Chelsey Karbowski
Dartmouth,Nova Scotia
Summary
Experienced leader in Indigenous fisheries and marine conservation with a proven track record in federal and not-for-profit sectors. Expertise in policy analysis, strategic planning, and community engagement, driving sustainable practices and strengthening stakeholder relationships. Skilled in implementing conservation initiatives that support local ecosystems and Indigenous communities. Aiming to further advance impactful conservation efforts and foster community resilience.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director, Indigenous Training and Skills Development
National Indigenous Fisheries Institute
Remote, Nova Scotia
05.2024 - Current
- Directed key phases of the ITSD Hub project and led a team to improve community training outcomes in Indigenous fisheries and aquaculture.
- Oversaw budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation to optimize operations and investments.
- Managed staff schedules, assigned duties, and evaluated employee performance against benchmarks.
- Delivered board presentations, represented the organization at industry events, and fostered a culture of innovation.
Senior Program Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, NHQ
Remote, NS
06.2023 - 05.2024
- Strengthened partnerships with Indigenous communities through funding programs for Aboriginal fisheries and identified new opportunities for program expansion.
- Led staff in program development, implementation, and evaluation, while fostering collaboration and timely achievement of project milestones.
- Developed strategies to enhance company performance, streamline processes, and continuously evaluate program operations.
- Provided technical assistance to program participants, coordinated external consultants, and stayed updated on industry trends through professional development.
Policy Analyst
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, NHQ
Remote, Nova Scotia
09.2022 - 06.2023
- Reviewed and developed policies to support Indigenous fisheries, promoting reconciliation, and sustainable development.
- Identified policy gaps, roadblocks, and solutions to align laws, regulations, and desired outcomes.
- Coordinated nationally to provide strategic policy guidance, and collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement initiatives.
- Prepared reports, policy briefs, and presentations for senior management and government decision-makers on key policy issues.
Fisheries Coordinator
Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat
Dartmouth, NS
06.2021 - 09.2022
- Directed resource management efforts for First Nation fisheries across Atlantic Canada and Quebec, ensuring efficient allocation and utilization.
- Managed meetings, working groups, and projects while ensuring timely and budget-conscious completion through interdepartmental coordination.
- Led mentorship for new employees, delegated tasks, and set priorities to support organizational goals.
- Monitored project progress, provided updates to stakeholders, and prepared reports for management and government agencies.
Special Projects Advisor
Oceans North
Remote, NS
06.2020 - 06.2021
- Led strategic campaigns addressing Atlantic Canadian groundfish issues, transboundary management, and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas while advising decision-makers on conservation policies.
- Developed relationships with key stakeholders, facilitated communication and built partnerships with external organizations to enhance outreach and resource sharing.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, researched emerging conservation issues, and monitored compliance with legislation and best practices in resource management.
- Managed budgets, grants, and reporting while developing and executing campaigns, publishing research in peer-reviewed journals, and sharing findings through presentations and digital platforms.
Fishery Advisor
Oceans North
Halifax, NS
07.2018 - 06.2020
- Led strategic campaigns on Atlantic Canadian groundfish issues, transboundary management, and national catch monitoring while advising on U.S.-Canada agreements.
- Built relationships with key stakeholders, participated in conservation planning meetings, and worked with multidisciplinary teams to address complex environmental challenges.
- Researched emerging conservation issues, monitored legislative compliance, and advised decision-makers on balancing economic development with environmental protection.
- Oversaw budgeting, grant writing, reporting, and database management to support conservation initiatives, and project tracking.
Sustainable Fisheries Coordinator
Ecology Action Centre
Halifax, Nova Scotia
12.2017 - 12.2018
- Led research initiatives focused on marine species recovery in Atlantic Canada, supporting fisheries assistance for Indigenous communities, while managing project timelines, budgets, and reports.
- Collaborated with team members to achieve project objectives, resolve issues, and support organizational goals, while staying current with industry trends through ongoing education and training.
Consultant, Fisheries Expert
Oceana Canada
Remote, NS
05.2018 - 07.2018
- Contributed to the annual fisheries audit report, conducting a comprehensive audit of over 200 fish stocks and evaluating policies for improvements in management and sustainability.
- Managed multiple projects within budget and deadlines, collaborating with teams to analyze data, identify trends, and support informed decision-making.
Consultant, Fisheries Expert
Norwegian Institute for Nature Research
Remote, NS
01.2018 - 07.2018
- Collaborated with stakeholders to define project scope and deliverables, and co-authored a research paper on sea lice published in the Aquaculture, Environmental Interactions journal.
