Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME)
Staff
Meet the doers and advocates of AME
Kendra Johnston
President and CEO, AME
778.772.4410 | kjohnston@amebc.ca
Kendra Johnston joined AME as President and CEO in June 2019 following several years of volunteer positions at AME including Director, Executive Director, Chair of the Board, Chair of the Roundup Committee and serving on numerous committees including the Finance Committee. Kendra is a Professional Geologist and mining executive with over 15 years of experience in various facets of the mineral exploration and mining industry primarily in BC and Yukon, and is a passionate industry advocate for responsible mineral exploration.
With a strong, inclusive and collaborative leadership style, Kendra provides AME with extensive, knowledge and experience in public geoscience, financial and capital markets, indigenous engagement, as well as the social and regulatory landscapes that affect mineral exploration. Ms. Johnston’s strong leadership and advocacy helps to promote British Columbia as one of the top global jurisdictions for responsible and inclusive mineral exploration and development and as a major international hub for industry that shares our core values.
Ms. Johnston, P.Geo. graduated from the University of Victoria with BSc in Earth Science and the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University with an MBA and a Certificate in Responsible Leadership. She was most recently the President of BC and Yukon explorer, Independence Gold Corp., with increasing levels of responsibility from Project Geologist to President.
Rob Stevens
Vice President, Regulatory and Technical Policy
604-999-7689 | rstevens@amebc.ca
Rob joined AME as the Vice President, Regulatory and Technical Policy in August, 2018. Rob brings a diversity of experience to AME from his time in industry, academia, associations and government. He is a professional geologist who was most recently the Director of Partnerships and Learning at the Canadian International Resources and Development Institute (CIRDI). At CIRDI, Rob worked with developing country governments to support policy development and technical capacity building around the sustainable management of mineral resources, including areas such as mine closure and environmental impact assessment.
Prior to CIRDI, Rob was the Associate Dean of Natural Resources at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), and a faculty member and head of the Mining and Mineral Exploration department. He is the author and publisher of the best-selling book ‘Mineral Exploration and Mining Essentials’ that provides a comprehensive overview of the minerals industry.
Dr. Stevens has been actively involved with AME for the past 17 years. He was a director from 2001 to 2018, Chair of the board from 2008-2010 and a member of several committees. In 2011, Dr. Stevens was awarded the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia’s premier award for professional geoscience, the C.J. Westerman Memorial Award, for his significant contribution to professional geoscience. In 2013 he received the Gold Pan Award from the AME for exceptional meritorious service to the mineral exploration community.
Jonathan Buchanan
Director, Regulatory and Technical Policy
778-840-0620 | jbuchanan@amebc.ca
As Director, Regulatory and Technical Policy, Jonathan is responsible for anticipating, understanding, summarizing, evaluating and influencing public policy as it relates to mineral exploration and development, particularly in the strategic areas of land access and use, environment, health and safety and socio-economic considerations in BC.
Jonathan joined AME in 2005. Jonathan grew up in the mining town of Elliot Lake, Ontario, and first moved to BC to study at the University of British Columbia, graduating with a B.A. in Geography. In addition to a background in communications for the mineral exploration and mining sector, Jonathan has studied, lived, and worked in Japan, and is the author of Inside the Torii Gate: The Journal of an Exchange Student in Japan.
He served as 2015-2016 Chair of the BC Technical & Research Committee on Reclamation, on which he represents AME and is a member of the Health & Safety Committee of the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada. He has received the Advanced Communicator Gold award from Toastmasters International, and is an active member of Vancore Toastmasters.
Tracey Sexton
Director, Communications and Corporate Affairs
778-837-0165 | tsexton@amebc.ca
Tracey joined the AME team in 2010 as Executive Assistant. In early 2018 she was promoted to her current role. Tracey completed her Professional Communications Master’s Degree from Royal Roads University in June 2017 while working full time at AME. In April 2015, Tracey completed the Project Management Certificate program at the University of British Columbia. In this new leadership role, Tracey will be responsible for creating and implement AME’s annual communication strategy, lead both the Communications and Marketing and Integrated Social Responsibility Committees and serve as the liaison between the staff, President and CEO, Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.
As the Executive Assistant and Special Projects Manager, Tracey handled the daily administrative operations of the President, Vice President, Executive and Directors at AME. Along with her Project Management Certificate and Masters Degree, she has Bachelor of Arts degree completed in Johannesburg, South Africa, where she grew up among the gold mine sites. She lived in St. Maarten and then Sydney, Australia for two years before moving to Vancouver.
Roxanne Finnie
Director, Events & Membership
778-836-9850 | rfinnie@amebc.ca
As Director, Events & Membership, Roxanne is responsible for strategy, planning and delivery of the member relations program and all member events including AME’s annual Roundup conference.
Roxanne joined the AME team in November 2011 as the Manager, Member Relations. In that role, she was responsible for all aspects of the member services and events as well as the management of the exhibit hall and exhibitors at Roundup.
Prior to joining AME, Roxanne worked for 7 years in both operational and business development roles for SGS Mineral Services and as such brings a network and knowledge of the industry to her new role. Her background also includes Board positions for arts & culture and community planning organizations as well as the production of various community events. In 2011, she was also the Chair of the AME 100th Anniversary Pavilion Sub-Committee.
Jordan Townley
Manager, Marketing and Communications
236-334-5499 | jtownley@amebc.ca
As Manager, Marketing and Communications, Jordan focuses on a wide range of marketing activity including PR and Media Relations, Digital Marketing, Measurement and Analytics, Social Media Management, Media Partnerships, Content Development, E-news as well as event support for AME Roundup.
Jordan joined AME in October 2018 as a Marketing and Communications Coordinator and was heavily involved in the media relations and partnerships, news circulation and photography at AME Roundup and Discovery Day.
Upon completing a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Manchester UK and Newcastle Australia, Jordan has worked in PR and Marketing for 7 years across 3 continents for different industries including renewable energy, sustainability, business and retail.
For three years running, Jordan was elected as a Board Member for the Chartered Institute of Public Relations from 2015-2018, planning and executing seminars, talks and events for PR professionals in London and across the UK.
Stasia Wegner
Manager, Member Services
swegner@amebc.ca
Stasia is responsible for creating marketing strategies and branding for events, managing event registration, event sponsorship, and coordinating membership programs.
Stasia started with AME for Roundup 2019 as the event marketing coordinator, coming from a background in marketing and a passion for data and strategy, she transitioned into the member services role.
Savannah Nadeau
Manager, Events
snadeau@amebc.ca
As Manager, Events, Savannah works with the Director, Events & Membership to plan and execute the annual AME Roundup Conference as well as other AME events throughout the year.
Savannah joined the Association in October 2018 as the Volunteer & Events Coordinator for AME Roundup 2019 and enjoys walks in the woods with her fur-child, Luna, and sipping wine on patios.
Jasmine Lad
Office Administrator, AME
604.689.5271 | jlad@amebc.ca
Jasmine is the Office Administrator at AME and reports to the President and CEO. Jasmine plays a key role in the efficient and effective running of the reception and office while supporting the committees and all departments.
Lorelie Balatbat
Manager, Accounting and Human Resources
lbalatbat@amebc.ca
Lorelie is the Accounting and Human Resources Manager at AME and reports to the President and CEO. She is responsible for all of AME’s accounting functions as well as the administration of all Human Resources functions. Previously, Lorelie has worked as an Accountant for companies in the Energy sector and also for the not-for-profit organizations within the sports sector.
Source: https://amebc.ca/about/staff/
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