Director, Environmental Protection

Kelly Batten Hender is Director of Environmental Protection, where she leads environmental assessment, compliance, monitoring and authorization activities at the C-NLOER. Since joining the organization in 2008, she has held several positions, including Development Geologist, Geoscience Lead and Director of Resource Management. She has also helped spearhead the organization’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging initiatives.

Kelly holds a B.Sc. (Honours) in Geology and Environmental Science from Western University, an M.Sc. in Geology from Queen’s University and a Ph.D. in Earth Sciences from Carleton University.

Outside of her professional work, Kelly is actively involved in the community as a long-serving youth leader with Girl Guides of Canada, as well as a chorister and board volunteer in the local arts community. In 2025, she was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her contributions to Canada and her community. Kelly is originally from Conception Bay South.