Our Team

Atlantic Water Network has a small but mighty team of avid water monitors. We draw upon the work of past students, employees and volunteers who have brought the Network to where it is today. Read the bios below of our current team who works to provide resources and equipment to our Community Partners throughout Atlantic Canada.

David Hodd

Director

A recent migrant to Canada, David has made the City of Lakes – Dartmouth – his new home. David worked in the UK for two decades in community-led environmental stewardship with charities like the National Trust and for government agencies, before getting an opportunity to move to Nova Scotia with his family in 2019. Enabling and empowering individuals and communities to better understand collaborate and act for natural spaces near to them is what drives David’s work. In his spare time you might find him hiking or canoeing with his scout group, or more quietly taking photos and botanising.

Siena Armstrong

Freshwater Engagement Coordinator

Siena grew up in Southern Ontario and San Francisco, where they developed a love of the ocean and conservation. After traveling across Canada and Guatemala, they moved to Halifax in 2019 to begin studies at Dalhousie University, where they have just finished their fourth year towards a BSc in Oceanography and Sustainability, alongside an Intercultural Communication Certificate. Outside of work and studies, Siena enjoys spending their time gardening, curled up with a cat and a book, or working on any number of assorted handcrafts.

Laura Chandler

Program Manager

Laura joined the Atlantic Water Network team in 2019. In her role as Program Manager, she works closely with communities as they build and grow their water monitoring programs. Passionate about effective science communication, Laura is thrilled to see water data come to life and inspire local environmental change. Laura holds a BMath and MMath in Applied Math through the Collaborative Water Program at the University of Waterloo. Born and raised in the prairies, Laura is enjoying every chance she gets to explore the rugged coastal landscapes that Atlantic Canada has to offer.

Lauren MacDonald

Equipment and Training Coordinator

Lauren MacDonald will be joining our team this summer as the equipment and training coordinator. She is entering her final year at Dalhousie University majoring in biology and minoring in sustainability and Indigenous studies. In her spare time Lauren enjoys all things outdoors as well as taking care of her plants. Lauren is passionate about environmental stewardship and is thrilled to be apart of the Atlantic Water Network team this summer.