
About Us | Professional Staff

Erinn Lawrie
Executive Director
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Erinn joined the Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation as Coastal Stewardship Coordinator in 2015, implementing the Centre's stewardship and restoration programs along the Canadian shoreline of Lake Huron. She took over the role of Executive Director in 2017.
Erinn currently serves as Chair of the Town of Goderich Environmental Action Committee, and as a Board member for the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, Hike Ontario, and the Maitland Trail Association. She is a member of the Huron County Water Protection Steering Committee, and the Lower Maitland Stewardship Group as well.
Erinn Lawrie is a graduate of the Ecosystem Management Technology advanced diploma program at Fleming College. Her background in water management and stewardship includes her employment with multiple Conservation Authorities and the Centre for Advancement of Water and Wastewater Technologies.
In her free time Erinn enjoys hiking, running, stand-up paddleboarding, cycling, camping, travelling, cooking, and reading.

Patrick Donnelly, M.Sc., RPP
Coastal Science and Stewardship Advisor
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As the co-founder of the Coastal Centre, Pat has worked in water management and coastal zone stewardship for over 35 years. This has included experience in provincial, municipal, conservation authority and private consulting as well as working in both riverine and Great Lakes ecosystems. He currently serves as the Manager, Watersheds and Climate Change for the City of London.
His experience as a Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and a Registered Professional Planner with a Masters of Science Degree provides a wide range of tools and knowledge to the benefit of the shoreline projects and community initiatives. His skill in communicating complex issues and principles to a wide audience including cottagers, urbanites, government officials, council members and interest groups has successfully steered many projects. He has a keen interest in climate change adaptation and assisting municipalities through the transition that is required.

Alyssa Bourassa, B.A.
Coastal Stewardship Technician
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Alyssa recently earned her undergraduate degree in Environmental, Sustainability and Society from Dalhousie University. It was her passion for water and the environment that brought her to Nova Scotia where she spent time enjoying and learning about the Atlantic coastal environment. There, she was an intern at World Wildlife Fund and worked with Halifax-based environmental organizations on multiple school projects.
While Alyssa was in high school, she completed a co-op at the Coastal Centre and she is very excited to be back working in her hometown of Goderich on beautiful Lake Huron. She coordinates the LHCC's Coast Watchers community science data collection program.
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Kerry Kennedy, B.Ed.
Coastal Education Technician
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Kerry combines her background in education with her passion for the environment to support the delivery of the Coastal Conservation Youth Corps program.  She earned a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta and a graduate certificate in Ecosystem Restoration at Niagara College.  Kerry lives in Niagara where she works with the District of Niagara Outdoor Education Centres and the Niagara Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada, and volunteers as president of the Niagara Falls Nature Club. 
Spending as much time as she can on the shores of Lake Huron, Kerry is passionate about dune restoration and invasive species management. She also rarely passes up an opportunity to pick up stray plastics from the beach. In addition to these pastimes, she enjoys rowing and cross-country skiing. She coordinates the LHCC's Coastal Conservation Youth Corps student volunteer and education program.