Our staff come from various communities within the SEA Watershed Management Region. They are passionate about the environment and work hard to making positive contributions to it and to their community. They have dedicated their time and energy to making SEA an exceptional environmental, community organization and are committed to making PEI a better place to live, work and visit.
Profiles of SEA Staff
Jackie Bourgeois, H.BSc(Agr), MAIS(c)
~ Executive Director
Jackie graduated from Dalhousie University in 2001 with an Honors Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) degree. After graduation, she had an opportunity to move to Iqaluit, Nunavut, where she worked for the Department of Environment as a Wildlife Biologist and as Manager of Climate Change Programs. Her many years spent in the Canadian arctic was truly a unique and memorable experience having been able to visit many communities across all three Territories, to have explored the beautiful Arctic landscape, and to have lived among a culture of strong societal values focused on the land and its people.
While the north was a wonderful experience, Jackie decided to move back to PEI in 2008 to be closer to family. She began her Master of Arts – Island Studies degree at UPEI, but then shortly afterward started as the new Executive Director of SEA. It was a lot of hard work to get SEA to where it is at today, but she says it has been just as rewarding. In fact, SEA was recently nominated for the Pillar of the Community – Impact Award, sponsored by MRSB and recognizes organizations or individuals that have made an outstanding contribution to the economic, social and cultural well-being of one, or all of the communities in eastern PEI!!
From a very early age, Jackie has always had a love and respect for the environment and for the animals that live within it, so her career path has been well suited to her interests. Her other interest is in community development and sustainability where she pursues opportunities that help to increase people’s quality-of-life in the area. When she is not working on a project for SEA, or working on her Master’s, she can be found hiking/snowshoeing the many trails in southeastern PEI with her two Bernese Mountain Dogs, Ruckli and Maggie. Jackie lives in the Montague-Valleyfield Watershed Area.
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Melissa McCarron, BSc. (Bio)
~ Projects Coordinator
In 2010, Melissa graduated from the University of Prince Edward Island with a Bachelor of Science (Biology) degree, which she then followed up with Wildlife Conservation Technology diploma from Holland College in 2014. During her post-secondary years, she worked in various jobs that helped her gain experience in the environmental field, which then lead her to SEA where she has been working as the Projects Coordinator for the past couple of years. Melissa is very passionate about the work SEA does, appreciates the opportunities that the organization has provided to her for expanding and gaining new skills, and looks forward to an exciting future with SEA as it moves forward.
Melissa lives in the Sturgeon Watershed Area with her new husband, Danny. When she isn’t working, Melissa can be found at the rink coaching, playing and refereeing ringette. She is an avid runner, loves to go on outdoor adventures and spend time with her family.
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Victoria Leard, BWC
~ River Restoration Technician
In 2014, Victoria graduated from the Wildlife Conservation Technology program at Holland College then went on to complete a Bachelor of Wildlife Conservation from the University of Prince Edward Island in 2017. Victoria’s education in wildlife conservation is very well suited to her role with SEA as the River Restoration Technician. She is very excited about working for an organization that will help her apply what she has learned in her studies while also helping to develop additional skills while working in the field. She looks forward to working with such a great group of environmentally and community-minded people, while also contributing to the growth of the organization.
Victoria lives in the Sturgeon Watershed Area. Some of her hobbies include playing ringette, running and being active outdoors, and spending time with friends and family.
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Casual Employees:
Mike Jamieson
~ Field Worker
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Ross Power
~ Field Worker
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Charlie Moore
~ Field Worker/Ground Maintenance