Our Board

CO-CHAIR

Liz Vickers-Drennan (she/elle) lives, works and plays on the traditional territories of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and of the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council. She brings to the YCS board a wealth of experience in the non-profit sector in both a volunteer and professional capacity - including work in conservation, gender equity, science and trades outreach/education and outdoor recreation. Liz holds undergraduate degrees in Physics and Leadership studies, as well as a masters in Science Communication.

She is passionate about collaboratively navigating the many challenges of sustainable and socially responsible development, and contributing to a more holistic and ecologically conscious Yukon for future generations. She puts the co-creation of pathways and solutions at the heart of her philosophy.

Echoing a common sentiment, in her free time, she enjoys the breadth of outdoor activities in which we're able to partake on this beautiful land. She is also involved with Scouts Canada and Yukon Search and Rescue.

CO-CHAIR

First and foremost Gerald is an ecologist, having studied aquatic ecology at UBC (towards a B.Sc), and he sees the world through an ecologist’s lens. After several years of work with both DFO and B.C. Fish & Wildlife Branch, he turned to teaching, and was a biology instructor at Yukon College/YukonU for 20+ years. During this time, he was a co-chair of the institution’s Sustainability Committee.

Past board experience includes Whitehorse Minor Soccer Association, with which he served as president for 4 years, and the Yukon Federal Green Party, which he has been with for 13 years. Not surprisingly, Gerald enjoys being outside in natural environments, whether kick-sledding and skiing in winter or via biking, canoeing and kayaking in non-frozen seasons.

These days travel is mostly vicarious, although local travel in the Yukon continues to draw him to new and familiar places. Gerald has travelled enough in earlier days, though, to realize that there are not many wilderness areas left in this world. We have something special here in the Yukon that should be conserved; as a continuing board member, Gerald looks forward to working with the YCS board, staff and members, and with all Yukoners toward this goal.

SECRETARY

Sabrina Kinsella has strong ties to the North – she was born in Yellowknife and raised in Whitehorse, before venturing south for school and work. She returned to the Yukon with her family in tow in 2011, and is grateful to be raising her children and dogs around her parents, siblings, nieces and nephew, in this amazing community and territory.

Sabrina believes in the inherent value of nature and the environment, but also believes that conserving the environment is crucial to our physical, mental and emotional well-being – as individuals and as communities. Conversely, Sabrina believes that ongoing suffering and inequities among people both locally and globally contribute to economic, social and environmental harms.

Sabrina supports ongoing work toward reconciliation, and believes that conservation efforts are best made in partnership with Yukon First Nations. She believes that we need to look across cultures, sectors, fields and knowledge systems, and do our best to live in ways that reflect the interconnected nature of our economic, social, environmental and industrial spheres.

TREASURER

Growing up on the outskirts of Winnipeg, Brian learned to explore and appreciate natural spaces. After graduation, Brian moved to the Yukon and has lived here for over 45 years. Training and working as a journeyman welder and later as an RV service technician has given Brian an appreciation for the trades.

Later, Brian pursued studies in business administration and renewable resource management with the later evolving into a BSc. in Environmental and Conservation Sciences. While studying at Yukon College, Brian worked summer student positions with Yukon Wildlife Viewing and assisting in bird surveys with Biologist Dave Mossop. Brian worked as a Heritage Sites Officer for the Teslin Tlingit Council in Teslin and then as an Archaeology field assistant in Fort St. John while conducting assessments for development projects in Northeastern B.C.. Back in Whitehorse, Brian worked in property maintenance and management for several years before retiring. Most of his working life has been spent as a business person and he brings this experience to the YCS board. Several years were spent volunteering on the executive of the Yukon Federal Green Party Association including time as the Financial Officer.

In his spare time, Brian enjoys playing music with friends. Outdoors, he spends time hiking, kayaking, mountain and fat tire biking, and cross country skiing Brian enjoys doing home renovations and in summer, he can be found tending to his vegetable garden. Brian has a strong commitment to sustainability and preservation of natural spaces and wildlife.

DIRECTOR

Dave was born in Switzerland, en route to Zaire (Congo) where his parents were missionaries. Since then he has lived in Scotland, Ohio, Ontario and British Columbia. In 2007 Dave and his family moved to Haines Junction, creating a lifestyle that allowed for more family time. His partner Cindi and he were married in 1998 and they have two grown boys currently pursuing their own dreams.

