Our Mission
Advocacy Through The Arts & Sciences
ATASA is a student-led, volunteer-based non-profit that integrates scientific research, artistic practice, and community engagement to address environmental degradation and promote ecological justice in Canada.
Originating with detailed studies and public outreach about the David Dunlap Observatory forest, the organization now collaborates with students, educators, artists, scientists, and community members across the province to advocate for sustainable development, Indigenous stewardship, and broader awareness of environmental change in the Anthropocene.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is the governing body of the Advocacy Through Art and Sciences Association (ATASA). Elected in accordance with our Articles of Incorporation, the Board provides strategic leadership, governance oversight, and ensures compliance with the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act (S.C. 2009, c. 23). Each Director also serves as a Director or Co-Director of one of ATASA’s major sectors while holding the title of Chief Executive Officer responsible for high-level oversight within their sector. The Board guides the Executive Team, approves organizational initiatives, and ensures that all scientific, artistic, educational, and community-based projects advance ATASA’s mission of environmental stewardship, interdisciplinary research, and accessible public engagement. Together, the Directors bring expertise from science, policy, the arts, and community advocacy, collectively strengthening ATASA’s impact across Ontario and Canada.
Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Director, Education & Science Communication Sector (ESCS)
Kyle Edward Kuthe
M.Sc in Geography - uOttawa Student​
Hon. B.Sc. in Physical Geography & Geomatics; Minor in Greek & Roman Studies​ - uOttawa Alumni
​Fine Arts Certificate - YRDSB
LEED® Green Associate - U.S. Green Building Council​Canadian Association of Geographers
Canadian Institute of Planners - Student
Co-Founder, Chief Operations Officer (COO)
Director, Governance & Law Sector (GLS)
Maryann Anastasakos
Hon. B.A. in Criminology; Minor in Psychology - TMU Alumni
Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2: CORE 2022) - Panel on Research Ethics
Standard First Aid - CPR/AED (Level C) - Canadian Red Cross
Pleasure Craft Operator Card - Transport Canada
Chief Strategy & Policy Officer (CSPO)
Director, Environmental Policy & Society Sector (EPSS)
Ariane Blouin​
M.Sc. in Environmental Sustainability - uOttawa Student
​Hon. B.A. in Environmental Studies - Ottawa Alumni
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)
Director, Administration & Public Affairs Sector (APAS) / Administrative Operations Branch (AOB)
Fiona Dimitrijeva
Hon. B.A. Major in Environmental Studies; Minor in Geomatics & Spatial Analysis - uOttawa Student
Microprogram in French as a second language​ - uOttawa Student
Chief Publications Officer (CPO)
Director, Administration & Public Affairs Sector (APAS) / Public Affairs & Communications Branch (PACB)
Tom Chazelle Schulze
B.Soc.Sc. Specialization in International Development and Globalization - uOttawa Student​
​Canadian Association of Journalists
Chief Communications & Cultural Affairs Officer (CCAO)
Director, Arts & Humanities Sector (AHS)
Maya Yasha Kuthe
M.A. in Criminology - uOttawa Alumni​
Hon. B.A. in Law & Society - York University Alumni
Co-Chief Scientific Officer (Co-CSO)
Director, Life & Physical Sciences Sector (LPS) /
Physical Sciences Branch (PSB)
Youssouf Ouabi
Honours B.A. in Environmental Studies - uOttawa Alumni​
B.Sc. in Hydraulics and Sanitation - University of Abomey-Calavi Alumni​
LEED® Green Associate - In Training
Co-Chief Scientific Officer (Co-CSO)
Director, Life & Physical Sciences Sector (LPS) / Life Sciences Branch
Ryleigh Rioux
Hon. B.Sc. in Physical Geography & Geomatics; Minor in Environmental Studies​ - uOttawa Alumni
Ryleigh Rioux@ATASA.ca
Executive Team
Re-Structuring Officially Announced December 1, 2025
The Executive Team of the Advocacy Through Art and Sciences Association (ATASA) is composed of the organization’s officers who are appointed to manage the day-to-day administration, coordination, and operational functions of the association. Executive Officers may also serve as Directors or Co-Directors of ATASA’s major sectors, where they hold the title of Chief Executive Officer responsible for strategic leadership within their sector. The Executive Team implements the decisions of the Board of Directors, oversees programs and initiatives, manages organizational resources, and directs the work of ATASA’s divisions, members, and committees to advance the association’s mission across Ontario and Canada.
