Team

Firelight’s friendly and enthusiastic team brings together a wide range of expertise and backgrounds. 

Directors

Steve DeRoy
Steve DeRoy

Director / TUS team co-lead / Mapping team lead / Indigenous Planning Lead

MSc GIS

Steve is Anishinabe/ Saulteaux and a member of the Ebb and Flow First Nation from Manitoba. Since 1998… Read more

Ginger Gibson
Ginger Gibson

Director / IBA team Lead / Socio-economic Team Co-Lead

PhD Mining Engineering

Ginger is a Director of the Firelight Group. She works as a negotiator and implementation coordinator… Read more

Alistair MacDonald
Alistair MacDonald

Director / EA team lead / Socio-economic Team Co-Lead

MA Geography

Alistair’s work over the past decade has focused on designing, managing, conducting, and critiquing environmental impact assessments… Read more

Rachel Olson
Rachel Olson

Director / TUS team co-lead / Health Team Lead

PhD Social Anthropology

Rachel is a citizen of the Tr’ondek Hwech’in First Nation from the Yukon Territory. She has been a researcher in First Nation communities… Read more

Pamela Perreault
Pamela Perreault

Director / Ecology Team Co-Lead

MSc Forest Management

Pamela Perreault is a member of Garden River First Nation in Ontario. Her academic and
consulting careers have taken her across Canada… Read more

Staff

Makiko Allison
Makiko Allison

Chief Financial Officer

Makiko is Firelight’s CFO and Finance Manager. Originally from Japan, she moved to Canada in 2007 and has been working and studying… Read more

Holly Andrews
Holly Andrews

Senior Planner

MSc Resource Management and Environmental Studies

Holly is a Senior Planner with Firelight. She has a background in community, land use, and strategic planning and expertise in … Read more

Sarah Anthony
Sarah Anthony

Accounts Payable Coordinator

Sarah has a diploma in Library and Information Technology. She has a background as a records manager and administrator providing support in the military, private, and public sectors…Read More

Aiba Baekova
Aiba Baekova

Junior Researcher

BA Global Politics

Aibakyt is a Junior Researcher at the Firelight Group supporting the Traditional Knowledge
and Use Studies and Indigenous Planning teams… Read more

Catherine Baxendale
Catherine Baxendale

Junior Researcher

BSc Geography

Catherine is an Junior Researcher with The Firelight Group and is supporting the Mapping and GIS team. Born and raised in Okotoks, Alberta… Read more

Etienne Beaudet
Etienne Beaudet

Junior Researcher

MSc Integrated Water Resources Management

Etienne is a Junior Researcher with the Traditional Knowledge and Use Studies Team. He holds a MSc in Integrated Water ResourcesRead more

Lucas Bramberger
Lucas Bramberger

Junior Researcher

MA Geography

Lucas is a junior researcher with The Firelight Group, supporting the Socio-economic team. With him, he brings direct experience working for an Algonquin First Nation… Read more

Colby Bilodeau
Colby Bilodeau

Junior Researcher

BSc Geography

Colby is a Junior Researcher with the GIS team. He is a citizen of the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan and currently located in Montréal, in the unceded territories of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinabeg nations.Read more

Waverley Birch
Waverley Birch

Senior Planner and Ecology Researcher

MES, RPBio, RPP, MCIP

Waverley is a Senior Planner and Ecology Researcher with Firelight, supporting the Ecology and Indigenous Planning teams. She is a settler with… Read more

Amanda Bulmer
Amanda Bulmer

Junior Researcher

M.Env Environmental Assessment

Amanda is a Junior Researcher with The Firelight Group supporting the Regulatory Team. She holds a Master of Environment specializing in… Read more

Mauricio Carrasquilla
Mauricio Carrasquilla

Researcher

PhD Biology

Mauricio (he/him) is an Ecology Researcher at The Firelight Group supporting the Ecology team.  He is original from Colombia South America and a settler in the traditional… Read more

Alexis Castle
Alexis Castle

Researcher

BA Anthropology

Alexis is Anishinabe/Saulteaux and is a member of the Skownan First Nation from Manitoba. Alexis is a Researcher… Read more

Julia Conzon
Julia Conzon

GIS Program Manager

MSc Geography & Environmental Studies

Julia Conzon is a GIS Program Manager with Firelight’s GIS Team. She is a second-generation settler with Italian heritage… Read more

Michelle Cuomo
Michelle Cuomo

Junior Researcher

Masters of Community and Regional Planning (MCRP)

Michelle is a Junior Planner with Firelight with two years of planning experience. She has contributed… Read more

Christine Davis
Christine Davis

Senior Researcher

MFC Masters of Forest Conservation

Christine is a Senior Researcher with the Firelight Group, and works with the Indigenous Planning team… Read more

Katy Dimmer
Katy Dimmer

Environmental Assessment Specialist

BA Native Studies, BSc Env. & Conservation Sci.

