Staff

Brian McCain
Executive Director
Brian McCain has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics and a Bachelor of Arts in Musics both from Queen's University in 2006. He then went on to work as an engineering consultant in the power generation field working on carbon capture and storage system designs in Saskatchewan, United Kingdom, Australia and Abu Dhabi. He also served as a technical advisor to the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change on carbon abatement technologies. In 2008 he returned to New Brunswick to found The Gaia Project to fulfill his idea that students needed to be involved in implementing sustainability solutions in order to fully understand the options we have available to us. On the side, he is an avid adventure racer.
 
Joanna Nickerson
Office Administator
Joanna Nickerson graduated from the University of New Brunswick in 2008, with a degree in Applied Arts.  After graduating, Joanna founded her own company, Studio Rouge which specializes in Commercial photography .  Currently, she is continuing her education to complete a Master’s degree in Business and Administration.  Joanna joined The Gaia Project as Office Administrator in the winter of 2012.
 
Vanessa Paesani
Program Delivery Officer - Anglophone School
Education that youth find relevant and engaging is Vanessa Paesani`s mission.  She believes the key to engaging people, especially youth, is to first listen and then involve them as decision makers.  Vanessa is a certified teacher in New Brunswick, having earned her Bachelor of Education from Saint Thomas University in secondary education, and holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Biology from Mount Allison University.  She has been working as Program Delivery Officer at The Gaia Project since 2010.  Vanessa is currently a 21inc 21Leader, and working on community-based leadership projects.  Believing strongly in the importance of community involvement, she also works as a mentor, serves as the treasurer of her condominium corporation, and loves throwing around a disc at ultimate frisbee.  
 
 
Jimmy Therrien
Program Delivery Officer - Francophone Schools
Jimmy Therrien earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Physics from Université de Moncton in 2005. He then pursued a Masters degree in Environmental Studies focusing on research in environmental education, which he completed in 2009. A creative and dynamic teacher, he worked for several years as a research leader within the Groupe Littoral et vie, where he developed a particular interest in the issue of climate change. On several occasions he has acted as an interpreter for Parks Canada Agency. In September 2011, he joined The Gaia Project as Program Delivery Officer to help expand the program in francophone schools in New Brunswick.
 
Elaine Savoie
Program Delivery Officer - Francophone Schools
Elaine Savoie obtained her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education in May of 2011. Then, she began working at Groupe Savoie Inc. as a part-time secretary-receptionist, also offering her services as a tutor at home in her region. Since August 2012, she is now Program Delivery Officer at The Gaia Project for the Northwest region of New Brunswick.