Our People
CHRIS MILLER
Executive Director
Chris is the Executive Director for CPAWS-NS. He has a Ph.D. in conservation biology from the University of Waterloo assessing long-term impacts on coastal ecosystems from climate change. Chris has run numerous successful campaigns to establish new protected areas in Nova Scotia, including Blue Mountain – Birch Cove Lakes, Sable Island, Chignecto, St. Mary’s River, Eastern Shore Islands, Cape Breton Highlands, Katowe’katik, Wentworth Valley, and St. Anns Bank. He also works on protected area and caribou conservation efforts across Canada, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Northwest Territories. Chris has also volunteered for numerous organizations, including Nova Scotia Nature Trust, Global Forest Watch Canada, Forest Stewardship Council of Canada, and Nova Scotia Crown Share Land Legacy Trust.
ANGELICA WHITEWAY
Associate Director
Ange grew up in Toronto, Ontario and moved to the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia at age 11, where she fell in love with the ocean. Completing her bachelor’s degree in biology and political science at Mount Allison University, her work has varied across terrestrial, wetland and marine environments. She has dedicated her career to conservation through species at risk work with wood turtles, wetland management, fisheries biology, and fish and eel passage work. When she’s not free diving with her coworkers, she can be found running, biking, or hiking in and around the beautiful city of Halifax.
TEIGAN LABOR
Manager, Communications
Born in Cape Breton and raised on the south shore, Teigan grew up exploring the beautiful parks, wilderness areas and shorelines of Nova Scotia. She completed an Honours Bachelor of Outdoor Recreation, Parks, & Tourism, and a Bachelor of Natural Sciences at Lakehead University and Nord University in Norway. Teigan has worked in Digital Recruitment, and held positions as Information Coordinator and Teaching Assistant for Lakehead University. Teigan has a background in science communication, and spent time sailing Lake Superior as crew and environmental educator aboard Sea Change Expeditions. She is alumni of the Adventure Filmmakers Program at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and has a passion for visual storytelling. Teigan plays the fiddle, and enjoys art and spending time in nature.
HUNTER STEVENS
Manager, Research
Hunter grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where he completed his undergraduate degree in Environmental Biology and was the president of the Biology Club at the University of Saskatchewan. Frustrated by the lack of ocean in Saskatchewan, he moved to Halifax in 2019 to complete his Master’s degree in Biology at Dalhousie University, on the marine migration of juvenile Atlantic salmon. Since completing his degree, Hunter has taught Invertebrate Biology and Scientific Diving Methods in Ecology at Dalhousie. He is an enthusiastic SCUBA diver and loves to explore beneath the ocean’s surface in remote and pristine parts of Nova Scotia.
TAYLOR CREASER
Conservation Campaigner
Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Taylor is passionate about conserving the diverse species and landscapes of this beautiful province. Graduating from Mount Allison University with a degree in Environmental Sciences, she has pursued work with various species at risk throughout her career in the non-profit sector. Taylor has worked with both aquatic and terrestrial species such as American eel, snapping turtles, and Eastern ribbonsnakes as well as on various environmental education initiatives. Taylor is also an avid horseback rider, paddler, and hiker who loves to enjoy the backcountry.
Racheal Opoku-Afriyie
Logistics Officer
Originally from the southern part of Ghana, Racheal’s passion for people and the planet led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in forestry and a master’s degree in Renewable Resources from McGill University, where she specialized in community-based natural resource management and environmental policy. Now based in Halifax, Racheal brings a global lens, and a strong community focus to her work in conservation, combining skills in research, stakeholder engagement, Protected Area management, and public outreach. She is committed to supporting inclusive conservation solutions that empower local communities while protecting nature. In her spare time, Racheal enjoys discovering scenic places, going on road trips with friends, and building her grant writing skills.
RYELEE BARTLETT
Conservation Research Assistant
Meet Ryelee, her love for the ocean inspired her to move to Nova Scotia, where she completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology at Dalhousie University. Her strong passion for conservation and aquatic life, combined with her diving experience, led her to join CPAWS-NS as a research assistant and conservation freediver. In her free time, you are likely to find Ryelee exploring the coastlines above and below the surface. No matter the weather, she is always up for an adventure and enjoys being accompanied by her friends and favorite adventure buddy, her dog Moe.