Environment Leadership Series - Fall 2026

Senior Analyst, Sustainability, LaSalle Investment Management 

Environmental Programs Manager, Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. (Home of MadeGood)

Co-Founder & CTO, GeoMate

Nastaran is the Co-Founder and CTO of GeoMate, a simulation and mapping company advancing smart mobility and autonomous driving. She earned her PhD in Remote Sensing and Geomatics from the University of Waterloo and specializes in remote sensing, computer vision, and artificial intelligence. She leads GeoMate's technical strategy and the development of scalable geospatial technologies that enable next-generation simulation, digital twins, and transportation systems.

Ask me about:

• Building a Company
• Commercializing Geospatial AI
• AI for Autonomous Vehicles and Simulation

Partner, Senior Planner and Project Manager, Dillon Consulting 

Justine is a Partner, Senior Planner and Project Manager with Dillon Consulting, where she has spent more than 18 years guiding municipalities through complex growth management and land use policy decisions. A Registered Professional Planner, University of Waterloo Planning alumnus, LEED Accredited Professional, former President of OPPI, and current Dillon Board Director, she is passionate about creating healthy, sustainable communities and developing future leaders within the planning profession. 

Ask me about: 

• Life from co-op student to planning partner 

• Shaping growth in Ontario communities 

• Building your professional network and leadership skills 

Science Policy and Planning Officer, Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Division, Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada

Mujtaba is a Science Policy and Planning Officer with Natural Resources Canada, where he supports national initiatives focused on climate change adaptation and coastal resilience. A University of Waterloo graduate with a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Geography and a Master of Climate Change, Mujtaba works at the intersection of science, policy and collaboration to help build more climate-resilient communities across Canada. 

Ask me about: 

• Building a career in the Government of Canada.

• Climate change adaptation and coastal resilience.
• Science policy and environmental planning.

Principal Planner, Region of Waterloo 

Bridget is a senior transit planner with the Region of Waterloo. Her career in planning spans almost a quarter century, with expertise in source water protection, policy review, industrial land budgeting, and heritage planning. Bridget graduated from the University of Waterloo's School of Planning in 2004. She brings extensive experience advancing planning initiatives that support sustainable and connected communities.

Ask me about:

• Transit planning.
• Heritage planning.
• Source water protection planning.

Co-Founder & CEO, Flesh & Bone

Director of Business Development, MTE Consultants & VP, Real Estate & Development, Concept Development Group Inc.

Joel is a real estate development and business leader with more than 25 years of experience shaping diverse communities and municipalities in several provinces across Canada. A University of Waterloo Planning graduate, Joel has overseen more than four million square feet of development and provided management and strategic planning for over 5,000 acres of land. He has led major projects from acquisition through completion, specializing in development approvals, stakeholder relations, strategic planning and community-building. 

Ask me about:  

Senior Analyst, Sustainability, LaSalle Investment Management

Haya is a Senior Analyst on LaSalle’s Americas Sustainability Team, advancing sustainability strategies across real estate portfolios and properties. A University of Waterloo Environment, Resources and Sustainability (SERS) graduate with a Diploma in Future Cities, Haya specializes in green building certifications, climate resilience, operational efficiency and sustainable real estate. She is passionate about creating practical solutions that drive environmental and business value.

Ask me about: 

• Working in sustainable finance 

• How to continuously upskill (university through career) 

• Leveraging your co-op placements to land full-time work 

John is a University of Waterloo triple alum (BA ’70, MASc ’77, PhD ’85) who served as Registrar and Instructor in the Faculty of Environment before building a career in consulting, planning and higher education. He worked with Ernst & Young and later served as Director of Space Planning at Toronto Metropolitan University from 2001 to 2020. A longtime community leader, he spent decades serving on nonprofit and neighbourhood boards. 

Ask me about:  

Ecohydrologist, Natural Resource Solutions Inc

Nyssa is an Ecohydrologist and Project Manager at Natural Resource Solutions Inc. in Waterloo with 15 years of environmental consulting experience. Throughout her career she has managed teams of biologists, mentored staff, tracked budgets, and collaborated with engineers, urban planners, municipal staff, and Conservation Authorities. As an Ecohydrologist, Nyssa analyzes data from multidisciplinary sources to identify and assess potential impacts to natural features and sensitive wildlife from land development and site alteration proposals. She received her BES '08 in Geography from UW and her M.Sc. in Fluvial Geomorphology from U of T. 

Ask me about: 

• Ecology consulting.
• Wetland water balance impacts.
• Finding your niche in the workplace​‌.

