Meet the CPAWS Team

Chapter Staff

We are pleased to introduce the staff of the Southern Alberta (formerly Calgary/Banff) chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS):

1. Anne-Marie Syslak – Acting Executive Director
2. Lindsay Allan – currently on leave
3. Sarah Elmeligi – Senior Conservation Planner
4. Kailey Setter - Project and Bookings Coordinator
5. Lynn Robb - Environmental Educator
6. Julia Millen - Communications and External Relations
7. Firyal Mohamed - Conservation Analyst Intern

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Anne-Marie Syslak – Acting Executive Director

Anne-Marie Syslak, our Acting Executive Director, joined the Education Team in the summer of 2004 and took on the role of Acting Executive Director in November 2009. Anne-Marie has a B.Sc, a B.Ed, and a M.Sc. in Environmental Education. She has worked in the environmental education field for the past twelve years and enjoys teaching about nature and ecological issues through her creative lessons.
Anne-Marie loves to travel, flirts with art and music, and is often found playing in the mountains. Originally from the prairies, Anne-Marie has a particular passion for plants and wildflowers. When she’s not howling like a wolf with her daughter, you might find her on the trail going ga-ga over a glacier-lily!

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Lindsay Allan – currently on leave

Lindsay Allan joined the CPAWS team in May of 2004. She has a B.Sc. in Geography from the University of Calgary. For four years she planned the Chapter’s marquee event, The Wild Gala, in addition to Capture the Wild Photography Contest and Running Wild. Now back from maternity leave, she will be providing research assistance to the conservation team, as well as making sure everything in the office is running smoothly. When she is not working at CPAWS, she enjoys mountain biking, hiking, traveling and spending time with her family (especially the newest addition, Casey).

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Sarah Elmeligi – Senior Conservation Planner

Sarah Elmeligi has a Masters of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies degree from the University of Northern British Columbia. Her thesis investigated the impacts of bear-viewing tourism on grizzly bear behaviour and visitor satisfaction/perceptions of impact. This research experience combined with her Bachelor of Science degree, zoology major, from the University of Alberta has provided Sarah with an intimate understanding of ecosystem ecology from theory and research methods/results to applicable and adaptive management options. She has extensive experience in science interpretation; from program development and delivery to visitor centre design and construction. Sarah comes to CPAWS from the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) where she worked extensively on the Cabinet-Purcell Mountain Corridor Project. Working with Y2Y has increased her understanding of large landscapes and the necessary programs to connect them. She is passionate about animal behaviour and ecology, living sustainably, and exploring as much of this planet as she can by foot, bike, rock-climbing shoe, and snorkel.

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Kailey Setter – Project and Bookings Coordinator

Kailey joined the CPAWS team in July of 2009. While she originally started out as a research assistant in the conservation department, Kailey has now taken on the position of Project and Bookings Coordinator. Kailey is currently responsible for coordinating educational program bookings, managing donor relations, and overseeing office administration at CPAWS Southern Alberta. Kailey holds a B.Sc in Geography from the University of Calgary and has plans to obtain her certificate of Environmental Communication and Public Awareness from the Canadian Centre for Environmental Education in the future. When Kailey is not working at CPAWS, she enjoys travelling and spending time with her extended family.

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Lynn Robb – Environmental Educator

A self- proclaimed tree-hugger, Lynn’s love of nature came while growing up on the Saskatchewan prairies. She has a B.Sc. in Biology and over 20 years of experience with both provincial and city parks as a naturalist, park planner, researcher, nature educator and program specialist. She recently worked as Skills Ambassador Manager with WorldSkills2009, motivating and inspiring students about the many educational opportunities available to them for a more sustainable future. With a passion for teaching about nature and the environment, combined with knowledge and experience as a parent and volunteer, she looks forward to seeing a whole new generation of environmental stewards. Living on acreage on the Bow River west of Calgary, she and her husband have raised three amazing children who have learned to appreciate the wonders of nature right in their own backyard. Lynn loves to travel, hike, ski, skate, garden, quilt and practice calligraphy.

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Julia Millen – Communications and External Relations

Julia's lifelong passion for science and nature has led to career of over 20 years as a park interpreter, environmental educator, science communicator, and science outreach administrator. Her formal education includes a BSc degree in Physical Geography from the University of Calgary, a BMus in vocal performance from University of Lethbridge, and a Master of Arts degree in musicology from the University of Toronto. Julia is an accredited Professional Interpreter with the Interpretive Guides Association. Her natural habitat is in the mountains where she enjoys hiking, camping, snowshoeing, skiing and wildflower photography. Her "indoor" pursuits include performing medieval and baroque music, and creating scientific illustrations.

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Firyal Mohamed – Conservation Analyst Intern

Born on the small island of Trinidad and raised in Calgary, Firyal joined the CPAWS team in January 2010 as a Conservation Intern, through the Youth Eco Internship Program (YEIP). Her 6-month internship surrounds an in-depth conservation analysis and application of Alberta’s ‘Market-Based Incentives’ program, including its implications and opportunities for Southern Alberta. Firyal’s undergraduate history at the University of Calgary began in Environmental Sciences, and has now expanded to a second Bachelor’s in Development Studies. She is passionate about the environment, but also understands the distinct impetus society can place in changing our current and often destructive path of development. As a true ‘food-lover’, Firyal can often be found at local restaurants around Calgary socializing over soul food with great friends and family! She looks forward to traveling once she has completed her schooling and discovering the culture and diversity the world has to offer.

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