Board of Directors
Donna Rice, Chair
Principal, Toronto District School Board, Retired (TDSB), Environmental Educator
Donna is an elementary school Principal with a strong background in environmental education. She received her B Ed from the University of Manitoba and Masters of Education (Curriculum and Global Studies) from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). Her passion for nature began as she explored the natural areas surrounding her family farm in Manitoba and Riding Mountain National Park. As part of the TDSB’s EcoSchools program, she has collaborated, led and inspired staff, students and parents in environmental education, community building and school ground greening. Recently her work with the Rouge Guided Walk Leaders, Toronto Nature Stewards and Caterpillar Count has enabled her to contribute to citizen science projects throughout the city. She is passionate about helping Ecospark thrive to educate the next generation of citizen scientists.
Kary Kwok, Director
Vice President, Group Functions Technology & Global Data, Manulife
Kary is an IT and finance professional who has served Canada’s most prominent organizations delivering cross-functional projects enabled by technology and data. She is passionate about bringing teams and ideas together to drive towards common goals and is an advocate for the benefits that nature can bring to mental health and wellbeing. While she spends most of the week working with her team over computer screens, on weekends she is often found by the waterfront, cycling, or exploring trails in the GTA with her dog.
Virginia Dawe, Director (Secretary)
Secondary Science Teacher
Virginia is an educator with an HBSc in Environmental Earth Sciences from the University of Toronto. Virginia first discovered Ecospark when she took part in the Changing Currents program with her grade 9 students. As a strong proponent of hands-on learning and citizen science she is continually seeking out opportunities for her students to take part in authentic learning experiences. She has had a variety of volunteer experience including the Task Force to Bring Back the Don, Teacher Mentors Abroad, and Out of the Cold. Virginia lives close to Taylor Creek Ravine and can either be found hiking the nearby trails, snow, rain and shine or in the summer kayaking and sailing on Lake Ontario.
Keith Marshall
Growth Marketing Advisor, Blue Ripple Group
Keith works closely with Investment Professionals to help them grow their books of business using proven digital marketing strategies. His unique blend of financial expertise and marketing insight allows him to bridge the gap between traditional finance and modern client engagement.
Outside of his professional life, Keith enjoys golf, cycling, hockey, dog walking, cooking, travelling, and spending quality time with his family—activities that keep him balanced and inspired.
Paul Ng
Alliances and Advisor Distribution, Jarislowsky, Fraser Limited
With over 20 years of experience in relationship management, business development, and building strategic partnerships within the financial services industry, Paul has made a career out of bringing people together, fostering strong connections and creating positive change. Paul enjoys giving back to his community, mentoring kids, and supporting causes that make a difference. With a background in sciences, he's always been curious about how everything in nature, people, and education connects-and EcoSpark gives him the perfect chance to blend these passions. Whether it's empowering communities with environmental learning, getting hands-on with conservation projects, or promoting citizen science, he's excited to be part of the mission.
Paul stays active by golfing, snowboarding, cycling, playing hockey and walking his dog, Benny with his wife. For him, being in nature is the best way to recharge and connect with what really matters. He's thrilled to contribute to EcoSpark's work and help pave the way for future generations to care for and protect their local environment.
Kumal Udamulla (he/him)
Kumal is a recent graduate from the University of Toronto Environmental Science and Environmental Biology program. His deep fascination with the sciences and the environment has helped him study phosphorus in urban water bodies and aquatic ecosystems. Kumal loves working in the field and enjoys analyzing and finding relationships in environmental data. He hopes to further develop his knowledge of aquatic ecosystems and help engage youth and the public in the sciences.
In his spare time, Kumal loves birdwatching and cycling Toronto.