The Coalition announces its refreshed board to tackle the growing challenges in the local watershed
NEWS RELEASE
RESCUE LAKE SIMCOE COALITION
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The Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition has elected a new board of directors after its Annual General Meeting, bringing on skilled leaders from around the Lake Simcoe area and beyond as the organization embraces a phase of growth, renewal, and greater influence. This new board combines knowledge in public policy, environmental advocacy, municipal leadership, climate resilience, and community involvement. The newly elected directors include: Leah Taylor Roy (Aurora), who previously served as a member of Parliament for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill. In Parliament, she was part of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, as well as the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food. Before her political career, she had a successful business background. Geoff Mc Knight (Markham), recently retired chief administrative officer for the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury with extensive experience in municipal leadership, strategic planning, and community development. Elizabeth Simpson Hillis (Bradford West Gwillimbury), an expert in municipal sustainability and vice-chair of Bradford West Gwillimbury’s award-winning Green Initiatives advisory committee, specializing in climate action and community resilience. Kumar Patel (Vaughan), a doctoral candidate researching climate resilience in hydrometeorology at the University of Waterloo who previously worked as a summer student for Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition; his research has directly influenced the Coalition’s policy initiatives. Returning directors include: Jennie Ucar (chair) – Innisfil/Toronto, a retired educator and long-standing environmental advocate; Claire Malcolmson (secretary) – Innisfil/Scarborough, environmental consultant and former executive director at Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition; MJ Hanley – Georgina, scientist and community advocate focused on environmental consulting; and Gail White – Oro-Medonte, retired planner with a history of supporting efforts to protect Lake Simcoe. The new appointments follow significant changes within the organization. In 2025 and 2026, Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition launched its important Protect Our Plan: From Good Goals to Practical Progress report at Queen’s Park; introduced a new visual identity along with an updated website; increased its public visibility; secured substantial funding commitments; and began governance reforms to facilitate ongoing growth. Executive director Jonathan Scott stated that this enhanced board mirrors both the increasing complexity of issues facing Lake Simcoe and the coalition’s ambition to address them. “Protecting Lake Simcoe requires scientific expertise, policy insight, governance experience and strong community relationships,” said Scott. “The calibre of individuals willing to lend their time and talent to this organization speaks to both the importance of this work and the momentum Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition has built. This board brings together leaders from across sectors who share a commitment to practical, evidence-based solutions for the watershed, and I am excited to work alongside them in the years ahead.” *************************
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RESCUE LAKE SIMCOE COALITION
**************************
The Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition has elected a new board of directors after its Annual General Meeting, bringing on skilled leaders from around the Lake Simcoe area and beyond as the organization embraces a phase of growth, renewal, and greater influence. This new board combines knowledge in public policy, environmental advocacy, municipal leadership, climate resilience, and community involvement. The newly elected directors include: Leah Taylor Roy (Aurora), who previously served as a member of Parliament for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill. In Parliament, she was part of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, as well as the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food. Before her political career, she had a successful business background. Geoff Mc Knight (Markham), recently retired chief administrative officer for the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury with extensive experience in municipal leadership, strategic planning, and community development. Elizabeth Simpson Hillis (Bradford West Gwillimbury), an expert in municipal sustainability and vice-chair of Bradford West Gwillimbury’s award-winning Green Initiatives advisory committee, specializing in climate action and community resilience. Kumar Patel (Vaughan), a doctoral candidate researching climate resilience in hydrometeorology at the University of Waterloo who previously worked as a summer student for Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition; his research has directly influenced the Coalition’s policy initiatives. Returning directors include: Jennie Ucar (chair) – Innisfil/Toronto, a retired educator and long-standing environmental advocate; Claire Malcolmson (secretary) – Innisfil/Scarborough, environmental consultant and former executive director at Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition; MJ Hanley – Georgina, scientist and community advocate focused on environmental consulting; and Gail White – Oro-Medonte, retired planner with a history of supporting efforts to protect Lake Simcoe. The new appointments follow significant changes within the organization. In 2025 and 2026, Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition launched its important Protect Our Plan: From Good Goals to Practical Progress report at Queen’s Park; introduced a new visual identity along with an updated website; increased its public visibility; secured substantial funding commitments; and began governance reforms to facilitate ongoing growth. Executive director Jonathan Scott stated that this enhanced board mirrors both the increasing complexity of issues facing Lake Simcoe and the coalition’s ambition to address them. “Protecting Lake Simcoe requires scientific expertise, policy insight, governance experience and strong community relationships,” said Scott. “The calibre of individuals willing to lend their time and talent to this organization speaks to both the importance of this work and the momentum Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition has built. This board brings together leaders from across sectors who share a commitment to practical, evidence-based solutions for the watershed, and I am excited to work alongside them in the years ahead.” *************************
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