For additional information or questions, please contact our Secretary & Administration Office at: Secretary.Admin@Atasa.ca
Arts & Humanities Sector (AHS)
The Arts and Humanities Sector is organized into project-based divisions, with each division led by an Officer responsible for applying creative and humanistic methods to ATASA’s research and advocacy initiatives. Officers in this sector contribute to ATASA projects through visual arts, illustration, creative writing, poetry, digital media, curation, and interpretive communication. These divisions support project teams by producing artistic content, developing narrative and communication tools, designing public-facing material, and integrating humanities perspectives that enhance the clarity, cultural relevance, and accessibility of ATASA’s scientific and policy work. By grounding projects in both creative expression and humanistic analysis, the sector strengthens ATASA’s ability to communicate environmental issues, connect with communities, and present research in ways that are engaging, meaningful, and widely accessible.
Visual Arts Officer
Vacant - Excepting Applications
Literary Arts & Poetry
Officer
(Hiring in Progress)
Design & Merchandising Officer
Vacant - Excepting Applications
Human Geography & Historical Studies Officer
Vacant - Excepting Applications
Dramatic Arts & Theatre Officer
Vacant - Excepting Applications
Sound & Music Production Officer
Vacant - Excepting Applications
Film, Media & Photography Officer
Vacant - Excepting Applications
Members & Supporters
ATASA welcomes individuals across Canada who wish to engage with environmental, scientific, and community-based work through two pathways: Members and Supporters. Both groups are essential to the ATASA community, but they participate in different ways and hold different levels of involvement in projects.
Members
Members are active contributors who participate directly in ATASA’s projects across science, arts, policy, education, and community engagement. They include students, researchers, artists, and community members of all ages who wish to collaborate under the guidance of Sector Directors and Executive Officers in divisions related to their skills or interests. Members assist with project tasks, research activities, community initiatives, and ATASA-wide collaborations. They receive free access to events, workshops, and training opportunities, can earn volunteer hours, and receive all updates, including ATASA’s Nature Newsletter. Membership is required for anyone who wants to contribute official work, research, or creative outputs to ATASA initiatives.
Supporters
Supporters engage with ATASA as part of the broader community network. They receive email updates, the Nature Newsletter, invitations to public events, and opportunities to volunteer at select community activities. Supporters do not participate in internal project teams or contribute formal work to ATASA’s research or operations, but they play an essential public-facing role.
Supporters are also listed on ATASA’s public roster of supporters, demonstrating their encouragement and active support for ATASA’s mission, values, and ongoing initiatives.
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Key Difference
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Members contribute directly to ATASA’s projects, support divisions, may earn volunteer hours, and engage in internal collaboration.
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Supporters participate publicly, attend events, receive updates, and are recognized on ATASA’s public list of supporters, but do not contribute internal project work.
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Both Members and Supporters form an important part of the ATASA community, helping advance environmental stewardship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and public engagement across Canada.
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Tom A,
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Helen A.
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Talia Allision
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Alena Anastasakos
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Eva Anastasakos
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Maryann Anastasakos
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Roula Anastasakos
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Zar Aufy
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Ariane Blouin
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Roxanne Brewer
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Fiona Dimitrijeva
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Luka Djurasovic
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Olivia Eric
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Sandi Esther
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Valentina Grohovaz
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Janina Golpis
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Meghan Hayley
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Azadeh Hemani
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Catherine Hennessey
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Fatimah Karim
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Shelley Kollins
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Natalie Kushnir
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Ronit Kushnir
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Al Kuthe
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Jennifer Kuthe
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Kyle Edward Kuthe
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Maya Yasha Kuthe​
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Jennifer Vicky Levasseur
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Darin M.
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Lucas McKeown
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Karen Mukamal
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Shiva N.
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Maïka Nadon
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Lara Raca
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Ryleigh Rioux
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Harmony Selman
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Angela Smith
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Mark Van-Seters
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Aiden Sunderland
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Zac Walker​​