Katy is an Environmental Assessment Specialist with the Firelight Group. Katy is experienced and well-versed in… Read more

Sabrina Fields
Sabrina Fields

Communications Coordinator

BA Communication Studies

Sabrina is the Communications Coordinator at The Firelight Group and one of the organizers of the Indigenous Mapping Workshop. She graduated… Read more

Rachel Ford
Rachel Ford

Researcher

MSc Environmental and Natural Resources Economics

Rachel is an environmental assessment and regulatory researcher with The Firelight
Group. She worked for several years… Read more
Lindsay Galbraith
Lindsay Galbraith

Senior Researcher

PhD Geography

Lindsay has been working in the area of resource management, planning, impact assessment, and decision-making for over 15 years. Her doctoral work focused on the… Read more
Aislinn Gallivan
Aislinn Gallivan

Junior Researcher

MA Criminology

Aislinn is a Junior Researcher with the Firelight Group supporting the Health and Socio-Economic Research Team. She completed her MA in… Read More

Nicole Gaul
Nicole Gaul

Junior Researcher

BSc Earth System Science

Nicole (she/her) is a Junior Researcher supporting the Ecology team at Firelight. She is a settler with ancestral roots in Scotland, Ireland and… Read more

Tosh Grant
Tosh Grant

Senior Researcher

MA Human Security and Peacebuilding

Tosh is a Senior Researcher with The Firelight Group, working with the Health and Socio-Economic teams. He is a settler and visitor on the traditional territory of the WSÁNEĆ… Read more

Anne Hervieux
Anne Hervieux

Junior Researcher

Master of Geomatics for Environmental Management (MGEM)

Anne is a Junior Ecology Researcher with the Firelight Group. Anne conducts research and applies geomatics … Read more

Jessica Holden
Jessica Holden

Senior Researcher

MSc Biology, RPBio

Jess is a registered professional biologist and Senior Researcher at Firelight. She works with the Ecology team, providing support for… Read more

Claudia Ho Lem
Claudia Ho Lem

Researcher

MSc Resource Management and Environmental Science

Claudia is a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta with family roots in the Young’s Point Métis settlement in Manitoba, and is also of Chinese and Polish ancestry… Read more

Dasha Ivanova
Dasha Ivanova

Junior Researcher

BSc Mathematics

Dasha (she/her) is a Junior Researcher supporting the EA/Regulatory team at Firelight. She is a second-generation settler with roots in Ukraine, currently living… Read more

Dede Jonasen
Dede Jonasen

Executive Assistant

Dede is excited to be joining the Firelight Group as our new Executive Assistant. She’s a member of the Gitxsan First Nation in Northern B.C. but grew up enjoying all… Read more

Neha Kapoor
Neha Kapoor

Junior Researcher

HBEM Conservation and Planning Management; EPt Environmental Professional in training

Neha is a Junior Researcher with The Firelight Group supporting the Regulatory and Environmental
Assessment teams… Read more

Emily Keane
Emily Keane

Junior Communications Specialist

BA International Development & History

Emily is the Junior Communications Specialist at The Firelight Group. She is a settler on… Read more

Kimberley Keller
Kimberley Keller

Junior Researcher

PhD Indigenous and Canadian Studies (In Progress)

Kimberley is a Junior Researcher with The Firelight Group and is supporting… Read more

Knut Kitching
Knut Kitching

Senior Researcher

MA Geography, FRGS

Knut brings a circumpolar perspective to the work of the Traditional Use Studies team. With an academic background in climate…Read more 

Melinda Konings
Melinda Konings

Accounting Administrator

Melinda is Accounting Administrator with The Firelight Group. Melinda offers accounts receivable and payables support as well as other support to the Finance Team… Read more

