Location: I live on the North Shore of Vancouver, BC, otherwise known as the traditional and unceded territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam),  Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and Kwikwetlem (kwikwəƛ̓ əm) Nations. Although I spent my childhood in Winnipeg, MB (territory of Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Dene peoples and homeland of the Metis Nation), I think of Vancouver as my home!

Role:  Program Specialist 

What gets me up in the morning: 

Watching the hummingbirds at the feeder outside my kitchen window as I'm grabbing a cup of tea always makes my day! 

A bit about me:

I'm super passionate about conservation! During my undergrad studying biology, I had some awesome opportunities to further my learning, like volunteering in Churchill, MB (polar bear capital of the world) and working in a research lab that studied sharks. Arctic and marine conservation continue to be huge interests of mine! On the flip side, I have also spent several years in the marketing and communications industry, which taught me a lot about how we connect with the world, and which I think has been more important than ever this past year. I am very excited to help facilitate similar experiences with Direct Action participants!

When I'm not in the conservation realm, I love cooking, reading and taking my dog to the beach. 

Tell us something random about yourself:
I have a goal of travelling to both poles!

Location:  I currently live on the traditional territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples, known as the Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) and (Lekwungen) Songhees Nations or what is now known as Victoria, BC.

Role:  Program Administrator

What gets me up in the morning: Coffee, ocean conservation, and sunshine coming through the windows! 

A bit about me: After receiving a Fine Arts degree from NSCAD University in Halifax, NS, I ran my own jewellery business and managed a jewellery school for several years. 

Over the last few years, with the global environmental challenges, my desire to play a more direct role in ecological conservation grew. I am pursuing a second degree in Environmental Practice exploring living systems thinking, environmental leadership, climate resilience, and other ways of knowing. I am very excited to work with Ocean Bridge Direct Action to bring my lived experience together with my aesthetic, skills, and passion for making a difference.

Growing up on the prairies, oceans were always mysterious and vibrant places that cultivated a deep curiosity from a young age. I have always been passionate about the diversity of wild spaces and their conservation. 

My other favourite ways of exploring and being in the world are growing flowers, free diving, hiking and camping, cooking, and swimming in all bodies of water!

Tell us something random about yourself: I have been obsessed with coral reefs since I was a teenager! 

Location: I currently live in Port Moody, BC, on the traditional and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and Kwikwetlem (kwikwəƛ̓ əm) Nations

What gets me up in the morning: My dog, Margot. I may or may not invite her up on the bed for a quick snuggle before I get up...

A bit about me: Though I was born on a small farm in the Alberta prairies, I grew up on Vancouver Island and learned to play in the waves from a young age. I have lived in both Calgary and North Vancouver and have travelled extensively throughout Australia, Europe, Scandinavia, Turkey and India, and I have recently returned from a 5-month road trip through the Western USA and Mexico. I am a scuba diver and kiteboarder, but draw my limit at mountain biking. I completed my Bachelor's degree with a major in Greek & Roman Studies and a minor in French language; to this day, I am cognizant of the importance of understanding history and context in order to communicate effectively. After a career that includes everything from teaching improv drama, digging for dinosaurs, building watershed models and managing compliance requirements, I am now preparing to defend for my Master's in Environmental Education and Communication at Royal Roads University. My research focuses on the links between making and being, how hands-on work can change the way we act in the world. I strongly believe in the power that youth have to create change and I look forward to employing my experience in helping to conserve the oceans!

Tell us something random about yourself: I play a tuba that is bigger than I am. I can fit inside the case.

Name: Zana Mody

Location: I'm newly living in Vancouver, traditional and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish),  Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and Kwikwetlem (kwikwəƛ̓ əm) Nations. I previously lived in Peterborough (Nogojiwanong, an Anishinaabe word meaning "at the foot of the rapids"), the traditional territory of the Michi Saagig people of Treaty # 20. I also immigrated to Canada at the age of 12, from the state of Gujarat, India. 

Role:  Ocean Bridge Direct Action Manager 

What gets me up in the morning: A warm cup of spicy chai or coffee, some yoga and getting to work with dedicated people on conservation issues in this beautiful part of the world! 

A bit about me:

I'm an interdisciplinary person by nature who is passionate about socio-ecology and climate change resilience, and learning about integrated human-nature systems in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. It just made sense for me to study both science and social sciences, including biology, ecology, and anthropology throughout my academic career, which led me to conduct fieldwork all across Asia, Canada, and Central America. My other favourite ways to learn and explore include travelling, learning languages, cooking, and reading. 

 I also teach and perform many styles of Latin dance, including salsa, bachata, and samba! I love all kinds of rhythm and movement really, both indoors and out - chat with me anytime about hiking, rock climbing, canoe tripping, and yoga.  A certifiable nature nerd, you can usually find me birding, foraging for mushrooms and plants, and generally rambling around outdoors.

Tell us something random about yourself:
I grew up in a desert and have lived for many years without consistent running water or electricity in India and Ghana - and really appreciate how fortunate we are here to have access to water based resources - and how critical it is to share and protect them.