Jeanette "Danielle" Barber, Ph.D.

Dr. Jeanette “Danielle” Barber obtained her PhD in Agricultural and Extension Education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia, USA, with an emphasis in leadership and social change. Her research explored the intersection of basic psychological needs and motivation with the goal of understanding what motivating factors help to improve feelings of inclusivity for underrepresented minorities in professional agricultural careers. Barber began her professional career as a Continuous Improvement Engineer with Kraft Foods Incorporated, where she also earned a Six Sigma Black Belt certification. Prior to Virginia Tech, she completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science degrees in Agricultural Education. Barber currently works as an independent consultant, providing her expertise to help organizations reach their goals more efficiently. In addition to her consultant work, she is a published co-author within the Journal of Leadership Education and volunteers her time with the Looking Forward with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics) program, a tutoring and mentor initiative that exposes underrepresented minority students in grades 6-8 to STEM careers. Barber was recently named plant champion by the Seed Your Future organization for her commitment to diversity and inclusion in agriculture.

Richard Barley, MCIH, FLS
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Richard Barley joined Kew in 2013, relocating from Victoria, Australia. He was formerly Chief Executive Officer of Open Gardens Australia, and a Director within the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, where he worked for 30 years. Richard has extensive experience of balancing the needs of a world-class horticultural site and visitor attraction, with maintaining and developing important scientific living collections. In his current role he also has responsibility for Kew’s School of Horticulture, for Learning and Participation programmes, Interpretation, and Environmental Sustainability together with a selection of capital building programmes. Richard holds a degree in Applied Science (Horticulture), from Burnley College (University of Melbourne) and is a Trustee of the Castle Howard Arboretum Trust, the National Garden Scheme, and the Kew Guild, and a member of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture Council.

Stacy Bass
Stacy Bass Photography

Fine art and editorial photographer Stacy Bass has been capturing the essence of a place through an intuitive use of light, colour and composition for almost two decades. Her signature images of architecture, interiors and gardens have resulted in three solo exhibitions and numerous awards. Her photography is part of many private, corporate and hotel collections and has been featured extensively in books and magazines including athome, Garden Design, Luxe Interiors + Design, House Beautiful, Horticulture, Elle Décor, Living etc., California Homes, British Homes & Gardens, Architectural Digest and many more. Stacy graduated Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude from Barnard College, Columbia University in 1988 with a degree in political science. Stacy is also a graduate of NYU School of Law where she concentrated on copyright, art and entertainment law and she later became vice president of a publicly-traded motion picture and television company, Savoy Pictures Entertainment, Inc. Stacy is the author of two bestselling and critically acclaimed books celebrating the American landscape: In the Garden (Melcher Media/Perseus Books, 2012) and, Gardens at First Light (Moffly Media, 2015).

John Bladon, PAg, ISSP
The Chimera Group

John R. Bladon, president and founder, has been immersed in turfgrass, horticulture and the environment since childhood. His love affair with the environment and sustainability was nurtured by his mother and father, the latter of whom was a forward-thinking Horticulturist and the Manager of Grounds at the University of Guelph. Since graduating from University of Guelph and studying at Cornell, John has helped construct and grow in two golf courses and in the early part of his career, spent nine years as a golf course superintendent. Of late, in addition to having done work for a large multinational within Marketing, Innovation and Agronomy, John has since become an active participant both inside and out of the industry. John completed his PAg and has since become a sustainability professional. After having done a series of site consultations on a part time basis, and numerous continued requests from professionals in the field, John launched The Chimera Group; his own management, communications and consulting firm with a small group of strategic partnerships and affiliations. With a clear need for practical solutions in and out of the industry, work began with end user professionals and a wide variety of industry interest groups through on site consultations, strategic communications training, technical support, education and management of data. Chimera also works in partnership to bring industry professionals together with contracted PhDs to educate and problem solve in the field. Collectively, this group is largely thought of as Canada’s authority on sustainability and turfgrass management.

Darrell Bley
Niagara Parks School of Horticulture

Darrell Bley has been working in and teaching horticulture for the past 37 years. Currently Darrell is the Instructor and Curator of the Woody Plant Collections at the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens and School of Horticulture. He is responsible for all things related to woody plants from Plant Identification to Arboriculture. Darrell provides knowledge and guidance for the maintenance of  the woody plant collection within the Botanical Gardens which includes the international seed exchange program. As well, Darrell oversees the third year program related to internships which allows students to study and learn outside of the grounds on the national and international stage.
 

Paul R. Brydges, BLA
Brydges Landscape Architecture Inc.