Environmental Programs Manager, Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. (Home of MadeGood)

Shenali is the Environmental Programs Manager at Riverside Natural Foods (Home of MadeGood), where she develops collaborative value chain projects that strengthen organic farming communities, improve environmental outcomes and advance more resilient food systems. She also leads the company's greenhouse gas emissions reporting and environmental data strategy. Shenali holds a Master of Environmental Studies in Sustainability Management from UW and serves on the board of Ontario Organic, supporting the growth and resilience of Ontario's organic sector. 

Founder and CEO of ESGTree 

Majid is the Founder and CEO of ESGTree, a technology and advisory platform focused on ESG and impact management for financial institutions. A global expert in ESG, impact investing, and sustainable finance, Majid has over 15 years of experience advising investors, governments, foundations, and corporations. He is a Globe & Mail Changemaker, LinkedIn Top 15 Green Economy Voice, CAFIID founding board member, and recent PhD in Sustainability Management from UW. 

Ask me about: 

• Impact investing and sustainable finance
• Building a startup around sustainability
• What I learned working around the world

Kate (elle/she) is a bilingual diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) educator and the founder of Vital Shift Consulting. She helps individuals and teams create more inclusive workplaces through facilitation, coaching and learning. Drawing on professional expertise, lived experience and experience working, studying, volunteering and travelling in more than 40 countries, Kate supports meaningful and lasting change. Kate holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Geography from UW. 

Ask me about:

• The joys and challenges of being a solopreneur who collaborates with a talented team of freelance professionals.
• Following your passions and embracing opportunities that lead to meaningful and purpose-driven work.
• Why financial freedom is often shaped more by how you spend than by how much you earn. 

Partner, Strategy and Transactions, Energy Transition Lead, EY

Craig is a Strategy and Transactions Partner in EY’s Infrastructure Advisory practice and leads the firm’s Energy Transition efforts as part of EYP’s Global Sustainability Leadership Committee. A UW Environment, Resources, and Sustainability (ERS) and Queen’s MBA alum, Craig is a recognized Canadian advisor on sustainable development and clean energy infrastructure; he supports executives on market strategy, corporate planning, transactions and M&A, utility planning and rate design.  

Co-Founder & CTO, GeoMate

Nastaran is the Co-Founder and CTO of GeoMate, a simulation and mapping company advancing smart mobility and autonomous driving. She earned her PhD in Remote Sensing and Geomatics from the University of Waterloo and specializes in remote sensing, computer vision and artificial intelligence. She leads GeoMate's technical strategy and the development of scalable geospatial technologies that enable next-generation simulation, digital twins and transportation systems. 

Ask me about:

Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Professional Services, Anton Growth Management Corp.

Dale is Managing Partner, Professional Services, at Anton Growth Management Corp., helping organizations align people, technology and strategy to achieve business outcomes. With more than 25 years of experience across public, private and non-profit sectors, she specializes in human-centred, technology-enabled solutions that optimize processes, costs, resilience and sustainability. She also contributes to global software engineering and IT asset management standards through SCC/ISO. Dale holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies and a Master of Applied Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo.

Ask me about:

Executive Director, Real Estate and Planning, University of Waterloo

Mike is the Executive Director, Real Estate and Planning at the University of Waterloo, overseeing strategic land-use planning and asset development. Prior to this, Mike held positions as Director of the David Johnston Research + Technology Park at the University of Waterloo, and Director, Marketing and Community Development at the Accelerator Centre, as well as volunteer leadership roles with the Canadian Association of University Research Parks, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Risk Management and the City of Waterloo’s Economic Development Advisory Committee. He holds a Master of Arts from Brock University and a Master of Economic Development and Innovation from UW.  

Ask me about: 

Commercial Director, Rail, PolyCorp Ltd

Tim is the Commercial Director, Rail at Polycorp, leading the company’s rail business and commercial strategy. A University of Waterloo Environment and Resource Studies (ERS) graduate, Tim brings over 25 years of experience spanning consulting engineering, noise and vibration, manufacturing, business development and team leadership. His career bridges technical problem-solving with commercial strategy to deliver practical solutions for rail and transit infrastructure.

Ask me about:

• Building a career across engineering, manufacturing and business.
• Rail, transit and the future of urban infrastructure.
• Turning technical expertise into commercial strategy.

Transportation Planning Lead and Transport & Movement Service Line Lead (Americas), GHD

Stephen is the Transportation Planning Lead and Transport & Movement Service Line Lead (Americas) at GHD, with more than two decades of experience in both the private and public sectors. He is a multi-modal transportation planner who integrates transportation, land use and urban design to create balanced transportation systems. Stephen received his BA from Carleton University and his MA in Planning from UW. 

