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.
Nick D'Cunha, Treasurer
Senior Accountant at EY
Nicholas is a Chartered Professional Accountant with a Master of Accounting degree from the University of Waterloo. Currently serving as a Senior Accountant in EY’s Valuations practice, he brings a strong foundation in financial analysis developed through experience in both audit and valuation engagements across diverse industries. Nicholas is passionate about the problem-solving nature of financial analysis by translating numbers into meaningful insights and understanding their real-world implications.
Nicholas developed his appreciation for the environment and sustainability in highschool, where he actively volunteered for various sustainability initiatives. These experiences have played a significant role in shaping his values and professional outlook.
Nicholas looks forward to contributing his financial expertise to support EcoSpark and their initiatives which resemble those afforded to him as a student.
Outside of work, Nicholas enjoys refining his golf game - sometimes to no avail - and spending quality time with friends and family, often over a great meal.
Keith Marshall, Director (Secretary)
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.
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.
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)
Site Inspector, R.V. Anderson Associates Limited
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.
Cristina Salvati, Director
Sustainability Analyst, Real Estate, Manulife
As a sustainable finance and investing professional, Cristina has been committed to integrating environmental and social responsibility into business and investment strategies since the start of her career. She now specializes in sustainable real estate investing, collaborating with asset and property management teams to advance sustainability across a global portfolio and contribute to healthier, more resilient built environments.
Beyond her professional work, Cristina’s dedication to creating positive change extends to her role with EcoSpark. Inspired by summers at camp and teaching swimming lessons to kids, she brings a lifelong love of the natural environment and a passion for youth education to EcoSpark’s mission of connecting people with nature and empowering the next generation to protect and sustain their local environments.
Graham Reeder, Director
Environmental Lawyer at Gowling WLG
Environmental lawyer, urban planning graduate, and climate change policy researcher, with a demonstrated history of working with government, business, first nations, and nonprofit clients. Skilled in advocacy, negotiation, training and facilitation, and communication. JD from Osgoode Hall Law School, Master’s Degree focused in Environmental Studies and Urban Planning from York University.
Scott Laiken, Director
Retired – Management Consultant
Scott worked as a senior strategy consulting partner with extensive experience in premiere financial services and management consulting organizations. He is bringing his experience building and leading high-performing teams and businesses in both consulting and financial services firms to the environmental sector.
Annie Slater, Director
Principal, Toronto District School Board
Annie is an experienced School Administrator with over 20 years of expertise in leading district-wide projects, professional development, and school improvement initiatives. She has a proven track record in enhancing student learning, teacher professional development and equity through data-driven decision-making, culturally responsive practices, and innovative technology integration.
Paul Hackl, Director
Geography Department Head at TDSB
A lifetime of interest in the natural world has made me an avid hiker, birdwatcher, camper, and canoer. I have been a geography teacher for 30 years, most of that time has been at Riverdale Collegiate in the east end of Toronto. Before getting into teaching I was a tool and die maker, researcher and writer for Statistics Canada and Environment Canada, toxicologist at Health Canada and an ESL teacher in Japan. Field trips are my favourite aspect of teaching. There is so much to be experienced outside four walls. This led me to become the site supervisor and teacher at the Toronto Urban Studies Centre over 4 years which meant a field trip 3 out of 5 days every week! Getting outside has allowed me to take students on canoe and hiking trips, and even to Japan. Recent opportunities have taken me to OISE as a member of the Action Research Group, looking into place based learning and developing environmental literacy with students.