Murray Ross
Director

Murray provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Secwépemc Fisheries Commission. He brings expertise in fisheries science, community development, policy analysis, and business management, with a strong focus on advancing Secwépemc cultural fisheries, Indigenous fisheries governance, and sustainable resource stewardship. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a diploma in Aquaculture and Fisheries Technology, with prior experience in government and the private sector.

Pat Matthew
Policy Manager

Pat is a founding member of the Secwépemc Fisheries Commission, having joined in 1988 when it was first established under the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council. He resides in his home community of Simpcw. Pat leads consultation and engagement on fisheries management plans and policies on behalf of the Tribal Council and its member communities, representing conservation and harvest interests in technical and management forums with government and Indigenous partners. He is dedicated to ensuring Secwépemc fisheries interests are effectively represented at provincial and federal levels to support the recovery of traditional fisheries and healthy salmon populations.

Shayne Kuchma
Science and Technical Program Manager

Shayne supports SFC’s broader science and technical program, with a focus on hydrometric monitoring, environmental flow needs, habitat assessment, watershed restoration, and participation in the Thompson–Shuswap Salmon Collaborative working group. He holds a Bachelor of Natural Resource Science from Thompson Rivers University and brings over seven years of experience in fisheries, hydrology, species at risk, and regulatory support. Prior to joining SFC in 2023, Shayne worked as an environmental consultant supporting Indigenous communities, municipalities, and government organizations.

Shelbi DeNeef
Operations Coordinator

Shelbi is from the Lower Nicola Indian Band and maintains close ties to the Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band. She brings over 15 years of experience in operational management and administrative coordination. Shelbi joined the Secwépemc Fisheries Commission in early 2024, following her transition from the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council’s Administration Department. She has a background in operational management and accounting and works closely with the Director to ensure day‑to‑day operations align with organizational goals and commitments.

Michelle Walsh
Fisheries Biologist

Michelle has dedicated over 20 years to fisheries work, with a strong focus on advancing Secwépemc cultural fisheries and community-led stewardship. She supports initiatives including community liaison work, harvest planning with communities, fisheries support and coordination, project management, and data sovereignty initiatives. Michelle is from Nadleh Whut’en (Dakelh Nation) in the central interior. She is currently completing a Master’s in Environmental Science at TRU. Her connection to fisheries began early, learning from her grandmother.

Jeremy Sterling
Fisheries Biologist

Jeremy supports project planning and implementation for hydrometric monitoring, stream crossing assessments to improve fish migration, and drone-based thermal surveys to identify cold-water influences. He began his work with SFC as a summer student and returned after completing a Bachelor of Natural Resource Science at Thompson Rivers University. A member of the Simpcw First Nation, Jeremy is focused on remediating barriers and restoring access to critical fish habitat in support of Secwépemc stewardship objectives.

Jake Guerin
Fisheries Biologist

Jake supports adult Chinook and coho salmon enumeration, restoration monitoring, habitat assessments, juvenile habitat suitability research, and drone operations. He holds a Bachelor of Natural Resource Science from Thompson Rivers University and previously worked as a Stock Assessment Technician with Fisheries and Oceans Canada across the Interior Fraser Watershed. Jake has been with the Secwépemc Fisheries Commission since 2019 and brings strong field and assessment experience to SFC’s fisheries and habitat programs.

Jordon Motruk
Fisheries Biologist

Jordan supports streamside restoration projects, restoration effectiveness monitoring, habitat assessments, juvenile habitat suitability research, and drone operations. He brings strong experience in invasive species management, environmental monitoring, and habitat work. He has a passion for the outdoors, conservation, and sustainable fisheries.

Jillian Atkinson
Fisheries Biologist

Jillian supports stock assessment, water and catch monitoring, Indigenous harvest transformation, and community restoration planning. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Ecological Restoration from BCIT and an Integrated Environmental Planning Diploma from Selkirk College, with an academic focus on climate change impacts and mitigation, fisheries, and aquatic resource conservation and restoration. Jillian joined the Secwepemc Fisheries Commission in 2021 and contributes strong technical and planning expertise across SFC programs.

Lauren Steele
Fisheries Biologist

Lauren has a bachelors degree in animal biology from TRU and she is currently working towards her advanced diploma in Geographic Information Systems from BCIT. Lauren supports stock assessment stream walk surveys, enumeration of Chinook and Coho salmon, and leads SONAR projects on Louis Creek and the Barrière River. Lauren brings 10 years of fisheries experience from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and international fieldwork in Alaska and has been with the Secwépemc Fisheries Commission since 2022. She contributes strong expertise in stock assessment and enumeration, and she supports many other SFC projects.

Ethan Milobar

Fisheries Technician

Ethan has been with the Secwépemc Fisheries Commission since 2023, beginning as a student and transitioning to a full-time role in 2024. He is Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in from the Yukon and was born and raised in Kamloops. His work focuses on stock assessment, including SONAR monitoring, resistivity counters, stream walk surveys, hydrometric data collection, and data analysis. He also supports community harvest opportunities and brings previous experience working with trout systems. He studied Natural Resource Science at Thompson Rivers University and is one course away from completing his degree.

Mark Forth
Fisheries Technician

Mark grew up in southern Alberta and now calls Kamloops home. He began working with Secwépemc Fisheries Commission in 2024. Mark holds a diploma in Environmental Resources Technology from NVIT. He works closely with Secwépemc communities to support community-led harvest opportunities and Secwépemc fishing traditions. Mark’s work also focuses on fish habitat restoration and stock assessment projects that benefit both salmon populations and their habitat.

Sean Seal
Fisheries Biologist

Torrie Bell
Fisheries Biologist

Torrie is a member of Splatsin First Nation and is currently completing a Master of Environmental Science at Thompson Rivers University, where her research examines predation on juvenile Chinook salmon by invasive Smallmouth Bass in the Okanagan Basin. Torrie began working with the Secwépemc Fisheries Commission as a summer student and returned in 2025, bringing extensive experience from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, fish hatcheries, and Indigenous consulting. Her work supports applied research and collaborative watershed initiatives advancing Secwépemc fisheries stewardship and salmon recovery.