AUDREY ADeLINET - development manager

Audrey joined Ha’oom in June 2021. She has a Master’s degree in International Law and a Master’s degree in Project Management from the Aix-Marseille University. Originally from France, Audrey also grew up in the countries of Morocco and Tanzania. Before coming to Vancouver, she worked overseas in Nepal and Cambodia for a children’s rights organization. In her free time, Audrey practices mixed martial arts, and she enjoys mountain biking and snowboarding.

Candace Picco, MSc - Biologist III

Candace has been with Ha’oom since its inception. First, she was the Central Region Biologist for the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council and then contracted directly for T’aaq-wiihak before becoming the Ha’oom Biologist. Candace has a BSc degree in Biology from the University of British Columbia, a MSc degree in Marine Biology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and an advanced diploma in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from BCIT. Candace grew up in the Okanagan, living in Alaska, Asia, and Vancouver before settling in Tofino. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling and spending time with her family out on the water,  in the snow, and out exploring Tla-o-qui-aht ha-ha-huułi.

Claudia Tersigni
Biologist I

Claudia grew up in Southern Ontario and has called B.C. home since she moved to attend Quest University in Squamish. An internship with an ecological field station brought Claudia to Vancouver Island in her second year of training, and when she completed her Bachelor of Arts and Science, she returned to the Island and in her words, ‘never left.’ Claudia has spent the past year and a half as the Northern Region Fisheries Biologist with NTC, working closely with Ehattesaht, Nuchatlaht, and Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations in Nootka Sound. 

Claudia lives in the traditional territory of the Laich-Kwil-Tach Peoples and in her spare time, she can be found surfing, skiing, biking, reading and spending time with friends and family. 

Colton Van Der Minne - phd Student

Colton is from Tla-o-qui-aht paternally and of mixed settler descent. He is currently working on his PhD in Oceans and Fisheries with Ha’oom and the UBC Centre for Indigenous Fisheries, for which he is focusing on haʔukmin (Kennedy) salmon restoration. Colton has previously worked with Ha’oom for his undergraduate thesis and as a research technician. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in marine biology from the University of British Columbia. Outside of work, Colton enjoys spending time reading, surfing, tidepooling, and hiking.

Howie Wright, MSc - Executive Director

Howie is from the Gitksan Nation in Northwestern BC. He completed his undergrad and graduate schooling at UBC, ending with a Master of Science degree in fisheries in 2005. His education focused on the interactions of sockeye, kokanee, and mysis relicta in Osoyoos and Skaha Lakes in the Okanagan basin. Howie has been in the Okanagan Valley since 1995 and currently lives in Westbank, BC. He has four children, all boys, who also live in the Okanagan. Howie was previously the fisheries program manager for the Okanagan Nation Alliance and looks forward to being part of the exciting work of implementing the Five Nations' rights-based fisheries.

Izzy A, finance and business development manager

Izzy joined Ha’oom in April 2022. She has a background in accounting, human resources, and social sciences. Her early years were spent in Africa, Geneva, and Ontario before moving out West with her family. She made the decision to work with non-profits and small community-focused organizations after spending time in Northern Canada and seeing the direct impact this type of work had on individuals and their communities. She’s fond of reading, staring at the stars, and travelling.

Jessica Edwards, MSC - Biologist II

Jess joined the T’aaq-wiihak/Ha’oom team in 2017 as a fisheries monitor.  She has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Victoria and a Master’s degree in Biology, where she focused on the post-harvest recovery of Caʔinwa (gooseneck barnacle) for the Five Nations’ commercial fishery.  Jess lives in Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ territory and in her free time she enjoys hiking, running, and knitting.

Kadin Snook - Fisheries Coordinator

Kadin has worked with Ha’oom since April 1st, 2020. He is from the Andrews family of the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation (MMFN) and resides in Campbell River. Before coming to Ha’oom, Kadin worked with the MMFN as the Fisheries Coordinator. He is very passionate about working to restore Indigenous culture as a means to promote cultural healing for his community. Kadin loves to fish, hunt, and camp, and is involved in Indigenous rights activism especially focusing on equity and history. 

Keaton McCallum - Biologist I

Keaton, our Junior Fisheries Biologist, has been an invaluable member of our team for over a year. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Coastal Geography from the University of Victoria, having studied on the lands of the Lək̓ʷəŋən People. Prior to joining us, Keaton gained extensive experience as a fisheries technician with the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal council in Clayoquot Sound, specializing in local river systems. Residing in Tofino within the Tla-o-qui-aht hahuułi. Outside of work, Keaton enjoys surfing and spearfishing around the coast.

Lacey Adams - Tla-o-qui-aht Community Fisheries liaison

Lacey has been with Ha’oom since June, 2020, and worked with T’aaq-wiihak as a dockside monitor for two years before that. She comes from the Ehattesaht & Ahousaht First Nations and is the mother of three beautiful children from the Tla-o-quiaht First Nation. In Lacey’s spare time, she loves going out on her boat to harvest sea foods, making First Nations art, and travelling.

Lauren Dean - Communications Specialist

Lauren has worked with Ha’oom since 2020, heading up the communications department. She brings over a decade of business, marketing, and communication experience and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree as her foundation.  Lauren is passionate about empowering Indigenous people to share their stories, culture, and knowledge with the world. Lauren lives in Courtenay and is a citizen of the Métis Nation of British Columbia.

Olivia Currie
Fisheries Coordinator

Olivia has worked as the Fisheries Coordinator at Ha’oom since 2024. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Victoria in Anthropology and Indigenous studies and has a background in commercial fishing. Olivia lives in Tla-o-qui-aht territory and outside of work enjoys surfing, running, fishing, and generally spending time on the land and water.

Saul Milne, PHD, Strategic Advisor

Saul is a Xwchíyò:m (Cheam First Nation) member and has worked with the five Nations since 2018, most recently as a strategic advisor and consultant with Ha’oom. A PhD from the University of Victoria in the Department of Geography, Saul splits his time between Musqueam/Squamish/Tsleil-Waututh Solh Temexw (Vancouver) and the Tla-o-qui-aht ha-ha-huułi. His PhD research focused on Tla-o-qui-aht knowledge systems and fisheries governance. Saul is a huge Vancouver Canucks fan, and is the 4th generation of his family to work in Nuu-chah-nulth-aht ha-ha-huułi.

Tessa Saxby-Jones - Program manager (MATERNITY LEAVE)

As our program coordinator, Tessa handles everything behind the scenes. She holds us all together! She has a Bachelor’s degree in Geography with a concentration in Environmental Sustainability from the University of Victoria. Tessa grew up on Denman Island and loves to sail! She lives in Ucluelet and has been on our team for two years.