Janelle Kuntz
Janelle Kuntz

Senior Researcher

MA Anthropology

Janelle Kuntz is Senior Researcher at the Firelight Group. She is a settler-Canadian with German and English… Read more

Elizabeth Kuroyedov
Elizabeth Kuroyedov

Researcher

MSc Anthropology, Environment, and Development

Elizabeth is a Researcher with the Firelight Group supporting the Traditional Knowledge and Use Team… Read more

Hayden LaBoucane
Hayden LaBoucane

Junior Researcher

BSc Environmental Science, ADGISA

Hayden is a Junior Researcher with The Firelight Group and is supporting the Ecology team. Raised in… Read more

Sejal Lal
Sejal Lal

Researcher

BA Geography, Environment & Sustainability

Sejal is a Researcher for the Traditional Knowledge and Use Studies and Indigenous Planning teams. …Read more

Tara Lamothe
Tara Lamothe

Researcher

MRM Resource and Environmental Management (In Progress) BSc Biogeography

Tara Lamothe is Métis, Jobin family, from the Lesser Slave Lake area in Treaty 8 territory in northern Alberta. She holds an Honours B.Sc. … Read more

Ugo Lapointe
Ugo Lapointe

Researcher

BSc Geological Engineering

Ugo (he/him) is a Researcher with the Firelight Group. He works on policy analyses, project assessment, and the negotiation and implementation… Read more

Susan Leech
Susan Leech

Senior Technical Lead: Ecology

MSc Biology, RPBio

Susan Leech (MSc, RPBio) is a senior technical lead within the Ecology team, and provides support to the Regulatory team. She specializes in … Read more

Molly S. Malone
Molly S. Malone

Research Director

PhD Socio-Cultural Anthropology

Molly is a Research Director with Firelight. She holds a doctorate in Socio-Cultural Anthropology from the University of British Columbia… Read more

Alexa Mantifel
Alexa Mantifel

Junior Researcher

MEnv Environmental Assessment, BSc Hons. Environmental Science

Alexa is a Junior Researcher with The Firelight Group supporting the Regulatory Team. She is a settler with German, Finnish and English ancestral roots… Read more

Emily Martin
Emily Martin

Researcher

MA Geography

Emily is a euro-Canadian settler with Swiss Alsatian heritage raised on the Haldimand Tract, and is grateful to live today in the Territory of the… Read more

Jackson McDermott
Jackson McDermott

Junior Researcher

BA Anthropology

Jackson is a junior researcher with The Firelight Group.  He works with the Regulatory, Socio-economic, and… Read more

Jill Mills
Jill Mills

Junior Researcher

MA Environmental Assessment

Jill is a Junior Researcher on the Regulatory team. She is a settler of mixed European descent, born, and currently living, on the traditional territories… Read more

Julian Morrison
Julian Morrison

Senior Researcher

MHS Leadership

Julian Morrison is a Senior Health Researcher with the Firelight Group. She is Mi’kmaw from Ktaqmkuk (NL), lived in K’jipuktuk (Halifax) for… Read more

Mathew Murray
Mathew Murray

Researcher

MA Political Ecology

Mathew holds a BSc in Geography and an MA in political ecology. Mathew’s masters research in political ecology investigated the causes of social conflict… Read more

Rylan O'Krane
Rylan O'Krane

Junior Researcher

BSc Geology, ADGISA

Rylan is a member of Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Manitoba. He is part of the GIS team at Firelight and works out of the Vancouver office. Born and raised… Read more

Justin Page
Justin Page

Research Director

PhD Environmental Sociology

Justin is a Research Director with Firelight. He has 15+ years of experience in Canadian environmental… Read more
Guy Polden
Guy Polden

Senior Researcher

MSc Env., Culture and Society

A geography graduate from Trinity College Dublin, Guy also holds a MSc in Environment, Culture, and Society from the University… Read more

Karleen Rutter
Karleen Rutter

Junior Researcher

BA Cultural Studies

Karleen is a Junior Researcher with The Firelight Group in the department of socio-economic research. Karleen spent time in Kelowna, BC… Read more

Tania Salerno
Tania Salerno

Senior Researcher

PhD Anthropology

Tania is a Senior Researcher with Firelight’s Regulatory and Impact and Benefit Agreements (IBA) teams. Tania has over ten years of experience… Read more
Andre Shepperd
Andre Shepperd

