Seth Brown, president
Joel Kaskiw, vice-president
Katelyn Lourenco, treasurer
Pearl Pique Carpina, secretary
Corin Noble, Michel Duteau, Bruce McLean, Rae Mombourquette, board members
The Board provides guidance on the organization’s operations, activities, development and impact. It is comprised of a minimum of 6 Directors, including 4 Officer positions: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Board gets its direction from the Membership through the election process; Board Directors are typically elected at the AGM, for a renewable mandate of 1 year. The Directors are generally expected to volunteer approximately 5-10 hours per month.
The Board also invites Board Supporters (aka Board Friends/Advisors) to contribute voluntarily on an as-available basis. These often are seasoned experts that have experience on topics that they want to use for the advancement of YISC’s mission, or less experienced individuals that are unsure whether they can take on a full director’s role and might want to ‘’get their feet wet’’.
At any time, don’t hesitate to express your interest! Contact us at info@yukoninvasives.com with a Short Bio and Cover Letter.
Seth Brown, president
Toronto born and Yukon based, Seth brings extensive experience in wilderness guiding, outdoor education, multimedia arts, and communications to the YISC team. An aspiring dog musher, he lives along the shores of Fish Lake with his five dogs enjoying birdsong in the summer and snowy trails in the winter.
Joel Kaskiw, vice-president
Joel, an electrical engineer currently serves as the Vice president of YISC. Having worked as an instructor at the International Canadian School of Survival, Joel has extensive experience working in an outdoor environment and teaching people how to stay safe in the boreal forest. With this experience, Joel has seen firsthand the damage that invasive species can do to native environments. Having just completed his M.Sc. in electrical engineering he is excited to be on the board and help YISC attain its goal of eradicating invasive species from the territory.
Pearl Pique Carpina, secretary
Pearl is a proud Filipino Canadian living in the traditional territories of Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council in Whitehorse, Yukon. Pearl currently serves as the Secretary for the Yukon Invasive Species Council.She holds a BSc in Northern Environmental and Conservation Sciences from Yukon University and the University of Alberta. Her previous role includes working as a Parliamentary Intern for the Environment with the Environmental Leadership Canada, STEP land-use with the Government of Yukon, and as a researcher at the Yukon Research Centre with the Climate Change Department and the Permafrost and Geosciences teams. Pearl is also a current SOI Foundation Alumni Council member after participating in the Arctic Policy Cohort 2023. Her curiosity for other cultures and global environmental approaches led her to participate in a student exchange in Stockholm, Sweden and an internship in Montpellier, France.With her passion for research and as a current communications and community coordinator for a Member of Parliament, Pearl strives to shed a light in climate change actions, environmental sustainability and conservation in the North.In her downtime, Pearl spends quality time with her family, friends and dog, Riven. She deeply loves the Yukon, nature, hiking, music, writing, and embracing new cultures through travelling.
Katelyn Lourenco, treasurer
Katelyn currently serves as the Treasurer for the Yukon Invasive Species Council. With a passion for wilderness conservation and community service, she brings experience from Manitoba Wildfire, previous work in the non-profit sector, and her current position at Yukon EMS to this role. Her university studies in both communications and Indigenous studies have equipped her with a strong foundation in effective communication and cultural awareness. Since moving to the Yukon, Katelyn has been deeply engaged in exploring and appreciating its beautiful outdoors and works hard to do her share in preserving it. She is excited to contribute her various skills to the mission at YISC of protecting the Yukon’s natural environment from invasive species.
Michel Duteau, Biol., M.Sc, board member
Michel is a professional biologist with a background in agriculture and forestry. His passion for invasive species traces to a foundational experience as a diver assessing aquatic invasives in lakes of his native southern Qc. He progressed working on invasive species management in Egypt and Costa Rica before landing in the Yukon in 2013. He has been volunteering with YISC since 2019. Michel was quickly tasked to lead the team as board president 2020-2024, and with renewed leadership he is now happy supporting new directors and staff lift the torch on high. Outside of YISC, Michel teaches at Yukon University and is the founder of YukonGrow, a private enterprise dedicated to optimizing soil conditions with growers such as hobby gardeners and mine remediation practitioners. He also finds balance as an accomplished forester.
