Lake Simcoe Coalition Board of Directors
Claire Malcolmson, Executive Director
Ms. Malcolmson’s work on Lake Simcoe began in 2001, when she created the award-winning Paddling Around Lake Simcoe education program. She later worked for Environmental Defence, managing “Campaign Lake Simcoe”, which spearheaded the successful campaign for the Lake Simcoe Protection Act, 2008. Claire has been a Board member of the RLSC, on and off, since 2005. She has been a member of the provincial multi-stakeholder committee, the Lake Simcoe Coordinating Committee since its inception in 2010. Claire has a Masters degree in Integrated Watershed Management, with a focus on the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan and the Growth Plan.
Claire is a descendent of Sir Edmund Walker, who left environmentally significant lands for his descendants at DeGrassi Point, Innisfil, at Lake Simcoe. Six generations later, her extended family cares for their land and the lake; it is this legacy of stewardship that inspires Claire.
Jennie Ucar, President
Ms. Ucar is a retired Elementary School Principal, who has been spending seasonal time at Lake Simcoe all her life. Throughout her educational career, she focused on environmental education, wrote the Environmental Education curriculum for the Toronto District School Board and also for the David Suzuki Foundation in partnership with the Board. She has been a member of the RLSC Education Committee for two years and joined the Board in March 2020.
Linda Wells, Vice President
Ms. Wells has spent all of her summers in Georgina and Oro enjoying and loving Lake Simcoe. Linda is an avid swimmer and bird watcher, who has turned her concern for the Lake into action, volunteering with: Campaign Lake Simcoe to establish the Lake Simcoe Protection Act and Plan; Campaign Fairness; Save the North Gwillimbury Forest; and the Barillia Park Residents’ Association. Linda is a member of Barrie Naturalists’ Club and was a member of the South Lake Simcoe Nature Club for 12 years. Linda brings a background in business, marketing, and a love of sharing great food to the work she does with the RLSC.
Susan Sheard, Secretary
Having lived on the southeast shore of Lake Simcoe for almost three decades, Susan is an educator who is passionate about the health of Lake Simcoe and the environment in general.
At Large:
Mike Vos
Mike Vos is a global marketing executive with a passion for fishing and the outdoors. Working in the fast-paced corporate sector has made Mike greatly appreciate his time in nature and fueled his desire to help preserve it for future generations. To this end, he has volunteered for a variety of environmental and conservation organizations. He is currently the Treasurer of the Barrie Bassmasters fishing club and has acted as its Conservation Director. Lake Simcoe, with its amazing fishery, holds a special place in his heart.
Alessia Mole
Alessia Mole is A recent graduate from the Master’s of Environmental Studies program at York University. In 2022, she was a communications intern with the Coaltion and continues to strategize to engage new audiences in our work. Whether relaxing dockside with friends, walking her pup through local parks, or exploring new hiking trails, Alessia’s love of nature inspires her to strengthen her outreach and activism skills to inspire others to protect our important landscapes and wildlife.
Matt Lund
Matt is a Paralegal who works on contract law and business litigation. Mat was previously a Federal candidate for the Green Party and has grown up on and around the lake. Previous to getting involved in law and politics, Matt spent 15 years working in the events and promotions industries and has an extensive background in fundraising.
Gail Speirs-White
Gail Speirs-White is a new Board member who lives in Barrie. Her professional work has been as a rural land-use planner which evolved into an environmental land use and policy planner. She enjoys kayaking and canoeing and continues to marvel at the abilities of farmers to grow our food.
Colin Brown
A lawyer practicing in Newmarket, Ontario, Colin has long been concerned about the environment. In addition to a law degree, he also has a Master in Environmental Studies. Like many others, Colin enjoys the outdoors, whether cycling or hiking, and it is his hope that public interest groups such as Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition can help inspire others to take steps to preserve this beautiful part of the world.
Maurice Sandford
Maurice Sandford is an active member of the Snake Island Residents’ Association and has been a supporter of the Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition for years. Moe was an RLSC Board member from 2009 – 2011 and has returned to help protect the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan. Moe is a retired firefighter.