Staff
Chris Pinkerton (he/him)
Executive Director
Chris grew up on a small farm in Ontario where he was active in the outdoors from a young age. He completed his degree in outdoor education and spent more than 10 years in outdoor centers, guiding canoe trips, and fighting wildfires. After moving to Whitehorse in 2007 it didn’t take long for the natural beauty of the Yukon and its rivers and lakes to hook Chris, and for him to realize that he had found his way home.
Joining CPAWS in 2023, Chris brings with him many years of advocacy experience, a passion for the outdoors, and a love of our natural environment. He also brings relationships and insights developed from community connections, and his work addressing northern food insecurity. In his spare time, Chris can often be found hiking the trails, or in his canoe exploring the lakes and rivers around Yukon.
Ask Chris About: Paddling
Email: cpinkerton@cpawsyukon.org
Joti Røsholt (she/her)
Outreach Manager
Joti was enchanted by the Yukon while visiting a friend here in 2008, and moved here for good one year later. Having grown up in Ontario, she was completely amazed that a place as healthy and wild and as the Yukon still existed. Ever since then, she has been devoted to helping protect it’s important lands and waters.
Joti began her involvement with CPAWS in 2007 as a volunteer with CPAWS National and has since been a volunteer and staff member of CPAWS Yukon. Joti has since become mom, which has only increased her passion to protect nature and help connect both children and people of all ages to nature. Joti loves her work and feels extremely grateful for the many friends, mentors and co-conspirators she has met throughout the Yukon and NWT through her work.
Ask Joti About: the Peel Watershed
Email: jrosholt@cpawsyukon.org
Adil Darvesh (he/him)
Communications Manager
Growing up in Toronto, Ontario, Adil discovered his interest in nature and wildlife by exploring the web of ravines that expand throughout the city. His curiosity led him to pursue a degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Guelph, where he found his passion for sharing the stories of people, plants and animals behind conservation efforts. He went on to complete the Environmental Visual Communications graduate program with Fleming College and the Royal Ontario Museum, where he worked closely with ROM curators and staff to help highlight the work they do.
In his spare time Adil can be found walking or biking along nature trails and taking pictures of wildlife and landscapes. He is also an avid sports fan and loves watching the Toronto Maple Leafs, Raptors and Blue Jays.
Ask Adil About: CPAWS Yukon Projects
Email: adarvesh@cpawsyukon.org
Paula Gomez Villalba (she/they)
Communications Coordinator
Paula grew up on Muisca traditional territory in Colombia and on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) territory in Richmond, B.C. While her childhood focused more on city life, she loved exploring her grandma’s farm and nearby trails as she got older. Paula joined CPAWS back in 2021, bringing together her Bachelor’s in Integrative Biology and experience in non-profits, conservation biology, and science communication. Her work has taken her to Brazil’s white-sand rainforests, Saskatchewan’s prairies in search of dancing grouse, and multiple species at risk recovery programs across Canada.
Outside of work, you can find Paula searching for birds and exploring trails with her pup, Guamo (named after a tree in Colombia). She believes the outdoors is for everyone and aims to deepen relationships between communities and local ecosystems and empower folks to stand up for nature.
Ask Paula About: Birds, Chasàn Chùa, Land planning
Email: pgomezvillalba@cpawsyukon.org
Laurence Fox (they/them)
Conservation Coordinator
Originally from a small farm in Southern Ontario, Laurence grew up between the forest and the fields and never once went to bed with clean hands; they can saddle a horse, catch a fish, cook a puffball mushroom, change a tire, clean a wild turkey, or deliver a breech birth calf (although they would strongly advise against attempting them all at the same time). Joining CPAWS in 2023, Laurence brings a decade of working as an environment and social justice reporter in the territory to the conservation team.
Always busy, Laurence is the author of two books, the most recent of which, “This Book Is A Knife,” focuses on class and the climate crisis. When they aren’t reading, writing, or talking about caribou conservation, they can be found fishing for pike with their poodle, Audrey, gardening, or trail running. They are proudly part of Yukon’s queer and trans community.
Ask Laurence About: Salmon, Caribou, Whacky Animal Facts
Email: lfox@cpawsyukon.org
Nicole Schafenacker (she/her)
Outreach Coordinator
Nicole grew up around the Rockies in Alberta and has always loved spending time in wild spaces -and making art in and with them! Over the years she’s worked at wilderness hostels, as a yoga instructor, in climate research, as a community organizer, and as an artist — continually seeking ways to bring together her passion for natural spaces, wellness, creativity, and social justice. Naturally, this led her to the Yukon where there’s an abundance of free thinkers and spirits weaving together these very things.
She’s inspired by the stewardship of the waters, lands, and wildfire by Yukon First Nations and with every passing year she grows ever more thankful to be living here and dedicated to caring for this place. Nicole holds an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies where she focused on art-making as a way to foster agency within the climate crisis.
Ask Nicole About: Community workshops, outreach ideas or “art-reach” as she affectionately calls it
Email: nschafenacker@cpawsyukon.org
Aelyia Brick (she/her)
Operations Manager
Aelyia is originally from Northern Ontario and have always felt most at home in the outdoors. Whether it’s hiking, swimming, or heading out for long walks with my dogs, Aelyia loves being outside and exploring wild spaces.
In her role, she’s excited to support the behind-the-scenes work that helps CPAWS Yukon do what it does best—protecting the land, water, and wildlife that make this territory so special. One day, Aelyia hopes to try my hand at a joring sport—combining her love of dogs, winter, and a bit of adventure!
Ask Aelyia About: Fundraising
Email: abrick@cpawsyukon.org
Julia Frasher (she/her)
Conservation Coordinator
Julia grew up in Whitehorse, Yukon, and from an early age was inspired by the North’s diverse ecosystems and strong connections between people and the natural environment. Her fondest memories include time spent in the mountains with family and winter camping trips identifying animal tracks in the snow with her dad.
Her interest in both the arts and natural sciences led her to the University of Victoria, where she pursued a Bachelor’s in Geography and Environmental Studies. There, her passion for supporting conservation approaches that uphold both ecological integrity and community values deepened. Keen to return to the Yukon, she worked in environmental policy and forestry with the territorial government before joining CPAWS in 2026. In her spare time, you’ll find her lost in a good book, playing guitar, paddling Yukon’s lakes and rivers, or exploring new creative hobbies.
Ask Julia About: Land Use Planning, Boreal Plants and Animals
Email: jfrasher@cpawsyukon.org
Hannah Hofsink (she/her)
Conservation Intern
Hannah is originally from BC and grew up in the Okanagan, the Sunshine Coast, and the Kootenays, which allowed her to connect with and explore multiple ecosystems. This gave her an appreciation for sensitive grasslands, temperate rainforests, vast oceans, and the expansive Rocky Mountains. Ever since she was a kid, Hannah has been hiking, climbing, and skiing, deepening her appreciation and respect for the environment. Naturally, this led Hannah to the academic world of environmental sciences, where she gained a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of the living world and developed a passion for protecting, conserving, and advocating for the earth.
Hannah is currently finishing her Bachelor of Ecosystem Management and is working towards her biologist designation. She is excited to bring her experience in environmental consulting, field-based research and conservation to CPAWS, and is looking forward to learning from the CPAWS team.
Ask Hannah About: Climate Change, Forests, Plants
Email: hhofsink@cpawsyukon.org
Aliy
Audrey
Willow
Guamo
Board of Directors
Jill Pangman
Heather Swystun
Barb Buyck
Sandy Johnston
Nicole Percival
Jim Boyde