Office Coordinator

Andre is the Office Coordinator for The Firelight Group, based out of the Vancouver office. He has an extensive background in Information Technology, Information Systems, and Inventory Management… Read more

Trefor Smith
Trefor Smith

Senior Regulatory Advisor: Environmental Assessment

MA Ethnohistory

Trefor is a Senior Regulatory Advisor with Firelight. Trefor comes to Firelight with more than 20 years of combined experience related to… Read more

Marie Sutherland
Marie Sutherland

Accounts Payable Coordinator

Marie received her education at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), through the Asokan Project… Read more

Jonathan Taggart
Jonathan Taggart

Senior Researcher

PhD Resource Management & Environmental Studies

Jonathan is a Senior Researcher with the Traditional Use Studies team, where his primary responsibilities are community-based work… Read more

Anuja Thapa
Anuja Thapa

Researcher

MES Environment & Sustainability

Anuja is a Researcher with the Firelight Group, working closely with the IBA team. Originally from Nepal, she moved to Canada… Read more

Aly Tkachenko
Aly Tkachenko

Junior Researcher

MA Environmental Politics

Aly is a Junior Researcher at the Firelight Group supporting the Indigenous Health team. She is a settler currently residing on the traditional and unceded lands… Read more

Erin Tomkins
Erin Tomkins

Senior Health Researcher and Opportunity Development Manager

MA Indigenous Governance

Erin Tomkins is a health researcher and opportunity development manager with the Firelight…  Read more

Tanya Tran
Tanya Tran

Researcher

MSc Environmental Studies

Tanya is a Researcher with the Ecology Team. She enjoys working at the intersection of conservation, community, research, policy, and education… Read more

Sonja Voyageur
Sonja Voyageur

Human Resources Manager

MBA , CPHR

Sonja Voyageur is the Human Resource Manager of Firelight, and is a proud member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation in Treaty 8 Territory…. Read more

Chris Wagner
Chris Wagner

Researcher

BSc Environmental Science

Chris is a Researcher with the Ecology Team. He has experience providing technical support to communities in environmental impact assessment Read more

Grant Wallace
Grant Wallace

Junior Researcher

MEnv Environmental Assessment (in progress)

Grant is a Junior Researcher with The Firelight Group and is supporting the Regulatory Team.  He was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario… Read more

Kassandra Woods
Kassandra Woods

Senior Researcher

MA Indigenous Governance

Kassandra Woods is a Senior Health Researcher with The Firelight Group. She is a settler and grateful visitor on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm…. Read more

Kyle Vermette
Kyle Vermette

Special Advisor

Bachelor of Laws (L.L.B.)

Kyle Vermette (L.L.B.) is a Métis Nation lawyer and negotiator from Regina, Saskatchewan, and Special Advisor to The Firelight Group. He was a founder of CLASSIC… Read more

Anang Yashim
Anang Yashim

Junior Researcher

MES Sustainable Environmental Management

Anang is a Junior Regulatory Researcher with the Firelight Group. She completed a master’s degree in Sustainable Environmental Management… Read more

Interns

Emily Červenka
Emily Červenka

Research Intern

M.Sc. Biology

Emily (she/her) is a Research Intern with the Impact and Benefit Agreements (IBA) team at The Firelight Group. She is a settler of Czech and Russian… Read more

Sarah Kromberg
Sarah Kromberg

Research Intern

BSc Marine Biology

Sarah (she/her) is a Research Intern supporting the Ecology team at The Firelight Group. She is currently living on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm… Read more

Sophie Lalor
Sophie Lalor

Human Resources Intern

BCom HR (in progress)

Sophie is a Human Resources Intern at the Firelight Group. She is a settler on the unceded territory of the Okanagan (Syilx) People… Read more

Kennedy Tuccaro
Kennedy Tuccaro

Research Intern

BA Geography

Kennedy is a member of the Mikisew Cree First Nation in Alberta. She is a Research Intern with the… Read more

The Firelight Group

Research, policy, planning, mapping, negotiation, advisory, and capacity building services for Indigenous and local communities.

Offices

XWMÉLCH’tSTN (SQUAMISH CAPILANO 5 RESERVE) (778) 851-0264
VICTORIA (250) 590-9017
EDMONTON (780) 760-1255

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