Paul Brydges is Senior Landscape Architect and founder of Brydges Landscape Architecture, and is Past President of Landscape Ontario and National Chair of Communities in Bloom. For Paul, it is important to create unique and environmentally responsible designs to align with the company value of “honouring” nature.

Colleen Cirillo

Colleen has spent many years in the world of nature interpretation, protection and restoration, including 12 years at Toronto and Region Conservation and 2.5 years at Ontario Nature. From 2015 to 2020, she was Director of Education at the Toronto Botanical Garden. In this capacity, Colleen brought a conservation and sustainability perspective to programs, policies and practices. Colleen has served on many environmental committees and boards, including those of Ontario Invasive Plant Council, LEAF and Project Swallowtail. She is also a long-time volunteer with a local community meal program called Dinner with Dignity.  Long ago, Colleen completed undergraduate and Master’s degrees in environment and resource studies. It was an urban tree-planting gig following her first year of university that turned her on to native plants. This obsession continues today. Since 2009, Colleen has chaired the Horticulture Outreach Collaborative (HOC), which brings together ecologists and horticulturalists to protect native plant diversity in Ontario. The Grow Me Instead guide, now in its third edition, is HOC’s most popular initiative. Colleen’s children accuse her of loving her garden, more than them. Sometimes the truth hurts.

Paul Cooling
Coolings Nurseries Ltd (United Kingdom)

Chairman of the family firm started by my grandfather in 1913. We now have four Garden Centres and an online shop. When combined with catering, garden maintenance and events, we employ 256 colleagues and our turnover for 2022 is likely to be in the region of £12M.

Isaac Crosby
Evergreen Brickworks

Isaac Crosby comes from the small farming community of Harrow, Ont., just 30 minutes south of Windsor. He is proud of his Ojibwa/Black Canadian heritage and looks forward to sharing their histories. He studied Landscape Horticulture Tech at Humber College and currently leads urban agriculture programming at Evergreen Brick Works, now virtually! He incorporates his education and traditional First Nations farming to grow great crops, to teach others, and to do his part in saving the Earth.

Lindsay Drake Nightingale
Yorkshire Garden Services

After working in the non-profit sector for 15 plus years, Lindsay was in need of a change and new direction in life. She quit her job and went to work in a greenhouse nursery business for a summer before entering the Landscape Technician diploma program at Humber College. Lindsay spent two years doing her homework at the same table as her young daughters. Upon graduation, Lindsay worked at a golf course as head gardener for a couple of seasons before branching out on her own. Lindsay started Yorkshire Garden Services Inc. with a pickup truck, a few referrals and a great deal of tenacity. That was 19 years ago. Now, Lindsay has 12 staff and close to 100 clients in Toronto and York Region. Her company specializes in residential garden care, garden renovation, and potscaping (four season containers). As a national award-winning company for excellence in grounds maintenance, Lindsay and her team are passionate about gardens. As a strong believer in community and education, Lindsey sits on the Landscape Ontario Provincial Board of Directors as the associations' first vice-president which allows her to network, educate and advocate for a stronger landscaping/horticulture profession.

Rachel Doyle
Arboretum (Ireland)

Founder of Arboretum, Rachel Doyle knows what it means to grow a business. From a small set up in her back garden almost 45 years ago, Rachel has created a unique horticultural experience out of pure passion and devotion to what she loves. As Ireland’s first 5-star garden centre, Arboretum sets the standard for what garden retail is today. Employing up to 140 people across two garden centres – Arboretum Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow and Arboretum Kilquade, Co. Wicklow – and with thousands of customers all over the country thanks to the development of the online shop at www.arboretum.ie , Arboretum is a modern family business that puts people and innovation to the fore. Rachel’s focus on retail innovation, customer service and providing quality product has made Arboretum the lifestyle experience it is today. Her success was recognized in 2018 when she was a finalist in the Industry category of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards. Rachel is chair of the horticultural division on the board of Bord Bia and is a former President of the International governing body for garden centres, the IGCA. Promoting Irish horticulture at home and abroad, she is a true champion of the Industry and continues to inspire people with her instinct for business and passion for plants.

Jon Durzi
Miller Compost

Managing the Sales and Business Development for Miller Compost, Jon Durzi brings with him over 20+ years of experience within the landscape profession. His extensive experience in landscape maintenance and construction as well as composting and markets development provides a powerful combination to his customers to support their soil enhancement and productivity requirements. Jon contributes to the management of the Compost Quality Alliance program of The Compost Council of Canada in addition to being involved with many committees within Landscape Ontario.

