Josep Seras Gubert
Executive Director
Josep is a multidisciplinary project manager focused on environmental education and sustainable design. He is an innovative and visionary team player with 25 years of experience ranging from product design to creativity in education and the eco-movement. He is always keen to be involved in like-minded organizations, which help us reframe our understanding of how to live on the planet. Josep has a special interest in educating kids in their exploration of the natural cycles around them and their role in preserving Mother Nature. Having worked with organizations such as Evergreen Brickworks and Earthbound Kids, he has a deep seated belief that through education and innovation we can work together to make a better world.
Sean Birkett
Sustainability Projects Coordinator
Sean has a Bachelor of Environmental Science with a focus area in sustainable development and a minor in economics from the University of Manitoba. He spent a year abroad at the Technical University of Munich where he took master’s level courses in sustainable resource management and corporate social responsibility. He is a LEED Green Associate and was an ambassador for RISE Winnipeg Cohort 10, a program for youth to build community projects.
Sean believes continuous learning and gradual action to be the most effective way an individual can perpetually act in an environmentally friendly manner. He is passionate about engaging with communities on sustainability and enjoys public speaking and presenting. His previous work with waste auditing has shown him the importance of waste management and the environmental culture it can create.
In his free time, Sean enjoys biking, cooking, watching hockey, spending time with friends and family, and singing karaoke on occasion.
Harrison Briand
Community Pathfinder
Harrison is an environmental educator passionate about creating programming for underserved communities. He has a degree in Environmental Studies with a Minor in Geography from Carleton University, and a Technical Diploma in Water and Wastewater Management from Algonquin College. After completion of his studies, Harrison spent two years living on a First Nations Reserve in Northern Ontario delivering experiential environmental programming to youth. It was this experience that fostered his interest in Indigenous allyship and programming that supports capacity building. Harrison has also spent time living in Costa Rica working with endangered sea turtles, and has tree planted in BC for the past three summers.
In his free time Harrison is an avid rock climber and traveler. He loves going on road trips with his dog, and is excited about his newest venture- a tiny home build with his partner.
Mohamed “Mo” Crossman-Serb
Community Engagement Coordinator, First Nations Waste Minimization
Mo is of mixed ancestry with Métis and North African roots. He is a former competitive canoer and co-founder of Waterways, a non-profit that runs land-based programming for Indigenous youth. A passion for community found him working with organizations such as Winnipeg Trails and Norwest Co-op. In his free time, he volunteers as a coach for Manitoba’s North American Indigenous Games canoe team. In summers you can find him backcountry canoeing or taking care of his chickens and garden. Mo has always had a strong connection to the environment and is motivated by the work that is happening with the First Nations Waste Minimization program. He is currently in the Master’s in Development Practice at the University of Winnipeg, where he previously graduated with a BSc in Chemistry and Kinesiology.
Ariel Desrochers
Sustainable Transportation Program Coordinator
Ariel is a recent graduate from the University of Winnipeg with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies. Prior to being hired at Green Action Centre, she spent two summers applying her knowledge as a species at risk assistant with Nature Manitoba, gaining important field experience. An avid cyclist, gardener and birdwatcher, Ariel loves all things outdoors, is very interested in environmental protection and personal sustainability. She is especially concerned with Winnipeg’s reliance on vehicular travel, and what she sees as limited action for protecting the environment . As a sustainable transportation coordinator, Ariel hopes to bring more Manitobans into the wonderful world of cycling and sustainable travel. When she is not working, she loves painting, watching movies and spending time with friends and family.
Jordan Guiboche
Community Pathfinder, First Nations Waste Minimization
Jordan’s interest in community-based work began when he attended the Katimavik program after completing high school in Norway House Cree Nation. This led him to volunteer with various compost and environmental organizations, and gave him experience in connecting with organizations, resource-gathering, team-building, building community relationships, and facilitating. After spending 4 years working full-time in a classroom as an Education Assistant (EA) with the Seven Oaks School Division while also working on a degree in Education at the University of Winnipeg through the Community-based Aboriginal Teacher Education Program (CATEP), Jordan decided it was time for a career change. He has a strong sense of concern for the environment that fits well with the mission of the First Nations Waste Minimization program and Compost Winnipeg, where he worked briefly before moving over to the First Nations program. As a single Indigenous father, Jordan works to change stereotypes and provide a good future for his son Aldrian. In his free time, you can find Jordan jamming on his guitar, playing video games, long-distance walking, or taking care of his son.
Sharee Hochman
Sustainable Transportation Program Coordinator
Kristen Malec
Compost Program Coordinator
Kristen received a bachelor of science in environmental sciences, majoring in forest ecology at the University of Winnipeg. Kristen loves everything the outdoors has to offer, and has always sought a career in the environmental field, (especially when her jobs take her outside).
Kristen’s passions include reducing her waste and consumption, sourcing food from small scale farmers who practice regenerative and sustainable agriculture, learning about ways to incorporate permaculture concepts into her garden, trees and forests, canoeing, camping, and spending time out at the lake with friends and family.
