Our Team

Lara Ellis brings three decades of environmental leadership experience to her work, with deep expertise in advocacy, policy development, community engagement, and strategic partnerships. Working from coast to coast across Canada, she has been involved with protected areas, sustainable forestry, and regenerative agriculture initiatives, collaborating closely with government, corporate, nonprofit partners, and local communities. Her work includes developing innovative environmental programs, building effective partnerships, and advancing policy solutions for climate change and biodiversity protection. Lara holds a Master of Management degree from the McGill-McConnell Program for National Voluntary Sector Leaders.

Lara's continuing passion for conservation is driven by her commitment to inclusive, landscape-scale solutions that bring together diverse stakeholders and communities. She believes in the transformative power of partnerships and the critical importance of supporting Indigenous-led conservation initiatives. Her love of nature spans all scales - from enjoying her local urban parks to annual backcountry canoe trips and exploring Canada's majestic mountain landscapes. This personal connection to the land reinforces her dedication to working across Canada with all sectors of society.

Joining the Centre for Land Conservation following an extensive career with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s nature conservation programs and initiatives. Bob brings over four decades of knowledge and experience to CLC, ranging from policy development to program management, intergovernmental relations, conservation partnerships and the regulatory environment for conservation.

During his federal public service career, Bob’s responsibilities included migratory bird conservation and species at risk recovery programs, habitat conservation including protected areas and various habitat stewardship programs, and extensive involvement internationally related to the Convention on Biological Diversity and continental bird conservation initiatives. Since retiring, he has remained active in conservation working with Indigenous, agriculture, invasive species and land conservation organizations.

Bob’s continuing passion for nature conservation is driven by his belief in the importance of a whole of landscape, whole of society approach to conservation and the opportunity to advance reconciliation with Indigenous people through full and effective engagement in conservation and Indigenous-led conservation.

John recently retired as President and CEO of the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). In more than two decades of leadership John oversaw remarkable growth in NCC’s programs, conservation projects, funding and impact, leading to the conservation of more than 14 million hectares.  

Previously, John was Executive Director of the Federation of Ontario Naturalists (now Ontario Nature) and worked for several years in senior positions with the Government of Ontario. John is passionate about Canada – “what better country is there to live a life, work hard, love the land, and enjoy the great outdoors?”

John is an advocate for growing the community-based private land conservation movement and creating solutions that will change our trajectory to a nature positive future for generations to come.

A design thinker and natural facilitator, Robin Lawson’s specialties are community engagement, communications and program design. She is a strong proponent for meaningful youth engagement and intergenerational collaboration who believes in a whole of society approach to conservation and climate. As a queer woman, Robin deeply values diversity and strives to create space for new and under heard voices.

Robin spent her early career working in various capacities with the Nature Conservancy of Canada. She volunteers as the President of the Canadian Committee for IUCN and as Vice-Chair at the Lawson Foundation.

Robin has a special fondness for the tidal flats and striking cliffs of the Bay of Fundy and looks forward to a lifetime of exploring and learning about Canada’s diverse and wonderful natural landscapes.

Charlotte Craig is a graduate of the University of Toronto Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Masters program, and she has spent her career focusing on the environment and conservation. Charlotte has conducted research in beetle populations in Algonquin Forest and urban bee populations in the GTA, informing science-based conservation strategies. Her experience has led her to have various roles in data analytics, research, project management, and outreach to deliver results on key environmental topics including land conservation, green transportation, and sustainable urban development.

Charlotte loves backcountry camping and hiking through all of Canada’s parks but as an East Coaster Charlotte is the happiest on the East Coast’s diverse beaches ranging from red dirt to rocky shores.

Sarah Winterton has extensive experience in Ontario’s environmental non-profit sector, working on policy, program design and implementation, capacity building and development initiatives for over 30 years. Most recently, Sarah held the role of Director, Nature Connected Communities at WWF Canada where she led the development and implementation of innovative engagement programs. Prior to that she was Managing Director at Environmental Defence, and Director of Development at Ontario Nature.

Sarah is passionate about co-creating equitable, inclusive, and just solutions to heal the land and help us transition quickly to a climate resilient future.

One of her favourite landscapes is the Saugeen Peninsula (aka the Bruce Peninsula), located in the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation. The limestone cliffs, caves, ancient cedars, alvars, and clear waters of the peninsula inspire awe and humility.

Charles Latrémouille is an environnemental consultant. He supports organizations in land use planning, strategic planning and continuous improvement, project and program management and evaluation, as well as in change, process, and information management. He is also Technical Advisor to the Biodiversity Excellence Program with Réseau Environment and a member of the International Standard Organization’s technical committee on Biodiversity (ISO/TC 331) with the Standards Council of Canada (SCC).

Charles worked with the Nature Conservancy of Canada and with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and was a Board member with the Conservation Measures Partnership (CMP), the Centre de la nature du Mont St-Hilaire and Éco-corridors Laurentians.  

Charles enjoys spending time in nature with his son and likes encouraging the next generation to take a leadership role in protecting their planet.