If you are  interested in contacting our Board, please email info@wyemarsh.com.

Board of Directors

Rick Brady, President

 

Rick retired from Government Service at the end of December 2017, having served with the OPP, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and ended his career with the Ministry of the Attorney General. He volunteered in the archives at the Royal Botanical Gardens and was also employed there as a Visitor Experience Host.

Rick has been coming to the Georgian Bay area since 1973. He and his wife moved to Honey Harbour in June 2021 and rented there while house hunting. They found their home in Penetang and moved there in December 2021. They have family in Lafontaine, Midland, Coldwater and Honey Harbour.

 Rick is an avid bicyclist and enjoys hiking and photography. For Rick, the Wye Marsh is a special place which deserves our respect and care.

 


Susan Molenda, Vice-President

 

Susan is a newly retired Executive from Nestle Purina Petcare where she was the Vice President of Marketing, overseeing areas of strategic planning, product development, advertising,  events and  consumer research. She also had a unique opportunity to bring a not-for-profit Pet Experience Centre to life in 2004 -2014 called PawsWay In downtown Toronto.   

Susan grew up in Penetanguishene, raised her 3 children in Newmarket and after retirement, has returned to the area full time, residing in Victoria Harbour. Susan is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking, boating, skiing and snowshoeing which brings her to the Wye Marsh often. 

 


Alexandra Seaton, Secretary

Alexandra is recently retired from 30 plus years as a family law lawyer in Toronto.  She saw much strife and conflict in those years and welcomes the   opportunity to use those skills for the good of the environment and the Community.  The conflict of constant encroachment of development on Wye Marsh and marshlands throughout the world is real and devastating and requires us all to stand up against it.  Alexandra is pleased and honoured to be accepted as a member, volunteer, and member of the Friends of Wye Marsh Inc. Board of Directors.  

Robert Stewart, Treasurer

Bob retired in 2001 from an accounting career as Managing Partner of a 
Toronto accounting firm.  He brings 35 years of accounting experience as 
well as an avid interest in the preservation of wilderness environments
and continues to enjoy wilderness trekking when he can find the tine.  
The Wye Marsh offers a more practical and local opportunity for him to 
pursue this interest.

 


Debbie Pearl-Kay, Director

After moving to Victoria Harbour in the fall of 2020, Debbie was surprised and delighted to discover the Wye Marsh.  Having volunteered as a Swan Monitor at the Marsh for the past year and adopting two of the Marsh’s “regular” swans, she has dubbed herself the “Crazy Swan Lady”.  She is always happy to tell the story of the swans to anyone who will listen.  You will also find her in the role of roving photographer at most Wye Marsh events or manning the Outreach Booth at various local events.  Suffice it to say Debbie has fallen in love with the Marsh, and you will often hear her describing it as her “Happy Place”.

Debbie’s career spanned 33 years in financial services and a subsequent seven years as a Certified Life Coach.   Along with her passion for the Marsh, Debbie is excited to bring a diverse set of skills and experience to assist the Wye Marsh Board in caring for this unique, natural gem.

 


Graham Scrimgeour, Director

 

In 2010 Graham retired from a thirty-five year career as a French Immersion educator with the North York (now Toronto) School Board and the York Region District School Board. Outdoor Education was always a passion and focus during Graham’s career and he brought students to the Wye Marsh on several occasions in the 1980’s and 90’s. The importance of introducing children to the natural world and instilling in them the importance of preserving wetland areas has always been an area of interest. 

Immediately after Graham and his wife, Susan, moved to Midland in 2015 he started volunteering, in a variety of capacities, at the Wye Marsh and enjoys it immensely. The decision to get involved at the Marsh was a ‘no brainer’. 

Graham enjoys independent travel adventures, tennis, cycling, volunteering with various organizations, and skiing. And, of course, enjoying the Wye Marsh during all seasons of the year.

 


Jana Luker, Director

With a background in University Administration, upon retirement Jana Luker was drawn to Midland and the Wye Marsh, having spent much her childhood just down the road. Appreciating that the Marsh provides a wind & storm buffer, as well as wildlife nurseries, and flood control, she reasoned that it was a good time to give back to this local gem as well as to the wider community. When not on Georgian Bay sailing, Jana attempts triathlons and sings in the local Shout Sister choir. She lives with her long-suffering spouse in Midland and misses her adult daughters terribly.

 

Rebecca Cowie, Director

A passion for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and hiking introduced Rebecca to the Wye Marsh. Upon graduating from the Masters of Applied Nutrition Program at the University of Guelph Rebecca returned to the Midland area to work in healthcare and promptly obtained a membership to the Wye Marsh to enjoy outdoor activities year-round with a camera in hand alongside her family, and her Shetland Sheepdog, Cassie.

Prior to returning to the Midland area Rebecca worked as a post-secondary educator at Conestoga College; committed to developing educational materials and fostering a positive learning environment. With this experience Rebecca strives to assist with current education programs and development of resources available to visitors.


 Sarah Pendlebury, Director

 Sarah has a diverse employment background with over 10 years of progressive experience in the non-profit sector, focusing on governance and executive level administration. Sarah is presently Executive Assistant to the Board of Governors at Georgian College.

In her spare time, Sarah loves to visit the Wye Marsh with her family and her dog Baxter. Sarah grew up in Midland and after more than a decade away she's happy to be back and able to contribute to the Wye Marsh and its continued success and environmental stewardship.