Ask me about:  

• Transportation Planning 
• Going back to school as a mature student 
•  Private Sector and Public Sector careers 
• Public consultation and engagement

 Founder, Common Ground Insights

Maria is the founder of Common Ground Insights, where she helps organizations design impactful events and gather meaningful community feedback. A UW double alumna in geography and the School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability (SERS), she brings more than a decade of experience in project management, public engagement, communications, and community building. Her career spans the non-profit, consulting, and advocacy sectors, with a focus on turning ideas into action and helping organizations create positive social and environmental impact. 

Ask me about: 

• Starting a business and building a career as an independent consultant. 
• Community engagement: how to listen, learn, and make people feel heard. 
• Designing events that create meaningful conversations and actionable insights. 

Principal and Co-Founder, Quantify Environmental Ltd. 

Dave is an environmental scientist, entrepreneur, and University of Waterloo Geography alumnus focused on helping industry improve environmental performance through technology and data. As Principal and Co-Founder of Quantify Environmental Ltd., he works with manufacturers across Canada to reduce water and energy use and improve operational efficiency. Dave also teaches Sustainable Resource Management at Humber College and is a Clean50 award recipient. 

Ask me about:

• Building a career in environmental science, sustainability, and consulting after university. 

• Using technology, real-time data, and IoT to reduce water and energy use in industry. 

• Starting an environmental technology company and turning sustainability challenges into practical business opportunities. 

Partner, Senior Planner and Project Manager, Dillon Consulting 

Justine is a Partner, Senior Planner and Project Manager with Dillon Consulting, where she has spent more than 18 years guiding municipalities through complex growth management and land use policy decisions. A Registered Professional Planner, University of Waterloo Planning alumnus, LEED Accredited Professional, former President of OPPI, and current Dillon Board Director, she is passionate about creating healthy, sustainable communities and developing future leaders within the planning profession. 

Ask me about: 

• Life from co-op student to planning partner 

• Shaping growth in Ontario communities 

• Building your professional network and leadership skills 

Sustainability Projects and Reporting Officer, Sustainability Office, Wilfrid Laurier University & Owner, Imperfect Organization 

Kat is a Sustainability Reporting and Projects Officer at Wilfrid Laurier University and the owner of Imperfect Organization, a digital business creating productivity tools and templates. Her work spans sustainability strategy, reporting, climate action, and project development, while her business experience has strengthened her skills in entrepreneurship, digital product development, and customer-focused problem-solving. Kat received her BES at UW in Environment and Business. 

Ask me about:

• Embedding sustainability: From concept to implementation, including planning, stakeholder engagement, and execution. 

• Sustainability careers: Lessons from Environment and Business at Waterloo to sustainability leadership at Laurier. 

• Sustainable entrepreneurship: Building digital products and businesses with environmental and social impact at the core. 

Purpose Integration Specialist, Libro Credit Union 

Ben Janzen is a purpose-driven leader and strategic thinker dedicated to advancing sustainability, community impact, and systems change. His career spans ESG, values-based leadership, cooperative governance, community investment, and social innovation across the credit union sector and nonprofit organizations. Ben has led transformative initiatives in environmental finance, community impact, and scholarship development while fostering collaborative, values-driven solutions. 

Ask me about: 

• Bringing sustainability, ESG, and values-driven decision-making into financial services and organizations. 
• Building community impact through cooperative governance, philanthropy, living wage initiatives, and social innovation. 
• Environmental finance, community investment strategies, future-ready communities, or my favourite sci-fi and fantasy reads. 

Career Advisor, University of Waterloo

Graeme is a Career Advisor at the University of Waterloo's Centre for Career Development. A Waterloo alumnus with a background spanning science, entrepreneurship, coaching, education, writing, and music, he brings a unique perspective to career development. His non-linear career journey fuels his passion for helping students navigate meaningful careers in an evolving world of work. 

Ask me about: 

• Navigating non-linear career paths and building a meaningful career in a rapidly changing world of work. 
• Career exploration, personal branding, networking, and making the most of your Waterloo experience. 
• Entrepreneurship, coaching startups, music, rock climbing, or balancing multiple passions and professional interests. 

Career Advisor, University of Waterloo 

Becky (she/her) is a career educator with more than 12 years of experience in higher education, spanning teaching, career development, and instructional design. Grounded in empathy, curiosity, and collaboration, she helps students navigate uncertainty, build confidence, and make informed decisions. Becky holds advanced degrees in Literary Studies and Cognitive Science and is a part-time PhD candidate in English at Waterloo. 

Ask me about: 

• Finding your path when next steps are muddled by ambiguity. 
• Disclosure, accessibility, and advocating for yourself in academic and workplace settings. 
• Sci-fi, houseplants, baking with food allergies, landscape restoration, or adventures with my wave-chasing dog.