Principal Landscape Architect + Planner, MA (Planning), BLA, BA, OALA, APALA, AALA, CSLA, RPP/OPPI, MCIP

Sheila Boudreau is the Founder and Principal of SpruceLab Inc. A Landscape Architect and Registered Professional Planner, she has over 30 years of experience. She established SpruceLab to be collaborative and nature-based with a community focus, and the intention to prioritize Indigenous voices and decolonize her practice (to honour her Mi’kmaq ancestors).

Senior Associate Landscape Architect + Urban Designer, BLA, BA, OALA, CSLA

Julia is a Landscape Architect and Urban Designer with over 27 years of experience working in both the public and private sectors throughout south-western Ontario. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Art and a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from the University of Guelph. Professional experience includes working for Niagara Region City of Hamilton, City of Missisauga, Town of Oakville, and Town of Milton. She led the urban design & architecture awards programs for Niagara Region and the City of Hamilton. And she has extensive experience planning and facilitating engagement strategies for multi-sectoral projects, including for public, stakeholder, internal and special interest groups.

Director of Operations, MSc, BA (Hons.), PMP

Jasmine is the Director of Operations at SpruceLab with a Masters of Sciences in Development Studies from the London School of Economics & Political Science (UK), an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University Toronto, as well as certifications in Project Management (PMP), and Facilitation (IAF). She has over 12 years of experience in community development, focusing on projects on global health, sustainability, and reproductive health. She has led research projects in Asia, Africa, and throughout Canada and the US. She has experience in facilitation (including training/workshop programs), community consultations, business operations, process improvement, and learning and development. 

Landscape Designer, MLA, BA (Hons.)

Natalie Sisson is a Landscape Designer at SpruceLab, and a Master of Landscape Architecture graduate from the University of Toronto’s John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design. She also holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art from the University of Guelph. She has a keen interest in exploring how design can foster a closer relationship between humans and nonhumans to create resilient and dynamic communities, and is dedicated to working with and learning from Indigenous Peoples to create meaningful and culturally sensitive designs.

Indigenous Program Coordinator, DCS, DEC, PDC

Gwen Lane is Indigenous Program Coordinator at SpruceLab Inc. She is a member of the Sagkeeng First Nation, and a Sixties Scoop survivor. She’s spent the last 12 years continuously embracing and learning her ceremonies, culture, and walking in a good way in Life. Gwen is a certified Permaculture Designer, and she is interested in environmental justice. Her knowledge and experience with food and cooking has also led her to an interest in food security and justice.

Landscape Designer, Landscape Architectural Technologist Diploma (Hons.), Horticulture Technician Certificate

Kerri-Lynne Garlinski is a Landscape Designer at SpruceLab Inc. Kerri-Lynne has always had a great interest in gardens and the design that accompanies them. The integral components of combining hardscaping and softscaping together, blending architectural beauty with plant life results in the most fascinating surrounding spaces.

Landscape Architecture Intern, in progress: BLA, Architecture Technician Diploma, Civil Engineering Diploma, Police Foundation/Correctional Officer Diploma

Kelly is completing a Bachelors of Landscape Architecture at the University of Guelph. She is of fourth generation Onondaga and British descent, and originally comes from the Niagara Region. She is presently learning the Onondaga language. Kelly prides herself on her knowledge of plants and herbal salves. Recently, she built a traditional birch bark canoe and was a guest with the Canadian Geographic Biinaagami project.

Landscape Architecture Intern, BA

Ben is a Master of Landscape Architecture student at UofT, supporting the SpruceLab team. He joins us with a BA double major in Psychology and Anthropology from UBC, a certificate in Permaculture Design from Verge Permaculture, and 6 years of experience working in the public realm as a consultant, public speaker, researcher, and event planner. Ben is passionate about creating landscapes that support environmental and social well-being.

Communications Design Consultant

As our Communications Designer, Jyoti supports all communications, marketing, and graphics, as she pursues her dream to grow her graphic design business, Jddesigns.

Indigenous Advisor, Art & Culture

Karl Chevrier, a talented, accomplished contemporary artist and traditional craftsman from the Anishinaabe community of Timiskaming First Nation, compares his practice to birch bark canoe making and “everything that goes with it”. His works of art blend tradition and innovation, carry strong messages and reflect his renewed commitment to causes that are close to his heart, including identity, protection of the environment and mutual aid. Chevrier has a sensitive soul and is proud of his origins. His fondest wish is that his efforts, works and teachings serve as beacons for others who also follow a road to healing. Besides giving lectures and workshops promoting full autonomy, Chevrier opens the door of his workshop to all those seeking to learn : “I can only plant a seed; then it’s up to them to make it sprout, grow and bear fruit.

