Our Team

Headshot of Kathy Abusow

Kathy Abusow
President and CEO

Kathy Abusow is President and CEO of PLT Canada.

Headshot of Jerri Taylor

Jerri Taylor - (202) 936-5254
Director, Diversity in Career Pathways
Jerri.Taylor@forests.org

Jerri leads the career pathways programming, mentorship program, and Green Jobs employer training efforts at SFI. 

Mila headshot

Mila Snejinscaia - 613-703-5570
Business Director
Mila.Snejinska@forests.org

Mila leads our financial operations, is responsible for reporting and compliance, and supports fundraising efforts.

Jennifer Farant - 613-745-5840 ext. 302
Administrative Assistant
Jennifer.Farant@forests.org

Jennifer provides a variety of administrative assistance for PLT Canada. She helps Green Jobs employers and youth, leads office management tasks, and supports PLT Canada Board meetings.

Danika headshot

Danika Strecko - 613-505-5872, ext. 480
Sr. Manager, Education
Danika.Strecko@forests.org

Danika helps lead the overall development of our educational materials and programs.

Headshot of Maria Chiarella

Maria Chiarella - 343-803-0591 ext. 308
Manager, Mentorship and Youth Programs
Maria.Chiarella@forests.org

Maria conducts outreach to help build and strengthen our youth network and mentorship program. 

Mira headshot

Mira Williamson - 613-704-7248
Sr. Manager, Communications
Mira.Williamson@forests.org

Mira is involved in all aspects of our communications and engagement efforts. One of her primary activities is to help engage Indigenous youth and youth who are new Canadians. Mira conducts research and interviews and produces a wide range of content, including editorials, news articles, and media releases.

Headshot of Madhuri

Madhuri Jani - 613-742-3782 ext. 467
Sr. Coordinator, Green Jobs
Madhuri.Jani@forests.org

Madhuri supports our Green Jobs initiative with outreach to employers and youth. She works directly with provincial, territorial, and international network partners to ensure successful program operations across Canada.

Headshot of Lydia Kidane

Lydia Kidane - 202-765-3651
Coordinator, Education Programs
Lydia.Kidane@forests.org

Lydia is Project Learning Tree’s® (PLT) main point of contact for customer inquiries, sales and service. She also helps manage PLT’s product inventory, fulfillment, and distribution and supports career pathways initiatives in the US.

Headshit of Catherine Langille

Catherine Langille - 613-742-3781 ext. 466
Indigenous Relations Coordinator (on leave until September 2022)
Catherine.Langille@forests.org

Catherine works to expand our programming and to ensure that all initiatives are accessible and responsive to the unique needs of Indigenous youth across Canada

Brittany Lodge

Brittany Lodge - 613-704-0047 ext. 471
Youth Programs Coordinator
Brittany.Lodge@forests.org

Brittany supports the entire PLT Canada team in enhancing the number, relevancy, and accessibility of opportunities for a wide range of youth in the forest and conservation sectors. 

Young man holding a video camera in the forest

Alex Leonard - 343-803-0540 ext. 351
Communications Coordinator
Alex.Leonard@forests.org

Alex supports communications, specializing in creating engaging videos for social media, and playing a key role in our marketing and advertising campaigns.

Headshot of James Thordarson

James Thordarson - 613-703-3347
Coordinator, Forest Education
James.Thordarson@forests.org

James’s inspiration to work at PLT Canada was being able to fill a role where he provides Forest education to anyone and everyone who wants to learn more about the natural world around them. 

Headshot of Shwetha Kengasur Venkatesh

Shwetha Kengasur Venkatesh - 613-702-9378
Green Jobs Coordinator
Shwetha.Kengasur.Venkatesh@forests.org

Shwetha supports our Green Jobs program with employer and youth outreach and administrative support, and she also develops communication materials and reports. 

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER