BOARD OF DIRECTORS:  2020-2021

Glen Dennison – President 

Glen has served as MLSS President and Vice-President and continues to focus his remarkable efforts on the protection of coastal marine life and their habitats. As an experienced diver and technical entrepreneur, Glen’s explorations and drop-camera mapping of Howe Sound led to the discovery of the majority of the glass sponge reefs currently protected as Marine Refuges. He initiated the Underwater Council of BC Mooring Buoy Program to protect the seabed inhabitants from anchor damage which led to the establishment of Rockfish Conservation Areas in Howe Sound. Glen authored Diving Howe Sound Reefs and Islands (2012) and continues to co-author research publications that raise awareness of the beauty and value of local marine life (see Our Programs page and Awards and Recognition page).

Sheila Byers – Vice President and Resident Scientist

A member of MLSS since 2007, Sheila served on the MLSS Board of Directors as Secretary, Coordinator of the Nature Dive/Interpretation Programs, and President. Sheila is a Marine Biologist specializing in the taxonomy of marine worms with an interest in the natural history and ecology of BC’s marine invertebrates. The glass sponge reefs have captured her attention, as unique, beautiful, and ecologically valuable ecosystems. Sheila also serves on the Marine Biology Section Committee of Nature Vancouver. Sheila works as a Museum Interpreter at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, UBC.

Adam Taylor  – Director of Citizen Science, Howe Sound Liaison

Adam is a 4th generation resident of Bowen Island and the ocean with all its marvelous inhabitants have always fascinated him. Adam joined the Board in 2011 and established the annual Nature Dive on Bowen Island that became a part of the successful MLSS Nature Dive/Interpretation Programs. An avid scuba diver and underwater photographer his focus is on marine conservation, glass sponge reefs and engaging stakeholders. Adam is also the current President of the Underwater Council of British Columbia (UCBC).

Huddie Bennett  – Treasurer

Huddie’s love of the ocean solidified in 1979 with the National Geographic article on Songs of the Humpback. This inspired her to get certified for SCUBA when she was 15 on Vancouver Island. In 2006 she started her own business, Eye Candy Optical, a successful optical store in Vancouver. After selling the company in 2011 she began, and still works, in the film industry as a financial controller and facility manager for high-end post-production companies. Huddie also currently sits on the Board of MERS as Treasurer and works with the Ocean Legacy Foundation to help fight ocean plastic pollution.

Lora Tryon – Secretary

Meagan Abele – Rockfish Conservation

Meagan first started volunteering with the Marine Life Sanctuaries Society in 2015, assisting as a diver to retrieve marine life specimens as part of the Nature Dive/Beach Interpretation programs offered around Howe Sound. Meagan is a marine biologist with a background in fish ecology, scientific diving, as well as being a recreational dive instructor. She joined the MLSS Board of Directors in 2018 to direct the projects relating to rockfish conservation. Meagan’s current focus is on monitoring, increasing protection and enforcement for diminishing rockfish populations in Howe Sound.

Chris Straub  –  Director

Deirdre Forbes McCracken – Director at Large

Tori Preddy – Director

Tori started volunteering for the Marine Life Sanctuaries Society as a diver for beach interpretation programs in 2011. Through these interactive experiences she found a love for sharing the marine world with others and became a scuba diver instructor to further share that love. For several years, diving opportunities have taken her to Vancouver Island and further afield to Thailand and Australia,  limiting her volunteer availability. Now she resides here permanently and is excited to join the Board of Directors.

Judith Sung – Web & Social Media Coordinator

Judith has been fascinated with the ocean since early childhood and inspired by the work of passionate and dedicated volunteers and ocean stewards. She became a certified diver in 2014 in Vancouver and is passionate about ocean conservation and being an ambassador in the diving community. Judith volunteered with MLSS in 2018 and joined the MLSS Board of Directors in 2019 as the Web and Social Media Coordinator.  She is active in the diving community and works for a local dive charter and retail store as a Divemaster/Administrator.

BOARD OF ADVISORS:  2020-2021

Bernie Hanby  –  Advisor

Andy Lamb  –  Advisor

Dr. Stephanie Archer – Advisor

Dr. Jeff Marliave – Advisor

Dr. Angela Stevenson – Advisor

Tom F Beasley – Advisor