Meet Our Board

President & Founder:

Hannah Altimas (they/them/theirs)

Hannah has worked in the outdoor profession as a wilderness leadership instructor, wilderness therapy consultant, medical officer, and survival instructor. They love all things outdoors and are passionate about the healing power of nature. Hannah strongly believes that access and the ability to connect with nature is a human right. When Hannah is not working on CANOPA or writing social work papers, you can find them out in nature with their dogs Raul-Munch and Lola-Bean. Hannah is excited about their work at CANOPA and is especially passionate about dismantling systemic barriers across the profession. They believe that the Outdoor Profession can and will be more equitable, sustainable, just, inclusive, and diverse by 2025. Hannah is excited to share this vision and mission with anyone who will sit still long enough to listen, because who isn’t excited about that?!

Director of Advocacy

Max Chapman (he/him/his)

Max has been involved in political advocacy for many years. He has worked in politics for municipal, provincial, and federal campaigns. In 2019 he was the Green Party of Canada’s candidate for the riding of Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing.Max worked with the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario in camping services for 5 years. During that time he led trips across Northern Ontario. His time with the YMCA informs his understanding of the positive impact wilderness education can have on people.His work with CANOPA focuses on provincial and federal advocacy, improving the ESA for outdoor professionals, and connecting with those in government who have the power to make these changes. Alongside his peers, Max hopes to see the outdoor industry become a safe and sustainable profession.

Director at Large

Kirsty Graham (she/they)

Kirsty lives in London, UK, and works as a Research Fellow at the University of St Andrews, Scotland. The UK’s historic and ongoing colonialism needs to be dismantled and reparations made. Kirsty is working behind the scenes as CANOPA’s statistician, currently analyzing the survey data to help CANOPA understand workers’ perspectives within the outdoors industry. They will be collaborating to set up more formal research as well so that CANOPA is able to share our findings more widely. In their day job, Kirsty studies great ape communication, but on the side is a solidarity fund and microgrants organizer, an equality rep for their local union branch, and an activist working to make academia more inclusive and accessible (at least until we are in a position to reimagine it entirely!)

Vice President & Founder:

Kristen Montgomery (she/her/hers)

Kristen is teacher and small business co-owner in Sudbury, Ontario. Kristen graduated from the Outdoor Adventure Leadership program at Laurentian University and has been involved in the outdoor industry for 10 years. She is still involved in guiding in the summer when she is not teaching. She hopes that through CANOPA, she can help to create sustainable career paths in the industry.Kristen is currently working on researching and sharing educational resources around Employment Standards Act. Specifically, she is excited to share information on the wilderness guide exemption and the differences between employees and sub-contractors so that outdoor professionals are able to make informed decisions regarding employment opportunities and their career path.

Director of Social Media and Communication

Ashley Ing (she/her/hers)

Ashley loves to canoe, hike and backcountry camp. Through the summer months you can find her on the lake or portaging through the backcountry.Ashley is a graduate of Laurentian University’s Outdoor Adventure Leadership. She has been working full time in the outdoor profession as an outdoor education instructor and a summer camp professional. Having always been passionate about the outdoors, she is not only excited to share her enthusiasm with youth, she also wants to ensure that the outdoor industry is an inclusive and accessible space for everyone. To this end, Ashely is excited to join CANOPA, working to improve equity and increase the long term sustainability of the outdoor profession for all those in it.

Secretary

 Paul Vilchez (he/him/his)

Paul is a relative newcomer to the outdoor professional scene. He supports the work that CANOPA is doing in order to make the industry accessible and sustainable for all. By way of experience, Paul is a software engineering manager, former small business owner, and national weightlifting coach in training. Paul is also currently serving his third term as the VP admin with the Ontrio weightlifting Association. Among other initiatives, he spearheaded the OWA’s Equity Committee and is always looking to make things better for the community.

Director at Large

Rukmini Halliwell (she/her/hers)

Rukmini is a South Indian honours graduate in Ancient Hinduism and Biblical Studies from York University and holds a postgraduate degree in Public Relations. She now finds herself working for one of Canada’s largest advertising agencies as a Senior Project Manager. With a deep connection to her heritage and a passion to be on trail, Rukmini is advocating for diversity and inclusion in outdoor adventure sports. After welcoming her first child into the world, she began focusing on how to break cultural barriers that prevent BIPOC from entering outdoor spaces. You’ll find Rukmini on any given weekend hiking along the Bruce Trail with her toddler, dog and husband in tow. An active member of the Mycological Society of Toronto, she’s most at home hunting for mushrooms and sharing her ID knowledge.

Treasurer

Kate Ming-Sun (she/her/hers)

Kate is a graduate of and professor in the outdoors programs at Algonquin College Pembroke. In addition, she owns and operates The Quiet Guiding Company.With a previous career in accounting and finance, Kate brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Treasurer role. She has a passion for creating space for introverts in the outdoors and has a particular interest in increasing BI&POC and women’s representation within the outdoor professionals. To this end, she is engaged in reducing the financial, and other, barriers that can stand in the way of a long career in the field.

Director at Large

Liz Kirk (she/her/hers)

Liz currently works for Brock University as an Experiential Education Coordinator, supporting the Faculty of Social Sciences and Faculty of Education. In this role, she supports instructors offering experiential learning opportunities for students across a variety of courses and programs. Prior to this role, Liz was an active front-line outdoor professional for over 20 years. She has led backcountry trips and nature-based programs with numerous organizations across Ontario and beyond. In 2013 she went on to complete her Master’s thesis in social support for front-line wilderness therapy field instructors. As a member of the Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario (COEO), Liz has contributed to launching initiatives such as the Ontario Wilderness Leadership Symposium (OWLS), aimed at connecting and supporting young professionals as they enter the outdoor industry. In 2021, Liz is excited to be training to become a certified forest therapy guide. She looks forward to working alongside this amazing group of volunteers as part of CANOPA.