Laurel Atkinson

Laurel is Environment Program Director at The Waltons Trust, a limited-life Canadian grantmaking foundation. In this capacity, she helps to direct and inform the Trust’s grantmaking in the areas of land conservation and sustainable farming and forestry.

Previously, Laurel was Northern Program Director at Weston Family Foundation, providing strategic grants management to the Foundation’s northern-focused grants. Before working in philanthropy, Laurel managed programs for community-based non-profits and worked in government. Her first career was as an outdoor educator and canoe guide, where she was fortunate to have experienced many remote and unique Canadian rivers and landscapes. Laurel holds a BAH from the University of Guelph in International Development (minor in Biology) and a Masters of Environmental Studies degree from York University.

Laurel loves nordic skiing and trail running in the forests in and around her hometown of Peterborough, Ontario.