Beth Edney, CLD CIFD
Designs By the Yard

Beth is entering her 35th year in the world of horticulture. She began her career as a landscape designer at Weall and Cullen Garden Centre. She studied Landscape Architecture at Ryerson and opened her design firm, Designs By The Yard in 1994. Beth discovered her love of teaching when she taught workshops at Landscape Ontario for the certification program. This led to her teaching part time at numerous colleges throughout Ontario. Beth is currently teaching online courses, is the Artistic Director of The Toronto Christmas Market at The Toronto Distillery District and enjoys being selective about the landscape design projects she now pursues.

Frank Ferragine
Frankie Flowers Inc.

Frank Ferragine aka Frankie Flowers is Canada's garden expert!  Wild about weather and passionate about plants he is a 4 time best selling author, award winning horticulturalist and Toronto's most popular weatherman.  You can see Frankie daily on CityTV's Breakfast Television, frequently on CityLine and weekly on his Facebook Gardening Q&A.  Frankie family business Bradford Greenhouses Garden Gallery is one of Canada's largest joint growers and retailers or ornamental plants, Frank remains active in the business.

Nadina Galle, Ph.D.

An ecological engineer by training, Dr. Nadina Galle researches, designs, and pilots emerging technologies to better monitor (and reconnect people to) urban ecosystems – a framework she coined in her doctoral thesis called the “Internet of Nature” (IoN). Nadina is a postdoctoral researcher at University College Dublin (UCD) Spatial Dynamics Lab, a seasonal lecturer at the University of Amsterdam, and a former Fulbright scholar at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Senseable City Lab. Academically, Nadina has published on soil biology, urban forestry, and techno-ecology. Outside of academia, Nadina specializes in STEM communication, is a TEDx and keynote speaker, and works to bring several IoN technologies to market. Her work has been recognized by BBC Earth, National Geographic, The Next Web, Newsweek, ELLE, and the European Space Agency. In 2020, she was featured on the #ForbesUnder30 List for Science and Healthcare.

Peter Guinane
Oriole Landscaping

Peter co-founded the design / build firm Oriole Landscaping in 1986. Oriole quickly built a reputation of high-quality work and superior customer service. Oriole has won dozens of awards including the Casey Van Maris Award twice for most innovative design in Ontario, and the Dunington-Grubb for best overall landscape in Ontario. Peter has given back to the industry over the past 25 years by serving as Chair of Canada Blooms, Chair of the Landscape Contractors Sector Group in Ontario, and currently is Vice Chair of Landscape Canada for the Canadian Nursery and Landscape Association and on the Board of Directors at Landscape Ontario. Peter has been working this spring on a Covid-19 Task Force with Landscape Ontario to bring guidance to members and advocate for the industry with government and regulatory bodies. Peter has made it his mission to bring excellence to the landscape industry in any way possible. Peter has volunteered with many community projects and has led seminars at industry events to share what he has learned. Peter has recently added consulting to his business services so he can mentor other landscape professionals directly. Peter currently lives in Toronto with his wife Alana and their two boys. He has had a lifelong interest in running, skiing, canoeing, hockey and mountain biking.

Jose Haig, M.Sc., B.ES, CUE
Earthco Soil Mixtures

As an Environmental Scientist with Earthco Soil Mixtures, Jose Haig has worked extensively with landscape professionals finding or creating the ideal soil mixture for their individual projects or specific needs. With the soil needs of landscape professionals constantly changing and evolving, soil mixtures must also change to adapt to fit their needs. In order to meet these changing needs and demands, Jose focuses his expertise on researching the latest innovations in soil materials. Jose holds an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and a Certificate in Urban Ecologies from York University and a Master’s Degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Science from the University of Northern British Columbia.

Lesie Halleck, CPH
Halleck Horticulture

Leslie F. Halleck is a certified professional horticulturist (ASHS) who has spent her almost 30-year career hybridizing horticulture science with home gardening consumer needs. Halleck earned a B.S. in Biology/Botany from The University of North Texas and an M.S. in Horticulture from Michigan State University. Halleck's professional experience is well- rounded, with time spent in field research, public gardens, landscaping, garden center retail, and horticulture consulting and communications. Halleck currently runs Halleck Horticultural, LLC, through which she provides horticultural consulting, business and marketing strategy, product development and branding, and content creation for green industry companies. Halleck is an award-winning marketer and writer for industry and consumer publications, and columnist for GIE Media. She is also an Instructor for the UCLA Extension Horticulture Program and Certificate. Her previous positions include General Manager for independent garden center North Haven Gardens in Dallas, TX and Director of Horticulture Research at The Dallas Arboretum. Her book "Gardening Under Lights: The Complete Guide for Indoor Growers" was released by Timber Press in June 2018. Her book "Plant Parenting" was released in June 2019. Her next book "Tiny Plants" will be released in June, 2021.

