Biography

Manda Maggs grew up in northwest Alberta in the agricultural community of Grimshaw. Growing up on a farm, she has always had a strong connection with the earth. Throughout the years earning her science degree (psychology) from UNBC, Manda worked for Geotourism Canada as a field coordinator and researcher, traveling to the far flung corners of western Canada documenting over 1200 points of interest from historic trade routes to waterfalls. This is where she first got an introduction to Tumbler Ridge’s astonishing offerings, and it left a considerable impression.

After earning her degree she entered the field of heritage management and program development in Museums, moving up through various positions in the Penticton Museum and Oliver Museum & Archives to Executive Director, earning additional accreditation through the University of Victoria in archival management, exhibit design, conservation, indigenous education, and collections management  along the way. She later left the field of heritage management to pursue an opportunity to head the Okanagan School of the Arts while establishing her own business – a makerspace and design studio.

Outside of her regular work, Manda has volunteered and contracted for many wildlife conservation projects in Canada and worldwide, earning her certification in Wildlife Rehabilitation (International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council), Raptor Handling (American Bald Eagle Foundation), and MAPS bird banding (Institute for Bird Populations). Manda joined the team at Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark as Executive Director in 2020. She is also the Treasurer of the Canadian Geoparks Network Board of Directors and the Wolverine Nordic & Mountain Society.

When she isn’t knee-deep in emails and passion projects, you can usually find Manda out foraging on the trails, birdwatching, tending her garden, or packing around her camera looking for photography subjects.

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