Meet Our Team
Rochelle Byrne
Executive Director / Founder
Rochelle began her environmental journey with a shoreline cleanup in her community, leading her to found A Greener Future in 2014 and embrace the zero-waste movement. With eight years of environmental education and experience, including roles at Fleming College and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Rochelle's commitment to sustainability earned her the 2017 Environment Award from the City of Pickering and a Premiere’s Award Nomination in 2023. Notably, she paddled 430 km across Lake Ontario to raise awareness about plastic pollution, a feat documented in the film "Shoreline: The Paddle Against Plastic," which underscores her determination and leadership amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rochelle's impact extends beyond her personal achievements to the broader environmental sector. Through A Greener Future, she has spearheaded initiatives like the Butt Blitz Campaign, Love Your Lakes Program, and Litter Art Project, engaging communities nationwide in environmental stewardship. Her contributions to the environmental industry exemplify her dedication to raising awareness, empowering individuals, and advocating for sustainable practices, ultimately shaping a greener future for generations to come.
Nicole Henderson
Program Coordinator
Nicole is an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for the protection and preservation of the environment. Even in her spare time, Nicole can be found in nature. Whether it be exploring new places as an avid hiker, participating in local cleanups or training her “adventure cat” Maple. Nicole is a graduate of Tourism – Global Travel at Fleming College and possesses a certificate in Environmental Management Practices from Lambton College. With an assortment of skills taken from these programs, she hopes to promote sustainable travel practices and instill respect for the planet in others.
Jessica Bernard
Partnership Coordinator
Meet Jessica, an adventure-loving environmentalist with a background in international development. Whether hiking, swimming, or advocating for sustainable solutions, she is passionate about protecting the planet and creating a greener future. Jessica has a wealth of experience in stakeholder relations and has worked with businesses to measure and set sustainability goals. She has a BA in communications from McMaster University and has completed a graduate certificate from Centennial College. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys reading, exploring new places with her puppy and spending time with friends and family.
Katherine Roesler
Data Communications Coordinator
Katherine is a visual artist passionate about the planet’s well-being and our own. She nurtured her connection with the outdoors spending summer up at her family cottage catching frogs and her connection with art at the cut-and-paste table gluing together upcycled materials.
Katherine has a diverse education in Sociology, Visual Arts and Marketing. She firmly believes that addressing sustainability concerns requires an interdisciplinary approach. Beyond art and nature, Katherine loves reading, board games, dancing, snowboarding, rollerblading, and hiking and is always down for new adventures.
Mara Mahmud
Communications Assistant
Mara holds a Master of Environmental Studies as well as a Graduate Diploma in Migration Refugee Studies from York University.
Using a human-centred and visual-based approach, Mara seeks to make climate research more accessible through visual forms such as graphic design, photography, and video, inviting audiences to engage deeper with research materials, and understanding the humans behind them. With her passion for visual and digital communications, Mara is supporting A Greener Future as the Communications Assistant.
Mara is also a budding documentary filmmaker, digital storyteller, and traveller.
Kiara Duval
Data Assistant
Kiara is a nature enthusiast who enjoys being in the field just as much as being behind a computer. With a Bachelor's in Zoology from Laurentian University and soon to receive her Master's in Bioenvironmental Monitoring and Assessment from Trent University, Kiara is combining her love for the outdoors with her passion for analyzing and interpreting environmental data in her role as a Data Assistant. Whether camping, hiking with her two dogs, or skating on frozen lakes, Kiara is always happiest surrounded by nature. She finds inspiration in the great outdoors and can often be found capturing its beauty as a freelance photographer. Her scientific background and love for nature have instilled in her a deep sense of responsibility towards the planet. She believes in the power of data and statistics to drive positive environmental change and is committed to making a difference in sustainability.
Thurkkha Thayalalingam
Program Assistant (Toronto/Durham)
Thurkkha is an avid environmentalist who is passionate about climate action and biodiversity conservation. Completing her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Conservation Biology as well as a Master of Environment and Sustainability, Thurkkha strives to share knowledge with and learn from the community about the relationship between social and environmental issues and how to take meaningful environmental action.
In her free time, you can find Thurkkha taking her dog on long walks, reading a good book in the sun, or playing board games with her friends and family.
Gregory Waclawek
Program Assistant (Durham)
Greg is a community-oriented sustainability enthusiast. He has completed a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo and a Master of Art in Sustainability Studies from Trent University. He believes real change requires the community to work together and find sustainable solutions. He draws from his variety of experiences in governmental and non-profit organizations to make an impact on his community through outreach and education.
Greg likes to spend his time with friends and family. He enjoys hiking, playing soccer or basketball, or winding down with a good board game or movie. In the summertime, he will be found at his family's cottage or outdoors whenever possible.
Asha Bajaj
Program Assistant (Hamilton)
Asha is an environmentalist and nature lover. She believes that life is interdependent and that we should foster thoughtful relationships with all forms of non-human life, being mindful of how we treat our shared spaces. Completing her Bachelor of Arts and Science at McMaster with a focus on environmental science and humanities, she has a diverse education in sustainability. As an aspiring environmental lawyer, Asha is passionate about climate advocacy through hands on experience and action.
In her free time, Asha enjoys hiking, snowboarding, reading, writing and petting her cats. She’s also been getting into running, though the process has been slow.
Erminio Jacobelli
Program Assistant (Toronto/Vaughan)
Erminio is an environmental advocate with a strong passion for protecting our planet and creating more livable spaces to coexist with nature. He loves spending any minute he can outdoors, appreciating the beauty of the natural world, and working towards his goals to improve environmental health. After the pandemic, Erminio realized the importance of human connections to nature, which sparked his interest in learning more about the impacts of the built environment and environmental conservation.
Erminio graduated with a BSc in Biological Science from the University of Guelph, where he learned topics in climate change biology, ecology, biogeography, and biodiversity. He is a sustainability ambassador and has goals to make a positive impact on the environment so future generations can live on a healthier and cleaner planet.
Want to Join our Team?
We hire each spring! Look for our job postings listed on our website each March. It can be a competitive process, and the best way to get your foot in the door is to volunteer with us before applying for a paid position. Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know when positions are posted.
A Greener Future is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, age, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, veteran status, political affiliation, or genetic information.