Leadership series - Fall 2024

Aujas Bandlish (BES 2019)

 Aujas Bandlish is a graduate from Geomatics of Class 2019. While at the university, he the brand ambassador of the University of Waterloo from the Faculty of Environment. He graduated with Honours in Geomatics, a minor in Computer Science, and a Diploma of Excellence in GIS. He was also fortunate to have 20 months of co-op, which he used to explore distinct working environments. He has worked with different levels of government, a multi-national company, and even a start-up company. He was a part of the first National Geomatics Competition and won 2nd place while representing the university. Since graduation, He has been working with the City of Oshawa and held various positions such as Asset Management Data Analyst and (current) GIS Analyst. 

 

Jono Cullar (BES 2015) 

Jono is an experienced professional in the tech and energy consulting industry. He spent nine years at Power TakeOff, where he contributed to building the company until its acquisition in 2023. The company's mission focused on using utility data to inform decision-making for small businesses, helping them reduce their carbon footprints through utility programs across the U.S. In 2023, he co-founded Electraform Equipment, a company dedicated to transitioning niche landscape equipment from fossil fuels to electric power. With a strong commitment to sustainability, Jono aims to provide practical, eco-friendly alternatives that help reduce carbon emissions in the landscaping industry. Jono focusses on real-world applications of clean energy technology, driving meaningful change and promoting the adoption of electric-powered solutions in the sector. 

 

Dr. John Fauquier (BA 1970, MASC 1977, PHD 1985)

John grew up in Toronto and attended high school at the University of Toronto Schools. He went on to study at the University of Waterloo where he attained a B.A. in political science, an M.A.Sc. In Management Sciences in the Faculty of Engineering and a Ph.D. In the School of Urban and Regional Planning. While at the University, he was the Registrar for the Faculty of Environment from 1970-1977 and taught in the faculty until 1981. After returning to Toronto from a few years in Cleveland, Ohio he joined the firm of Ernst & Young (then Woods Gordon) to do consulting work in their Marketing and Economics group. Among a wide range of projects, a number of municipal economic development studies were done. From 1988 to 1996, John was a planning partner in an architectural firm specializing in secondary schools and homes for the aged around Ontario. From 1996 to 2000, he did organizational and governance consulting for small firms undergoing growth problems. In 2000 he formed a small consulting firm with two other partners to provide consulting services for high tech firms. In 2001 until retirement in 2020, he was Director of Space Planning for Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). He also taught organizational design and development to their engineering students.   

For about 40 years, John served on a number of boards of directors in the fields of early childhood education and neighbourhood associations. He was president for a number of years of Family Day Care Services and president of the Badminton & Racquet Club of Toronto in 2012 and 2013. 

Jeremy Grant (BES 1983)

Jeremy Grant is a professional planner, residential developer and project management consultant with over thirty years of experience acquiring and developing land and designing, managing, and building projects across Southwestern Ontario. He graduated from the University of Waterloo, with a Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Honours Urban & Regional Planning) in the last century (1983), when plans were drawn by hand, papers typed on typewriters, research was done at the library well before the internet, Google and AI. Jeremy’s passion in the planning and development field is to create communities that have a sense of place, with authentic connections to heritage and the natural environment and simply put, become environments where people love where they live. Balancing the multiple competing objectives is the ultimate challenge and, Jeremy is proud of his many projects including Quaker Village (Uxbridge), Rockwood Ridge (Rockwood), Downey Trail (Guelph), Alton Mill Arts Centre (Alton), Southampton Landing (Southampton), South River (Elora) and Balfour Woods (Muskoka). 

David Huynh (BES 2002)

David earned an Honours Bachelor of Environmental Studies degree from the School of Planning at the University of Waterloo in 2002 and has since been a dedicated alumn, giving his time to mentor and support young planning professionals. Joining Bousfields Inc. in 2004 and becoming a partner in 2015, David specializes in land use planning, contributing to numerous intensification, infill, and greenfield projects across Toronto and the GTA, encompassing residential, commercial, office, institutional, and mixed-use developments. As a full member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and a Registered Professional Planner in Ontario, David is committed to Bousfields Inc.'s collaborative approach, fostering strong relationships with clients, consultants, community members, and municipal staff to achieve positive outcomes. 

Matt Johnson (BES 2001)

Matt Johnston graduated with a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the School of Urban & Regional Planning at the University of Waterloo in 2001 and he is now the owner and Principal of UrbanSolutions Planning & Land Development Consultants Inc. This land use and development planning consulting firm, practicing out of Hamilton, ON serves a broad range of residential, commercial and industrial clients as well as those from public and institutional sectors. 

Over the course of his 20+ year career, he as worked for the Town of Whitby, a commercial/industrial developer, the City of Hamilton and two other consulting firms prior to establishing UrbanSolutions in 2014.  

Mr. Johnson is independently responsible for representing the interest of development clients, both public and private, through the planning and development process. This includes securing approvals for Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications, Draft Plans of Subdivision, Site Plans, Severance and Minor Variance application and all other Planning Act matters on behalf of his clients. He is responsible for negotiations various levels of Government and technical review agencies as well as leading project teams comprised of other professionals such as lawyers, engineers and surveyors. This area of practice has brought him before many Municipal and Regional Committees and Councils, Conservation Authorities, Commissions and the Ontario Land Tribunal as an expert witness. 

