Environment Leadership Series - Winter 2026

Laura Galbraith is the Director of Community Impact at Vidyard; she is responsible for building and implementing Vidyard's social impact and employee engagement programming. As part of her role, Laura works to introduce giving back through volunteering as a way of life and business at Vidyard;. Laura was born and raised in Waterloo and has spent her career working in tech in a variety of capacities and roles. Before joining Vidyard;, Laura worked at Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Educational Outreach, working with students, teachers and the general public which helped spark her interest in student STEM/STEAM outreach programming. Laura graduated from the University of Waterloo, Faculty of Environment and decided that there was no better place to live and work than in this region. Laura volunteers her time with many local organizations and is one of the founding organizers behind Plugin, a local nonprofit helping to connect the community to charitable organizations to help increase awareness and local volunteerism.  Laura is also on the Women in Communication and Technology Waterloo Region board of directors, an Alumni Chapter -Executive Committee Member for University of Waterloo, and a board member with United Way. In her spare time, Laura enjoys spending time with her 12 year old daughter, Binny- exploring, mountain biking, rock climbing, or doing science experiments together. 

Bianca Rocha is relatively new to the cooperative sector, having joined Libro in November 2022. Her role at Libro is focused on understanding Libro’s areas of impact and to develop a climate change strategy for the credit union. She has her Bachelor of Environmental Studied in Environment & Business and her Masters of Climate Change from the University of Waterloo. She is passionate about a just climate transition, what that looks like practically and the role that the financial sector can play in the fight against climate change. Prior to embarking into the cooperative system, she worked as an environmental planner for the provincial government. In her free time you can find her enjoying nature, reading or creating something. 

Brian Prudham is a proud Waterloo native and University of Waterloo honours graduate whose career reflects a deep commitment to the economic evolution of his hometown. In 2007, he co‑founded Momentum Developments, a firm that has significantly reshaped the Kitchener‑Waterloo skyline through strategic urban intensification and high‑density, transit‑oriented projects. 

Beyond real estate, Brian has built a multidisciplinary entrepreneurial portfolio that fuels regional growth. His ventures have delivered thousands of units of infill housing through vertically integrated construction and strengthened the city’s social infrastructure through landmark hospitality destinations. Known for navigating complex regulatory environments, he excels at unlocking the potential of underutilized urban lands, supporting regional transit investments, and meeting the growing demand for modern, sustainable housing. By bridging traditional industries with high‑growth sectors, Brian ensures local development aligns with long‑term provincial intensification priorities. 

Widely recognized as a visionary leader, Brian is also deeply committed to cultivating the next generation of talent. As a generous alumnus and mentor, he earned back‑to‑back nominations for the University of Waterloo Alumni Award in 2017 and 2018. Whether leading major capital projects or engaging emerging leaders, Brian remains focused on ensuring Kitchener‑Waterloo continues to thrive as a premier global center for innovation and industry.

"I work where sustainability meets reality." 

Dave Fox is an environmental scientist and Industrial IoT specialist who works at the intersection of sustainability, technology, and real world problem solving in Canadian manufacturing. He is the co founder of Quantify Environmental Ltd., where he helps industrial facilities reduce energy and water use by installing smart sensors, translating data into clear insights, and leading practical efficiency projects that deliver fast, measurable results.Alongside his industry work, Dave is a part time lecturer in the Department of Applied Sciences and Technology at Humber College, where he teaches Sustainable Resource Management and focuses on connecting classroom concepts to real decisions made in the field. 

 Dave holds a Master of Science in Arctic Geomorphology from McGill University and a Bachelor of Environment in Earth Sciences from University of Waterloo. His work has been recognized nationally through the Clean50 for Clean Capitalism and Emerging Leadership. 

Director, Government Relations and Public Policy, CIBC  

Alex Phillips is a seasoned professional in corporate affairs, government relations, and sustainability, with two decades of diverse experience, including senior political roles. She is purpose-driven, excelling in government relations through tailored advocacy and effective management of regulatory and reputational risks. Her expertise lies in energy and environmental policy, where she focuses on policy development, interpretation and influence. A proven leader, Alex has a strong track record of mentoring and managing high-performing teams. She is a consensus builder who fosters collaboration and maintains lasting, productive relationships.

She holds two degrees from the University of Waterloo: a Bachelor of Environmental Studies with a minor in Women’s Studies, as well as a Master of Environment and Business.

Maria is a dedicated advocate for environmental sustainability, community engagement, and effective public policy.  

She is currently an Operational Impact Strategist at Nutrition for Learning in Waterloo Region, where she supports programs that strengthen food security and improve outcomes for children and families across the community.Previously, Maria worked as a Project Manager at Design de Plume, a creative design agency, where she led complex projects that supported inclusive and purpose driven communications. Her experience in project management, communications, and public outreach continues to shape her ability to drive meaningful change in Ontario. 

