Our People

825-901-7676, ext 1

Scott Millar is a collaborative engagement expert with experience in natural resource management, aquatic biology, and regulatory design, having worked in private consulting and the provincial government. Trained as an aquatic biologist, Scott has worked across north-western Canada and the United States on projects ranging from multi-year threatened white sturgeon inventories to multi-stakeholder consensus water management projects. He is passionate about creating truly collaborative and inclusive conversations that can transform decision-making, build trusting relationships, and create meaningful solutions for complex problems.

825-901-7676, ext 2

Mary Ellen Shain has been with the NSWA since 2014 and currently leads the organization’s key strategic projects. Mary Ellen spearheaded the Riparian Health Action Plan alongside creation of the Riparian Web Portal. She’s also leading the NSWA’s embarkment into natural asset management, drought resilience, and a water supply and demand analysis for the basin. As an intermediate coordinator, she initiated the creation of the Headwaters Alliance, which is an inter-municipal watershed partnership. Mary Ellen holds a M.Sc. in Integrated Water Resource Management from McGill University.

825-901-7676, ext 3

Dr. Michelle Gordy has been with NSWA since 2018 and currently works remotely from Windsor, Ontario. She uses her background in science research to lead basin-wide projects and deliver technical reports. Michelle is currently completing the State of the Watershed assessment, a comprehensive project which utilizes the Freshwater Health Index to form a holistic picture of the basin's health using diverse indicators. She has a strong desire to close knowledge gaps and put science into action, recognizing that collaboration is a key component to driving change for a healthier watershed. 

825-901-7676, ext 4

Kelsie is rooted on a small acreage near Lac Ste. Anne Lake and has been with NSWA since 2022. She has a deep passion for supporting lake stewardship groups and their surrounding communities. Kelsie initiated the Regional Lakes Stewardship project, bolstering local collaborative efforts through education projects, environmental guidance, and hands-on planting events. She brings her expertise and enthusiasm to a variety of initiatives, coordinating the Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance, assisting facilitation of the Lake Stewardship Community of Practice, and other grassroots workshops and collaboratives. 

825-901-7676, ext 8

Erin started at NSWA in spring 2025, and brings her diverse educational and professional background to her new role. She currently coordinates the Vermilion River Watershed Alliance, one of NSWA's three municipally supported stewardship groups. Erin is focused on increasing the sustainability of our built environment, and forging connections between individuals, communities, and corporations. She has led initiatives relating to indigenous consultation, contaminated sites, environmental assessments, and has completed environmental projects in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Nunavut.

825-901-7676, ext 6

Kaila has been with NSWA since 2022. She co-leads the Youth Water Council program, an initiative that empowers young people to take an active role in the protection of their local environment. She co-produced NSWA's collaborative film project, A River Runs Through It: The Story of the North Saskatchewan River, guiding filming locations, stakeholder interviews, and granting real people the opportunity to share their stories of the river and watershed. Her background in environmental science allows her to excel in her position, supporting environmental education, outreach and various projects.

825-901-7676, ext 5

Jillian has worked with the NSWA since 2021. She co-leads the Youth Water Council program, an initiative that empowers young people to take an active role in the protection of their local environment. By coordinating the NSWA’s communications, she shares watershed information through the monthly Instream Newsletter, webinars, social media, outreach initiatives and support of various projects. Educated in environmental science and professional communication, she is passionate about environmental education and stewardship. 

Heather is a writer and graphic designer and has been with the NSWA since 2019. She has a knack for turning complex ideas into compelling written and visual communications and spent two years creating comms assets for the Emerald award-winning Riparian Web Portal project. As a storyteller and inquisitive listener, Heather pens the NSWA’s monthly blog, which highlights people deeply committed to protecting the natural places and ecosystems that sustain us. She believes that clear communication can cultivate pathways of connection and spark meaningful change. She is currently designing the online State of the Watershed Report.

Lauren has been with NSWA since 2024, supporting a breadth of engagement and outreach initiatives. She leads the Urban Creeks Collaborative and facilitates the Youth Water Council program. Lauren is passionate about the environmental history of Western Canada, and how our changing relationship to these lands and waters has shaped the watershed we know and study today. Lauren is interested in finding creative ways to teach others about the watershed, and find opportunities for collaborative, community-based management. 

Caitlin has worked at NSWA for two summers in a seasonal role. She has supported eDNA monitoring, invasive species surveys, and outreach initiatives throughout the watershed. Additionally, she has engaged First Nation communities and organizations through collaborative monitoring projects. She loves learning about the aquatic life that call our watershed home and is always happy to share her passion for local ecology! Caitlin is currently enrolled in the combined Native Studies and Environmental Sciences program at the University of Alberta.

Amanda Kramer joined the NSWA in May 2025, and will be bringing her experience with scientific communication to outreach events across the watershed this summer. Amanda has worked on a wide range of technical projects, from water quantity issues in Wood Buffalo National Park to long-term water quality monitoring initiatives across the Prairies with the Prairie Provinces Water Board. With an education in environmental earth sciences and experience working on environmental management projects, Amanda is passionate about environmental stewardship and exploring how our interaction with surface waters impacts our physical environment and our daily lives.