Kristy Tomkinson

Director of Communications

Kristy Tomkinson is a thoughtful and conscientious collaborator who is passionate about storytelling that inspires curiosity, creates meaningful connections, and advances social justice. She has more than 12 years of experience in communications and program development with several national and international non-profit organizations.

A Canadian citizen of European ancestry, Kristy is grateful for the opportunities to learn from a wide range of contexts and knowledge systems. She studied International Development, then Capacity Development and Rural Extension at the University of Guelph. Her master’s thesis examined the outcomes of a youth training and employment initiative hosted by the Kuhkenah Network – a First Nations owned and operated Information and Communications Technology service provider in Northern Ontario.

Kristy went on to work in China, complete an Aga Khan Foundation Canada Fellowship in Kenya, and intern with Youth Challenge International. As a Program Communications Manager with the Mastercard Foundation, she oversaw the development and execution of multi-faceted communications strategies for youth education, entrepreneurship, and employment programs in East Africa.

Kristy comes to the IISAAK OLAM Foundation after three years of supporting the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership’s (CRP) communications and knowledge mobilization work. She continues to support the CRP through her management of the IPCA Knowledge Basket – a digital space created to honour, celebrate, and catalyze Indigenous-led conservation pathways in Canada, including Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs).

Kristy currently lives with her family in the treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit in what is now known as Guelph, Ontario, and considers Vancouver Island her second home.

Kristy Headshot

Other Team Members

IISAAK OLAM Foundation Co-founder, Director and CEO
Eli Enns is an internationally recognized expert in Indigenous-led conservation. From Tla-o-qui-aht Nation on his father’s side, and of Dutch Mennonite heritage on his ...
Education and International Relations
Dr. Soudeh Jamshidian is a passionate leader, experienced in crafting dynamic and creative solutions for addressing environmental and social justice challenges. She is a ...
Award-Winning Producer, Author, Director and Scriptwriter
Barbara Todd (Metis/Cree), owner of Aarrow Productions, Inc., is a producer, author, documentary director and scriptwriter. She is the daughter of Judy Todd (Sharp) ...
Ethical Space Education Coordinator
Candice Steven is a passionate outdoor enthusiast with over two decades’ experience leading outdoor adventures and nature connection activities and learning opportunities for youth ...
IPCA Mapping Coordinator
Astra has been working with IOF since 2022, when she began as a Mitacs intern while completing her MSc in Environmental Studies at the ...
Film Director
Benjamin is a filmmaker based in the Tseshaht & Hupacasath territories of the Alberni valley. Benjamin's work centers around restoration and protection of land, ...
Goldman Environmental Prize Recipient
Marilyn Baptiste is a former councillor and former Chief of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation in British Columbia, one of the six First Nations ...
Officer of the Order of Canada
Dr. John Borrows is one of the world’s leading scholars on Indigenous law. Dr. Borrows is a full professor of law at the University ...
CEO & Founder of the Indigenomics Institute and the Global Centre of Indigenomics
Carol Anne Hilton, MBA is the CEO and founder of the Indigenomics Institute and the Global Center of Indigenomics. Carol Anne is a dynamic ...
Cross-Cultural Relations Coordinator
Anaïs Brusel is an aspiring leader and entrepreneur in Transpersonal Psychology, dedicated to inner healing and community development. Hailing from Northern France, she embodies ...
Director of Communications
IPCA Infrastructure and Systems Design
Eric is a PhD candidate in Civil Engineering at the University of Victoria. His position with the IISAAK OLAM Foundation is made possible by ...
President of the Board
Terry is from TLA-O-QUI-AHT FIRST NATIONS from the House of Hi-you-eah which is represented by the SEITCHER family. In 2003, when he got married ...
WEST COAST IPCA CONSERVATION COORDINATOR
Abby is passionate about catalyzing creative and holistic solutions that address complex conservation challenges. She approaches her work with an artistic lens, woven with ...
Research and Engagement Coordinator
Isabel's interests can mostly be pinned at the intersections between community planning, ecology, and regenerative economic development. ...
Chief of T’Sou-ke Nation and Clean Energy Innovator
Gordon Planes (Hya-Quatcha) has been the elected chief of T’Sou-ke Nation on southern Vancouver Island since 2008 and has embarked on a 100-year process ...
Tla-o-qui-aht Elder and Cultural Educator
Levi Martin was born in Opitsaht, a Tla-o-qui-aht Nation village on Meares Island, on the west coast of Vancouver Island near Tofino. As a ...
IPCA Planning and Research Lead
Dr. Justine Townsend holds a cross-appointed position with the IISAAK OLAM Foundation (IOF) and Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute. ...
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Monica is a highly strategic, creative, and solutions-oriented leader, acknowledged for her ability to transform visions, concepts and ideas into successful programs and initiatives. ...
More coming soon...