Jane Bewick, Business Director, earned a bachelor’s degree in commerce and a master’s in business administration from the University of Toronto. She worked more than 15 years in Toronto in financial management, accounting, business management and marketing. For two years, Jane was business manager for the Phone Store, a retail operation with stores in Canmore and Banff.
Rob Buffler, Executive Director, has directed Y2Y’s programs and operations since spring of 2003. He previously served as Executive Director of Great River Greening, an initiative working with over 10,000 volunteers to restore the ecological integrity of the Mississippi, Minnesota and Saint Croix River Valley Greenways near Minneapolis and St. Paul. Rob has led many wilderness trips across the mountainous West. He is also a writer, fly fisherman, organizer of large-scale Mississippi River festivals, and former Program Director of the Saint Paul Foundation.
Michael Code, Development and Operations Director, recently joined Y2Y after working at the Banff Centre as Director of Programming Operations from 2003 through 2007. He was responsible for providing leadership to facilitate the operational and administrative support required to deliver the Centre’s programming. Prior to joining the Banff Centre Michael was self-employed for 14 years as the owner and manager of various business ventures in the hospitality sector.
Wendy Francis, Director of Conservation: Science and Action has been involved with Y2Y since its inception. She chaired the board from 2003-2005 and was interim Executive Director in 2002-2003. Educated in law and biology, Wendy previously held positions as Director of Conservation and Science at Ontario Nature, Interim Executive Director at the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, and Conservation Director for CPAWS Calgary-Banff. Wendy also practiced law in Calgary, worked as Senior Associate with Western Environmental and Social Trends Inc., and was owner of her own conservation consulting business. More...
Lynne Hately, Grants Manager, CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive), has worked for more than 15 years with non-profit organizations, primarily on indigenous, conservation and development issues. She has worked in remote locations with Indigenous peoples in South America and Asia, and developed an extensive program linking Indigenous communities in North and South America. Lynne has a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in international development, and is currently completing a certified general accounting program.
Nancy Ouimet, Development Coordinator, joined the staff of Y2Y in 2005. While doing her bachelor's degree at Carleton University in Ottawa, she volunteered with the CPAWS – Ottawa Valley Chapter working towards expanding the number of protected areas within Quebec. Prior to joining Y2Y, she worked at the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley coordinating the One-Tonne Challenge, a Canadian government program aimed at reducing individual greenhouse gas emissions. Originally from Quebec, Nancy has moved to the Rockies to pursue her involvement in the environmental field and benefit from the area's great outdoor.
Penelope Pierce, U.S. Regional Director, has focused on conservation for her entire career. Working in Yellowstone National Park inspired her to study environmental law at the University of Oregon, where she received her JD in 1990. Penelope was Director of Land Conservation for The Nature Conservancy's Wyoming Chapter, as well as the Major Gifts/Planned Giving Manager for the Seattle Art Museum, and was involved in private rainforest conservation for more than 10 years in Costa Rica.. She currently serves on the board of directors of the Western Environmental Law Center (WELC). Penelope holds a BA in Psychology and Sociology from the College of William and Mary.
Marlis Strebel, Marketing and Membership Associate, grew up in Switzerland and worked for the first years of her professional life in the hospitality industry in various resorts in the Swiss Alps. After a summer season in Jasper, Alberta, she decided to pursue her career in Canada. She also spent several years in Asia teaching English before the call of the mountains brought her back to the Canadian Rockies. Before joining Y2Y, Marlis gained extensive experience in office administration.