About
Staff
Kristin Elton
Program Director
Originally from Collingwood, Ontario, Kristin grew up in the outdoors loving nature and wildlife. Her academic background focused on exploring the intersection of people, policy, and the environment, with a B.A. in Environmental Governance from the University of Guelph and a Masters of Environmental Studies in Planning from the University of Waterloo. She has extensive experience delivering environmental outreach programming and working with various stakeholders while in her roles with non-profit organizations in both Ontario and New Brunswick. Kristin joined the NBISC in August 2019, where she works with government and NGO partners to implement invasive species awareness programs and build capacity for invasive species management in the province. When not working, you can find her hanging out with her cats, travelling, scuba-diving, or dabbling in musical theatre.
Jennifer Yamazaki
Project Lead
Jennifer was born and raised in Michigan where her appreciation for nature started from an early age, going on family vacations to the northern part of the state. Since relocating to New Brunswick, she has spent several years volunteering for a variety of nonprofit organizations and has previously worked for Stantec as an Environmental Consultant/Project Coordinator and in the nonprofit heritage sector as an Operations Manager of the McAdam Railway Station. She looks forward to her new role as Project Lead where she can help advance NBISC’s mission of managing invasive species in New Brunswick and help build the capacity of this nonprofit organization. During her free time, Jennifer enjoys gardening, camping, and spending time on Lake George where she resides.
Claire Ferguson
Outreach and Communications Coordinator
Born and raised in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Claire holds a Bachelor of Science in Environment and Natural Resources from the University of New Brunswick. Through her work with local and national environmental and Indigenous non-profits, Claire has found a passion for community engagement as well as environmental and science communications. She previously worked for the Nature Conservancy of Canada, where she oversaw the Conservation Volunteers event program in the Atlantic region and coordinated the management of over 65 volunteer property and trail stewards. In her free time, Claire enjoys hiking to waterfalls, working on her photography, and spending time with family and friends.
Clarissa Hoffman
Project Coordinator
Clarissa is from Riverview and has been devoted to nature from a young age. Clarissa holds a Bachelor’s in biodiversity conservation and environmental studies from the University of Toronto. Since graduating, she has been working as the Conservation Manager at Fundy Biosphere region, where she oversaw several conservation and nature related projects. Clarissa will be working at NBISC as the Project Coordinator where she will be responsible for our on-the-ground project activities. When she is not working, Clarissa can be found exploring the forests and waterways of NB with her dog.
Chris Sullivan
Youth Nature Keepers Program Coordinator, New Brunswick
Bread and buttered in London, Ontario, Chris Sullivan is the Youth Nature Keepers Program Coordinator for New Brunswick. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Ecosystem Health from Western University. Chris is an environmental educator with years of conservation experience in the non-profit space, being involved in climate change research, species-at-risk work and youth program development. He now works closely with the New Brunswick Invasive Species Council and youth volunteers throughout the province to help protect New Brunswick's environment and raise awareness about the growing threat of invasive species.