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Mike Bender, General Manager
Mike is currently Acting General Manager of Rouge Park, as well as Manager of Conservation Lands for the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).
Mike took on the role with Rouge Park in May of 2011, with a focus of transitioning the Park to National Park management.
Mike graduated from the University of Guelph in 1986, with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Degree. Mike is now responsible for managing 17,000 hectares of land for TRCA, as well as 4,000 hectares for Rouge Park.
When Mike isn't managing land he loves to join his family out on the trails for running, biking and skiing. |
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Maria Papoulias, Manager, Natural Heritage
Prior to joining the staff of Rouge Park in 2009, Maria’s career was focussed in the environmental
not-for-profit sector, including work at Ontario Nature and Nature New Brunswick. Over this time,
she carried out a wide variety of projects, ranging from biological inventories to species at risk
recovery projects, ecological monitoring initiatives, visitor infrastructure projects and public
education programs. Maria completed her studies at McGill University, earning degrees in both
Biology and Environment.
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Michelle Holmes, Manager, Visitor Experience
Combining her education in Fish and Wildlife Management, Web Design and Development and Corporate Communications,
Michelle has worn many hats. Her career ranges from counting aquatic invertebrates to developing databases.
She has worked in both the private and public sector focusing on web and graphic design, and has worked with
Nottawasaga Valley and Toronto Region Conservation Authorities specializing in environmental outreach. At
Rouge Park she works to share the Rouge Park story including the many natural assets the Park has to offer.
You may spot her on the trails, with camera in tow.
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Vicki MacDonald, Biologist
Vicki graduated from the University of Guelph with an Honours Bachelor of Science degree specializing in zoology. Vicki's career includes work at the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority in areas of natural heritage and stewardship. |
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Sheryl Santos, Stewardship Coordinator
Sheryl graduated from York University with an Honours in Biology, specializing in Conservation Ecology.
Sheryl's interests include ornithology and has done research with Wood Thrush in Pennsylvania and Chickadees
in Southern Ontario. Sheryl's position at Rouge Park has intermingles both her conservation background
with her interests of event planning and working with volunteers.
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Diana Smyth, Trail Coordinator
Moving from a career in broadcast television production and promotion, Diana is
emerging into a second career in outdoor education, trail leadership, volunteer
management and fundraising. She's clocked a lot of kilometres on trails in the
GTA and as far afield as England, Scotland, California and the trek to Mount Everest
Base Camp. Joining Rouge Park in October 2009, Diana is excited to be part of the future
expansion of the Park's trail system, along with building a community-driven trail club
that will explore and promote Rouge Park through guided outings. Have boots, will hike!
Diana holds a Degree in Radio and Television Arts from Ryerson, a Certificate in Fundraising
and Volunteer Management from George Brown College, a Certificate in Outdoor Education from Humber
College and is a Hike Ontario Certified Wilderness Day Hike Leader.
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Doreen McCarty, Administrative Coordinator
Doreen has worked in the private and public sector. Her experience includes working with the Ontario Ministry of Environment before coming to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in the early 1990s, where she first became involved with the Rouge Park Project.
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