Grant Harrison
Nextra Consulting

Grant has been in the landscape industry since he was 15 years old. Through training and work experience, he learned the technical side of the industry. As he gained experience, he was moved into management roles where he learned the operational and financial side of landscaping. Fulfilling a lifelong dream, he then opened his own design/build business, where he learned the ups and downs of being a business owner. Mostly the downs. After closing his business, he worked for a couple of different companies providing structure, support, accountability and standardization to help these businesses grow leaner, stronger and more profitable. Grant is convinced that knowing your numbers, creating a strong team and establishing a network of support is foundational to business growth. He is a believer in constantly learning, evaluating and adapting to ensure longevity and sustainability. He has a passion to help business owners and their staff experience success and satisfaction in the industry that he knows and loves.

Jacki Hart, CLP
Consulting By Hart

Jacki is here to help you gain new insights and to achieve more success. As one of Canada’s most sought-after business speakers, Jacki brings with her a career full of landscape business management success. Now in her second career, she leverages both her hard-learned business acumen and her passion for helping career professionals to succeed. As a speaker and business coach, Jacki focuses on helping others grow their leadership team engagement and business management skills. Jacki has over 180 published business columns and webinars to her credit and has developed many online business skills resources, finding new ways to make business improvement as easy to access and painless as possible. She spends her spare time either paddling on the rivers or hiking in the forests of Muskoka, Ont.

Nathan Helder, BSc (Agr)
Gelderman Landscape Services

Nathan Helder is the third-generation owner and President of Gelderman Landscape Services, and Co-Owner of Arizona Outdoor Solutions. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Guelph and he is passionate about finance, human resources, and business development. In 2014, Nathan started Southbrook Consulting to fill a void in the marketplace, and he is proud that Southbrook provides customized management solutions for business owners who have become frustrated and worried about the direction and financial success of their companies.  In 2021, he spun off another company, Southbrook Accounting Services who are the leader in providing outsourced accounting services for early-stage and high-growth companies in the Construction and Landscaping sector in Canada. Nathan volunteers in several forums; as Past President of the Canadian Condominium Institute — Golden Horseshoe Chapter, and on the Program Advisory Council for Niagara College. Nathan is married to Michelle, and has two children.

Greg Herring
The Herring Group

Greg Herring has served as a CFO of both public and private companies. Herring is the CEO of The Herring Group, an operational and strategic finance consultancy. Using its proprietary Path to 12%, The Herring Group serves landscape business owners challenged by growth by installing financial dashboards and systems that provide more margin for their businesses and their lives.

Heather Holm
Biologist and award-winning author

Heather Holm is a biologist, pollinator conservationist, and award-winning author. In addition to assisting with native bee research projects, she informs and educates audiences nationwide, through her writing and many presentations, about the fascinating world of native pollinators and beneficial insects, and the native plant communities that support them. Her first book, Pollinators of Native Plants, was published in 2014, and her second book, Bees, published in 2017, has won six book awards including the 2018 American Horticultural Society Book Award. Her latest award-winning book, Wasps, was published in February 2021. Heather’s expertise includes the interactions between native pollinators and native plants, and the natural history and biology of native bees and predatory wasps occurring in the Upper Midwest and Northeast. Heather is a National Honorary Director of Wild Ones. She also serves on the board of the Friends of Cullen Nature Preserve and Bird Sanctuary, a 501(c)3 non-profit. In her spare time, Heather is an active community supporter, writing grants and coordinating neighbourhood volunteer landscape restoration projects. Currently, she is working on three projects with volunteers, restoring approximately 10 acres of city-owned park land in her neighbourhood for pollinators and people.

Joel Hordyk
Cameron St. Visual Storytelling

After several years of working in landscape construction for an LO member company, Joel decided to follow his passion for video and photography and began capturing the exceptional work within this industry full-time.

Jason Ireton
Plant Products Inc.

Leanne Johnson
Gardenworks

Leanne Johnson is a self-proclaimed plant nut! She is President of BC’s largest independent retail Garden Centre company, GardenWorks. Leanne is passionate about connecting people to the natural world through gardening and was awarded 2019 Garden Communicator of the Year. Leanne is Retail Chair for BC Landscape and Nursery Association, and acts as Vice Chair of Garden Centres Canada. Leanne has lead GardenWorks through astonishing growth over the past several years, including during the COVID 19 pandemic. Join our session to learn just how she and her laser focused team rejuvenated their brand, and crafted a work environment that has motivated and inspired her team towards growth and community.

