Our Board

Photo credit: Robert Conchie

Eva Hartmann

CO-FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Eva has worked in various capacities with domestic and wild animals in Australia, Africa and Germany. Shortly after completing her bachelor degree in Ecosystem Management, she moved to Victoria, BC where she started working as an assistant. It was during her time on Vancouver Island that inspired Eva to learn more about how to care for injured and orphaned wildlife – when cardboard boxes with chirping and scratching wild animals got dropped off at the veterinary emergency hospital.

Interning at Victoria’s WildArc Rehabilitation Centre was the start to collecting know-how and volunteer experience in Canadian wildlife rehabilitation. Currently, Eva is working as a Registered Veterinary Technician in Kelowna. She continues to grow her wildlife rehabilitation knowledge as a mentee under the Northern Lights Wildlife Society (Smithers, BC). Most recently Eva is a student with the BeaverCorps program learning about co-existence strategies with beavers.

Eva’s work life’s mission is to elevate wildlife rehabilitation efforts in BC’s Interior. She is deeply committed to increasing understanding and tolerance for living amongst wildlife in the Okanagan. “The care of individual wild animals shows how we relate to nature and wildlife!”

Jonathan Laumer

CO-FOUNDER & SECRETARY/TREASURER

Jonathan moved to Kelowna in 2013 to pursue his Masters in Engineering. He continued his scientific career and received his Ph.D. from the UBC Okanagan in 2019. He is a passionate teacher and enjoys his new role as a professor at the engineering department of the Okanagan College.

With his work experience as an Operations Manager for a local company, he brings experience of budgeting and financial reporting to this society.

He feels honoured to be part of IWRS, to provide technical support as well as offering a practical hand whenever needed.

Mandy McDiarmid

PRESIDENT

Biologist Mandy McDiarmid from Shuswap Bird of Prey is the owner of a falconry based wildlife management and raptor education company. Her company uses falconry techniques to provide a natural and humane method for diminishing “pest” bird species that are causing problems. Her trained raptors are free flown to scare off and intimidate birds that are unwanted to frequent e.g. orchards, landfills and airports. Mandy is an advocate for conservation and shares her fascination of raptors regularly.

Linda Erdei

FOUNDING DIRECTOR & VICE-PRESIDENT

Linda always had a passion for wildlife and animal care. She grew up in Vernon, BC and back then, injured wildlife always found her, especially birds.
She started volunteering in the pet health industry in elementary school and worked for local animal shelters, on farms and in veterinary clinics throughout the Okanagan Valley. She completed the ‘Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation Certificate’ with IWRC in 2022 and brings a lot of valuable experience of having worked with different species to the society. Including waterbirds, songbirds, corvids and small mammals.
Linda is excited to grow her wildlife care know-how and supports our society already with practical animal nursing care and giving tips on do’s & dont’s of co-existing with wildlife around us.

Christina Carrières

DIRECTOR AT LARGE

Christina is a veterinary technician and a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of work experience in her field. Shortly after completing her VT program in 2003, she moved to Victoria to complete a double major in Biology and Environmental Studies at UVIC. She worked at the BC SPCA Wild ARC for 8 years, and currently divides her time between companion veterinary care and wildlife rehabilitation. Animal welfare is a passion of hers, which led her to be an active instructor for the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC), President of Wildlife Rehabilitator’s Network of BC (WRNBC), and the Program Coordinator for the Oiled Wildlife Society of BC.

In 2018, she had the privilege of being on a team as an instructor for the first Workshop on Animal Care and Handling of Live Animals Confiscated from Trade offered by International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) in Morocco.

Over the years, she has completed numerous training courses, attended conferences, and has gained experience volunteering in various wildlife rehabilitation centres in different countries such as Guatemala, Belize, Hawaii, and South Africa, where she worked with endangered and local wildlife. Originally from Montréal (Quebec), Christina now lives on Vancouver Island, BC.

Jill McMahon

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

Passionate about wildlife rehabilitation, Jill volunteered as a Rescuer and Carer for Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services throughout her time in Australia from 2006 to 2016. Back in BC, she completed the ‘Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation Certificate’ (IWRC) in 2018 and recently volunteered as a rehabilitation assistant at the BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops.

Jill’s ‘day job’ as a graphic and web designer keeps her busy, she has founded two successful agencies over her 18 year career and currently operates Frankie & Boyd in Kelowna (Canada) and Sydney (Australia).

She is using her skills in business and graphics to help gain exposure for IWRS through marketing, fundraising as well as helping to increase general awareness of our society’s mission.

Stacy Wolfenden

DIRECTOR OF FUNDRAISING

Outside of her role as fundraising chair, Stacy is an interior designer by trade and enjoys pottery, sketching, and anything art+design related. With a big heart for wildlife and focus on sustainability, she brings a unique perspective and energy to every aspect of her work. She grew up in Montreal but has lived in Toronto, Vancouver and now calls the sunny Okanagan her home.

Stacy’s commitment goes beyond just raising funds. She fosters meaningful relationships with donors and partners, cultivating a supportive network to sustain our mission for years to come. With her keen understanding of philanthropy and dedication to our cause, Stacy helps ensure that our organization has the financial resources needed to thrive.