Department of Geography & Environmental Management (GEM) alumni profiles

Environmentalist, advocate and mentor

Find out how alumna Maryam Akhtar Khan is combining her passion for environmental sustainability and interest in social justice initiatives.

Exemplary leader and public servant

The passion and dedication of David Cash, President of Cash & Associates, have garnered much success and recognition.

Man of nature across disciplines

Admired and respected by peers, students and community members alike, Graham Forbes is an established leader in science and conservation.

The policy maker

Find out how alumn Susan Cartwright became one of Canada's most influential ambassadors and policy makers .

Geomatics wunderkind

As a new employee of Toronto-based Optech Inc., Xing Fan is charged with introducing potential Chinese clients to Optech’s world-renown LiDAR technology.

Father of the blue box

Across North America, a blue box means recycling. What most people may not know is that Environmental Studies graduate Eric Hellman was instrumental in starting the world’s first blue box program.

Toward a hydrogen-powered future

John Sheridan is president and CEO of Ballard Power Systems, one of the world’s leading hydrogen fuel cell companies. He calls hydrogen "the ultimate in clean energy" and considers it critical to the future.

Guardian of the Grand River

Barbara Veale (BES '76, MA '80, PhD '11) grew up by the banks of the Grand. She has never really left the river. She is co-ordinator of policy, planning, and partnerships for the Grand River Conservation Authority.

Remote sensing expert

The recipient of the 2011 Alumni Achievement Award, Steve Franklin (BES '80, MA '82, PhD '85) is President and Vice-Chancellor of Trent University and an expert in satellite and aerial remote sensing.

A leader in business and community

Jim Davidson is widely known for his “Cowboy Ethics”, a belief in market development through good business practices, competitive spirit and the integration of philanthropy and business.

Making tourism more sustainable

An educator, researcher and strategic planner, Geography grad Peter Williams has focused his career on making tourism more environmentally friendly.

Watershed management maven

Gayle Wood has dedicated her career to watershed management, locally, provincially and internationally, often managing multiple watersheds at a time.

Dedicated educator, avid outdoorsman

A respected educator in the Waterloo Regional District School Board, Bill Bulmer received his Bachelors of Environmental Studies in 1998 and went on to spread his knowledge of geography with high school students within the Region.

A Bridge from Waterloo to Hong Kong

As associate vice-president, and professor in the Department of Geography and Resource Management, at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Tung Fung has established his legacy as an influential voice in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Saving endangered turtles

Courtney Huisman, a 2011 Geography graduate has made it her mission to teach people that an endangered species is worth more alive than it is dead.

Legend of the Ontario Public Service

For her work in supporting diversity and inclusion in the Ontario Government, Carol Layton was recognized as a “Legend of the Ontario Public Service.”