Catherine Karpman
From the Garden Shed

Over 25 years of gardening and horticultural experience, including managing garden boutiques and centres, and floral shops including: Dig This (Toronto), Sheridan Nurseries (Toronto), Canadian Tire (Squamish, BC), and Billies Flower House (Squamish). Established From The Garden Shed in 2017 and her lavender farm in 2018 in Pemberton Meadows, BC. Business includes hand crafted lavender goods and horticultural decor. Services include container garden & floral design and DIY Workshops.

Ron Koudys, BLA, MEd, OALA, FCSLA, FASLA, RLA(MI), CLD
Ron Koudys Landscape Architects Inc.

Ron Koudys retired as professor and coordinator for the Landscape Design program at Fanshawe College in London, Ont. after 31 years. He was instrumental in the development of the Landscape Design, Horticulture and Integrated Land Planning programs, establishing the semester in Italy, coordinating many Ontario Skills teams, establishing an articulation agreement with the University of Guelph and many other initiatives that resulted in the establishment of Fanshawe as one of the top schools in the Landscape field. In 2008 Professor Koudys was awarded the Presidents award of Distinction for his contribution to the College community. In 2009 the Association of Canadian Community Colleges presented Ron the Staff person of the year award. Ron holds an undergraduate degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph and a Masters of Education from the University of Toronto. Mr. Koudys is also a practicing Landscape Architect with memberships in many organizations including the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects and the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects. Ron is certified to practice in both Canada and the state of Michigan and he is a Certified Landscape Designer. In Mr. Koudys’ private practice he provides consulting services for many land developers, municipal governments and corporations: including Ford of Canada, General Motors, 3M, Michigan DOT, City of Mississauga, Home Depot, Loblaw and Agriculture Canada. He also develops strong design solutions for some of North Americas most prestigious homes and residential community projects. Current work includes therapy gardens for two large psychiatric hospitals, a resort in Barbados, a university campus in China and a Lake Erie resort community. Ron and his design team have won many awards for their work including the Financial Post Design Award, the Landscape Ontario Presidents Award, the Ontario Renews Award and many urban design awards from municipalities across Ontario. Ron has served as a director for many charitable organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Reforest London, Metropolitan United Church and is currently the President of the Grand Theatre Foundation Board and past chair of the operating board. In addition he is a founding member of Landscape Ontario’s Designers Sector Group and a member of their board.

Melissa Lem, MD, CCFP, FCFP
BC Parks Foundation

Dr. Melissa Lem is a Vancouver family physician and Director of PaRx, Canada's first national nature prescription program, powered by the BC Parks Foundation. President-elect of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, she has been researching, writing and speaking about the nature-health connection for over a decade. A widely published writer, she was the resident medical expert on CBC TV’s hit lifestyle show Steven and Chris for four seasons and continues to appear on air as a regular contributor to CTV News. Dr. Lem was a 2020 Joule Innovation Grant recipient from the Canadian Medical Association and is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia.

Jennie McCaffrey BSc, MA
Engaging Change Consulting

Jennie is an experienced educator, facilitator and project manager, specializing in leading strategic initiatives with non-profit organizations, and collaborating with provincial and federal government, school districts and industry groups that aim to change behaviours and empower people to protect the environment. Currently you can find Jennie supporting the BC Parks Foundation 's Healthy By Nature initiative, facilitating workshops and working on special projects for HCTF Education, leading a new eLearning initiative for the Invasive Species Council of BC, or outside with her two young boys!

Kyle McLoughlin
Ironwood Arboricultural Solutions

Kyle McLoughlin has delivered numerous workshops and lectures on plant pathology and the relationship between trees and fungus. He is the City of Burlington's Supervisor of Forest Planning and Health and owner and principle arborist of Ironwood Arboricultural Solutions. He has practiced arboriculture in Canada, the United States, and Australia. Before becoming an arborist, Kyle was a wilderness guide specializing in edible wilds.

Jeff McNeill
McNeill Photography

Jeff picked up his first camera when he was 13 and spent a lot of money on film and darkroom gear. Photographed his way through high school, portraits, cars and endless “photo-safaris” with his best friend. Moved to Colorado after school, ski photographer for a few years then moved to San Francisco to get a “real job”. Started working for established advertising photographers doing everything from studio work to celebrity portraits before falling in love with location photography. Jeff worked for a Dutch photographer for 8 years who instilled in him the importance of light… almost to a fault. Jeff moved to Toronto in 2008 while still working in the U.S. and Europe. As chance conversation with a friend of a friend who was a landscaper led to his first “shoot” in Canada. He photographed a few properties and thought that was the end of it…but it never ended and 13 years later he specializes in landscape photography for LAs, design builds and pool companies…who could of guessed. He would not have it any other way.