- Identified areas for improvement, providing insights for decision-makers while effectively managing time to meet deadlines and ensure task completion.
Consultant, Fisheries Expert
Nexxus Coastal
Remote, NS
03.2018 - 06.2018
- Contributed to a feasibility study for electronic video monitoring in Atlantic Canadian fisheries, analyzing data, evaluating technologies, and defining project scope with stakeholders.
- Provided advice on operational processes and business improvements while managing time effectively to meet deadlines and deliver results.
Marine Conservation Officer
Ecology Action Centre
Halifax, Nova Scotia
12.2015 - 12.2017
- Identified threats to species and habitats through literature reviews and consultations, delivering reports on strategies to minimize bycatch of vulnerable marine species.
- Led stewardship efforts with government agencies, Indigenous communities, and other stakeholders, while developing educational materials to promote biodiversity conservation.
Marine Conservation Intern
Ecology Action Centre
Halifax, Nova Scotia
07.2015 - 12.2015
- Collected fisheries data on at-risk marine species and facilitated outreach efforts with fishermen, First Nations, fisheries managers, and scientists.
- Maintained records, participated in meetings on conservation policies, communicated with the public about sustainability, and ensured the timely completion of tasks.
Marine Biology Research Intern
The Leatherback Sea Turtle Trust
Playa Grande, Costa Rica
05.2012 - 09.2012
- Produced and refined research questions and hypotheses, managed field and lab activities, and ensured data integrity through the entry and analysis of sea turtle study findings.
- Collaborated with senior researchers and interns, contributed to research papers and presentations, and presented experimental results using visual aids, like graphs and charts.
Education
Master of Science - Natural Resource Science
University of Akureyri
Isafjordur, Westfjords, Iceland06-2015
Bachelor of Arts - Double Advanced Major, Interdisciplinary Studies in Aquatic Resources And Public Policy With Social Research
St. Francis Xavier University
Antigonish, NS, Canada05-2013
Skills
- Team leadership
- Strategic communication
- Stakeholder management
- Policy analysis and development
- Regulatory compliance
- Program/Project management
Leadership Experience
I lead by example, focusing on honesty and directness to support the growth and confidence of my team One of my former staff members shared that my straightforward approach helped them gain confidence and inspired them to be more direct, which reflects my commitment to fostering empowerment and personal growth in others
Affiliations
- Baking
- Illustration & Tattooing
- Knitting
Certification
- More than 70 Canada School of Public Service courses for 2023-2024; details can be found on LinkedIn.
- PADI Advanced Open Water, issued December 2024, Credential ID 23120B6955.
- Pleasure Craft Operator, issued November 2015, Credential ID 305980125.
- PADI Open Water, issued May 2012, Credential ID 12050V9000.
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
French
Professional
Spanish
Limited
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Director, Indigenous Training and Skills Development
National Indigenous Fisheries Institute
05.2024 - Current
Senior Program Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, NHQ
06.2023 - 05.2024
Policy Analyst
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, NHQ
09.2022 - 06.2023
Fisheries Coordinator
Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat
06.2021 - 09.2022
Special Projects Advisor
Oceans North
06.2020 - 06.2021
Fishery Advisor
Oceans North
07.2018 - 06.2020
Consultant, Fisheries Expert
Oceana Canada
05.2018 - 07.2018
Consultant, Fisheries Expert
Nexxus Coastal
03.2018 - 06.2018
Consultant, Fisheries Expert
Norwegian Institute for Nature Research
01.2018 - 07.2018
Sustainable Fisheries Coordinator
Ecology Action Centre
12.2017 - 12.2018
Marine Conservation Officer
Ecology Action Centre
12.2015 - 12.2017
Marine Conservation Intern
Ecology Action Centre
07.2015 - 12.2015
Marine Biology Research Intern
The Leatherback Sea Turtle Trust
05.2012 - 09.2012
- More than 70 Canada School of Public Service courses for 2023-2024; details can be found on LinkedIn.
- PADI Advanced Open Water, issued December 2024, Credential ID 23120B6955.
- Pleasure Craft Operator, issued November 2015, Credential ID 305980125.
- PADI Open Water, issued May 2012, Credential ID 12050V9000.
Master of Science - Natural Resource Science
University of Akureyri
Bachelor of Arts - Double Advanced Major, Interdisciplinary Studies in Aquatic Resources And Public Policy With Social Research
St. Francis Xavier University
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