Forest Policy: Anne Koven, University of Toronto

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Biography

Anne Koven Mrs. Koven spent twenty years working in government and business, primarily in the areas of environmental and resource management. Beginning in 1987 she served as a member and subsequently as Vice Chair of the Ontario Environmental Assessment Board until resigning in 1996 to start HipGuard Canada Ltd. During this tenure she conducted the landmark Class Environmental Assessment for Timber Management on Crown Lands in Ontario. She also heard appeals related to development on the Niagara Escarpment. Prior to that, she spent six years working for the Ontario Ministry of Health directing research on health studies concerning landfill sites and occupational health and safety issues. Mrs. Koven started her career in the mining industry where she was involved in Public Affairs for INCO Limited, a major international corporation.

She is presently a trustee and secretary treasurer of the Trees Ontario Foundation, which was established in 1994 by the Ontario Forestry Association for the purpose of raising funds for tree planting. Mrs. Koven represents the Trees Ontario Foundation on the Natural Spaces Leadership Alliance. Appointed by order in council in May 2005, Mrs. Koven is a public member of the Council of the Ontario Professional Foresters Association. Mrs. Koven was president of the Ontario Forestry Association and also served as its executive director. She is also a member of the federal-provincial Great Lakes Innovation Committee.

Anne Koven is the owner and operator of HipGuard Canada Ltd., a company she founded in 1996. Mrs. Koven collaborated with partners in Gainesville, Florida to complete the final design and testing of the HipGuard safety belt, worn by seniors to prevent hip fractures. She is manufacturing and distributing HipGuard in Canada, and introducing the product into markets in the United States, England, Germany and Japan.

She is a member of the Resource and Development Committee and was the 2003 Volunteer of the Year for Community Living Toronto. She was also involved with the Donor Recognition Committee of the Baycrest Centre Foundation.

She is a director of the Hanlan Boat Club and a member of the Maple Down’s Golf and Country Club.

Mrs. Koven graduated with a B.A. degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Public Administration (in 1976) from Queen’s University. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two sons.