Today, the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation (CVCF) is introducing Women for the Watershed – CVCF Giving Circle, a new philanthropic leadership community bringing together women leaders who are passionate about protecting nature, strengthening communities and shaping a resilient future for the Credit River Watershed. 

The Giving Circle launches with an ambitious collective goal: to mobilize $1 million over five years in philanthropic support for Credit Valley Conservation and its highest-priority conservation, climate resilience and watershed initiatives. 

The Circle brings together women who believe that protecting nature is essential to the health, resilience and prosperity of our communities — and that caring for the land and water is a responsibility that extends across generations. 

“Women have long been catalysts for change in our communities, and Women for the Watershed creates an opportunity to bring that leadership together around something we all depend on — a healthy and resilient watershed,” said Dayana Gomez, Executive Director, Credit Valley Conservation Foundation. “This is about more than giving. It is about connection, influence, mentorship, advocacy and collective action. Together, we can make a lasting difference for the Credit River Watershed and for generations to come.” 

Gomez is also a personal donor to Women for the Watershed, reflecting her belief that philanthropic leadership begins with personal investment and a willingness to lead by example. 

Terri Hamilton — Chief Administrative Officer at Credit Valley Conservation and a respected environmental leader committed to protecting the Credit River Watershed and building healthy, resilient communities. Through her leadership, Terri brings people, communities and partners together around a shared vision for conservation and a sustainable future. 

Christina Basil — Vice President, Communications & Government Relations at 407 ETR, with extensive experience in strategic communications, public affairs and community partnerships. Christina is passionate about building meaningful connections and supporting initiatives that strengthen communities. Through 407 ETR’s support for Indigenous placemaking, culture and history, she is also committed to recognizing stories and connections to place and helping create a more inclusive and sustainable future. 

Kinya Baker — Municipal equity and inclusion leader, registered social worker, and founder of Shades of Humanity Consulting. Kinya works across sectors to build more inclusive institutions and communities where diverse voices and lived experiences help shape decisions. She believes environmental stewardship is also a matter of equity: everyone should have the opportunity to connect with nature, influence its future, and benefit from healthy, resilient communities. Through Women for the Watershed, Kinya brings a strong commitment to broadening participation in conservation and inspiring collective responsibility for the land, water, and generations to come. 

Melissa Stevenson — Anishnaabe-Cree kwe from Peguis First Nation and Assistant Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, whose work focuses on Indigenous health, healing, wellbeing and traditional knowledge. Melissa brings an important perspective on the deep relationship between people, land, culture and wellbeing, and the importance of Indigenous knowledge and lived experience in conversations about the future of the watershed. 

Lorraine Crow — Community builder and philanthropic leader with a career spanning education, newcomer and employment services, and philanthropy. A former law clerk, private college educator and Campus Director, Lorraine later served as Grant Director at the Mississauga Foundation and Director of Philanthropy at The Riverwood Conservancy. She is passionate about strengthening communities, creating belonging and opportunity, and the power of philanthropy to create lasting impact. 

Monica Singh Soares — Brampton raised Municipal Councillor, keynote speaker and CVC Foundation Board Member with a background in public service, municipal governance and community engagement. Deeply connected to Brampton and the communities she serves, Monica is passionate about bringing people, organizations and ideas together to build inclusive, resilient and vibrant communities. She believes that environmental stewardship is an important part of creating healthy communities and a stronger future for generations to come. 

Suzanne Cook — CVCF Board Member, leader connected to the School of Medicine at Toronto Metropolitan University and President of Rotary of Brampton. Suzanne is a passionate advocate for nature and the health and wellbeing benefits of connecting with the natural environment. She brings her commitment to education, health, innovation and community leadership to Women for the Watershed, helping champion the important connection between healthy people, healthy communities and healthy natural spaces. 

Jacy Peck — Secretary of Freedive Toronto and known as The Brampton Mermaid, Jacy is a passionate advocate for connection with water, the natural world and personal wellbeing. Through her work and community presence, she inspires people to experience and appreciate the power of water and nature. A community leader, author and award recipient, Jacy was named Mrs. Canada Mermaid 2023–2024 and is a 2026 Mrs. Canada finalist. 

Emily Quinton — Economic Development Officer, Tourism and Culture with the Town of Caledon, CVCF Board Member and member of the Credit Valley Trail Chapter in Caledon. Emily is passionate about connecting people to the places, landscapes and experiences that make Caledon unique. Through her work and community involvement, she champions the value of local places, trails and natural spaces in creating vibrant communities and meaningful connections to nature. 

Tess Prendergast — Orangeville Councillor, CVCF Board Member, educator and environmental and community advocate, and a member of Friends of Island Lake. Tess is deeply committed to conservation and practical environmental action, with a focus on sustainability, pollinator protection, urban forestry, climate resilience and environmental education. Through her municipal and community leadership, she helps turn environmental priorities into action that people can see and experience in their own communities. 

Whilna Franklin-Stewart — Community Relations Manager for Canada with UPS and The UPS Foundation, supporting partnerships, volunteerism and initiatives that strengthen communities. Actively involved in community conservation initiatives, particularly those engaging and inspiring youth, Whilna is passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for young people to connect with nature, take action and see themselves as part of the solution for a more sustainable future. 

Rachael “DJ Donna Lovejoy” — Entrepreneur and entertainer who brings creativity, energy and connection to community experiences through music and the arts. Passionate about conservation and the natural environment, Rachael believes in using her voice, creativity and community presence to make a difference. Through Women for the Watershed, she brings a fresh and engaging perspective on how storytelling, celebration and connection can inspire people to care more deeply about the natural world. 

