As the Executive Director of West Coast Aquatic, Tawney is responsible for oversight of the non-profit organization and for leading implementation of the Coastal Strategy – an integrated ocean management plan, which is only the second of its kind in Canada. Within this role, Tawney is committed to increasing collaboration in natural resource management through governance and ecosystem-based approaches.

Tawney has a strong background in complex, multi-party facilitation, board development, policy development and strategic planning, with a focus on finding shared solutions within and between governments and sectors. These skills are collectively being applied to one of WCA’s focal projects; facilitating local salmon harvest and stewardship Roundtables across the west coast of Vancouver Island, and supporting the growth of this co-management practice across BC.

In her consulting practice she has worked extensively with over 30 indigenous groups and numerous non-profits to build their governance and organizational capacity. Tawney Lem Consulting Inc. is currently facilitating the Salmon Allocation Policy review for BC.

Tawney has a Bachelors degree in Political Science from the University of British Columbia, a Certificate in Dialogue and Civic Engagement from Simon Fraser University, and a Certificate in Social Impact Leadership from the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business.

Tawney connects with the incredible terrain on the Island through climbing, caving, mountain biking and kayaking. She lives in the Alberni Valley on a hobby farm amongst a multitude of goats, turkeys, and ducks where her and her partner produce a significant portion of their own meat.