Meet The Swim Drink Fish Ambassadors

These leaders from the worlds of art, sport, business, and activism champion the movement to connect people to water.

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  • Entrepreneur

    Rosalind Lindsay Adnani is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, community volunteer, and art collector. Rosalind had a successful clothing business, Oliver Barret along with a clothing manufacturing business for her brand Love Story.  Rosalind was a committee member for the Alzheimer’s UK Annual Ball. Rosalind served on the Vancouver Swim Drink Fish Art Committee and worked to curate art for its first art auction.

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  • Principal Consultant of Shari Austin & Company

    Shari Austin advises in the areas of corporate citizenship and philanthropy. Previously Shari served as Vice President and Executive Director of the RBC Foundation, where she helped develop the RBC Blue Water Project.

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  • Co-Founder of Mercury Films, Documentary Filmmaker, Writer & Producer

    Jennifer has been directing and producing documentaries for 25 years, and her works have been played around the globe and won multiple awards. Her films include Anthropocene, Watermark, Let it Come Down, The True Meaning of Pictures, Act of God, Payback, and Manufactured Landscapes. She is a long time supporter and friend of Swim Drink Fish, and continues to have a strong presence at the organization.

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  • Musician, Author, and Filmmaker

    Dave Bidini is one the founding members of rock group the Rheostatics. He is the only Canadian to have been nominated for a Genie, Gemini, JUNO, and CBC’s ‘Canada Reads’. He has published eleven books including Tropic of Hockey, On a Cold Road, and Writing Gordon Lightfoot. Dave Bidini is Editor in Chief, President and Chair of the Board of West End Phoenix.

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  • Artist

    Edward Burtynsky is one of Canada’s most respected photographers. He is renowned for his photographic depictions of global industrial landscapes, which are included in the collections of over fifty major museums around the world. Swim Drink Fish and Ed’s work go hand-in-hand, and Ed has been a long time supported of the organization.

Woman with shoulder-length dark hair, wearing blue glasses, smiling, and looking at the camera, partially submerged in a pool with water up to her shoulders.

  • Artist

    Barbara Cole is a fine art photographer working in several photographic mediums, including underwater photography and modernized wet collodion. She was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1953. Her work is noted for its ethereal imagery depicting figures in various states of weightlessness, transformation, and self-actualization. As an innovator in her field, Cole’s use of traditional and inventive techniques are part of her ongoing search for timelessness. She has held numerous exhibitions across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Her work has also been extensively commissioned internationally for corporate collections. She has exhibited in the Canadian Embassy in both Tokyo and Washington D.C. The acclaimed documentary series Snapshot: The Art of Photography II, features an episode devoted exclusively to Cole’s photographic practice. She has just released an international Monograph with teNeues called Between Worlds.

    Website: www.barbaracole.com

    Instagram: @barbaracoleart

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  • Owner of the Maison Sanskar Gallery

    Gail has worked in fashion all of her career, most recently as North America Representative to ELLE Global Award designer, Sonam Dubal of New Delhi. In 2016 she opened the art gallery and showroom, Maison Sanskar, in Canada. She has lectured on textiles for National Geographic Expeditions and the Vancouver Art Gallery, and is former V.P. Sales, Tarsian and Blinkley, a social venture apparel company that provided women’s employment in Kabul, Afghanistan.

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  • Scientist, Scholar, Poet

    An ethnographer, writer, photographer, and filmmaker, Davis holds degrees in anthropology and biology and received his Ph.D. in ethnobotany, all from Harvard University. He travels the globe to live alongside indigenous people and document their cultural practices in books, photographs, and film. He is an Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society, and he has published 185 scientific and popular articles.

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  • Former Long Distance Swimmer

    Marilyn is a retired legendary Canadian long-distance swimmer. At 16 years old, she was the first person to swim across Lake Ontario and later became the youngest person to swim the English Channel. A true water leader, Marilyn continues to inspire swimmers of all ages.

  • Business Executive, Television Producer, Author

    Denise Donlon has helped raise $1-million for swimmable, drinkable, fishable water. She is an author, an activist, and has been a leader in the Canadian Cultural landscape for over 30 years as GM of CBC English Radio, President of Sony Music Canada, and various executive and on air positions at ChumTelevision, The NewMusic and MuchMusic.

  • Songwriter, Activist

    Sarah Harmer is a Canadian singer-songwriter and activist. In 2005, Harmer co-founded Protecting Escarpment Rural Land, an organization which campaigned to protect the Niagara Escarpment from a proposed gravel development. Sarah is a long time supporter and friend of Swim Drink Fish.

