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.
HUNTER STEVENS
Manager, Aquatic 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.
MADIE STEWART
Manager, Marine Programs
Madie is originally from Ottawa, Ontario, and moved to Halifax in 2013 to start her undergraduate degree in Marine Biology at Dalhousie University. She then completed her master’s in Tropical Aquatic Ecology at the University of Bremen in Germany, where she conducted her thesis field work on locally managed coral reefs in Fiji. Madie has since worked in cetacean research, public programming and education, and the environmental non-profit sector. In her free time, she can be found exploring the coast, taking care of her many houseplants, and playing with her cats.
ANGELICA WHITEWAY
Manager, Policy & Planning
Angelica 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 bouldering, biking, or hiking in and around the beautiful city of Halifax.
TEIGAN LABOR
Manager, Communications & Videography
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 held positions as Information Coordinator and Teaching Assistant in Lakehead University’s Outdoor Recreation department and spent time sailing Lake Superior as crew and environmental educator aboard Sea Change Expeditions. Teigan began filmmaking as a participant in the Lunenburg Doc Fest, later working in Digital Recruitment for Lakehead University, and completing the Adventure Filmmakers Program at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Teigan is also a fiddler, and enjoys painting and spending time in nature.
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.
MONIKA NEUFELD
Conservation Assistant
Monika has held several short term contracts with CPAWS- NS since 2021, but has officially joined the team! Monika is currently a PhD student in the Department of Oceanography at Dalhousie University, studying deep-sea hydrothermal vent systems around the world. In 2023, she was a visiting scientist at the Seckenberg Research Insititute in Germany, and spent a cumulative of 75 days at sea conducting research on the Mid-Atlantic and Galapagos Ridges. She has presented her research at three international conferences, most recently in Arendal, Norway. Although Monika is drawn to travel and exploration, she feels lucky to call Nova Scotia home. Having grown up in the Annapolis Valley, she is passionate about conservation and fostering community relationships through outreach and collaboration! She is excited about bringing her expertise to the CPAWS team, and reconnecting with local conservation initiatives.