The Humber Arboretum is very pleased to announce the following part-time staff members joining our team:
Benjamin Verdicchio, Environmental Education Assistant
Benjamin is an artist and educator, with experience working as a Nature Interpreter with the Humber Arboretum. He has a Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) in Sculpture/Installation from OCAD University and a Bachelor of Art (BA) in Geography: Human Environment from Concordia University. Benjamin wants to share with a wide array of youth his passion for nature, culture, art, science, and knowledge.
Ken MacGillivray, Environmental Education Assistant
Ken is a skilled teacher and outdoor educator. He holds a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), both from York University, and a certificate in Outdoor Education from Humber College (with Honours). His previous experience includes working with Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) at the Kortright Centre, Watershed on Wheels program, and the Environmental Leaders of Tomorrow program. He holds a Wilderness First Aid Certificate.
Valerie Leaist, Scheduling and Customer Service Assistant
Valerie holds a B.A. (Honours) in Classics & English from McMaster University and a certificate in Office Administration, Executive Assistant, from Mohawk College. She enjoys learning new things, being creative, and exploring new styles of art and writing. She loves artistic and outdoor activities like sitting around a campfire, watching the lights play off of the Athenian Acropolis at night, and standing by a river while a breeze whips around her.
Fiona Lau, Events Assistant
Fiona is a determined and community centered person. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Drama and Philosophy (Honours) from Queen's University and has recently completed her post graduate certificate at Humber College in Event Management. Her background in design in theatre at Queen’s and her love of communication drives her to form ways to bring together distinct, separate groups of people in creative and organized ways. She believes it is essential to be able to provide opportunities (events!) to educate people. Her newest hobby is growing vegetables in her garden!
Marilyn Campbell, Communications Assistant
Marilyn is a graduate of the Fine Arts Cultural Studies program at York University (Bachelor of Arts, Honours), and spent many years writing about the City of Toronto for online publications. Along with being the new Communications Assistant for the Humber Arboretum, she is also a playwright and puppeteer, and is an assistant to the children’s musical duo Sonshine and Broccoli. A nature lover, she considers herself a slightly-above-novice birder and is often found wandering Toronto parks with binoculars, camera, and a well-worn copy of a ROM field guide in hand.
We’re so happy to have our new staff on board. Please join me in giving them a warm welcome!
Alexandra (Alix) Link
Director, Humber Arboretum