Board

President: Joan Hendrick
Treasurer: Dani Aberger

Board Directors: Cathy Armstrong, Dani Aberger, Gillian Harvey, Tristan Harvey, Jenn Potter, Anne Russo, Carmel Thomson, Janet Williams

Director Profiles

Cathy Armstrong

Cathy Armstrong is Executive Director of TLC The Land Conservancy of BC. Cathy has been with TLC since 2014. In the past, she has been an elected school trustee, and Chair of Abbotsford Parks and Recreation. Cathy enjoys walks with her Australian Shepherd, and exploring nature through photography. She joined the Friends of Maltby Lake Watershed Board in 2018.

Dani Aberger

Dani moved to Victoria in 2011 to attend The University of Victoria. She grew up in Revelstoke spending her childhood in the mountains and in nature, and therefore has a strong appreciation for green spaces. She currently works in public practice with a mid-size accounting firm located in Victoria. Out of the office, Dani enjoys hiking with her two beagles, gardening, and practicing yoga.

Gillian Harvey

Gillian is the daughter of Susan McDonald (née Holmes) and the granddaughter of  Philip Despard Pemberton Holmes, known to all as Pip  and his wife Catherine Holmes (who bequeathed their 35% ownership of Maltby Lake to the TLC with their wish of conservation). Gillian’s passion lays in nature and environmental advocacy. This interest originated for her through having grown up in a family with a longstanding connection to Victoria and the surrounding areas with a history of enjoying, respecting and protecting the environment in this incredible part of the world. At the very heart of this is the pristine Maltby Lake and surrounding watershed.  

Tristan Harvey

Tristan has lived around the world and is an avid outdoor enthusiast. This has led him to develop an interest for the environment and conservation especially since moving to BC with his wife Gillian. Tristan In his day job, Tristan works as Information Technology consultant.

Joan Hendrick

Joan moved to the Prospect Lake neighbourhood 10 years ago, after living in the North Peace area for twenty-five years. This region of Saanich is rich in diversity and natural areas, but nothing compares to the wild, pristine Maltby Lake. When Joan first saw Maltby Lake it took her back to her childhood summers spent at an unspoiled Muskoka Lake. Joan joined the Friends of Maltby Lake Watershed Society in order to support the vision to protect Maltby Lake, which forms the headwaters of the Tod Creek Watershed.  Joan has volunteered with non-profit organizations and currently works as an arbitrator for government.

Jenn Potter

In 2005, Jenn moved from the great white north into a green oasis – a house nestled between Francis King Park and Maltby Lake.  While completing her Bachelor of Commerce (specializing in the delivery of service excellence) the areas surrounding the Maltby Lake watershed became a favorite place to unwind and get some exercise.  It was love at first run… the area’s stunning beauty and teeming biodiversity had her hooked.

When Jenn discovered that land protected by The Land Conservancy could be put up for sale she wanted to donate her spare time towards the protection of the area.

Jenn hopes that her administrative and project coordination experience from the private sector, continuing education in community dialogue and engagement, and committee work for the Royal Victoria Yacht Club can keep the board organized and capable of achieving its goals.

Anne Russo

Anne Russo moved with her four generation household to a 100 year old house in Cook Street Village in 2011; a successful move that embodies the potential for living in a small urban city. Anne is a retired administrator, writer, executive director, fundraiser, facilitator board member and volunteer over thirty years for a variety of local, provincial and national arts organizations. She was drawn to the Friends of Maltby Lake Watershed Society by the goals, energy, passion, integrity and generosity of Carmel and Woody Thomson and is honored to serve as Treasurer.

Carmel Thomson

Carmel Thomson is an advocate on issues relating to water, biodiversity, natural capital and their sustainability. She is a founding member of the Friends of Maltby Lake Watershed Society lobbying for the protection of Maltby Lake and its surrounding lands. She is passionate about the conservation and restoration of natural habitat and dedicates herself to lobbying for urban green space, habitat connectivity for migratory and resident wildlife, and the creation of wildlife corridors across political boundaries.

Janet Williams

Janet Williams, born and raised in Victoria, enjoyed 35 years as a resident of Saanich,
where she hiked, cycled and rode horses throughout many of the municipalities of the
Capital Regional District, gaining knowledge and appreciation of our region’s copious natural assets.

In 1988 she moved to the eastern Highlands to build her present home and farm. Her
backyard neighbours, Carmel and Woody Thomson of Maltby Lake, have been friends
of her’s for decades and share the rural Saanich/Highlands border with her.

Janet has been a lifelong member and volunteer for organizations, societies and groups
which advocate for protection of the natural world and its inhabitants. She has been
instrumental in facilitating the crafting of parks and trails masterplans, from Gowlland
Tod Provincal Park to the conjoining of Thetis, Francis and Mill Hill Regional Parks to
provide contiguous corridors of the wild landscapes for conservation and recreation, to
the District of Highlands central promontory, Mount Work.

In the early 2000s she joined the Friends of Tod Creek Watershed having been a long
term Habitat Acquisition Trust steward of the watershed her property is in. Years later
she was invited to become a director of the Friends of Maltby Lake Watershed Society,
which was accepted in 2018.

Janet beilieves in integrating small scale agriculture into the landscape, where
appropriate, to regenerate the health of the land. She practises food forest gardening
and is against feed lot production of animals for food.

Diane Carr

On Saturday, September 17th, 2016 we said farewell to Diane Carr, a founding member and vice-president of the Friends of Maltby Lake Watershed Society. Diane was the personification of an engaged citizen. Bright and articulate, unflinching and unafraid, she was sincere and outspoken. Her compassion and understanding strengthened community and made the world a better place. To honour her remarkable community service ‘The Diane Carr Community Service Award’ has been established by Focus Magazine – Victoria. Friends of Maltby Lake Watershed Society is proud to be a part of Diane’s legacy. She is greatly missed but the impact of her leadership and founding contribution continues to inspire and guide our Society. Read about Diane and the Award here: http://focusonline.ca/node/1137.