The Land Between Charity would truly not exist without the hard work of its COO, year round staff, summer technicians, and of course, its Council. We are further grateful to our volunteers, operating both within and outside the bioregion, that help us carry out our mission of finding balanced solutions across divides!
Meet our leadership
Leora Berman
Founder & COO, "The Carver"
Leora has set the strategic direction of the charity with the support of her council since its inauguration. She cultivated the bases of the charity to ensure that Indigenous leadership was equal to mainstream people on the governance board of the charity. Leora continues to foster the charity's approach and designs all programs and solutions, cultivating partnerships, leveraging interest, and supervising staff.
To learn more about Leora's earnings and TLB staff financials, please click below.
Peter Alley
Founding Father, "The Rock"
Peter was the "forefather" of The Land Between effort; to ensure the region's ecological function was fully understood and celebrated. Peter dedicated the last ten years of his life to making sure that The Land Between region would be recognized and valued, receiving the attention it deserved within the conservation sector.
Curve Lake First Nation
"I feel it most necessary to recognize this Nation and my friends there as co-founders in this initiative. Until 2019 I had referred to my role as co-founder rather than founder because while Peter Alley laid the groundwork, it was the invaluable contribution of First Nations that imbued the charity with much more meaning and direction. It was only due to the assertions of the First Nation members of the charity that I have taken the title as charity founder. Because, if it were not for their openness, support, and willingness to trust me, The Land Between organization would not have the heart and strength that it does today. I feel humbled by this friendship and the kinship that has emerged. I feel humbled by it all. Miigwetch." - Leora
Our Council members
The Land Between is fortunate to have a dedicated group of individuals to representing the common good.
The Council are made up of individuals that reflect the "common person" from across the region, with equality among all board members. The Council provides a grassroots perspective and the invaluable benefit of the "lived-experience". The Council members are also cherished as autonomous and equal members, who are trustworthy and are respected for their integrity.
The Land Between honours the original Treaties of Canada and as such operates with 50% Indigenous peoples on our Council, and with one seat on Council that is delegated and not elected, to represent the Nation of the Traditional Territory in which we operate.
Keith Hodgson, Local Hunter, Forester, Community Knowledge Holder, Signatory
Tracey Taylor, Aanishinaabe kwe, Cultural Specialist, Treasurer
Marie Windover, Aggregate and construction business owner, conservation minded, settler histories, and local knowledge holder
Guy Wagner, Naturalist and NGO expertise
Laurie Hockeday, OUTGOING: Aanishinabe kwe, Delegate on behalf of Curve Lake First Nation, now Chief in 2025
Gary Williams, Indigenous Economic Development;
Krista Coppaway, Indigenous Community Consultation Liaison
Sarah Jackson, Anishanaabeg Land Management
Incumbents
Shelley Fife-Knot, INCOMING: Delegate, Council Member, Curve Lake First Nation
Les Clark, Lake Health Steward
William Manary, Wildlife Biologist
Kathleen Simpson, Entrepreneur and Business Owner
Honorary Members:
Peter Carruthers and MaryJane Proulx