Communications Coordinator Valerie Croft works to make sure that MiningWatch's communications are as effective as possible in support of our campaigns and our partners' struggles. Val brings over a decade of experience accompanying communities resisting Canadian mining projects, amplifying their voices through strategic advocacy and communications campaigns. After living in Guatemala for several years, she returned to Canada in 2017 to work alongside grassroots and civil society organizations pushing for greater corporate accountability in Canada. With a background in journalism and political science, Val focuses on story-based strategy as a way to support community self-determination.
Interim Communications Coordinator Miriam Shaftoe has worked in climate communications for several years, using diverse digital media to tell environmental stories. Her past work has focused on environmental communications and human rights research. She holds a Masters in Environment and Sustainability from the University of Toronto which focused on the surge for critical minerals and its impacts on Indigenous consent, and has been involved in grassroots mining justice activism supporting communities affected by Canadian mining. She loves to read and play music, and on sunny days she can be found on her bike or her cross-country skis.
Canada Program Co-Lead Rodrigue Turgeon leads MiningWatch's work on mining policy development and mining activity in Quebec and eastern Canada, leading policy reform and providing strategic and technical support to communities affected by mineral exploration and mining projects. Rodrigue holds a master’s degree in law and life sciences from the Université de Sherbrooke and a graduate degree in common and international law. As a proud resident of Abitibi, Quebec, Rodrigue has been part of several citizen groups advocating for the protection of the boreal region and respect for local and Indigenous decision making processes.
Outreach Coordinator and Canada Program Co-Lead Jamie Kneen leads MiningWatch's work on mining policy advocacy and mining activity in western and northern Canada, leading policy reform and providing strategic and technical support to communities affected by mineral exploration and mining projects. He also leads the organization's strategic research and communications, as well as research and advocacy in Africa (and previously, Latin America), as well as on mine waste management, mining and Indigenous rights, uranium mining, and environmental assessment policy and practice in Canada. With a degree in Biology (ecology concentration) from McGill University, Jamie has been involved with environmental and resource management issues, including mining, and related to Indigenous land rights, for many years.
Research Co-ordinator Catherine Coumans provides expert support for MiningWatch’s research and publications. She has written reports and academic articles on mining since conducting her Ph.D. research in the Philippines (1988-1990). Catherine also monitors national and international government and industry initiatives, supporting participation of MiningWatch members and partners in consultations and negotiations, and preparing and/or co-ordinating written briefs and submissions. Her community-level human rights work and work with Indigenous peoples affected by Canadian mining companies is focused on the Asia-Pacific region.
Latin America Program Coordinator Viviana Herrera works with communities, organizations, and networks struggling with mining issues throughout Latin America. Viviana’s work has focused on the intersection of human rights and the extractive sector in Latin America. She has a master’s degree in International Studies from the University of Montreal, and spent three years in Bolivia working on the socio-environmental impacts of large-scale mega-dam projects on Indigenous and peasant communities and ecosystems in the Amazon.
Development and Administrative Coordinator Diana Martin leads the development and operations of MiningWatch's fundraising program. Her work includes coordinating relationships with individual and institutional donors and supporters, overseeing grant opportunities with current and prospective funders, providing financial management, and working with the Board of Directors’ fundraising and governance committees. Diana holds a master's degree in Global Studies and a Certificate in Fundraising Management. She has worked in the non-profit sector for nearly 15 years supporting advocacy work in the areas of human rights and environmental protection.
