OuR Team
Mark Maftei
Executive Director
He/Him
Mark has a lifelong passion for nature and the outdoors. Growing up, he divided his time between paddling the lakes and rivers of northern Ontario and his studies at the University of Toronto. Mark has worked for a number of universities and government agencies in both Canada and the US. Before joining the RES, he worked for Environment Canada studying colonial seabirds along the BC coast. Mark’s passion for birds has taken him around the globe, but he but always eagerly looks forward to returning back home to the coast.
Mark has a lifelong passion for nature and the outdoors. Growing up, he divided his time between paddling the lakes and rivers of northern Ontario and his studies at the University of Toronto. Mark has worked for a number of universities and government agencies in both Canada and the US. Before joining the RES, he worked for Environment Canada studying colonial seabirds along the BC coast. Mark’s passion for birds has taken him around the globe, but he but always eagerly looks forward to returning back home to the coast.
Tam Belliveau
Operations Coordinator
They/Them/She/Her
Hailing from the South Island, Tam’s appreciation for the local flora and fauna began early. Tam witnessed the annual salmon runs in Goldstream National Park and spent their weekends overlooking the Salish Sea. Moving from Victoria to Tofino in the fall of 2014, the decision to stay and keep coming back was hugely influenced by the unique terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems found in both Clayoquot and Barkley Sound. This fascination was only overshadowed by the rich and profound history here. Tam’s goal in life is to never stop learning.
Hailing from the South Island, Tam’s appreciation for the local flora and fauna began early. Tam witnessed the annual salmon runs in Goldstream National Park and spent their weekends overlooking the Salish Sea. Moving from Victoria to Tofino in the fall of 2014, the decision to stay and keep coming back was hugely influenced by the unique terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems found in both Clayoquot and Barkley Sound. This fascination was only overshadowed by the rich and profound history here. Tam’s goal in life is to never stop learning.
Sarah Timberlake
Communication Director
She/Her
Sarah has joined the RES staff after being an active board member for more than 10 years. Tofino has been home for over 30 years, and she loves living here — the ocean, the rainforest, and the community have all become part of who she is. With a background in fine art Sarah finds herself drawn to observing and understanding the natural world around her. She spends her time walking, hiking, kayaking, gardening, camping, and hanging out with friends & family. Soaking up all there is to learn in this amazing place we are so lucky to live within!
Sarah has joined the RES staff after being an active board member for more than 10 years. Tofino has been home for over 30 years, and she loves living here — the ocean, the rainforest, and the community have all become part of who she is. With a background in fine art Sarah finds herself drawn to observing and understanding the natural world around her. She spends her time walking, hiking, kayaking, gardening, camping, and hanging out with friends & family. Soaking up all there is to learn in this amazing place we are so lucky to live within!
Molly Johnston
Tofino Field School Coordinator
She/Her
Molly grew up in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Summer camps on the coast—and later working as a camp leader—helped shape her passion for the outdoors and for outdoor leadership and education. After traveling internationally, she returned to the West Coast to complete a degree in Communications. She is especially passionate about working with children and creating meaningful, place-based learning experiences. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring tide pools, cooking, and trying new crafty projects.
Molly grew up in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Summer camps on the coast—and later working as a camp leader—helped shape her passion for the outdoors and for outdoor leadership and education. After traveling internationally, she returned to the West Coast to complete a degree in Communications. She is especially passionate about working with children and creating meaningful, place-based learning experiences. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring tide pools, cooking, and trying new crafty projects.
Alice Kennedy
Ucluelet Field School Coordinator
Alice's relationship with nature took root in childhood, exploring the forests and waters of Southern Ontario. Working in the overnight camp industry, she saw firsthand how connecting with the outdoors could change young people's lives. Arriving in Tofino in 2023 as a sea kayak guide, Alice fell in love with the west coast's abundance and diversity, inspiring her to pursue an MA in environmental anthropology. She's passionate about the wisdom carried by the land and learning to live in better relation with all life. Off the clock, you'll find her hiking a mountain, taking an icy cold plunge, or on a beach with a good book.
Samantha Brunt
Ecological Ambassador
She/Her
Sam grew up on a small farm in the Gulf Islands which encouraged her love of animals and nature from a young age. Her curiosity has lead her around the world and back to the West Coast where she now lives with her family in Ucluelet. She has years of guiding experience in both Barkley & Clayoquot sound and is always observing the subtle changes of the seasons. In the meantime, Sam is excited to be a member of the Raincoast Education team and is eager to share her love and knowledge of the west coast.
