovation in construction to support environmental stewardship.

In his spare time, Will is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys paddleboarding and exploring the Sunshine Coast. His decision to join the Loon Foundation and PODS comes from a desire to give back to the community that shaped him, with a particular focus on helping future generations, including his nieces and nephews, connect with the natural world.

Brendan is an environmental and social justice advocate, and communications professional of 15 + years. He is currently the Pembina’s Institute’s Senior Director of Communications. Previously, he was Director of Communications with the David Suzuki Foundation. Brendan began his career in journalism, then led communications efforts for three national NGOs and a full-service marketing agency. He has a BA in journalism from St. Thomas University and a MA in media studies and music from the University of Western Ontario.

Brendan is grateful to live and work on the traditional unceded territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations, and is an advocate for the full recognition and adoption of Indigenous rights, title and Sovereignty. He lives with his family – Alaya, Coco and Garrett – in Gibsons / the ancient Sḵwx̱wú7mesh fishing village of Ch’ḵw’elhp.

Bob Patrick has deep roots on the westcoast. Born in Vancouver and a resident of Sechelt for over 40 years, Bob is a life-long learner, avid cyclist, and spends much of his time boating and kayaking on the Salish Sea. He is excited to contribute to PODS and the Loon Foundation by offering water and land-based teaching and learning for coast residents and off-coast visitors, students, and scientists. Bob is a Professor of Geography and Planning at the University of Saskatchewan and a member of the Global Institute for Water Security. Splitting his work between Saskatoon and Sechelt, among other places, his community-based research involves source water protection planning and climate change adaptation planning with First Nations in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and BC. Bob and his wife, Linda, have two daughters and six grandchildren, all of whom are better at fishing than Bob!

Kathy learned about PODS when she moved to Madeira Park in early 2021, noting the strong focus on science and youth education. She welcomes the opportunity to contribute to this ambitious community project.   

Kathy is a Professional Geologist (retired) with over 30 years of environmental consulting experience. She grew up on the east coast and earned a B.Sc. in Geology from St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, and a M.Sc. in Geological Sciences from McGill.

Her work experience includes extensive environmental field investigations, data synthesis and interpretation, regulatory review, technical reporting, and senior project management. She was a Certified Environmental Auditor, prepared and implemented Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001), and managed the transportation of Dangerous Goods.

Kathy has served on two prior Boards; The North Shore Crisis Services Society (North Vancouver, 1999-2004) and PGL Environmental Consultants (Vancouver, 1998-2003), and sat on the Environmental Protection Technology Advisory Committee for Kwantlen University College (1999-2004).

Kathy lives in Madeira Park where she enjoys the abundant wildlife, and spectacular hiking and kayaking.

Growing up on the Salish Sea, I developed a deep passion for the area and its inhabitants. The more I learned, the more I became committed to conserving this amazing part of the world. This passion led me to become involved in The Loon Foundation and PODS. I truly believe that protecting the natural world begins with sharing knowledge and inspiring action.

With a background in marine biology and a focus on both sustainable food systems and ocean conservation, I dedicated much of my career on understanding the challenges of and finding practical solutions for sustainable seafood production. Over the past 25 years, I have worked in fisheries and aquaculture-related research, education and advocacy, as well as in commercial fisheries. I was part of the founding team behind the Ocean Wise seafood program in 2005. In 2013, I co-founded The Fish Counter, an award-winning sustainable seafood market and restaurant in Vancouver. In recognition for this work, I was named one of the most influential people in the Canadian food industry by the Globe and Mail.

Outside of my professional life, I love spending time with my family, especially when it involves activities on or near the water – whether its paddling, diving, beachcombing, or traveling to new places for fresh adventures.

Michelle Johnston is guided by a deep love of nature and a belief in the power of community. As a mom, she feels every day that fighting climate change is the mission that matters most. 

Professionally, Michelle is Vice President of Communications at Syntax Strategic, where she advises not‑for‑profit, corporate, and public sector clients on complex challenges. She has also held senior government roles, including Director of Communications to Minister Catherine McKenna and Deputy Director of Communications to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Michelle is inspired by the Loon Foundation’s leadership in advancing climate solutions through research and community action, and sees PODS as a vital step toward building a more resilient future. Outside of work, she spends her time hiking and exploring the outdoors with her young daughter and partner, nurturing the connection to nature that drives her commitment to climate action.

Candace in her role as cultural director for the shíshálh Nation has worked in film as a researcher, writer and cultural ambassador/storyteller on camera for the program Voices of Shíshálh.  As a trained anthropologist Candace has been fortunate to work with her Elders in language revitalization and oral history providing her a deeper understanding of her history and culture. Candace started her company Talaysay Tours in 2002 providing cultural experiences, events and workshops to international and domestic guests. Trained in anthropology and education, Candace provides 50+ schools from Pre-school to Post-secondary, corporations organizations, Indigenous cultural, land-based, storytelling and art experiences and workshops.   Candace through her company Talaysay Tours is a partner with the Jane Goodall Institute - Roots and Shoots Program and has worked the JGI since 2018 writing articles for their journals and media, attending and providing youth training and support in Ambassadorship. Other experiences include working with Green Peace on communication missions. Proudly, Candace is a board member for the Swiya Farm, the not for profit organization lead by Aaron Joe. Her passion is art, providing accessibility in land-based living and supporting language revitalization. Candace is committed to addressing local matters including the revitalization of culture, language and connection to the swiya. Here on the Sunshine Coast, the ocean and forest (the swiya) is our wealth and wellbeing. The swiya is a natural place to connect, learn and be in good relationship with the swiya and each other. At present Candace is working on a community film on sea gardens to promote and highlight traditional indigenous aquaculture with contemporary science. Candace has been been partnering and supporting PODS and the Loon foundation for over 12 years as an indigenous shíshálh ambassador providing program deliver, supporting communications, branding and grant applications. She believes in the work, the research and goals and PODS and the Loon Foundation and hopes to be a part of the team to strengthen the partnership with the Shíshálh Nation and further serve our Sunshine Coast community for our youth and future generations to come.

Christine first connected with the Loon Foundation and PODS in 2024 after purchasing a home in Madeira Park and learning about the initiatives of the foundation while attending the Monitoring Symposium and through volunteering with the coastal monitoring program. Inspired by the foundation’s mission and ambitious initiatives, she is excited to contribute her skills and experience as a board member.

Christine is a registered professional biologist in BC with over 25 years of experience in environmental consulting, specializing in assessing and managing the impacts of contaminants on the environment. She also has previous board experience, having served on the Board for the Contaminated Sites Approved Professional Society (2020–2024).

With a lifelong passion for the marine environment, Christine studied marine biology early in her career and has spent the past decade exploring the coast by boat with her husband and two children. One of her favourite memories is being escorted by a pod of porpoises to Thurlow Island; seeing the impact this had on her children strengthened her appreciation for the ocean and the importance of conservation and education in protecting it.

In her spare time, she enjoys running, hiking and getting out on the water with her family.  She would love the opportunity to contribute her unique blend of experience and passion to the Loon Foundation’s board, supporting its impactful work in environmental stewardship, education, and community engagement.

Bio coming soon.