Meet the people who power Clear Seas
- Our Team
- Board of Directors
- Research Advisory Committee
Our Team
From seasoned industry veterans to innovative minds, our team brings a range of skills and perspectives to promote marine shipping and traditional knowledge from coast to coast to coast, through the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence.
Paul Blomerus
Executive Director
Read BioPaul leads the team at Clear Seas as they work to advance the safety and sustainability of marine shipping. Before joining the organization in 2020, he worked in a variety of industry roles including supply chain, product development and strategy positions for Westport Innovations and Rolls Royce. Through his consulting work, he has specialized in the impact of technology on the transportation sector and building innovation clusters through university research. He holds a PhD in engineering science from the University of Oxford.
Andrea Mitchell-Rozario
Finance and Operations Manager
Read Bio“I’m fascinated by the ships that bring cargo to Canadians for their use and the vital trade links we have. My ‘why’ is to help manage Clear Seas’ finances and ensure that we follow and meet the rules and regulations that govern us.”
With Clear Seas since November 2016, Andrea brings extensive experience as an Executive Coordinator and Assistant employed in a range of large international corporations in India, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and Canada. This includes working with a cross-section of organizations from oil and gas, government, hospitality, information technology, legal and accounting firms, to a national airline, providing support to senior executives including Chief Executive Officers, Chief Financial Officers, and Presidents. Her wide-ranging experience and meticulous approach helps Clear Seas meet its financial reporting requirements and contributes to a successful, well-managed organization.
Meghan Mathieson
Director of Strategy and Engagement
meghan.mathieson@clearseas.org
Read Bio“Each person in Canada is touched by marine shipping in a multitude of often unseen ways – from the goods we buy to the air we breathe. Marine shipping is part of a fascinating system facing complex challenges; many different perspectives and knowledge systems need to work together to solve them. I work with Clear Seas to clarify issues and make connections among people and ideas.”
Meghan joined Clear Seas in 2016 to establish the organization’s collaborative and innovative research program. Since 2020, her priorities include developing cross-sector relationships, identifying opportunities for collaboration, and directing strategy. With a background in science and technical communications, Meghan shares complex information in an accessible way to support better decision-making. With Clear Seas, she has had the opportunity to work on a range of issues affecting commercial marine shipping in Canada, including vessel traffic patterns, drift rates, emergency towing, coastal sensitivities, air emissions, and alternative marine fuels. Prior to Clear Seas, Meghan supported port and terminal engineering work through risk assessment and stakeholder engagement. Meghan has a BA (English) and MBA from the University of British Columbia.
Sarah Thomas
Director of Indigenous Programs
Read BioSarah Thomas is a member of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. Through her role at Clear Seas, she links a western communicator’s lens to her traditional knowledge of relationships and oral history through storytelling. Sarah holds several leadership roles in the community and volunteers her time with various boards and committees, including the Board of Governors for Capilano University, as a trustee for the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Sarah was selected as co-chair for her study group in the 2022 Governor General Leadership Conference with 250 other leaders from across Canada. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Communication Studies from Capilano University and an MBA with a focus on Indigenous Business and Leadership from Simon Fraser University.
Jennifer Steele
Director of Research Operations (on leave)
Read BioJennifer Steele
Director of Research Operations (on leave)
“I’m driven to make a difference through thoughtful plans, policies, operations and designs that challenge the status quo, reduce impacts and promote well-being, for a healthy and sustainable future.”
Jennifer joined Clear Seas in 2020 and brings extensive multi-disciplinary experience in scientific research, environmental management, and sustainability planning from across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Jennifer helps the organization advance its operations and research program while supporting the skills development of early career professionals. Before joining Clear Seas, Jennifer provided facilitation, strategic planning, and technical research support to collaborative multi-stakeholder processes on a range of projects including port infrastructure development, marine risk assessments, Marine Protected Area planning, and Water Use Planning. Jennifer has a B.Sc. (Chemistry) from the University of British Columbia and a Master of Marine Management (MMM) from the Marine Affairs Program at Dalhousie University.
Jean-François Veilleux
Communications Manager
Read Bio“As I explore the fascinating world of marine shipping, I want to tell its stories. I’m looking to connect people to this essential part of everyday life, which can be a key player in an ecological and social transition that is fair and equitable.”
