Our 2025-2026 Board of Directors
Jeanne McRight
Chair and Founding President
Jeanne is the founder of Blooming Boulevards and has served as Board Chair since 2019. She holds a BFA from Temple University, a BEd from Queens, and a Horticulture Diploma from the University of Guelph. As a visual artist, photographer, and educator, she taught visual arts for 21 years at the Etobicoke School of the Arts, was a founding director of Artspace Gallery, and acted as a program advisor for the Ontario College of Art and Design University and Sheridan College. Jeanne's frequent speaking engagements and workshops cover a broad range of topics concerning native plant propagation, habitat restoration, and naturalized landscaping. A recipient of multiple conservation and environmental awareness awards, she initiated an amendment to Mississauga’s Encroachment By-Law, permitting residents to create boulevard gardens. Native plant habitat gardening is Jeanne’s joy and passion; more than that, she is a deeply committed advocate for environmentally sustainable horticulture practices.
Judy Opar
Treasurer
Judy Opar joined our board in May, 2026. She holds an MBA from Queens University and is a CPA CA with over 20 years of experience in finance, primarily in the charitable sector. Currently she works for The Riverwood Conservancy as Finance Manager. She is also a professional gardener with a Horticulture Certificate (with Distinction) from Guelph University. She also has her own business “Bee in Balance Bookkeeping and Gardening”. Most recently Judy has undergone training in Horticulture Therapy. Judy is passionate about connecting people with gardening and nature, and helping ecologically minded organizations to achieve their potential.
Murray Moore
Secretary
Murray has served on our Board since 2020. In addition to volunteering with Blooming Boulevards, Murray has directed his interest in supporting green initiatives through involvement with the Riverwood Conservancy's Native Plant Propagation Program (NP3), where he was a volunteer. He also is a member of Carolinian Canada, the North American Native Plant Society (NANPS), and Seeds of Diversity. Murray has experience as a board member and is currently President of the national CSFFA (Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association). The number of native plants in his and his wife's front and back yards increases every year.
Victor Anyanwu
Director
Victor has served on our Board since November, 2024. He is a seasoned marketing professional with over 16 years at Nestlé, where his knack for innovative storytelling and strategic marketing has driven remarkable brand success. With a strong academic foundation in microbiology, Victor merges his scientific insight with his marketing expertise to craft compelling, data-driven narratives. His career is marked by a series of impactful campaigns and brand initiatives that resonate deeply with diverse audiences. Passionate about societal impact and environmental preservation, Victor is dedicated to advancing initiatives that enrich communities and protect nature. He brings a blend of creativity and strategic vision to champion sustainable practices and foster environmental stewardship.
Shashank Barbhai
Director
Shashank began his service with our Board in November, 2025. He is a seasoned professional Project Manager with extensive global experience leading complex projects across multiple industries. His leadership within the charity sector, where he has played a key role in driving community development, education, and welfare programs, reflects a strong commitment to building inclusive and compassionate communities. An advocate of sustainability and environmental stewardship, Shashank channels his curiosity and creativity into experimenting with growing plants from the seeds of everyday-use fruits and vegetables, and developing a native plant garden in his front yard to support local pollinators and contribute to biodiversity conservation. Guided by a sense of responsibility to give back, he is deeply motivated to apply his professional experience, strategic insight, and passion for innovation toward creating a more livable, sustainable, and resilient society for future generations.
Wayne Cardinalli
Director
Wayne has served on our Board since 2019 and is a full-time ceramics artist. He has a B.S. in Art Education and an M.F.A. in Ceramics. He has served on various boards, including Artspace, the Ontario Crafts Council, and is the past president of Fusion, formerly The Ontario Clay and Glass Association. Wayne has taught ceramics part-time in various Ontario colleges and institutions and conducted over 100 workshops and lectures across Ontario and Quebec. Though his work has focused on visual art, he is morally drawn to become a positive force in restoring and preserving the environment.
Siranush Mantarlyan
Director
Siranush joined the Board in October 2026. She is a communications and public relations professional with over 10 years of international experience working with nonprofit organizations, foundations, and mission-driven initiatives. Her professional background includes roles with the United Nations and the Air Canada, where she contributed to initiatives focused on community development, social responsibility, philanthropy, and creating meaningful impact. Throughout her career, Siranush has been dedicated to strengthening community connections, fostering partnerships, and amplifying initiatives that make a positive difference in people's lives. Passionate about environmental sustainability, community engagement, and social impact, she believes in the power of collective action to create lasting change. She is committed to bringing her professional expertise and passion for community building to support organizations that help create stronger, greener, and more resilient communities for future generations.
Klara Pronerova
Director
Klara began her service with the board in November 2025. Her passion for nature began in early childhood and has grown through her own experience in gardening and boulevard stewardship. Klara is a full-time Registered Psychotherapist, and a believer in the positive impact of hands-on involvement with nature on mental health. Passionate about diversity, sustainability, and resilience for both the environment and people, Klara is dedicated to advocating for native habitats and educating about the benefits of connecting with nature.
Christine Seketa
Director
Christine began service with the Board in November 2026. She brings a wealth of internal and external communications experience, in corporate and agency environments, on both sides of the border. Prior experience includes senior communications positions in MetLife and global re-insurer Swiss Re, both in New York, as well as public relations agencies in both Canada and the U.S. She began her career as a producer for CBC Radio in Quebec. Based in Hamilton, Christine is a raised bed vegetable gardener, and is an advocate for building pollinator habitats transforming biodiversity knowledge to action.