A passion for the outdoors led Dave to a career in guiding - in climbing, hiking and sea kayaking. He has been privileged to guide in many locations including B.C., Alaska, the Sea of Cortez, Patagonia, Labrador, Antarctica and most significantly in the High Arctic. Simultaneously, Dave has pursued a career in construction. His construction company has been successful both in B.C. and Yukon, employing up to 14 people.

Dave has spent most of his life self employed, earning a living with determination and hard work - taking risks and creating opportunities for himself and others. He is a founding Director of the Association of Canadian Sea Kayak Guides, and in Haines Junction has volunteered for several organizations including the ambulance service and the local soccer club. He has served on both School Council and Village Council, and ran in the 2021 territorial election. Dave brings with him a breadth of vision and a passion for justice and equality.

On his path, Dave has learned much from family, friends and community, but his greatest teacher has always been the Earth upon which we walk.

DIRECTOR

Ozunimi brings with her a lifelong commitment to caring for the environment. She spent her formative years in the Niger Delta, where her grandmother taught her the importance of regenerating soil with crop residues—an early lesson that sparked her passion for protecting the environment.

She has over 15 years of global experience in environmental governance and sustainable development, including supporting mining communities in reducing the use of hazardous chemicals in artisanal gold mining.

Her work has brought her together with governments, communities, and organizations to advance environmental and climate action. She holds graduate degrees in chemistry, environmental management, and business administration, alongside training in leadership and project management.

Since arriving in Yukon, she has been enjoying exploring the territory’s trails and discovering new places to hike, and she looks forward to contributing her skills while learning from Yukon’s people, culture, and landscapes.

DIRECTOR

Born in Québec but a Whitehorse resident since 2001, Édouard Bourcier is a skilled writer with experience in technical, policy, and grant writing.

With a B.A. from UBC in Mind, Language, and Computation, Ed is a solution-focused critical thinker. He also holds a Digital Strategy & Communications Management Certificate from U of T and a Climate Resiliency Strategies Certificate from Royal Roads University. His previous board experience includes four years at the Pearson College Alumni Association.

Growing up in the Yukon, Ed spent much of his youth hiking, camping, spending time on the water, and participating in experiential learning opportunities. He remains committed to these activities and believes that they form a central role in our northern culture. He is confident that a community-based approach to our changing climate is the best way to find solutions to our unique situation in the Yukon.

DIRECTOR

Drin zho zit zho

I am Christine Blanchard Fraser, I am Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation. Thank you for welcoming me onto the board. I would be greatly honoured to be a part of this board. My cultural values and beliefs are really important to me and sharing my knowledge with the youth, and I’m sharing my knowledge with other people with other knowledges that can help with anything that I love to do. My culture is very important to me. My grandparents are Frank and Annie Blanchard. I have learned a lot of knowledge from my uncle Ralph Blanchard who passed away in 2020. He was very knowledgeable.

He would show me a lot of things about how to survive in the bush and what to look for and same with my uncle Lionel Blanchard I went mushroom picking with him and he showed me a lot of things how to like look for, look for things if you get lost in the bush, held filter water through the moss, stuff like that. I’m really excited to be a part of this board and I’m really excited to share my knowledge with you. Thank you for accepting me.

DIRECTOR

Lee is a Policy Analyst currently working with the Divisional Supports Branch at Health and Social Services, Yukon Government.

Lee received his education in Canada, Kuwait, and the Netherlands, and volunteered in both Kuwait and Jordan. Lee received his Bachelor’s degree in International Development Studies, Political Science, and a minor in Law from Dalhousie University in 2018, and completed his Masters in Public Policy from the University of Calgary in 2019.

After graduating, Lee worked as a Program Analyst with the Ontario Ministry of Health. In that position, Lee participated in large-scale program evaluation and review for the Commitment to the Future of Medicare program, the Ontario Fertility Program, and abortion access. Lee moved to the Yukon a year ago to assist Family and Children Services, and Youth Justice with updating program level policy.

Lee is passionate about improving programs and services for children and youth, reproductive rights and access, and global affairs. Lee also became personally devoted to conservation work and preserving Canada’s natural beauty when he spent the summer of 2014 planting trees across northern Ontario and Alberta.

DIRECTOR

Simon is a long-time Dawson City resident who has a lot of experience being out in the bush, hiking and surviving and camping. He knows the Dempster area especially well, and is a member of the Friends of Dempster Country.

He is interested in joining the board to help plan YCS activities and sees a major role of YCS as a community education place where people can come and learn about the environment in the Yukon and what it means to protect certain endangered areas around our communities.