Saugeen Conservation (SVCA) is pleased to announce that Jennifer Stephens will become the new General Manager / Secretary - Treasurer, effective June 1, 2020.

“We are very pleased that Ms. Stephens will be joining our team and look forward to her building on our strong foundation which has been established over the past 70 years,” stated SVCA Chair, Dan Gieruszak.

Ms. Stephens will be replacing Dick Hibma, Interim General Manager / Secretary-Treasurer, who was formerly the Chair of Conservation Ontario. Ms. Stephens brings over 15 years of progressive experience to this role. She excels in the areas of strategic planning, change management and leadership. She has a proven track record of stakeholder engagement, collaboration, and developing service driven teams that have clear priorities and expectations. Further, Ms. Stephens has detailed knowledge of Conservation Authority programs, administration, and finances, having worked with Conservation Ontario and directly with nine Conservation Authorities. During her tenure at Conservation Ontario she was also involved in the review of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

She comes to SVCA with experience in both rural and urban areas. Most recently she has worked at the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, where she was Manager of the Drinking Water Source Protection Program. In this role, she engaged with numerous stakeholders, including 33 municipalities, industry, agriculture, and developers. Her position encompassed the Credit Valley, Toronto and Region, and Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority jurisdictions, which has more than 6.5 million residents.

“I am truly excited to be working in this area of tremendous potential and opportunity. Now is a critical time to engage authority members, staff, municipal stakeholders and the Province to ensure development and sustainable environmental safeguards are working together to improve the safety and quality of life of everyone within the SVCA watersheds”, says Ms. Stephens.

The members of SVCA extend their sincerest gratitude to Dick Hibma for his leadership and passion as our Interim General Manager / Secretary-Treasurer.

source: media release, SVCA