Kris Garner has been working alongside SOLA in a variety of capacities since 2017 and brings her exceptional organizational and community-building skills to her role as president on the SOLA board. She has over two decades of experience in the field of learning and development and is the founder of The Emotional Literacy Movement.

Her involvement with SOLA is rooted in the firm belief that building the healthy communities we aspire to see in the world begins with providing access to programming and opportunities for community-oriented projects. Kris is particularly passionate about reviving traditional practices related to gardening,  food preservation, and knowledge of native species, aiming to promote sustainability for future generations. As an advocate for emotional literacy education, her work underscores the significance of communal gatherings, outdoor engagement, and physical activities in nurturing a wholehearted life.
 
Recognizing the pivotal role of such elements, Kris aims to instill these values within SOLA's mission. Her vision for SOLA is to help establish a community that fosters thriving environments where individuals of all ages can flourish and contribute to a better world.

As Vice President of the Seeds of Life Alliance board of directors, Sara Clefstad brings a unique blend of experience in education, operations, and community programming. With decades of experience in the public education system, alongside her work in the arts, she has designed and facilitated learning experiences that are accessible, engaging, and grounded in real-world application. Her work is rooted in the belief that meaningful growth happens when both people and systems are met where they are and supported with clear, thoughtful structure.

Sara’s professional experience includes leadership in operations, event production, and communications, where she has developed systems that support consistency, collaboration, growth, and long-term sustainability. She is known for her ability to recognize potential—in people, ideas, and organizations—and to translate vision into practical frameworks that can be shared and scaled.
 

In recent years, Sara has developed a strong connection to gardening and land-based practices through tending her own home garden. She is continually inspired by the holistic nature of these practices and the ways in which the principles of permaculture mirror and inform her work in holistic health and wellness. Through her work with clients, she sees clear parallels between nurturing living systems and supporting personal growth, connection, and balance.

Sara is excited to support SOLA’s mission of cultivating community, sustainability, and connection to the land by helping to strengthen communication, build supportive structures, and create opportunities for shared learning and meaningful participation.
 

As part of SOLA’s board, Marie brings her extensive experience as an educator, business owner and project consultant. She’s led teams in supporting learning and development initiatives in private, non-profit and public sector organizations throughout Canada. Some example programs include Healthy Schools Manitoba, Manitoba in Motion and EAL Summer Camps at the Cégep de Jonquière. Currently, she is the owner and CEO of Eclectic Communications and co-founder of Odality. 

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Marie’s board experience includes the Brandon Film Festival, Brandon Folk Festival, Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition, PLAIN International, and the Institute of Performance and Learning. She is also the founder of the Manitoba Learning and Development Professionals Network.

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Marie is looking forward to supporting SOLA’s goal of empowering youth and community members in becoming leaders in sustainability by providing opportunities to connect to nature and fostering a community of sharing and cooperation. She is looking to supporting projects that align with permaculture’s three main tenets - caring for the earth, care for the people and sharing the surplus.

Casey brings 14 years of accounting experience in the insurance industry to her role as Treasurer of the Seeds of Life Alliance board. Her professional background has strengthened her skills in financial analysis, problem-solving, and creative thinking, all of which support her work in governance and stewardship.

Outside of her career, Casey has a lifelong passion for gardening that began in her family’s gardens and has grown into many gardens of her own. She especially enjoys the satisfaction of harvesting and cooking with fresh, homegrown food.

Community involvement is a strong priority for Casey. She is an active volunteer with the Glenelm Neighbourhood Association, serving on the Tree Committee and supporting community events such as the annual plant and seed swap. Joining the Seeds of Life Alliance board marks her first experience as a board member and an exciting new step in her community involvement.

SOLA’s mission to cultivate growth, community, and sustainability strongly aligns with Casey’s values, bringing together her love of gardening with her commitment to supporting people and building healthy, connected neighbourhoods. She believes in continuous learning, thinking outside the box, and using creativity to solve challenges – qualities she is eager to contribute in her work with SOLA.
 

With 16 years of experience in the financial industry, Daneeka draws from her knowledge gained as a certified financial planner (CFP). She understands that finances play an integral role in the longevity of an organization, and the ability to complete projects, but that it must be balanced with the needs of the community and the goals of a not-for-profit to drive change. Daneeka’s  board experience includes  Treasurer for Deer Lodge community centre  (2017-2019), working as finance committee chair for Inspired Exploration Learning Community (2017-2021) and working with the Manitoba 150 subcommittee in 2019.

When not working, volunteering, or supporting her family you will almost always find her in one of her gardens. She is passionate about soil regeneration, food sustainability, integrating ecosystems into all outdoor spaces, while also integrating self expression through art. If you pass by her front garden and stop to chat, you will likely be taken on a long winded tour of all things small but so important.

Daneeka is excited to support SOLA, and their  work of empowering youth and the greater community to become stewards of the land, advocates of sustainability and fostering a deeper connection with nature.
 

Alenna has been involved with SOLA since the fall of 2022.

She has enjoyed her many roles within the organization - program facilitator, event host/planner, social media creator, board member - and the deep sense of community fulfilling these roles gives her.

As founder of the Seeds of Life Alliance, Ivan has seven years of experience teaching the fundamentals of sustainable agriculture and land regeneration to youth within the Manitoba correctional facilities.  

His practice integrates the deep wisdom found in nature and applies the science of natural design principles to agricultural practices.  Ivan's passions consist of soil remediation and regeneration, wetland restoration, community integration, indigenous teachings and elder wisdom.  

Ivan strives to weave art into every space that is created and believes that nature is our greatest artist and ally and that we need to develop our spaces in a way that observes and interacts from a place of understanding our connection to these natural spaces and how we play a vital role in preserving them.