The Seed

The seed of Mother Nature Partnership was planted in 2010 as a simple idea to provide women with menstrual care supplies that were beneficial to them personally, and friendly to the environment. It started as a partnership between women and the environment. This idea quickly grew into the sapling of our pilot project, which launched in Cameroon in 2011. The project was a huge success. We reached 600 women with health workshops and sustainable menstrual products, and many women reported that they were “freer and happier”. We knew we had to do more. By 2014, we have expanded to include more women in our programming than ever, reaching more than 8,000 women in Cameroon. Our roots are growing deeper as we are able to branch out to more women and girls that ever before.

We work with local partners to make sure that our programming is culturally-appropriate and meeting a genuine need. We are always developing new partnerships with local organizations, especially African women-led groups.

 

In 2011, we were the recipient of the Nelson Mandela and Graça Machel Innovation Award. In 2013, we went on to receive a Grand Challenges grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In early 2015, we are expanding our program to 1,000 high school girls in Cameroon.

Vision

We envision a world where every woman and girl is free to live her life to the fullest.

Mission

We provide women and girls with menstrual education and reusable supplies that are hygienic, affordable, culturally-appropriate and environmentally-friendly.

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Cameroon

The nurses and doctors who lead our programming are local community health workers in Cameroon. They have the local knowledge and expertise to provide culturally-appropriate programming. They provide ongoing support for women and girls that is based on local understanding and experience. We also work with schoolteachers and student leaders to build skills and facilitate workshops that are locally-led and effective.

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Canada

In Canada we have a volunteer team of talented professionals, who contribute their expertise and dedication to making an impact through Mother Nature Partnership.

We are working to destigmatize menstruation in Canada, giving voice to women so they can realize and express their personal relationship with their menstrual cycle and care

The Team

  • Alice Irene Whittaker

    Alice Irene Whittaker

    Executive Director

    Alice Irene is an artist and advocate for women and girls’ health. She is Executive Director of Mother Nature Partnership, as well as a communications consultant for the Canadian Network for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. Artistically, she is a choreographer and writer, and Artistic Director of Ink on Paper. She is a recipient of a Nelson Mandela Graça Machel Award, and a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant.

  • Nikolas MacLean

    Nikolas MacLean

    Chair of the Board and Director of Operations

    Nik graduated with a BA from McGill in 2007 and with a Master’s from Trinity College Dublin in 2010. In between semesters studying the linkages between environmental factors, development, and conflict, Nik would seek solitude in the mountains and oceans. He was the Executive Director of the Mighty Pen from 2010 - 2012, a Canadian-based charity that is working to become a global leader in providing local language literacy programs. He is an avid rock climber, cyclist, and outdoor adventurer.

  • Meagan Allison-Hancock

    Meagan Allison-Hancock

    Board Member and Manager, Events

    Meagan was raised in Stratford, Canada and is a talent representative for actors in film and television at a top agency in Toronto. She graduated from the University of Victoria, with a BA in History in Arts and Film Studies, and was the events coordinator for Worn Fashion Journal. She is a lover of literature, travel, film and pop culture, and is a spinning enthusiast.

  • Imogen Grace

    Imogen Grace

    Copy Writer

    Imogen Grace is a writer, filmmaker, actor and women’s activist based in Toronto. Her work explores gender, immigration, class and adventure. She writes for an online political business magazine, as well as copy for a local branding and design studio. This year, she wrote and directed her first films, which screened successfully in Toronto.

  • Sarah MacDonald

    Sarah MacDonald

    Board Member and Manager, Digital Communication

    Sarah McDonald became a feminist at the age of 6 in reaction to the injustice of being told she couldn’t be a Ninja Turtle because she was a girl. She went to college for journalism, and after graduation she interned at House and Home magazine and worked as a reporter at a small town newspaper. Sarah is an avid blogger, social media enthusiast, and determined optimist. Currently, she writes for the blogs Spotted By Locals, and Metamorphocity.

  • Jessica Riley

    Jessica Riley

    Board Member and Manager, Grants and Funds

    Jessica is an Investment Advisor at Mangrove Wealth Group. Her extensive not-for-profit work includes contributions at Diasporic Genius and DB Works. She brings exceptional skills in grant-writing, research, marketing and business.