Indigenous Advisor, Landscape Architecture

Josephine Clarke has 10 years’ experience in New Zealand as a landscape architect, cultural advisor, project manager, environmental project adviser, kaitiaki team leader and site manager. She creates her own identity under her Earthfeather brand. Josephine specializes in several fields of landscape architecture and urban design particularly in cultural expressive design and integrated design for the public and private sector in Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty and wider Waikato Region. Josephine has worked closely with a wide range of clients including privately owned companies, district councils, developers, architectural, ecological and planning firms, Māori organizations, iwi groups, several community groups and private landowners. Josephine’s professional goals focus on the inclusion of Te Ao Māori values as an approach to design integrating cultural integrity and authenticity to produce cultural expressive and integrated designs.

Indigeous Advisor, Business Coach

Christal is a SpruceLab Director, and has been a lifelong social entrepreneur. From co-founding an international youth humanitarian charity (Live Different) to launching her own social enterprise in circular fashion (Brave Soles), Christal has had a wide range of experience and entrepreneurial adventures around the world. As a Métis woman, she also has a strong passion for equity, community, and connection, and a deep respect for generational wisdom and practices. Christal has spoken to hundreds of audiences and has coached and mentored many clients one on one. Her work is focused on helping others to find their own resilience, uncover new ways of thinking, and support their dreams of social change. As a professionally trained coach, she has worked with various clients including the Mètis Nation of British Columbia, Alma de Samana in the Dominican Republic, SpruceLab, and Elizabeth Fry Foundation. She also serves as an advisor for the Social Venture Zone at Toronto Metro University and has been an Entrepreneur in Residence for the Fashion Zone, a member of the Creative Innovation Studio at Toronto Metro University. Christal loves working with and supporting entrepreneurs and social change makers to grow their ideas, build their brands, and get clear on what they want to create in the world. She has been a featured guest on numerous podcasts, radio shows, magazines,and television appearances both nationally and internationally.

Indigenous Advisor, Business

Chris is a SpruceLab Director with decades of experience: developing and implementing projects; designing curriculum and policy; building strong relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous government, non-profit organizations and the resource sector; and advocating for Indigenous inclusion across multiple industries. He is an advocate for economic reconciliation and advises on procurement and economic development practices for working with Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs. Chris has worked within Indigenous government and with Canadian government (provincially, federally and locally) for 20 years, and has organized joint ventures, MOUs and contract agreements between Indigenous and non-Indigenous stakeholders. As a Métis citizen, Chris understands the perspective of Indigenous communities and the importance of building long lasting, positive programs and partnerships between Indigenous people and community stakeholders. Through his work with NVision Insight Group, Northern Strategic Partners, Mitacs, and Right To Play, he has engaged with over 400 First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities across Canada and retains valuable experience creating sustainable strategies for involving Indigenous communities in the work of the private and public sectors.

Indigenous Advisor, Ecology & Engagement

Gary is Founder, Owner and Principal of 4 Directions of Conservation, with over 17 years of professional experience. Gary is a member of Curve Lake First Nation, and has had the privilege to work on behalf of First Nations peoples throughout Ontario. He has travelled and worked in almost 300 First Nations communities throughout Canada and northern United States. One of Gary's greatest strengths is that he is often able to be the one who acts as the bridge between the Indigenous Community and the western style of government. Gary has successfully collaborated with many stakeholder groups, researchers, institutes, government agencies, Indigenous communities, and political organizations to address environmental concerns and identify practical solutions to environmental related issues.

Indigenous Advisor, Education, Art & Culture

Amber Smith Quail is an Indigenous educator, artist, language learner, mother, wife and auntie who divides her time between South Algonquin and Tkaronto. She is a member of Alderville First Nation, and has been an educator since 2010, working with Indigenous and non-Indigenous children and youth in Toronto’s city core. Her mission has been to use the power of art, language and culture as an instrument of healing and believes that art is medicine. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Theatre Arts from the University of Guelph as well as a Bachelor of Education through the Waaban Indigenous Teacher Education program. She is currently teaching Ojibwe at Riverdale C.I. and is completing the Master of Education, Urban Indigenous Education program, at York University. Amber is honoured to be taking on the responsibility of being the first Indigenous Artist in Residence at the Women’s Art Association of Canada from October 2022 to October 2023.