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 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 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.”
Thank you for flying
Caroline van Arendonk’s career has soared to great heights in the three short years since graduating from the Geography and Aviation program in 2012.
Bringing I.T. into healthcare
Joseph Dal Molin, president of E-Cology, and a 1976 Geography graduate is an established global leader in the implementation of EHR worldwide.
Coaching others to go above and beyond
Mark Menhennet brings over 20 years of geotechnology experience to his classroom.
Balancing profit, people, and the planet
Laura Galbraith's leadership in community involvment by tech companies is taking corporate social responsibility (CSR) to the next level.
Advocate for sustainable growth
Mark McKay knows that growing knowledge is a sustainable model in any industry and uses this strategy for building a next-level insurance brokerage.
25+ years of environmental and community stewardship
Bill Slade is a founding member and former Chair of the Carleton Place Environmental Advisory Committee (CPEAC), and past member of the Almonte Environmental Advisory Committee.
Advocate for gender equality in corporate sustainability
Heather Stuart has been an industry leader of environmental management and gender equity for over 17 years.
Serving others with pride
An advocate for climate justice and human rights, Mohammad Al Akel is working to prevent AIDS and pave the way for equal rights for the LBGTQIA+ community of the Middle East and South Asia.
Connecting youth and their communities
Erin Nicolardi’s social enterprise Rivers to Ridges uses active mentorship and land-based programs to build trust, model positive behaviours and facilitate closer connections with nature.
He is going - or rather pedaling places
An avid cyclist and a transportation planner for one of Canada’s leading professional services consulting firms, WSP, Cai de Ridder is passionate about active transportation.
Inspired by ecosystems
Learn how Scott Freiburger applies his knowledge of ecosystems to business strategies as Managing Director and CEO at AET Group Inc.
Entrepreneur and community-building visionary
Brian Prudham’s vision is to help build Kitchener-Waterloo into one of the best communities, and his ability to bring a warm, personal touch to his projects and relationships has helped him create a strong network of business leaders, politicians and prominent citizens.
Environmental field researcher
Elena Weber-Kraljevska has some advice for students traveling on international field research courses.
Life long learner
Having studied academic fields as far reaching as political science, environmental studies, population health, community and regional planning and human geography, Wendy has worked to assist child and youth workers, the homeless, people with disabilities, and Canadian immigrants and refugees.
Fair Trade business
Rob Theodosiou’s long history of successful entrepreneurship, keen eye for trends, and home-grown spirit have set him apart as a local business owner.
Working on social dimensions of sustainability
Since 2010, Maureen Reed has worked on a national advisory committee (Canada-MAB) that provides guidance to the Canadian Commission for UNESCO on managing World Biosphere Reserves in the country, and in 2018 became the UNESCO Chair in Biocultural Diversity, Sustainability, Reconciliation and Renewal at the University of Saskatchewan.
A passion for criminal law
Innitially attending law school so that he could represent parties proposing or opposing development, The Honourable Mr. Justice Paul Robertson found his passion for criminal law.
