Maxine Patenaude is a lifelong lover of nature who grew up with the forest floor as her teacher, spending much of her time outdoors—an experience that grounded her dedication to climate action. Her commitment to environmental advocacy is reflected in her volunteer work with a local bird rescue centre, community garden, and food rescue program that helps communities access healthy food while reducing grocery store waste.
Maxine believes that protecting the ecological health of our communities goes beyond environmental concerns—it is a fundamental justice issue. She recognizes that environmental challenges disproportionately impact marginalized communities, and that effective advocacy must address these systemic inequalities to build sustainable and inclusive communities.
Maxine brings over a decade of experience in Marketing, Operations, and Event Management to the Ecology Ottawa Board of Directors. Prior to joining the board, she was the Lead Organizer of CreativeMornings Ottawa for ten years, fostering community connections around creativity and social impact.