Mel Marginet
Workplace Commuter Options
Mel is a life-long environmentalist. She lives in central Winnipeg so that she can bike and walk almost everywhere she needs to go. She is the co-founder and artistic director of Theatre by the River, a professional, independent theatre company, and she is the Publisher at Great Plains Publications. She’s happy to be helping more people to commute in a healthy, sustainable way, everyday!
Jesse Matas
Sustainable Transportation Program Coordinator
Beth McKechnie
Program Coordinator, First Nations Waste Minimization
Beth has been with Green Action Centre since 2006. For the first 10 years, she focused squarely on sustainable transportation. Since 2016, she is thrilled to be part of the First Nations Waste Minimization team. This program supports First Nation communities in Manitoba to reduce and divert waste through hands on assistance, resources, tools, school presentations, and community events. Beth continues to moderate the Active Transportation listserv in Manitoba and is a co-founder and past board member of Peg City Car Co-op, which introduced carsharing in Winnipeg.
Ashtyn Nauffts
Green Audits Project Assistant
Ashtyn’s passion for the environment and sustainability led her to a degree in Environment and Urban Sustainability at Toronto Metropolitan (formerly Ryerson) University, as well as a post-graduate certificate in Sustainable Waste Management from Fleming College; she also has an undergraduate degree in History. Prior to joining Green Action Centre, Ashtyn worked as a Community Compost Assistant at FoodShare Toronto and a Waste Management Intern with Niagara Region.
Ashtyn is passionate about the intersection of climate and social justice, and in her spare time has been an active member of Climate Justice Toronto, and regularly volunteers with her local political party. She loves the outdoors, especially being close to water, and particularly enjoys sunsets and sunrises. Ashtyn is also very interested in sustainable agriculture, including gardening and composting, and frequents farmers’ markets as often as possible. Her lifelong dream is to live in a yurt as part of a self-sustaining community.
Nick Portengen
Green Audits Project Assistant
Nick has a background in residential home energy audits as an energy advisor. He enjoys working with others to find new ways to care for the planet. Nick has previously worked on a farm and worked in children and youth programs.
In his free time, Nick enjoys working on small projects around the house, taking care of the garden, and cycling. Nick likes doing small woodworking projects and reusing old material to make something new. He also enjoys learning about urban planning, public transportation and regenerative agriculture.
Sarah Reid
Climate Action Team Program Coordinator
Sarah is a coordinator for the Climate Action Team’s “Manitoba’s Road to Resilience: Community Climate Action Plan.” She graduated from the University of Winnipeg in Urban Sustainability and took a special interest in local Winnipeg urban history and planning. She was previously employed by the Province of Manitoba as an Activity Coordinator for Birds Hill Provincial Park. In which our extensive Provincial Parks and protected green spaces made a lasting impact on her heart.
She is passionate in helping to create vibrant liveable cities and communities. That offers equal opportunity and help members to live active and vibrant lives alongside their natural environment. Sarah
is thrilled to be able to direct her energy towards this vision in her role.
In her free time, she enjoys reconnecting with nature through hiking and cross-country skiing. Spending extensive time in Winnipeg’s green spaces and day’s off with friends/family in the countryside. She is an
avid reader with a keen interest in local authors that focus on urban revitalization and social justice but can be often seen reading lighter fictional pieces.
Nikole Sawatzky
Office Coordinator
Nikole is passionate about animal activism and environmental sustainability. She has been plant based for most of her adult life, for both the animals and the planet, and is always looking for new ways to lessen her carbon footprint. Her current focus is learning how to avoid the fast fashion industry, and her goal is to learn how to sew so she can make her own clothing (or at least alter thrifted items). Nikole is an avid reader and writer, and spends her free time volunteering at a local farm sanctuary.
Amy Smith
Lead Community Pathfinder, First Nations Waste Minimization
Amy has worked with the First Nations Waste Minimization Program for over four years. Her passion for waste minimization began in her childhood home in Pinawa, where she helped her parents with the backyard compost and worked a couple of summers at the town recycling depot as a teenager. She has a Masters of Natural Resource Management from the University of Manitoba. Her thesis studied ways to improve end-of-life vehicle recycling in northern Manitoba. In her free time Amy enjoys cooking, spending time with family and being outdoors camping, canoeing or cross country skiing.
Amanda Wolfe
Compost Winnipeg General Manager
Amanda has a wide range of experience leading environmental projects, from water treatment to waste reduction to public engagement. She has a degree in applied science from the University of British Columbia and is a registered Professional Engineer. She moved from Vancouver to Winnipeg in 2006, and was quickly won over by the friendly people and sense of community.
Amanda has a strong belief in environmental and social sustainability, which led her to Compost Winnipeg. She is excited about the opportunities ahead for Compost Winnipeg, as the value of social enterprises and social equity gain recognition, and the diversion of organic material from the landfill increases in importance.
Outside of work, Amanda enjoys spending time with her partner and kids, reading, biking, walking, and listening to podcasts.
Learn more about Compost Winnipeg and the rest of their talented crew!