Board Members
Julie Scott
President
Julie Scott (BA University of Toronto, MA, Carleton University) has worked for 20 years in environmental, social and governance (ESG) research and responsible investing. Julie has lived and worked in Europe and Asia. Julie first discovered the Bruce Trail 25 years ago with her young family near the Kortright Centre. More recently she has been hiking the beautiful escarpment trails in the Beaver Valley and The Blue Mountains. Julie has a long-standing commitment to supporting community-based organizations and has obtained the Institute of Corporate Directors ICD.D designation. Julie currently serves as a director on the boards of social enterprises focusing on financial inclusion and settlement services for new Canadians.
Kelly-Leigh Thomas
Past President
Hiking for a living has been my joy for the past 6 years both on the Bruce Trail and in sunny Arizona. As a hike leader for our club and the immediate Past President , I meet a lot of great people with similar interests. I enjoy being an ambassador for the Bruce Trail and working with our Board and the Bruce Trail Conservancy to promote and protect this wonderful ribbon of wilderness.
Jim Lewis
Secretary
I was fortunate to start hiking with my Dad on the Bruce Trail as a youth. This was in the Burlington and Hamilton areas. I moved to Collingwood in the early 1980’s. I have spent a great deal of time on local trails with my children as they were growing up, and now with my grandchildren. I believe strongly in the importance of the BTC’s endeavors to secure and conserve a ribbon wilderness in perpetuity. I look forward to contributing to an organization that has provided so many benefits for my family and myself.
Rob Alsop
Treasurer
Michelle McKenna
Volunteer Coordinator
I joined the BMBTC in 2023 as the Volunteer Director. I’ve enjoyed hiking in many locations including Peru, Utah and Western Canada. I look forward to connecting more closely to the hiking community in The Blue Mountains as I work to engage more volunteers in our shared goals of conservation, preservation and enjoyment of our beautiful Bruce Trail.
Linda Finley
Trail Director
Christine Lasky
Director of Events and Fundraising
I am an enthusiastic hiker whether on the Bruce Trail or other amazing landscapes. Recent trips to Lake Superior country, and the South West Circle Tour in the US visiting many national parks, and Tofino B.C. have reinforced to me how beautiful hiking can be for the body, mind and soul. I was appointed to the BMC Bruce Trail Conservancy Board as volunteer Director of Events and Fundraising in April 2022 and I look forward to doing my part to help conserve this ribbon of nature called The Bruce Trail.
Stan Kaczmarek
Land Steward Director
I’ve been a BMBTC Board Member for little over 6 months. I moved to the Collingwood area from Northern Ontario after working 35 years in the Mining Sector. I have always enjoyed outdoor activities; particularly X-C skiing, running, hiking, and biking. Hiking has now become one of my foremost activities, and the proximity to the Bruce Trail accommodates that perfectly. Helping out with trail maintenance and construction work adds to the overall satisfaction.
Vera Cvetkovic
Communications Director
Vera and her family are not new to the Bruce Trail, but recently she started contributing more to the BMBTC community. Besides her full-time job as technology executive, she is very interested in outdoor activities, cooking and making stained glass mosaics. Actively serving non profit and professional association boards and member of WGOB and ICD.
Dave & Bev Matthews
Landowner Relations
Our volunteer work with the Blue Mountains Bruce Trail Club includes connecting with landowners who have generously allowed Trail access and other property owners in our Section. Our work with the Bruce Trail Conservancy includes exploring opportunities to permanently secure the Bruce Trail in the Blue Mountains Section.
Dave Cole
Membership Director
I’ve been a member of the BMBTC for 15+ years; have been on the board for 13 years; membership director for going on 12 years; and am a trail captain. I love the outdoors, enjoy hiking, camping, skiing , snowshoe, and still heli-ski.
Richard (Dick) Edwards
Director at large
I joined the BMBTC board circa 1996. Was the club president from 2000 to 2005. I now enjoy helping with trail maintenance, construction projects, & landowner relations. I completed my own BTC End to End in the early 2000’s. My recreational pursuits (besides hiking) include skiing, cycling, wood-working, and Old-timers hockey.
Michael Treuman
Director at Large
I studied engineering and retired from a career in and around the computer business. I became an outdoor enthusiast at summer camp in my teens when I took up sailing and water-skiing. As a weekender from Toronto, I joined the Blue Mountains Club in 2001 where I have been a trail captain, hike leader, and land steward, as well as President for three years. I am currently a member of the BTC Board of Directors.
Murray Morrison
Director at Large
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I have lived in the Collingwood area since moving here in 1978, drawn by the desire to enjoy the escarpment and water activities that abound in the area. I am passionate about preserving and sustaining agricultural land and our green spaces. I have been a Bruce Trail member for several years and especially enjoy hiking with my grandkids. I retired from a 40 year career in agricultural sales and presently work with my son at Morrison Pumpkin Farm.
Arie Van Walraven
Director at large
I was born and raised on a small dairy farm near Gananoque Ontario, graduate of Queen’s University (B. Com. Hons.) and retired after 40 years practicing accounting. Most of my weekends were spent hiking everywhere, and I have completed about 75% of the Bruce Trail. My goal in retirement is to spend most of my time outside, and working on the Bruce trail satisfies that goal. As a bonus, the hikers benefit from my efforts and the biodiversity on our land is improved. I am proud to be able to contribute more through membership on the Board.