The Future of Leadership in BC

A Joint Announcement from Lauren Brown Hornor and Matt Brown

An update from Lauren:

I truly love BC and it will always be home to me, but after working to protect water in BC for the better part of 17 years, I have made the difficult decision to return to the US and relocate to the east coast to be closer to my family.  

I have considered this work my soul and life's purpose, and it will continue in another format and through other pursuits.  

An initiative I am incredibly excited to work on over the next year is Swim Drink Fish’s effort to create new public swimming and recreational projects in Vancouver’s natural waters.  Following the inspiring designs and wildly successful outcomes of natural water access projects in downtown Copenhagen and Oslo; and SDF’s success in helping to create the Gord Edgar Downie Pier in Kingston, ON, it is clear Vancouuver should absolutely join the ranks of cities that embrace their location by allowing greater access, along with increasing water restoration and protection. 

Our job at Swim Drink Fish is to connect people to water and advocate for the change we want to see for our waterways, communities and colleagues– whether inside our own organizations, outside with regulators, legislators, and certainly communities.

It has been an extraordinary ride, and I am filled with nothing but gratitude.  It has been a tremendous honor to work alongside Mark Mattson, Carol McDonald and other board members and colleagues for nearly 20 years. 

I could not be more proud to announce that Matt Brown is moving from his current role as Director of Communications, and stepping in as our Director of Western Watersheds. 

Matt brings nearly two decades of experience working with clients ranging from outdoor recreational companies, to professional sports, to grassroots non-profit organizations. Matt  has represented Swim Drink Fish at public events, consulted and advised our government partners and worked alongside our First Nations colleagues.

After working with Matt side by side for years on the front lines protecting water together, I am deeply confident he is the exact person we need to lead the strategy for West Coast expansion.  He is well respected, revered, and trusted. BC is very lucky indeed to have Matt on watch to protect and defend its water while building a community to support this critically important work. 

And he has hit the ground running at a wildly impressive speed!

Matt possesses a natural charisma and a calm and magnetic energy that draws great people to him, and he has a gift for naturally and organically nurturing relationships with our existing partners in BC while securing new allies to support the work of Swim Drink Fish. 

I will miss our beautiful coast but BC is gaining a true water champion in Matt Brown, and the future is bright! 

Onward,

Lauren Brown Hornor 

A message Matt Brown:

As humanity’s environmental footprint becomes increasingly unsustainable, there are those unsung heroes who work tirelessly to protect our planet and its precious resources.  In that sentiment, one individual stands out for their unwavering commitment to water protection. For nearly two decades, this environmental lawyer and community organizer has been at the forefront of efforts to safeguard our region's waterways, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of British Columbia.

Lauren Brown Hornor is that person to me. 

Lauren’s impact cannot be overstated. The waters of British Columbia, including the communities and Nations that depend on them, have benefited tremendously from her efforts. Clean and safe water is not just an environmental issue; it's a matter of public health and cultural significance. Through her leadership, our region has taken significant steps toward preserving and restoring these vital resources.

Lauren’s legacy extends beyond legal briefs and courtroom victories; it reaches into the heart of communities that now have the knowledge and tools to protect and restore the waters they hold dear. Lauren has set an inspiring example for us all. Her testament to the power of dedicated individuals who choose to stand up and be the change they wish to see in the world. In Vancouver and the surrounding area, Lauren’s impact on water conservation is nothing short of remarkable, and her legacy will continue to impact us all.  It is why, no matter where Lauren resides, her impact and presence will always be felt on our beautiful coast. 

With deep gratitude,

Matt Brown