Karen Moad
Rivers of Yarrambat Lifestyle Centre (Australia)

Karen Moad is a vibrant, energetic, and outgoing businesswoman who is passionate about people, wellness, environment and helping others. She is the Managing Director of a destination Lifestyle Centre, Rivers of Yarrambat, that features a Garden Centre & Gift Shop, Café, Functions + Events Centre, Health + Wellness Centre, Fitness, Pilates & Yoga Studio and employs over 80 people from within the local community. Her passion for community has included involvement in her local tourism Association and through offering community programs through her business such as fundraising, food swaps and special interest groups and as a presenter for a local Gardening Program with her own cooking segment to inspire people about healthy food and how to use their excess homegrown fruit and vegetables. Karen is the president of the International Garden Centre Association. She has a keen interest to education and with combining her love of gardening, food, health and wellbeing co-runs a retreat company called Mack and Bosco Lifestyle Retreats where she cooks health inspired food and teaches mediation and qigong. Living in the green wedge on an 100 acre farm with her husband and two young sons, she tends to acres of gorgeous gardens, grazing cattle, grows all her own fruit and vegetables and also keeps her own bees.

Christine Moffit
Christine's Touch Gardening

I am the President and co- founder of Christine's Touch Gardening. Christine’s Touch has been providing residential garden maintenance and planting services for 21 years, specializing in luxury gardens in the central Toronto area. I focus my time and energy on building strong teams and systems to support a workplace for people to thrive. I’m known to have a childlike nature around the Team and am happiest when there is laughter in the air. I love working in the field; I also enjoy the challenges behind the scenes working on the systems to make it all happen. Witnessing people grow personally and professionally around me is the most rewarding part my job and feels like my greatest achievement.

Jim Mosher
Landscape Plus Ltd.

"The summer job that never ended." Opened the doors in '84 to pursue professionally what I had been doing for people since as a kid since 1972, helping people with their outdoor spaces. In a very organic way simply did whatever needed doing — maintenance, plantings, patios, walls. Eventually, a one-man band became two, two became eight, eight became.. .today. 38 years later, long-term core employees, plus summer staff typically puts us between 20 and 30 people. Today, my passion involves creating spaces that 'feel as if they have always been so.' Our goal is to create spaces that elicit a quiet sigh of delight when visitors encounter them for the first time.

Glenn Munroe
The Compost Council of Canada

Glenn has been working in the environmental field for more than 30 years. His work has included policy development with the Ontario government, consulting on environmental issues, managing a composting company focused on research and development, and launching a lab specializing in the biological testing of soils. He has authored several publications, including a vermicomposting manual for farmers that has been widely distributed globally. Since 2016, he has been with the Compost Council of Canada, where his primary focus is soil health. Currently, he is a principal researcher for a project to develop a roadmap to optimizing carbon in Canada’s managed soils.

Zachary O'Connor
Web Conductors Inc.

Zachary has a 15 year career in digital advertising. His professional accomplishments include a Director-level position spearheading the rapid growth of a SaaS company from a small Canadian 'startup' to an acquisition by a U.S. based private equity firm for an estimated $60 million. Afterwards, Zachary Co-Founded Web Conductors, which is a full service digital marketing agency. Web Conductors is a badged Google Partner, Facebook Marketing Partner, and Shopify Partner. Web Conductors was acknowledged by CIO Review Magazine as a Top 10 Most Promising Google Ads agency in 2019.

Jeff Olsen
Brookdale Treeland Nurseries (BTN)

Jeff is President and CEO of Brookdale Treeland Nurseries Limited, one of the largest growers and distributors of plant material and holiday greenery in Canada. His career began after graduating from the University of Guelph in 1991, working in the family business and eventually purchasing the company in 2009. He has served on many industry boards and committees throughout his career and is currently a board member of Landscape Ontario and CNLA. Outside of the industry, Jeff is a member of the Young Presidents Organization as well as a co-founder of Friends for Life, a cancer research charity. He lives in Richmond Hill, Ontario with his wife and daughters.