Sam grew up on a small farm in the Gulf Islands which encouraged her love of animals and nature from a young age. Her curiosity has lead her around the world and back to the West Coast where she now lives with her family in Ucluelet. She has years of guiding experience in both Barkley & Clayoquot sound and is always observing the subtle changes of the seasons. In the meantime, Sam is excited to be a member of the Raincoast Education team and is eager to share her love and knowledge of the west coast.
2026 Summer Education Outreach Program Coordinators
Izzy Abdurahman
Izzy grew up on Vancouver Island, spending lots of time in the forest and ocean near her home in Nanoose Bay. Ever since she was a kid, she’s had a curiosity about nature and a passion to learn more. A high school field trip to the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre sparked her decision to pursue marine studies.
She just graduated from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Science in marine biology. A field school semester at the Haida Gwaii Institute sparked a passion for environmental education and inspiring stewardship in others.
Izzy has worked as a teaching assistant, restoration technician, and surf instructor. In her spare time, she loves beachcombing, surfing, and painting. She's thrilled to share her curiosity with the RES community this season!
Chloe Vaughan
Chloe has spent her life exploring and learning from the diverse ecosystems and landscapes of the West Coast being from Surrey, BC, on the traditional territory of the Coast Salish Peoples. She's completing a Bachelor of Science at UBC in Environmental Science, with an interest in blending Western Science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge for holistic stewardship.
Chloe has worked as a Science Outreach Instructor delivering STEM programming across BC, a Research Assistant with Agriculture and Agrifood Canada, and a Marine Ecology Research Assistant with the Department of National Defence in Nanoose Bay.
In her free time, she loves hiking, climbing, swimming, and learning to surf. Chloe can't wait for a summer with RES!
Hannah Zumwalt
Hannah grew up in Calgary, on the traditional land of the Treaty 7 peoples, camping across Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan, and Idaho. A competitive swimmer growing up, she's always been drawn to water, now living in Victoria for four years, grateful to be by the ocean full time.
She's completing her final year of Biology at UVic, researching deep-sea sponge gardens and narwhal vocalizations, and writing her honours thesis on harbour seals. She's spent summers in California running camp programming for kids with medical conditions.
In her free time, she loves camping, hiking, road trips, guitar, and ocean dips. Hannah can't wait for her first summer with RES, exploring Barkley & Clayoquot Sounds!
Ella Ahier
Ella Ahier was raised on the ḥaḥuułi of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation in Tofino/Načiqs. Growing up on the wild west coast fostered a love of nature from a young age. Ella is a former Raincoast Education Society student, enrolled in camps nearly every summer of her youth, which greatly shaped her understanding of the natural world and the beautifully complex ecosystems that keep it all going!
Ella now resides in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal, beginning her fourth year at Concordia University, pursuing a Bachelor's of Arts and Sciences, honours in English Literature, with plans to become a secondary school teacher.
Grateful for the education she received, Ella is excited to give back by running educational youth camps with Raincoast Education Society this summer!
Abbi Venizelos
Abbi grew up between Tofino, BC and Hamilton, ON, splitting her childhood between the coast and lake country. Growing up, canoe camping and surfing sparked a curiosity about the natural world from a young age. This led her to pursue a degree in Geography at the University of Victoria. As a child growing up in Tofino, Abbi was a participant in Raincoast Education Society programs, which was an experience that stuck with her into adulthood. Now, Abbi is excited to offer other children that same opportunity and to foster that same love of the natural world in others. In her spare time, Abbi loves surfing, skateboarding, swimming, and hiking. Abbi can’t wait for a summer of exploring with RES!
Past Staff
Derek Zandvliet
Tofino Field School Coordinator
Hannah Richards
Ucluelet Field School Coordinator
Savannah Lincez
Ucluelet Field School Coordinator
Sophia Lloyd-Jones
Tofino Field School Coordinator
Kira de Leeuw
Ucluelet Field School Coordinator
Board of Directors
Our board is comprised of six dynamic local residents who reflect a range of educational backgrounds, experiences, and expertise in natural and social sciences, non-profit governance, and education.
Karyssa Arnett
Marine Biologist and Ecotourism Guide
Kira de Leeuw
Learning Facilitator
Dennis Morgan
Business Owner
Tom Stere
Tofino Coast Guard & District of Tofino Councillor
Tim Webb
Environmental assessment and emergency management professional
Colin Zacharias
Certified Mountain Guide, Risk Management Consultant
Supporters
The Raincoast Education Society would not exist without the generous support of our community donors and partners. We are incredibly grateful that you’ve decided to join us in our efforts to conserve Clayoquot and Barkley Sound’s old-growth forests, streams, shorelines, and waters, and maintain our region as one of the most ecologically rich landscapes on the planet. Thank you for being with us every step of the way.