  • Director of Finance at Delta Group

    An accomplished competitive ballroom dancer, Lori is a founding member of the Swim Drink Fish Gala Committee and has been a driving force behind the Swim Drink Fish Gala in Vancouver since 2015. Director of Finance at Delta Group, Lori runs all financial aspects of the group’s high profile development projects.

  • Professor and Marathon Swimmer

    Loren holds a doctorate from M.I.T. and teaches at Wilfrid Laurier University. In August 2016 he swam across Lake Ontario following the classic Marilyn Bell route, and in August 2019 he successfully swam across the English Channel. He and Madhu Nagaraja are the founding members of the Great Lakes Trust, and Great Lakes Open Water (GLOW).

  • President of Birch River Productions & Gala Show Producer

    David Kitching brings over 20 years of experience as an independent television / live event producer and writer to Birch River’s projects. He has created and overseen high profile, award-winning television projects and live events for a variety of clients, including all of Canada’s major television networks.

  • Artist

    James Lahey has contributed a countless amount of time and creative energy to the Swim Drink Fish movement. James is represented in galleries across Canada, in Britain, and the United States. He is renowned for his use of bright, contrasting colours and paintings so refined, his subjects look real.

  • Executive at Feldman Agency

    Janet has over 25 years as an executive at Feldman Agency for film, television, music production. As VP of Music Supervision Services, Janet and her team worked with producers and directors as creative consultants and one-stop experts budgeting, assembling and producing music soundtracks, from small independent to large lush full orchestral scores.

  • President of Delta Land Development Ltd.

    Bruce is from Vancouver and has over 30 years’ experience in the real estate industry. More than 20 years ago, he joined the Delta Group to head the Canadian division. Through Bruce’s leadership, the company has completed numerous high-profile residential developments. Bruce is leading the company to becoming a more planet friendly developer by minimizing its carbon footprint.

  • Co-Founder of North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper, Olympian

    Born and raised in Banff, Karen has always felt a connection to water and passion for global water issues. She is a two-time Olympic Bronze Medalist in alpine skiing, and married to Kevin Lowe, former NHL Hockey player. Karen co-founded the Saskatchewan Riverkeeper, and she is a leader in making the community in Edmonton and Alberta healthy and vibrant.

  • Former NHL Hockey Player

    Kevin Lowe has been incredibly influential in the environmental stewardship of Canadian lakes and rivers. Kevin is a former National Hockey League defenceman and played for 13 seasons, 6 of which included winning the Stanley Cup. Kevin is a Canadian Trustee for Waterkeeper Alliance, and Director of North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper, co-founded by his wife, Karen.  Kevin has been instrumental in growing the Swim Drink Fish movement.

  • Retired Grand Council Chief

    Patrick “Wedaseh” Madahbee is the Grand Council Chief, retiring from politics in June of 2018.  He now focuses on using his life experiences to share his knowledge with organizations as an independent contractor.   Patrick was the youngest Grand Council Chief ever at 27 years of age. He was also the President of the Union of Ontario Indians and the Anishinabek Nation 7thGeneration Charity. Patrick’s prior roles also included Lake Huron Regional Grand Chief, Lake Huron representative on the Anishinabek Nation Leadership Council, Ontario Regional Chief, and the Tribal Chair of the United Chiefs and Council of Mnidoo Mnising. His dedication to the Anishinabek Nation has included active leadership positions such as chairperson for the Robinson-Huron Treaty Claim Legal Strategy Team and the Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Centre. He was the past Vice President of the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto and has held numerous other board position. He also held Health portfolio for the Chiefs of Ontario, member of the Assembly of First Nations Chiefs Committee of Health, and Co-chair of the joint Non-insured health benefits review. Patrick Madahbee is an inspiration and a role model to our youth and is committed to improving both the health of our children and their future!  He’s been an active member of the Little NHL for 50 years since its inception, Lake Huron Regional Tournament Organizer, involved in many sports as a participant, coached and managed hockey and fastball, and  former Recreation Director for the Union Of Ontario Indians.  Patrick was also  Chair of the Ontario Indian Sports Council and the Chair of the National Indian Sports Council.

  • Executive VP of Sales and Marketing at A. Lassonde

    Peter helps to actualize the mission of Lassonde Industries Inc. in being a North American leader in the production and marketing of food products by their quality and variety, and contribute to the enjoyment and wellness of consumers.

