Meet the ACEE staff

Kathryn Melrose

Kathryn Melrose joined ACEE in 2022 as the Executive Director with over a decade of leadership experience in the local non-profit sector. Originally from Montana, her career there spanned over a decade as a teacher and education coordinator. During much of that time, she taught environmental education in the K-12 system. After relocating to Alberta, she developed her non-profit leadership experience by supporting educators and Calgary educational districts. She has a B.A. in Education and a M.A. in Education. Kathryn is passionate about ensuring the advancement of high-quality environmental and sustainability education throughout the province. Email: Kathryn[at]abcee.org

 

Marie Tremblay

Marie Tremblay joined ACEE in May 2018 as a Senior Education Advisor, bringing to her new role a dual passion for education and the environment. With university degrees in engineering, education, environmental design (Master’s) and ecology (PhD), it’s fair to say she also has a passion for learning. Marie’s professional experience includes over a decade of teaching in a variety of settings from grade 1 to university level, including five years in Indigenous communities of Canada’s far north. Marie has also been an active member of Alberta’s environmental community for over two decades as a graduate student, conservation scientist in the government and non-profit sectors, and board member of Nature Calgary and Alberta’s Prairie Conservation Forum. Marie lives in Calgary and when she is not working loves to explore southern Alberta’s diverse natural environments by foot, ski or paddle with her family and friends. She is also an avid cyclist and proud mother of two delightful young men, Eric and Alex. Email: Marie[at]abcee.org

 

Sandra Robinson

Sandra brings over 15 years of administrative and data management experience in the non-profit sector supporting mid and senior-level leadership in areas such as daily program operations, HR, finance, funding, reporting, and data management.  Collaborating with directors, program managers and team members gave her the opportunity to manage multiple priorities in a fast pace changing environment. Sandra developed creative critical thinking skills with the ability to offer practical solutions which were effective and agreed to by the program, agency, and funders.

Sandra believes that providing professional, quality service to internal and external stakeholders is fundamental to the quality of service offered to clients. Sandra loves to dig into a new project and believes that the smoother and easier the back office runs the better staff can offer outstanding service to ACEE clients. A special area of interest to Sandra is how innovation and data can show the impact of service to the organization, staff, and stakeholders.

Dixie Taylor

Dixie Taylor joined ACEE in 2022 as the Director of Programs after serving over a decade delivering, designing, and managing various youth programs and leading successful partnerships with school districts and community partners. Dixie attended the University of Calgary, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts and earned her Master of Arts in Community Development from the University of Victoria. While working for one of Calgary’s school districts early in her career, Dixie discovered a love and passion for supporting children and youth. She believes in leveraging her experiences to empower others. Email: Dixie[at]abcee.org

 

Amy Thompson

Amy joined ACEE in 2022 as an Environmental Education & Engagement Coordinator with over a decade of experience as an informal educator. Coming from the world of cultural institutions and museums, Amy is vastly experienced in bringing an interdisciplinary approach to everything she does. She recognizes the importance of social justice, equity, and diversity in the future of education, and held this as her focus throughout her graduate studies (MEd, Interdisciplinary) in addition to her undergraduate education (BA, Archaeology, BSc. Anthropology).  Outside of work, Amy enjoys creative pursuits, including nature journalling, and embroidery, in addition to exploring the natural world. With a passion for community engagement and high-quality education, Amy is thrilled to be part of the ACEE team. Email: Amy[at]abcee.org

 

Nicole Chang

Nicole Chang joined ACEE in 2022 as the Environmental Education and Engagement Coordinator for Northern Alberta. She has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Conservation Sciences and a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Education from the University of Alberta. She has most recently worked as a teacher in St. Albert and Edmonton and previously worked in the environmental field with Parks Canada and Environment and Parks. Early in her career, she discovered a passion for environmental education and engaging youth in our natural environment in order to create a better future for ourselves and our planet. She also enjoys travelling, anything outdoors, and coaches cheerleading in Edmonton. Email: nicole[a]abcee.org

Sneha Rose Jigo

Sneha Rose Jigo joined ACEE in 2022 and is the Youth Program Coordinator for the Alberta Youth Leaders for Environmental Education (AYLEE). She is currently studying Political Science at the University of Lethbridge and strongly believes that educating youth is the way to a brighter future. Sneha splits her time between Lacombe and Lethbridge; the traditional territories of the Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy), Tsuu T'ina, and Métis peoples. When she isn't working or studying, she can usually be found with a book and crochet hook in hand or learning something new just for fun. Email: sneha[at]abcee.org

 

Diana Kurila

Diana Kurila is a volunteer at ACEE. She worked for ACEE during the summers of 2018 and 2019 and created the new ACEE Resource Hub and adapted an Energy Transition Game for Grade 9 and high school classrooms. Diana received her teaching degree in 2019 and is now teaching within the Calgary Board of Education. Email: Diana[at]abcee.org