JF has an eclectic background in outdoor and adventure tourism, management, sustainable development, conservation and environmental education. He has many years of experience, particularly in the Quebec non-profit sector, where he specialised in communications. As Communications Manager, he oversees the development and implementation of strategic and digital communications and the mobilisation of stakeholders, including the general public. He works out of Tio’tià:ke (Montreal) and is a proud representative of the Clear Seas Quebec team.
Stephanie Hurlburt
Indigenous Program Lead
stephanie.hurlburt@clearseas.org
Read Bio“In my work, I am guided by a quote from Cree lawyer and activist, Sharon Venne: ‘The healing of our communities, of our relationships with each other, and with all of creation, will not happen until we begin to listen and learn from one another, and until we are willing to walk together on a path of understanding and respect.’”
Stephanie is a member of the Sapotaweyak Cree Nation living on the unceded traditional territories of the Kwikwetlem, Musqueam, Squamish, Stó:lō and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. With an arts degree from UBC in Anthropology and History, a Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Management Studies from Thompson Rivers University and a career in government, private and not-for-profit sectors, Stephanie brings a unique combination of academic knowledge and practical skills to her work. As a Program Lead for the Indigenous Career Pivot Program at Clear Seas, Stephanie is dedicated to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships and collaborations between Indigenous communities and organizations. Through Clear Seas’ Indigenous Career Pivot Program and Indigenous Internship Program, she has played a key role in providing pathways into the Marine Industry for Indigenous peoples.
Charlene Seward
Indigenous Program Lead
Read BioCharlene Seward is a member of the Squamish Nation, with close family ties to the Snuneymuxw Nation. Charlene joined Clear Seas in the summer of 2023 to support the development of culturally safe programming and engagement that supports capacity development for First Nations communities invested in marine stewardship. Charlene’s background includes convening diverse groups for dialogue on reconciliation, decolonization, sustainable community development and food sovereignty. Her previous experience includes the co-development of the 2017 Walk for Reconciliation in Vancouver, BC, and delivering workshops and programs to government agencies, institutions and organizations across Canada. Charlene is passionate about building meaningful relationships and creating brave spaces for dialogue that support change at multiple levels.
Clara Kaufmann
Research Lead
Read Bio“I have always been fascinated by ports, and I enjoy exploring the world of marine shipping from coast to coast to coast. I am passionate about understanding the full impacts of marine shipping – economic, environmental, health, social, and cultural – and working to find a balance between all of them.”
Clara comes from a multidisciplinary background in geography, public health, and psychology, with extensive experience in research and data analysis and an overarching focus on health- and social-equity. Clara contributes to the research program in many ways, including scoping and leading research projects, managing a multi-year project with academic partners, GIS mapmaking and data visualization, and mentoring student researchers in the Indigenous internship program. Clara is based in Montreal and enjoys supporting Clear Seas’ activities in Quebec. She holds a B.A. (Honours, Psychology and French) from Bryn Mawr College and an M.A. (Geography) from McGill University.
Tessa Coulthard
Research Lead
Read Bio“Making information about marine shipping clear and accessible is a key role we play at Clear Seas. For me, that looks like developing GIS mapping tools that allow users to learn about shipping in a fun, interactive way.”
As a Research Lead, Tessa brings skills and experience in spatial analysis and data visualization to the Clear Seas team. She enjoys learning about the interconnectedness of people and the environment and has a B.Sc. in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Victoria. Tessa is based in Vancouver, on the shared, unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, & Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
Rachel Stewart-Dziama
Research Associate
Read Bio“Understanding shipping regulations, vessel movements, and the potential impacts can be challenging; I aspire in our work to ensure Clear Seas’ writing and data visualization products are equally accessible to policymakers and coastal communities’ members so everyone can engage in cooperative decision-making seated at the table with the relevant information.”
In her role as a Research Associate, Rachel focuses on interdisciplinary research, GIS-based spatial analyses, cartography, data visualization, and science communication. Prior to starting with Clear Seas in 2021, she worked in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors as a naturalist, studying the Rights and Title of First Nations in British Columbia, and researching plastic pollution in Canada and Fiji. Rachel holds a B.Sc. (Honours, Geography and Anthropology) from the University of Victoria.
Chanessa Perry
Research Assistant
Read BioAfter completing the Indigenous Internship Program with Clear Seas, Chanessa is now part of the research team. She is passionate about uplifting traditional Indigenous Knowledge in research, specifically marine based research. Chanessa is looking forward to learning from the research team and continuing her research with Clear Seas.