Since joining the Green Party of Ontario in 2022, Maria has been actively involved in campaigns to connect with voters, promote environmental policies, and engage communities in discussions about the province’s future. Her volunteer work with organizations like CycleWR has strengthened her skills in public engagement, listening to community concerns, and clearly communicating complex ideas.

Maria holds two degrees from the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Environment, reinforcing her deep commitment to addressing critical environmental and social challenges. Whether through her professional work, volunteer initiatives, or community teaching, she is dedicated to building a more equitable and environmentally responsible Ontario. 

Mara Mackay is a Senior Climate Consultant at Workiva Carbon and a proud University of Waterloo alum (BMath, Statistics for Health, Co-op). With over five years of experience in the environmental sector, Mara specializes in helping organizations navigate greenhouse gas accounting, climate scenario analysis, and decarbonization strategies. She currently leads Workiva’s PCAF-aligned services, assisting financial institutions in managing their financed emissions. Previously, Mara worked in sustainability consulting at PwC Canada and contributed to local climate initiatives in the Waterloo Region. She is passionate about using data to drive climate action and is thrilled to connect with students exploring sustainability careers.

Matthew Rodrigues is a Regional Councillor for the Region of Waterloo and a community builder with a background in urban planning and public policy. A proud University of Waterloo Planning alum, Matthew earned his Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Honours Planning, where his interest in city-building and governance took shape. 

Before joining Regional Council, Matthew worked as a Senior Planner in Policy & Research at the City of Kitchener and spent several years at WSP, advancing from Project Planner to Team Lead. His professional experience spans land-use policy, growth management, infrastructure planning and collaborative, community-focused projects across Waterloo Region. 

While at Waterloo, Matthew was actively involved in student leadership as a Planning Students Association year representative and Faculty of Environment Ambassador. He also participated in the 2017 Kakehashi Project, a planning exchange in Japan that deepened his understanding on urban form and high-speed rail travel. 

Driven by collaboration and service, Matthew is passionate about building inclusive, sustainable communities and looks forward to sharing his experiences with the next generation. 

David Bar is a Partner at Desmos Capital Partners, a boutique investment banking firm that provides strategic advisory and capital markets services to growth‑stage companies, institutions, and governments worldwide. With more than a decade of experience in investment banking, equity research, and financial analysis, he brings a disciplined, relationship‑driven approach to every mandate. 

Before joining Desmos, David spent over five years at Integral Wealth Securities, advancing from Associate to Vice President of Investment Banking. He advised regarding capital raises, mergers and acquisitions, and cross‑border transactions for public and private companies across diverse sectors. He also served as a Registered Representative with Integral Wealth Securities LLC in the United States, supporting U.S. capital markets activity and international transactions. 

David began his career in equity research and public‑sector finance, completing roles at Gravitas Financial and within the Ontario Public Service. 

He holds an MBA in Finance from McMaster University and a Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Co‑op) from the University of Waterloo. Outside of work, David is an active community volunteer and former competitive athlete, with experience coaching youth soccer and high school football. His integrity, leadership, and commitment to community guide both his professional and personal pursuits. 

Matthew Heather is an Associate Principal and Manager, Placemaking on the Real Estate, Economics and Planning (REEP) team at Arcadis, where he specializes in land use planning, land economics, and real estate development. He brings extensive experience in growth management, municipal finance, market analysis, and development approvals across complex urban environments in the GTHA and across the country.  

At Arcadis, Matthew supports municipalities and developers in solving complex urban issues through a focus on urban analytics, market analysis and unique land use strategies to support development. His work helps clients navigate decisions around land use planning, infrastructure development and financing, phasing and timing for development, and long-term development strategies.  

Matthew is a proud graduate of the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Honours Planning (Co-op). He is a Registered Professional Planner (RPP), a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners (MCIP), a Professional Land Economist (PLE), and was recently inducted into the Lambda Alpha Land Economics Society. He remains actively engaged with the University of Waterloo and enjoys providing mentorship and support to future planners . 

Hossam Elkady is a Manager in Climate Consulting at Workiva, where he works with organizations to strengthen their climate and sustainability reporting and decarbonization strategies. His work focuses on helping clients measure and disclose emissions, manage climate risk, and turn sustainability data into meaningful action. Hossam’s career spans sustainability and management consulting roles at firms including Anthesis Group, Optera, and Sustain.Life, where he supported organizations across sectors in advancing their climate goals. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Guelph and is currently completing a Master of Environment in Sustainability Management at the University of Waterloo. He holds the Sustainability and Climate Risk (SCR®) designation and is passionate about making climate action practical, credible and accessible for organizations navigating the transition to a low-carbon future.