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.

Program Coordinator, DCS, DEC, PDC

Gwen Lane has an Honours Diploma in Community Worker / Social Service from George Brown College, and a Permaculture Design Certificate from Verge Permaculture. She plays a key role in the creation and delivery of community and Indigenous engagement plans that are culturally appropriate (including First Nations consultation). For the past two years she has led “Earth Tending”, SpruceLab’s six week Indigenous green infrastructure paid training program (where she also mentors junior support staff). Gwen is from Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba and a Sixties Scoop survivor. She’s spent the last 12 years continuously embracing learning her ceremonies, culture, and walking in a good way of Life. Gwen is interested in environmental justice, and her knowledge and experience with food and cooking has also led her to an interest in food security and justice. She is also a passionate cook, artist, and healer, with training in mental heath support.

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

Kerri-Lynne Garlinski is a Landscape Designer at SpruceLab Inc. Kerri-Lynne has over 8 years professional experience working as a Landscape Architectural Technologist and comes from a Horticulture background. She has worked in a variety of diverse projects, from civic park spaces to multi-use/multi-family housing to high-end residential homes. Kerri-Lynne is a Member of the Métis Nation of Alberta, with an interest in Traditional harvesting. She brings 10 years experience in community gardens as well as food production on a family farm and an assistant horticulturalist in a Woodland Garden. Her interest lies in creating immersive spaces, blending architectural beauty with ‘the right plant for the right place’ plant palettes to create cohesive landscape designs

Landscape Designer, BA (Hons), MLA

Cesca Boldy is a Landscape Designer at SpruceLab with over 7 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, working in the UK and British Columbia. Cesca’s portfolio includes a diverse array of projects ranging from private high end residential and streetscape design to memorials, schools, care centres and temporary installations.

She holds a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture (MLA) and a BA (Hons) in Landscape Architecture and Planning from The University of Sheffield. Originally from the UK, Cesca relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia, in 2019. Cesca is driven by a love for nature, design, food and community, she sees the convergence of these elements as an opportunity to address evolving societal needs while enhancing environmental and community well-being. She seeks to harmonise creative expression and ecological stewardship, drawing inspiration from the interplay between tradition and innovation. By weaving personal stories into her work, Cesca creates landscapes that honor both historical heritage and future possibilities.

Designer, BA (Hons), RSE Famer

Ashley is a Designer of Upper Cayuga descent with an Honour’s degree in Furniture Craft and Design from Sheridan College, and Bachelor’s of Arts in Creative Problem Solving from the University of Buffalo. As an industrial designer, her form-forward work focuses on shape, materiality, proportion and adaptability without sacrificing functionality. Ashley develops site furnishings for both landscape and interior projects by bringing together Indigenous designs, functional furniture and site specific elements.

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 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, Education, Art & Culture

Amber Smith-Quail is an artist, educator, mother, wife and auntie who divides her time between South Algonquin and Tkaronto. She is a member of Alderville First Nation and has over 14 years of experience 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 from the University of Guelph as well as a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education with a focus on Urban Indigenous Education, both from York University. (Illustration of Amber by artist Tobie Loukes).