Rosemarie Armstrong — Contemporary landscape artist and Dragonfly Arts on Broadway studio artist, Rosemarie has spent decades translating her connection to Canada’s landscapes, waterways and natural environments into luminous paintings. Her creative process begins in nature, often painting outdoors and travelling to experience the places she captures on canvas. A Signature Member of Artists for Conservation, she believes art can help people see the beauty of the natural world, understand the pressures it faces and feel inspired to protect it. A longtime member of the Orangeville community, Rosemarie brings a powerful artistic voice to Women for the Watershed. Through her generous in-kind donations of artwork, she is sharing her talent and passion to support the Giving Circle and help inspire others to connect with and protect the places we love. 

Sofi Rostampour — Land steward and agroecology practitioner whose work centres on native plants, biodiversity and meaningful connections between people and place. Through community-based stewardship, Sofi supports initiatives that strengthen relationships with the land while contributing to healthier, more biodiverse and resilient local ecosystems. She brings a deep appreciation for the role that community connection and stewardship play in creating a healthier future for both people and nature. 

Together, these women represent the power of collective leadership. 

They come from different sectors, communities and lived experiences, but share a common belief: our connection to nature shapes the health of our communities, and everyone has a role to play in protecting it. 

Together, these women are not simply supporting the watershed. They are helping give conservation a stronger voice in the communities they lead. 

“Healthy watersheds are fundamental to healthy communities,” said Terri Hamilton, Chief Administrative Officer, Credit Valley Conservation. “The leadership and generosity represented by Women for the Watershed will help us respond to emerging environmental challenges while continuing the important work of protecting people, property and natural systems across the Credit River Watershed.” 

A Special Thank You to High Sociétéa 

CVCF extends a special thank you to Veruschka Mungroo, founder of High Sociétéa, for helping bring the inaugural Women for the Watershed experience to life. 

As a guest of CVCF, Veruschka joined the women for the launch experience and helped facilitate the arrival of the High Sociétéa double-decker bus from Toronto, creating a unique and memorable way for participants to experience the watershed together. The bus provided a special setting for connection, conversation and community as the inaugural Circle came together to celebrate its shared commitment to the Credit River Watershed. 

CVCF is grateful to Veruschka and High Sociétéa for their support in helping make this first Women for the Watershed experience special and memorable. 

Launch Event Sponsor: 407 ETR 

The launch of Women for the Watershed is made possible with the support of 407 ETR, the Launch Event Sponsor for the Circle’s inaugural gathering. 

407 ETR is a long-standing partner of Credit Valley Conservation Foundation and Credit Valley Conservation, supporting conservation and community initiatives across the Credit River Watershed. 407 ETR has contributed to initiatives including the Credit Valley Trail and Indigenous placemaking, reflecting a continued commitment to environmental stewardship and community connection. 

As Launch Event Sponsor, 407 ETR is helping bring the Circle’s first gathering to life — creating an opportunity for women leaders to connect with one another, deepen their connection to the watershed, learn about CVC’s conservation work and begin building a collective vision for the future. 

About Women for the Watershed – CVCF Giving Circle 

Women for the Watershed – CVCF Giving Circle is a philanthropic leadership community of women brought together by the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation to advance conservation, climate resilience and watershed health across the Credit River Watershed. 

Through shared leadership and collective giving, the Circle is helping build a culture of conservation philanthropy that connects women, communities and generations around a shared responsibility for the future of the watershed. 

To support Women for the Watershed and help advance the Circle’s bold $1 million goal for conservation and the future of the Credit River Watershed, donations can be made here: Donate — Credit Valley Conservation Foundation. 

About Credit Valley Conservation Foundation 

The Credit Valley Conservation Foundation (CVCF) is the charitable arm of Credit Valley Conservation, working to inspire and mobilize philanthropic support for conservation and a healthy, resilient Credit River Watershed. 

Through the generosity of donors, partners and community leaders, CVCF supports Credit Valley Conservation’s work to protect people, property and natural systems through watershed-based planning, conservation and climate resilience. 

About Credit Valley Conservation 

Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) is a local conservation authority established by the Ontario government in 1954 to protect, restore and enhance the natural environment of the Credit River Watershed. 

CVC works to protect people, property and the natural environment through watershed-based planning, natural heritage protection, climate resilience and public engagement. CVC creates connections between people and nature, knowledge and action, inspiring a deep appreciation for the role of nature in keeping people connected, healthy and happy. 

Photo

Caption: The inaugural Women for the Watershed Circle brings together accomplished women leaders from across conservation, business, philanthropy, government, education, health, community leadership and the arts. 

From left to right: (front) Rosemarie Armstrong and Jacy Peck; (second row) Sofi Rostampour, Melissa Stevenson, Dayana Gomez, Monica Singh Soares, Veruschka Mungroo, Tamara Chipperfield and Emily Quinton; (back row) Christina Basil, Deborah Martin-Downs, Whilna Franklin-Stewart, Terri Hamilton and Jesse DeJager.

For more information about Women for the Watershed: 

Dayana Gomez 
Executive Director, Credit Valley Conservation Foundation 
dayana.gomez@cvc.ca 
416-409-2916 
cvcfoundation.ca 

CVC/CVC Foundation Media Contact
Jamie Williams 
Marketing and Communications Specialist 
Credit Valley Conservation 
905-431-5772 
Email

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