In his downtime, you can find Michel on his bike, cross-country skiing or planning up his next adventure!
Corin Noble, board member
Corin Noble has been living in the Yukon since 2013, working in various capacities teaching and educating about the ancient history of the Yukon. She has always had great interest in the natural world and living as sustainably and in-line with what the ecosystem naturally provides. Joining the board in 2024, Corin is excited to bring her passion for community engagement and education to YISC.
Rae Mombourquette, board member
Rae Mombourquette is a Łingit Acadian citizen of Kwanlin Dün First Nation in Whitehorse, Yukon. She is a granddaughter of the Big Salmon Northern Tutchone people and great-granddaughter of the Marsh Lake Tagish Kwan. She is an Indigenous researcher specializing in Yukon First Nations heritage co-management and Final Agreement Chapter 13 Heritage implementation. Rae has a B.A. in Canadian Studies from Thompson Rivers University and a certificate in Indigenous Women in Community Leadership from the Coady International Institute at St. Francis Xavier University. Rae is the Yukon representative to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, and sits on the Kwanlin Dün First Nation Communuty Advisory Committee regarding the Whitehorse Rapids Generation Station and Lewes River Relicensing Project. Rae has over 15 years of experience working in the Yukon Heritage field, and is passionate about promoting and preserving all aspects of Indigenous Canadian history, representation and voice across many platforms. She sits as a Board Member on the Yukon Invasive Species Council as a land steward with an interest in impacts of invasive species within Kwanlin Dün First Nation Traditional Territory and Settlement Lands.
YISC membership will elect new Board Directors at YISC’s next General meeting, set for March 20th, 5:30-6:00pm MST.
YISC is a non-government, non-profit organization that has a broad membership with members from municipal, territorial, federal and First Nation governments, non-profit organizations, industry and private citizens. A strong membership demonstrates that Yukoners care about being invasive-free. As such, all members of YISC may self-nominate and vote to join the Board of Directors. Membership is free and allows you to continue to play an active role in YISC. Sign up now on our membership page.
Anyone can be a member; all you need is a desire to aid us in preventing the introduction and managing the spread of invasive species. If you envision a natural, invasives-free Yukon, sign up today and become a member.
As a member of YISC, you are granted voting capacity, an invitation to all General Meetings, a subscription to YISC’s newsletter, eligibility for periodic prize draws, and eligibility to be nominated to YISC’s committees.
All members are invited to spread awareness about invasive species within your circles: YISC needs you.
Board Directors play leadership roles. They are expected to volunteer approximately 5-10 hours per month. In particular, they are expected to actively participate in the board’s decision-making process, actively participate in the recruitment of members, board directors and board supporters, to actively participate in YISC’s outreach efforts, and Chair at least one Committee.
Interested? Reach out to info@yukoninvasives.com
Board officers are comprised of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. They are appointed by the Board from among the Board of Directors.
President
The President is the Chair of the Board and is responsible for supervising the other Directors in the execution of their duties. The President also is the Board’s representative in supervising the Executive Director.
Vice-President
The Vice-President is the vice-chair of the Board and is responsible for carrying out the duties of the President if the President is unable to act.
Secretary
The Secretary is responsible for taking care of the meetings’ logistics, maintaining the membership register, and maintaining compliance of the organization with governmental authorities.
Treasurer
The Treasurer is responsible for all financial matters, including funding applications and reporting, keeping accounting records, getting financial statements prepared, and preparing the annual financial report.
Board supporters participate in specific committees on an as-available basis. They often are seasoned experts that have experience on topics that they want to use for the advancement of YISC’s mission, or less experienced individuals that are unsure whether they can take on a full director’s role and might want to ‘’get their feet wet’’.
YISC’s Committees are working groups formed to manage specific topics and provide counseling and advice to the board on these. Committees can have any number of Members as needed (typically 3-5, incl. the ED). Currently there are 4 sitting committees:
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If you are unsure about your membership status or have any questions regarding YISC, general meetings, nomination, invasive species, or otherwise, please reach out to us via info@yukoninvasives.com.
For more information about the roles and responsibilities of members, the board, and active chairs, Click here.
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