Our Governance
The Friends of Stittsville Wetlands are a volunteer, community-based, not-for-profit corporation committed to protecting, restoring, regenerating and rewilding our wetlands for future generations.
The Friends of Stittsville Wetlands became incorporated on January 1, 2024, under the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010. We are not a registered charity.
A Message from the President
November 30, 2024
The Friends of Stittsville Wetlands express our gratitude to Steve Klein, our Co-Founder and past Vice-President, and Terry Swaine, past Treasurer for their efforts in the transformation of our organization from an idea at a community forum on June 26, 2023, to its incorporation on January 1, 2024. With their continuing efforts in 2024, our organization has become well-positioned to advocate for the protection, restoration, regeneration, and rewilding of our wetlands. We wish Steve and Terry every success as they step into their new endeavours. It is also my pleasure to welcome our new Vice-President, Bruce Dudley, and Treasurer, Rudy Stavinga.
Our Team
Janet Stavinga
Co-Founder, President of the Board
Janet has over 30 plus years of experience in developing diverse and meaningful engagement processes. Janet works on a wide variety of issues, to strengthen public engagement and build strong, healthy communities. She is passionate about community sustainability, civil society, and creating positive change.
Janet served as a municipal elected official for twelve years, beginning as a Councillor for the former Township of Goulbourn, then as Mayor and, for six years, as an Ottawa City Councillor.
She then served as Chair of the Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Committee – an appointment by Ontario’s Minister of the Environment. The authority of this initiative was the Ontario Clean Water Act, 2006, a new piece of provincial legislation at that time, which required communities to protect current and future sources of municipal drinking water from overuse and contamination.
For the past decade, and until 2021, Janet served as the Executive Director for the Algonquins of Ontario in their continuing efforts to advance negotiations with the Governments of Ontario and Canada towards a modern-day treaty. As the Executive Director she also facilitated responses to the consultation requests received within their traditional unceded, unsurrendered territory.
Janet has a Master of Science in Geography as well as a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Geography, specifically in Resource Management and Conservation. Janet continues to work on conservation and resource management initiatives close to her heart.
Prior to assuming his role in Corporate Sustainability Services Bruce led Delphi’s Health and Environment practice and was recognized as one of Canada’s leading experts in the strategic integration of health and environmental issues. This practice involved innovative policy and technology solutions that enabled governments and private corporations to reduce human and eco-system health risks arising from industrial emissions and hazardous products.
Bruce joined the Delphi Group with over 20 years of experience in the Healthcare sector. In the final stage of his healthcare career, he was responsible for the quality and risk management programs, diagnostic services and several research facilities and programs in two tertiary care teaching hospitals. As the lead Director of a Corporate Total Quality Management program for 1200 Employees Bruce is familiar with organizational change dynamics, principal-based management efforts and outcome evaluation. Bruce has been Board Secretary to several organizations including Profoundry, a position he maintains, and Instream Energy Solutions.
Bruce Dudley
Vice-President
Bruce has over thirty years of experience as an environmental consultant with Delphi’s Corporate Sustainability and GHG Services where he led business development activity within the public and private sectors. His primary responsibilities in those areas were to offer high-level strategic advice to corporations and governments on various aspects of Sustainable Development and Carbon Management planning and execution as well as program design and implementation.
Rudy Stavinga
Treasurer
How many project-managing, computer systems designing, strategizing, communicating, grand-parenting, non-profit treasurers who can’t dance do you know? Give up? Hint: At least one, me. Welcome to my bio, and it is a pleasure to meet you.
I am a semi-retired computer systems professional with over 35 years of experience managing, designing, and building complex and mission-critical systems. I live in Stittsville, Ontario with my incredible wife, Janet, who in my opinion has arguably become one of the best at public engagement. and creating positive change in our community. I am thrilled to be working with her on this initiative with the caveat that it will not require any wallpaper hanging in the process.
What drives me?
Most of my career has focussed on the development of air traffic control systems. I have had a hand in systems that have kept and continue to keep air traffic moving across Canada, over the Atlantic, the UK, and Switzerland. I also have had a hand in the development of air traffic simulation training systems for the U.S. Navy in carrier air operations proficiency. I like building things with an eye for detail. This also extends to life outside of work, from building decks and patios to finishing basements and putting in flooring.
And, let’s not forget about the outdoors: Biking, hiking, skiing, camping, white water tripping and road running.
Why get involved in the Friends of Stittsville Wetlands? Quite simply, after observing my wife being of service to the community for the past 3 decades, it is time for me to lean in and help. I am passionate about this country, the wide open spaces, the forests, the rivers, the wetlands, and the wildlife. We are the envy of the world. I want to be part of the protection and preservation of these treasures for future generations to come.
Lora Denis
Web and Graphic Designer
Upon graduating college in Graphic Design, Lora dove headfirst into working in the nonprofit sector, where she has dedicated the last five years to using her creative skills for social good. Beyond social good, she has a passion and commitment to environmental causes.
Lora merges creativity with purpose in her work. With a keen eye for aesthetics and a strong background in visual communication, she crafts compelling designs that not only captivate audiences but also advocate for sustainability and environmental stewardship. Through her innovative approach to design, Lora seeks to raise awareness about pressing environmental issues, utilizing her skills for the greater good to inspire and drive positive change. Volunteering for Friends of Stittsville Wetlands solidifies her belief that individual actions, no matter how small, can collectively make a significant difference in preserving our natural world for future generations.
Get Involved – Become a Friend!
We are growing and we need your help! Together, we will be the voice to protect, restore, regenerate, and rewild our wetlands.