Velta has been passionate about the environment from a young age, and decided to do her degree in environmental science at Carleton University. She has traveled around the world working in different roles in various countries. From Thailand where she worked as a Dive Master taking people on underwater adventures to Haliburton Ontario where she was an Outdoor Educator and Eco Tour guide, Velta has focused on connecting people to the natural world and planting seeds of passion as she worked.In 2013 Velta was called to move back to Ottawa to work with Ecology Ottawa on one of their first engagement organizing campaigns in Orleans - the Ottawa River Action Plan. Starting as an unpaid intern, she quickly became passionate about the work and stuck around until Ecology Ottawa was able to hire her as their Tree Organizer. From there she took the Tree campaign and helped grow it into the Living City program which focuses not only on trees but integrating all living systems into our built urban environment. After many years of leading the Living City, Velta has now stepped into the role of Director of Programs where she will use her valuable knowledge of engagement organizing in combination with her knowledge of Ecology Ottawa and the local Ottawa environmental landscape to strengthen the important work done by Ecology Ottawa in the present.