Our Team
Janet Dassinger
Executive Director
As the Interim Executive Director, Janet leads operations and plays a key role in strategic planning.
Previously, Janet was a Senior Research Officer with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), and has served as a project manager, executive director, and fund developer in the not-for-profit sector.
Janet has advanced degrees in Labour Studies and Social Work from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.
Janet has been coming to Long Point for over twenty-five years, has been a property owner since 2015, and a full-time resident since 2018. The only place she loves as much as Long Point is Costa Rica.
Sarah Bod
Conservation Director
Sarah began working on the Norfolk County landscape while completing her Masters studying wetland hydrology. Since then, she has worked in ecological restoration across rural southwestern Ontario landscape, partnering with farmers, landowners and municipal governments. Sarah currently manages the North Shore Resilience Project, a collaborative and multi-stakeholder initiative building a Coastal Resilience Plan for the north shore of Lake Erie between Port Glasgow and Long Point. Sarah is also an elected municipal councillor in Southwold Township. Passionate about building sustainable and resilient communities, her work is rooted in strong science, inclusive dialogue and working at the intersection of people and nature.
Kari Gunson
Senior Road Ecologist
Kari has worked for the past 25 years as a contract road ecologist on road mitigation projects throughout North America. She has provided design and implementation expertise and monitored mitigation measures for a variety of animal species. She has been involved with several road mitigation projects for turtles and snakes in the Long Point Biosphere Region since working with the Causeway Improvement Project in 2008. Recently, with funding from ECCC, she led the implementation of a road ecology strategy that entailed a freshwater turtle hatchery, turtle nesting mounds, and exclusion fence, at identified roadkill hotspots in two designated reptile corridors.
Lauren Nightingale
Road Ecology Program Coordinator
Lauren grew up in Fergus, Ontario, and graduated from the University of Guelph with a bachelor’s degree in plant science and animal biology. After moving to Port Rowan, she began working as a technician for the Road Ecology Working Group. She was the boots on the ground for all road ecology work in Norfolk County, from road surveying to exclusion fence construction and repair, to coordinating the Biosphere’s Wildlife Road Watch program in 2023. She received training under the herpetologist Scott Gillingwater for at-risk turtle nest excavation, incubation, and hatchling care to start LPBR's very own Turtle Hatchery program the following year.
Cynthia Tosswill
Administrator
As Administrator for the Biosphere, Cynthia enjoys managing, organizing, and being part of the day-to-day operations of the organization. She supports the various team members with their specific programs. She divides her time between the Long Point Biosphere Region and ALUS Norfolk, in her role as Outreach Coordinator, working with local farmers. She values conservation, connecting with the community, and the ongoing land stewardship occurring in Norfolk County. Cynthia is proud to call Norfolk County home, given the abundant agriculture, beaches, and diverse ecosystems. Throughout the year you can find her visiting the many eco-tourism hubs in the Long Point area.
Michelle Vacca
Financial Administrator
Michelle is a dedicated finance professional committed to supporting mission‑driven organizations and strengthening community impact. She brings deep expertise in accounting, financial reporting, and operational processes, paired with a thoughtful, detail‑focused approach. Her work reflects a strong commitment to organizational sustainability, responsible financial stewardship, and supporting initiatives that create meaningful, long‑lasting benefits for the communities and environments they serve.