The Healthy Watersheds Initiative team includes staff members from the Real Estate Foundation of BC (based in Vancouver) and Watersheds BC (based in Victoria). The HWI program is governed by REFBC’s Board of Governors and guided by an Indigenous Leaders Advisory Circle.
Co-Director, Healthy Watersheds Initiative
Director, Strategic Programs and Partnerships, Real Estate Foundation of BC
Leanne Sexsmith is the Director, Strategic Programs & Partnerships at the Real Estate Foundation of BC, where she leads on partnerships, learning, and impact assessment. In her role as Co-Director of the Healthy Watersheds Initiative, Leanne oversees funding agreements, grant administration, reporting, and shared learning.
Communications Manager
Healthy Watersheds Initiative
Real Estate Foundation of BC
Cheyenne Bergenhenegouwen is the Communications Manager for the Healthy Watersheds Initiative. In this role, Cheyenne supports the communications and engagement strategy for the initiative.
Chief Executive Officer
Real Estate Foundation of BC
Mark Gifford is the CEO of the Real Estate Foundation of BC, and provides support for governance and staff leadership in the design and implementation of the HWI grants program and community relations strategy.
Program Coordinator – Grants and Communications
Real Estate Foundation of BC
Adarshana Thapa is the Program Coordinator – Grants and Communications for the Healthy Watersheds Initiative. In this role, Adarshana coordinates grant agreements, administration and reporting, and project communications.
Co-Director, Healthy Watersheds Initiative
Director, Watersheds BC
Zita Botelho is the Director of Watersheds BC, where she leads the staff team and oversees operations and program delivery. In her role as Co-Director of the Healthy Watersheds Initiative, Zita works with REFBC to support program development, project development, peer learning, and team collaboration.
Senior Indigenous Advisor (contract completed)
Healthy Watersheds Initiative
Watersheds BC
Tara Marsden served as the Senior Indigenous Advisor to the Healthy Watersheds Initiative from Jan 2021 to June 2022. During this time, she identified and enabled best practices in supporting Indigenous-led watershed work. She also led HWI’s groundbreaking UNDRIP evaluation work, and served as the staff liaison to the Indigenous Leaders Advisory Circle. She is currently a Senior Indigenous Fellow with the Real Estate Foundation of BC. Read more.
Program Associate (on leave)
Healthy Watersheds Initiative
Watersheds BC
Claire Sauvage-Mar is the Program Associate for the Healthy Watersheds Initiative. In this role, Claire supports overall operations, and supports project teams through administrative processes and project reporting.