Greg Patterson, B.Sc. (Agr.), P.Ag., C.C.A.
A&L Canada Laboratories

Greg Patterson was one of the principal founding members of A&L Canada and is currently President and CEO and acts as the chief agronomist. His primary role is corporate administration, and customer support and service. Mr. Patterson obtained an honors degree in agriculture from the University of Guelph in 1978 and has been a professional agronomist for over thirty years. He works closely with all agricultural clients to support the service provided by his company. He was one of the first people in Canada to earn the designation as a Certified Crop Advisor. As part of ongoing customer support, he personally conducts in-depth agronomy and fertility training seminars for field, horticultural and specialty crops, including turf, viticulture, and silviculture.

Jon L. Peter, OAC, NPD
Royal Botanical Gardens

Jon L. Peter has worked at some of the finest botanical institutions in North America and is currently Curator & Manager of Plant Records at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Ontario. Jon is responsible for the documentation, evaluation, and management of plants throughout the gardens. which includes over 212,000 individual plants representing approximately 7,200 taxa (different types). Jon also manages the arboriculture care, garden developments, plant acquisitions, and exploring the under-utilized beautiful plants for the right spots in the RBG and collections.

Susan Poizner
OrchardPeople.com Fruit Tree Care Education

Susan Poizner is an urban orchardist and the author of the award-winning fruit tree care book, Growing Urban Orchards. She is the creator of the award-winning online fruit tree care training program at www.orchardpeople.com and the host of The Urban Forestry Radio Show and Podcast. She is also an ISA Certified Arborist.

Matthew Posa, MChiro, DC
The Healthy Family Chiropractic

Dr. Matthew Posa is a family chiropractor and owner of The Healthy Family Chiropractic in Milton, Ont. Together with his team of incredible support staff and associate chiropractor, he has built one of the largest family chiropractic offices in the area. Dr. Posa and his clinic have won numerous awards for outstanding service and continue to be recognized within his community and at large for his service to others. Dr. Posa graduated from Dalhousie University in 2007 and from Macquarie University (Sydney, Australia) in 2011. Dr. Posa is a Webster Technique Certified chiropractor and recognized by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). Dr. Posa always knew he wanted to be a chiropractor just like his dad (Dr. Anthony Posa). Seeing so many people transform their lives under chiropractic care led him and his sister (Dr. Ashley Posa) to follow in his footsteps. Being adjusted his entire life allowed him to see the difference chiropractic care made for his health and fueled his desire to bring that same opportunity to family’s in his community. Dr. Posa has dedicated his life to help bring as many people to experience a wellness lifestyle and abundant health through a properly functioning nervous system. He continues to train and learn better techniques in the detection and correction of spinal subluxation through specific techniques that are suitable for people of all ages. In addition to offering specific spinal adjustments and posture corrective techniques, Dr. Posa loves to educate his community by offering health workshops and doing live talks to business,’ schools and events. Dr. Posa loves to play hockey, golf, soccer, baseball, ski, water sports and spends most of his time with family and friends.

Rob Redden
in-Lite Outdoor Lighting

Rob is currently Vice President at in-lite Design Corporation, traveling both Canada and the United States working closely with strategic partners to educate, advise and assist in growing their businesses efficiently through proven team building and sales strategies. Rob offers his 14+ years experience within the Outdoor Living Industry, and pulls from over 20 years of professional sales and management experience to help you to better manage your team and business cycle. In 2014 Rob was awarded the Salesperson of the year at the Ottawa Awards of Distinction and in 2015 was awarded the Past Presidents Award by Landscape Ontario. Rob enjoys spending his free time with his wife Erin and three active children Jordan, Riley and Carter. Rob and the family plenty of time at the rink, hiking, fishing and traveling.

James Riddell
SiteOne Landscape Supply

James lives to find solutions. With regards to technology, he needs to figure out how it works, how to make it work to it's maximum efficiency and why it's important — what challenges does this technology solve? Following his previous green industry roles in contracting, consulting and distribution, James Riddell serves as and innovative Area Manager at SiteOne Landscape Supply.

Mike Schiedel
GreenHorizons Sod Farm

Bred Sod Farmer from Cambridge, Ontario.

David G Sim, LEED AP
Arbourdale

David Sim is President of The Arbourdale Group of companies based in Mount Albert, Ont. David has worked in water management for over 25 years and consulted to all levels of government on pond and wetland remediation projects. His approach to water source management is strictly non-toxic and environmentally responsible. David was once punched by a 90 year-old woman.

Nick Stodel
Stodels Garden Centres (South Africa)

Nick Stodel owns and manages a chain of seven garden centres in South Africa. When he took over the family business in 2000 it consisted of two garden centres in Cape Town. In order to operate a chain of garden centres in completely different climatical areas, Nick has had to give careful consideration to organizational processes and structure. His experience as President of the South African Nursery Association (SANA) and also President of the International Garden Centre Association (IGCA) provided experience and knowledge to help address these challenges.

