MEET THE TEAM

COMMITTED TO ACCELERATING CONSERVATION IN ONTARIO, TOGETHER.

MIKE HENDREN

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

About Mike

Mike has spent twenty years in the conservation sector including first as a real estate appraiser and later as a consultant negotiating acquisitions for clients such as Bruce Trail Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited and Credit Valley Conservation. He has held leadership roles including as Executive Director of the Kawartha Land Trust for nine years, growing the organization from its infancy to one of the leading land trusts in Canada. During this time, he was also Chair of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance and landed the first Ontario Government program for Land Trusts in Ontario. He progressed to lead NCC’s largest division as VP for Ontario where, during his five years, revenue and land holdings were tripled and diversified. He is a registered urban and regional planner in Ontario with a master’s degree in planning from Queen’s University, and a business degree from Trent University. Mike is a regular volunteer and donor to many causes in his community, currently serving several Boards in the education and social services sector. Mike is an amateur musician and an avid outdoors enthusiast but more than anything, he simply likes to get things done.

mike.hendren(at)theoca(dot)ca

KRISTYN FERGUSON

MANAGING DIRECTOR

About Kristyn

Kristyn has had the privilege of leading three of the four largest private land conservation projects in Canada. During her 16-year career with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, she built and directed the Ontario Large Landscapes program – one of the most successful initiatives in the organization’s history. Kristyn also served as Program Director in three of NCC’s priority regions as well as Senior Director of Conservation in Ontario. Her accomplishments in conservation, combined with a master’s degree in environmental science, and deep experience engaging with First Nations communities across the province, make her uniquely equipped to lead OCA’s innovative conservation projects.

Kristyn loves working with anyone who has a love for the land and believes that conservation works best when everyone plays a role. She has a passion for solving complicated problems. On her days off, you might find her hiking or cycling entire trail systems for fun.

kristyn.ferguson(at)theoca(dot)ca

JILL MURRAY-DIMIC

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

About Jill

Jill joins the OCA with 30 years of experience in corporate and charitable sales, senior management, and fundraising. Before joining the OCA, she wore numerous hats with the Nature Conservancy of Canada over 17 years, including as the Associate VP – Marketing and Development and most recently as the Senior Development Officer in Ontario. Jill also spent two years as the Executive Director of American Friends of Canadian Nature (AFCN). Over the last decade Jill’s collaborative yet ambitious fundraising style and passion for nature helped lead to over $90M in requests to individuals, corporations, foundations and government in Canada and the U.S, successfully raising over $35M. Jill’s accomplishments also include almost a decade of experience with software and IT presales & sales in Canada, USA, and France.

jill.murray-dimic(at)theoca(dot)ca

LUKE RIDGWAY

CONSERVATION MANAGER

About Luke

Luke has seven years of professional experience across public, private, and non-profit positions. With an educational background in GIS, remote sensing, and restoration ecology, Luke has held positions related to environmental regulation and policy, private consulting with indigenous communities, and most recently served as NCC’s Large Landscape Program Coordinator before joining the OCA. He also served on the board of directors of the Wild Bird Trust of BC and owns a canoe rental business in Peterborough where he remains active in the sustainable outdoor tourism space. As an avid camper, Luke spends as much time as he can in the field both to study and appreciate the natural environment and help others connect with the outdoors.

luke.ridgway(at)theoca(dot)ca

Headshot of OCA's Manager of Operations, Sophie Goutos

SOPHIE GOUTOS

MANAGER OF OPERATIONS

About Sophie

Sophie brings more than seven years of professional experience to OCA, with a rich and varied background in the non-profit sector, operations, and business management. Before joining OCA, Sophie spent over five years managing a start-up, where she led business planning, shaped strategy, and earned a reputation as the go-to organizer. She’s passionate about the environment and is excited to blend her operational expertise with her love for nature to support OCA’s conservation mission.

Sophie also serves on the Board of Directors for Food 4 Kids Muskoka, an organization close to her heart. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her camping, hiking, snowshoeing, gardening, or simply enjoying the outdoors as much as possible.

sophie.goutos(at)theoca(dot)ca

THE BOARD MEMBERS

PETER KENDALL

Peter has devoted his career to preserving Canada’s land, water and wildlife and in 2019 Peter was awarded the Order of Canada in recognition of his work. In addition to his role as executive director of the Schad Foundation, Peter is the co-founder and Chair of Earth Rangers, a non-profit organization that educates young audiences in every province and territory on the importance of conserving the environment and its rich biodiversity – helping to inspire new generations of conservationists. Peter has served on numerous boards, committees and task forces in environment and conservation spaces including the role of Chair for the Government of Ontario’s 2021 Protected Areas Working Group, WSC Canada, Nature United, NCC (Ontario) and Centre for Northern Conservation.

GARRY INNANEN

Garry has 30 years of corporate governance, sales, marketing, engagement, delivery and leadership experience serving the sustainability, business and information management needs of private and public organizations. Garry is a founding member of the Ontario Cleantech Industry Association, 13 year member of Cleantech North, founded a National Enterprise Application Consulting practice, a Connected Smart Community practice, and was a Board member and co-Manager of a regional Angel Investment Network. As well Garry is a past Ontario Board member of the Nature Conservancy of Canada. Passions include Environmental and Social Sustainability, Alternative Energy, CleanTech, and GeoTourism as well as enjoying, protecting and valuing the world’s natural assets. Garry has founded and led 4 service organizations, and provides governance and direction to various organizations.

BEN MCGRATH

Ben is an avid lover of nature and life-long conservationist. Holding a Joint BA in Political Science and Philosophy from St.FX and a Master of Infrastructure Protection from Carleton University, Ben knows what is worth preserving and why it is worth the effort. Ben’s professional experience includes stints as a Campaign Manager across the political spectrum, a Production Manager for Gusto TV, and now the Project Manager at Viamede Resort and Land’Escapes Park. Across this varied background, Ben brings calm and organizational structure to worlds of chaos, confusion and constant change. Ben enjoys mountain biking, canoeing, skiing, and playing the drums. 

CATHY WILKINSON

Cathy has dedicated much of her career to building strategies and partnerships for better conservation and stewardship outcomes. She was Executive Director of the Canadian Boreal Initiative, a unique coalition that catalyzed conservation solutions across the boreal forest region, and is a founding board member of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, which supports Indigenous Guardians, Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas, and conservation financing initiatives across Canada. In 2022, Cathy was named to the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Nature Advisory Committee, which played a key role in the design of Canada’s strategy to meet its 30×30 targets. In 2025, she was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her contributions to environmental stewardship and youth education in Canada. Cathy has served on a number of boards and currently chairs the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario’s Family Advisory Council.

LETS CONNECT ON YOUR VISION FOR CONSERVATION IN ONTARIO

Name

273 CHARLOTTE STREET. PETERBOROUGH, ON K9J2V3

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