Staff
Mark Dombowsky - Executive Director
Mark Dombowsky has spent more than two decades working in the non-profit world. For over fifteen years, Mark worked with Greenpeace in Canada and internationally (in London, Washington DC, and Hong Kong) as a logistics coordinator and resource manager. He has led large teams of staff and volunteers on campaign projects, frequently in challenging conditions and wilderness environments. He has managed departments, budgets, and marine and technical resources both in London and Washington and established a logistics unit for Greenpeace China. During his years at Greenpeace, Mark spent much time managing marine operations from land and on the water. He's coordinated logistics for, as well as worked from, large vessels as well as participated in countless marine trainings in Scotland, England, the US, and BC. In addition, Mark has worked as a logistics consultant for solar start-ups and as a technical director for a community-based arts & nature non-profit. Mark has years of maritime training and knowledge as well as administrative and management expertise that he brings to Cetus. In addition, he has direct experience of Cetus's on-the-ground operations, having been involved with the organization since 2012, as a Warden, Board Director, Board Chair, and now as Executive Director. He currently lives on the Sunshine Coast of BC.
Jacqui Martindale - Marine Training and Safety Coordinator
Jacqui worked as a Straitwatch captain in 2018 after graduating from the University of Victoria with her BSc. in Geography. She has grown up driving and working on vessels around BC and the gulf islands and loves exploring and sharing her knowledge about the area. Jacqui is now the Marine Safety and Training Coordinator and works on training both internally and externally and supporting the teams throughout the field season.
Lindsay Kolb - Straitwatch South Coordinator
Lindsay has been working with Cetus since 2021. Originally from Richmond BC, she moved to Vancouver Island in 2016; having always lived on the coast of the Salish Sea, Lindsay has been passionate about marine biology and conservation for as long as she can remember.
Lindsay holds a B.Sc. in Biology and Biological Anthropology from the University of Victoria, focusing primarily on Marine Biology. She is grateful to be able to spend her time working to protect local cetacean species from human impacts.
Emma Shuparski - Straitwatch Quadra Coordinator
Emma grew up in Horseshoe Bay, Vancouver and currently lives on Quadra Island. She has been working for Straitwatch for 2 years as a vessel operator and data crew. Emma holds a B.Sc. in Geography with Honours from the University of Victoria, she specialized in the use of GIS for further understanding cetacean habitat use. Growing up on the shores of the Salish Sea inspired her to obtain a degree that could be used to protect BC’s unique ecosystems. Emma’s academic and professional goals are to work in the fields of environmental justice and marine conservation.
Cavanaugh Wolski - Robson Bight Warden
Cavanaugh has a great admiration for the natural world and is committed to its perpetuity and preservation. As a Vessel Operator he is excited to participate in significant data collection, community engagement and supporting whales in their natural habitat. With a BSc in Earth and Ocean Sciences from the University of Victoria and a passion for marine ecosystems, he finds a strong connection to the landscape of the Johnstone Strait. He holds a deep appreciation for the ability to work within the territories of the Namgis, Mamalilikulla and Tlowitsis Nations, and for their teachings on cohabitaion and natural partnership.
Stefani Cruickshank - Robson Bight Warden
Stefani began her time at Cetus in 2022 and is returning for her second field season this year as a Warden. She has a very strong connection to the oceans, forests, and biota of the Pacific Northwest and hails from the unceded, traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples. She feels very privileged to be working on and learning from the ancestral lands of the Kwakwaka’wakw nations again this summer. She holds a BSc in Applied Animal Biology with Honours having focussed primarily on animal welfare and conservation. Stefani has worked with and advocated for the rights of a wide array of animals ranging from harbour seals and amphibians to research rodents and is enamoured by most everything in the marine world. Her strongest traits lie in her passions for environmental advocacy, and decreasing anthropogenic impacts on wildlife throughout BC.
Astrid Waite - Robson Bight Warden
Astrid combines her intuition for data collection with boundless positivity and compassion. As a returning member of the Cetus team, she is excited to continue working in the Johnstone Strait, with Namgis, Mamalilikulla and Tlowitsis Nations, and all members of the North Island community. She is a dedicated environmental steward who possesses concise and diversified skills finely tuned through a BSc in Environmental Science. Growing up, she immersed herself in the rivers and mountains of Alberta, nourishing a strong connection to the natural world and a commitment to its preservation. Over the field season, she is looking forward to the positive impact she will have on the Robson Bight ecosystem and those around her.