Kathy Thomas
Green Thumb Landscaping Limited

Landscaping was not Kathy’s chosen career. Her late husband, John Thomas was the instigator. Although there were many times when the challenge was brutal, it has been an amazing journey. So much so, Kathy is having a lot of trouble retiring! After completing 50 years in the business, Kathy started her retirement journey in December 2020, passing the reins to a new management team. She remains in contact regularly and often coaches and advises. In 1971, John saw the opportunity to start Green Thumb Landscaping when his “real job” came to an end. With three babies under three, the newest just a few days old, John’s job with Kraft Foods came to an abrupt end. With a word ad in the Hamilton Spectator, the company was launched. While John had a formal education at the University of Guelph, Kathy’s knowledge was gained through osmosis. Growing up on a farm near Rockwood, crop yields and plant health were everyday language around the dinner table. A great learning environment. It is humbling to Kathy to know that she is one of the earliest “pioneer” females in the landscape industry. Integrity, reliability and constant learning along with pride in training staff to do the best they could possibly do, created a solid basis for the company. When John passed away suddenly in 1993, Kathy carried on. Kathy’s son-in-law, Todd Rainey came onboard and took on operations. Kathy and Todd are a great team… they can often finish each other’s sentences. Teamwork became even more important after John died. Fast forward to 2003, Kathy decided she wanted a new challenge and The Bronze Frog Gallery in Oakville was opened. The plan was to connect retail to service.  A good cross over of sales and services for customers. The gallery closed 10 years later when the lease came up for renewal. Kathy and Todd decided it was a good time to say good-bye to retail. Kathy still has an online outlet for Bronze Frog Gallery, now an enjoyable hobby to stay connected to artists and clients. Kathy has three grown daughters, eight grandchildren and a one year-old great granddaughter. Kathy has been a Rotarian for 24 years. In addition, she has served on the Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation Board for the past five years is the current Chair. She joined the RBG Board of Directors in June 2021. Kathy remarried in September 2000, to Jack Pluis. Jack and Kathy love to travel, enjoy the children and an active social life.

Rodger Tschanz, MSc
University of Guelph

Rodger Tschanz has worked in the field of horticulture at the University of Guelph since graduating in 1989. He is currently a research technician with the Department of Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph where he is involved with ornamental breeding projects, teaching plant identification, and liaising with high school horticultural and science students. He has also been the manager of the Guelph Ornamental Trial Garden program since its inception in 2001. This program has trial sites in Guelph, Milton and at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington. Between 400 and 500 new edibles, annuals and perennials are evaluated each year for their suitability to the southern Ontario gardener. Rodger regularly gives presentations to Garden societies and the Horticultural Industry on topics such as trial garden results as well as garden travel and horticultural research. He regularly produces articles on trial garden results for the Landscape Ontario, Landscape Trades and Greenhouse Canada publications.

Geroge Urvari
Oriole Landscaping

Partner in Oriole Landscaping Ltd. for over 36 years, Partner in Knowledge Tree Consulting for 15 years, Past President of the Toronto Chapter of Landscape Ontario, industry speaker, instructor and writer.

Jason Vettese
Best Way Stone

Jason is a sales and marketing professional with over 15 years of experience in the Hardscape Industry. Currently he manages the Sales Department for Best Way Stone - a premiere manufacturer of hardscape products, supplying Ontario, Quebec, Eastern Canada and the United States since 1965. Best Way Stone is a proud member of Landscape Ontario.

Scott Wentworth, OALA, CSLA, CLD
Wentworth Landscapes

It’s a rare thing to be able to bring a passion to what you do after more than 40 years in the same profession. This passion and energy comes from designing, building and maintaining thousands of private gardens, commercial landscapes and municipal parks for people to live in and enjoy. Doing so with an amazing team of professionals makes it all the more rewarding... and a lot of fun! The team at Wentworth Landscapes consists of over 100 landscape architects, designers, craftsmen and support teams. To build this team of professionals, recruitment isn’t a some-time thing… it’s part of the team culture. Keeping and retaining valuable team members then becomes the flip side of the recruitment process. This all part of intentionally creating a legendary team experience… one that is shared by your team and spoken highly of with others. In addition to leading Wentworth Landscapes since its inception 32 years ago, Scott is also a founding member of Come Alive Outside, and serves as chair of Come Alive Outside Canada. Scott also sits on the national board of directors of Communities in Bloom, and designs feature planting areas for the Highway of Heroes Living Tribute Campaign.