  • Documentary Film Producer 

    Rachel McLean (she/her) is a documentary film producer who strives to support projects that give voice to social and environmental issues in order to inspire viewers to take action. She was introduced to Swim Drink Fish in 2016 while working with filmmakers Jennifer Baichwal and Nicholas de Pencier. 

    Growing up in the Niagara Peninsula close to the Twelve Mile Creek, her relationship with water started when the creek became her unwavering companion through the ups and downs of adolescence. She spent summers with her grandparents on Pigeon Lake in Bobcaygeon, and witnessed the effects humans can have on waterways firsthand, with the introduction of zebra mussels through Trent-Severn waterway boat traffic. She is committed to protecting water and the life within it, specifically by seeking out and amplifying indigenous voices who carry traditional ecological knowledge and work as water protectors.

    She is inspired by the work of Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, Autumn Peltier, and Christi Belcourt.

  • Former CEO of McKeil Marine

    Blair has been on the water and deeply involved in marine transportation for most of his life. He took leadership in his family business, McKeil Marine, which has been honoured with a number of awards including the naming of The McKeil School of Business at Mohawk College. His charismatic personality, commitment to people, and his relentless drive has been instrumental in developing new enterprises and opportunities.

  • Technology Leader, Entrepreneur, and Adventurer

    Madhu is an experienced corporate leader and marathon swimmer who has taken on some of the greatest open water challenges in the world, including the English Channel, Lake Ontario and the ice mile. In 2017 Madhu became the first Canadian and first Indian to swim the Straits of Magellan. Madhu is one of the founding members of the Great Lakes Open Water (GLOW).

  • Partner and National Chair of the Financial Services Group at Miller Thomson LLP

    Nora was a founding member of Lake Ontario Waterkeeper in 2001, served on its board from 2001 – 2007 and is a former chair of the board. Nora currently acts as an advisor for Swim Drink Fish Canada.

  • President of Mercury Films Inc.

    Nicholas is a producer, director, and director of photography working in documentary, performing arts, and dramatic film. Specializing in nature and environmental themed films, Nicholas’ work has been nominated for and received numerous awards. Nicholas is a long time supporter of Swim Drink Fish.

  • Auctioneer & Appraiser

    Stephen has worked in the fine art business for 35 years as an auctioneer, appraiser, and consultant. He has been involved in some of the highest grossing auctions of Canadian art in the last ten years. A long time Waterkeeper supporter, Stephen has helped raise $1.7-million for swimmable, drinkable, fishable water. He is considered the finest art auctioneer in the country.

  • Author

    Tanis Rideout’s internationally acclaimed first novel, Above All Things, was a national bestseller, named to numerous best books of the year lists, and published in several languages around the world. It was awarded the Premio ITAS del Libro di Montagna and was longlisted for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. Her new novel is The Sea Between Two Shores. She is also the author of the poetry collection Arguments with the Lake, and, in 2006, she was named the “Poet Laureate for Lake Ontario” by the environmental advocacy group Lake Ontario Waterkeeper.

    Born in Belgium, she grew up in Bermuda and in Kingston, Ontario, and now lives in Los Angeles.

  • Owner of Physique Fitness Stores, Co-Founder of North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper

    Since the inception of North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper, Britt has been an advocate for swimmable, drinkable, fishable water. She is currently the Vice President and Treasurer of North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper. Today, Britt is the president and owner of Physique Fitness Stores, Alberta’s premier retailer of fitness equipment.

  • Filmmaker

    Tim is best known for his thought provoking music montages that opened Hockey Night In Canada, and the Olympic Games on the CBC. The former professional hockey player and self-taught artist has also made an array of documentaries, music videos and short films. Tim has made three pieces for Swim Drink Fish, bringing the sentiment of his work to help in the fight for clean water.

  • Co-Founder of Camp Onakawana

    Pam Tozer is the co-founder, educator and Watermaker Collector of Camp Onakawana in Northern Ontario. This camp is for indigenous youth to build community and learn skills that generate confidence in the great outdoors. The Tozers were the first Swim Drink Fish supporters to bring the movement to northern Canada.

  • Co-Founder of Camp Onakawana

    William is the co-founder, educator and Watermark collector of Camp Onakawana in northern Ontario. This camp is for Indigenous youth to build community and learn skills that generate confidence in the great outdoors. The Tozers were the first Swim Drink Fish supporters to bring the movement to northern Canada.

Past Ambassadors