Active in the community, Matt served as the 2018 President of the Hamilton-Halton Home Builders’ Association (now the West End Home Builders’ Association from 2012 to 2019. During this time, he also sat on the Board of Directors for the Ontario Home Builders’ Association from 2018-2019. In 2021, he was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Royal Botanical Gardens where he continues this role today. 

Hassan Malik (SEED/ENBUS 2022)

Hassan Malik is an Environment & Business alumni from the class of 2022. In 2015, Hassan began his career in social media by creating faceless social media pages that amassed a large following. During his time at the University of Waterloo, Hassan pursued electives and co-ops in hopes of pursuing a career in environmental policy with the option of law school in mind but ultimately went back to doing what he had done in highschool and throughout university;  Which was social media management and marketing. After producing content for music campaigns featuring artists such as Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande, and Camila Cabello while also creating ads that achieved over 100+ million impressions, Hassan got the opportunity to pitch his own idea for a new social media platform that his investors believed in. He continues to work on this platform through its startup phase. 

Alex Lusty (BES 2010)

Alex Lusty is a Partner at Davies Howe LLP specializing in development charges and land use planning. He advises clients on all stages of land development, from acquisition to building permit issuance, leveraging expertise across civil engineering, biology, politics, economics, geography, and design. With a background in spatial statistics and GIS from his planning studies at the University of Waterloo (2010), Alex pursued graduate-level work in large-scale development approvals and local governance. He co-authored “Development Charge Changes and the New Community Benefits Charge Regime: What Does it All Mean?” for the Ontario Bar Association, and his interdisciplinary approach also supports municipal advisory work, including election rules and freedom of information issues. Prior to Davies Howe, he was a professional planner focusing on resource planning and waterfront and rural development approvals, appearing before various municipal and judicial bodies such as the Ontario Land Tribunal and the Court of Appeal for Ontario.

Maria Legault (MES 2014)

Maria is a dedicated advocate for environmental sustainability, community engagement, and effective public policy. As a Project Manager at Design de Plume, a creative design agency, she leads complex projects that support inclusive and purpose-driven communications. Her experience in project management, communications, and public outreach allows her 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 challenges. Whether through her professional work, volunteer initiatives, or political advocacy, she is dedicated to building a more equitable and environmentally responsible Ontario.

Garret Reid, (BES 2013)

Senior CAD / GIS Specialist, Comtech

Garret is an experienced GIS and CAD Specialist with over a decade of expertise in geospatial data, surveying, and technical advising. Currently, Garret serves as a Senior GIS/CAD Specialist at Comtech Group, where he provides key technical support clients in the transit, infrastructure, commercial and residential sectors. Prior to this role, Garret held positions at J.D. Barnes Limited as a Survey CAD Technologist, leading geospatial data deliverables, and supporting parcel fabric and topographical development.

In earlier roles, Garret gained hands-on experience as a UAV Survey Technician with Industrial SkyWorks and as a Survey Field Technician with Van Harten Surveying Inc., where they honed skills in legal and topographic field data capture and management.

Garret holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Geography and Environmental Management from the University of Waterloo and a Geomatics Technician Diploma from Fleming College. Active in academic societies, they specialized in environment and development, and supported fellow students as a tutor. Garret brings a wealth of expertise in spatial data and infrastructure projects, combining technical proficiency with practical field experience.

Olivia Kwok, (BES 2011)

Olivia Kwok is a municipal waste management professional with over fourteen years of experience in managing contracts, delivering programs and services, and leading teams. She graduated from the University of Waterloo in 2011, with a BEs – Geography and Environmental Management degree. After spending some time away in western Canada, Olivia has returned to the area, working for the Region of Waterloo currently as the Manager of Waste Collection & Diversion. Outside of work, she is completing her Master of Public Administration degree from Western, and she hangs out with her two fur kids, Scout and Atticus. 

Todd Kerr, (BES 2021)

Todd Kerr (MCIP, RPP) is the President of Real Estate at Giampaolo Investments Limited. Formerly the Director of Land Development, Todd obtained his degree in Urban Planning from the University of Waterloo and specializes began his career with the Giampaolo Group almost two decades ago as a Development Manager. Since then, he has helped grow Giampaolo Developments into a full-fledged real estate development company. Now working as the President of Real Estate, Todd is responsible for all of the day to day operations of GD, and all real estate operations within the Giampaolo Group.

Eric Kingston (BES 1997)

Eric J. Kingston is the Vice President of Operations at the Electrical Safety Authority, where he has dedicated a decade to ensuring electrical safety and operational excellence. With a diverse career spanning roles at Bell Canada, Manulife, and the Grand River Conservation Authority, Eric brings a wealth of experience and leadership to his current position.

He holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo, an MBA from Queen's University, and a Certificate in Public Leadership from Harvard University. Eric's commitment to education and community is further demonstrated by his role on the Board of Directors at the Kitchener Waterloo Bilingual School.

Outside of his professional life, Eric enjoys exploring the great outdoors, spending quality time with his family, and indulging in his passion for vehicles.

Dave Fox (BES 2008)

Dave Fox, a seasoned Environmental Scientist and efficiency expert, co-founded Quantify Environmental Ltd., a unique consultancy driving environmental sustainability in the Industrial IoT sphere.

Skilled in strategic sales, project management, and precision monitoring of resources, Dave has a passion for uncovering low-cost solutions to reduce operational expenses and emissions.His innovation and dedication have been recognized with the Clean 50 Clean Capitalism award and the Clean 50 Emerging Leader accolade. Besides, he enlightens future environmentalists as a part-time lecturer in Sustainable Resource Management at Humber College.