Kevin Lindsay, Chair
Kevin is a tech industry analyst and leadership coach. His climate work began in 2020 as a moderator with Pachamama Alliance’s Game Changer Intensive, and later through Climate Reality Project’s Climate Leader training. He joined the NCAH board in 2023, and previously held board positions at WildCare in the SF Bay Area, and the Calgary Waldorf School.
“I believe that deliberate and coordinated individual actions form the foundation for community-level impact — and systems-level change.”
Heather Baitz, Vice-Chair
Heather is a founding member of the Nanaimo Climate Action Hub, and has been a climate activist since 2018. She works as a Clinical Psychologist, and has a passion for food forest gardening. Ask Heather about the role of local governments in climate action.
"It's not easy to do this work when we are facing such enormous barriers, but every kilogram of emissions we avoid means the outlook for our future is a little less dire."
Bethany Ricker, Secretary and Strategic Initiatives Lead
Bethany is a Family Doctor with a passion for maternal health. She is co-chair of the BC chapter of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE). She has been invested in planetary health activism since learning in medical school that climate change is the greatest health threat of the 21st century, and adverse health effects are disproportionately felt by marginalized populations. Ask Bethany about the health benefits of spending time in nature!
"This is the only home we have - let's try to make it the best place it can be for everyone we share it with."
Zack Simon, Treasurer
Zack has spent the last decade learning about regenerative land management practices, with another four years experience in carbon accounting and business sustainability consulting before that. He is the founder of Patchwork Ecosystem Consulting, which aims to bring permaculture-informed design to urban spaces, prioritizing native biodiversity. A newcomer to Nanaimo (though born and raised on Vancouver Island,) he has a deep love and respect for the land on which he's grown, and aims to help prepare his community for the oncoming effects of climate change. Ask Zack about climate resilience in our own backyards.
Reghan Anderson, Director and High School Liaison
Reghan is a youth environmentalist currently attending Nanaimo District Secondary School. She has been a keen climate activist for the last several years, working as the president of her school's environmental club to give youth a voice in the climate change movement. Passionate about the role youth have to play in shaping a sustainable future, Reghan believes that local action can drive global change. Ask Reghan about what the younger generation can do to support climate solutions.
“As the next generation, youth have both the power and the responsibility to advocate for a sustainable future.”
Sharon Darby Lindsay, Director and Working Group Lead, Community Engagement
Sharon is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Somatic Therapist. After hearing Al Gore speak in 2008, Sharon awakened to the dire realities of a warming planet and committed to caring for the planet at home and beyond. She is an active member of the Climate Psychology Alliance of North America. Ask Sharon about ways to channel climate emotions into action.
“Positive change is rooted in our ability to embrace our deep connection to and interdependence on the natural world and to each other.”
Deanna Fourt, Director and Working Group Lead, Policy & Advocacy
Deanna is a Climate Action Leadership graduate student who previously held senior sustainability roles over a 15-year career with Island Health. Deanna is interested in how climate change affects nature and how nature can help mitigate its effects and protect us from its impacts. Ask Deanna about community & citizen climate action.
"I am excited to talk to people about the ways they can reduce their environmental impact and increase their resilience to extreme climatic events.”
Don Giberson, Director
Don is a professional business coach and founder of Transition Nanaimo Society. In 2023, he started Van Isle Vertical Farms which provides fresh, local, aeroponically-grown produce to area customers. Don previously hosted Climate911, a weekly radio show on Nanaimo’s CHLY which explores solutions to the climate emergency. Ask Don about emerging, innovative climate solutions.
“The first step to building a better world is to believe that it is possible.”
Trevor Jones, Director
Trevor is a forest and geospatial scientist using satellite imagery and field data to support conservation / restoration efforts in around the world (including Vancouver Island and surroundings) since 2004. He moved to the area in 2023 and is in love. Ask him about mapping forests but tell him anything you know about local edible and medicinal plants - he wants to know!
"Tangible change almost always only happens at the local level - we do what we can in the backyards of the world!"
Felix Surjadjaja, Director
Felix is an analytics engineer, an avid gardener, and has been a NCAH member since 2023. He’s passionate about using data to track the health of Earth’s ecosystems and believes that understanding past progress helps us learn what works, solve future challenges, and remind ourselves that meaningful progress is possible. He enjoys exploring which metrics matter most and how we can use data to tell the story of system change.
“If you enjoy conversations about trends, indicators, and the occasional surprisingly exciting data, I’m always excited to compare notes.”
In Memoriam - Laurie Friskie
“I believe a group of likeminded people with the common goal of supporting concrete action can make a difference.”
Laurie passed away on August 28th, 2026. Her loss is felt deeply across the NCAH community. She was a passionate and dedicated climate activist who set a powerful example of what it means to bring grace to the work.
We must continue Laurie’s mission to hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for the climate crisis.