Meet The EarthCARE Design Team

Rose-Marie is the editor and coordinator for the development of the EarthCARE program. She is also the Project Manager for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board's EarthCARE program. Rose-Marie had a happy and rewarding 34 years in public education as a teacher, principal and a superintendent. In her new career she does project management, consulting, and directs the deployment of EarthCARE. A little known fact is that Rose-Marie has completed six marathons.

Jim created the EarthCARE program for building operators, which has been developed to work in concert with the in-school component, capturing the synergy of youth and custodial engagement through strong partnerships. Jim is Assistant Supervisor of Maintenance in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and has worked with custodial and maintenance staff in school boards for 28 years. He is also the Technical Coordinator for the EarthCARE program in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. Jim spends his spare time fishing or gazing at the galaxies with his telescope.

Vicki coordinated the writing team for the in-school EarthCARE program. Vicki co-founded KidsNRG, which became Canada's leading catalyst and supporter of youth entrepreneurship in technology. In 2001, the World Economic Forum selected Vicki as one of the 100 Global Leaders for Tomorrow. In 2002, Vicki founded Impactanation, a company committed to increasing the awareness of youth to the major issues we face on the planet. Vicki is also a founding board member on the Ontario Organization of Women in International Trade, and founder of the GirlsAreIT! Program.

Richard worked with Vicki Saunders on the EarthCARE writing team and is the creator of the youth engagement strategy. Richard won the Marshall McLuhan Distinguished Teacher Award in Canada in 1991 for creating the first integrated arts program in Canada, and the National Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence in 1997. Richard has served as the Academic Director of the National Youth Orchestra and as Director of Examinations at the Royal Conservatory of Music. In 1997, Richard joined Vicki Saunders in launching KidsNRG and later co-founded Impactanation.

Marjorie developed the Quality Assurance component of the EarthCARE program. A two-time recipient of the Director's Citation, Marjorie (along with her staff) was also the winner of the Ayers Award from the Ontario Educational Research Council. Her background also includes research in health issues (Royal Ottawa Hospital), giftedness (Child Study Centre, University of Ottawa), education (Inner London Education Authority, England), and race relations (Institute of Race Relations, England). Marjorie is currently President of Maryholm Consulting Inc.

Michael is President of Partnering designs inc. and has nearly 30 years of experience in organizational effectiveness consulting. A major focus for the company since its inception in 1996 has been the development of Better Schools Partnership with Ameresco Canada Inc. This strategy has resulted in over $200 million worth of energy funded facility renewal for school districts and universities. Michael's consulting experience ranges from small family businesses and Fortune 500 companies to government and not-for-profit organizations. In his spare time, Michael enjoys playing bluegrass guitar, practicing and teaching yoga with his wife, weekend gardening and hiking.

Marie specializes in brand strategy, communications and public relations for Ameresco Canada Inc., Better Schools Partnership, EarthCARE and Campus Renewal Partnership. She also works with seven individual school boards and university clientele to determine communication needs, strategies and budgets and implementation plans. Marie has 20 years of experience in account services in the advertising and direct marketing industry. Marie now aspires to make the world a better place through her involvement with Better Schools Partnership, Campus Renewal Partnership and EarthCARE.