As President and Waterkeeper of Lake Ontario, Mark Mattson works tirelessly to promote and defend the ideals that safe waterways belong to the people. In 2001, Mark founded Lake Ontario Waterkeeper to give a voice to the cares and concerns of the millions of people who live in the Lake Ontario watershed.

Mark received his Bachelor of Arts from Queen’s University, graduated of the University of Windsor School of Law, and is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada. Since Mark made the move from criminal law to a practice focused on environmental and regulatory matters, he has acted as counsel for environmental and public interest groups at over fifty hearings, including the Walkerton Inquiry.

Mark has also appeared on behalf of clients in front of the International Water Tribunal in Amsterdam, and serves as the Canadian representative to Waterkeeper Alliance’s Board of Directors. He is the supervising attorney with the Clean Water Workshop, a program dedicated to mentoring law students and providing legal tools to citizens fighting for clean water in their communities.

Mark has been investigator and/or co-counsel on nearly every Fisheries Act private prosecution in Canada. He has been credited with helping Ontario residents win some of the largest fines ever levied under Canada’s Fisheries Act.

Prior to launching Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, Mark Mattson founded the volunteer-based Environmental Bureau of Investigation, dedicated to identifying and prosecuting environmental offenders and served as a board member of Great Lakes United.

Mr. Mattson is co-author of The Citizens Guide to Environmental Investigation and Private Prosecution. Mark is host of the weekly radio show and podcast Living At the Barricades, alongside Vice President Krystyn Tully.

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krystyn@waterkeeper.ca

Krystyn Tully is LOW’s co-founder and Vice President. She oversees Lake Ontario Waterkeeper’s many programs and people who are all working to create a swimmable, drinkable, fishable Lake Ontario.

After graduating with a degree in Radio and Television Arts, Krystyn worked with Mark Mattson as a researcher at the Walkerton Inquiry. She is currently working towards her second degree in Public Administration and Governance.

On behalf of LOW, Krystyn has written many comments on licenses and legislative proposals that have contributed to better decisions and environmental protections. She has appeared before the Federal Standing Committee on Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN), and the Ontario Goverment Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs. Krystyn has also been a two-time contributer to the Great Lakes Town Hall, an international organization dedicated to identifying and addressing common issues across our shared Great Lakes. For many years, Krystyn Tully was the Lake Ontario Advisor to Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Network Fund, now Freshwater Future.

In addition to the day-to-day management of the LOW organization, Krystyn Tully also takes the lead on several of our key ongoing issues alongside Mark. Krystyn also oversees LOW’s Clean Water Workshop, a volunteer mentoring program offered to 20 law students each year.

Krystyn is the editor of Waterkeeper.ca Weekly and co-host of LOW’s podcast, Living at the Barricades.

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As Counsel, Joanna works with Mark and Krystyn on many aspects of the organization’s legal work. Her responsibilities range from research and writing to presentations and attending public hearings.

Joanna articled with LOW after receiving a degree in Geography and Environmental Studies from Queen’s University, an LLB from Osgoode Hall, and a Master’s in Environmental Studies from York University. While at Osgoode, she completed an intensive program at Parkdale Community Legal Services in Toronto, volunteered with the Law Union of Ontario, and contributed to the Collaborative Urban Research Laboratory (CURL).

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As Outreach Coordinator Allie works to inform and educate individuals, groups and organizations about LOW and the work we do. Allie answers any questions you e-mail or call with and she helps to tell the stories of the lake. In addition to this work, Allie is responsible for LOW’s volunteer team, maintaining a relationship with our members and promoting events.

Allie joined LOW in June 2009 after completing her degree in Biology and Environmental Science at Trent University. While at Trent, Allie participated in the university’s Impact Leadership Program where she travelled to Honduras for a building project with the organization Friends of Honduran Children. She also worked for Trent’s marketing and communications office for two years where she assisted with projects including online video content and Trent’s virtual tour.

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Jackie Mersereau is the Assistant to the Vice President. She assists with all aspects of LOWs work and specializes in fundraising, donor management, and management of the LOW membership database.

Jackie began with LOW in November 2009. Attending Concordia University, she attained her Undergraduate degree in Anthropology and Sociology. Currently she is enrolled at Ryerson University in the Fundraising Management program. Jackie is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and looks forward to one day being a Certified Fundraising Executive.

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