Class Notes for fall 2026

Big moves. New chapters. Familiar names. Explore the latest updates from your classmates, then submit an update of your own to be featured in a future issue.

Retired 16 years after 23 years as Director of Planning Barrie. Been walking among the geckos in Sarasota, Florida since. Relearned how to play guitar during COVID-19 and busk. Still have a flip phone.

Connect with James
Email: jtaylorplan@gmail.com

Retired. Travelled the world until COVID. Finished a Master in Climate Science. Worked with, formed and chaired Environmental Advisory Committees over the years. Now assisting in research and education related to Parkinson's disease.

Connect with Bill
bslade3@gmail.com

Class Champion, Brent Moore, helped plan a 50-year reunion celebration for what started as the Man-Environment Class of 1976 and quickly grew to an early to mid-70s program reunion. In all, more than 20 classmates, friends and retired profs enjoyed a weekend of reuniting and reminiscing.

Help plan your own class reunion: envalumni@uwaterloo.ca

I studied M-Env from Sept '71 to May '75, but I spent my last term travelling in West Africa. I was two to three credits short of graduating and it took me time to get those as I was working (and continue to work till today, having been given a great start!). So it was perhaps in '78 or '79 that I graduated.

Connect with John
Email: jvmossel@gmail.com

I built an extremely energy efficient, extremely affordable house with a very tiny environmental footprint and impact. My "tiny home for the future" could be used in a variety of unaffordable housing and homeless situations. It's a business looking for an owner. Please pass this along to anyone who you think could help.

Connect with John
Email: johnnyridge55@gmail.com

Led by Class champions Nancy Flagler-Wilburn and Lee Anne Doyle, the SURP Class of 1981 held their 45^th Anniversary Reunion at the University this past weekend. In all, there were nine former classmates who were able to attend.  

We gathered at the Grad House for dinner and drinks on Friday night and then attended the Homecoming Breakfast at the PAC and SLC on Saturday morning. Around noon on Saturday, we headed over to EV3 for the Dean's Update and Environment Alumni Social. Saturday evening, we gathered at EV1 for the Planning Class of 1981 Dinner, where we had 15 in attendance. We were joined by one of our former professor, Roger Suffling. Also in attendance was Matthew Britton-Whyte, a recent award winner of the SURP Class of 1981 Award for Black and Indigenous Students. Sunday morning we met for breakfast at the Delta Hotel and said our goodbyes.

We are already making plans for our 50^th Anniversary Reunion in 2031. It was great seeing everyone and we were amazed at how much the campus and Downtown Waterloo has changed since we graduated. We also want to give a shout-out to Dheana Ramsay and her staff who helped us co-ordinate all our reunion activities.

Help plan your own class reunion: envalumni@uwaterloo.ca

Obtained U.S.A. MBA in 1993. Contractor for DND last nine years with private sector multi-industry project management, quality assurance and process improvement tech roots. Now residing in Eastern Ontario with my husband and Shih-tzu-Yorkie mix, enjoying kayaking and short outdoor camping adventures.

Connect with Peggy
Email: seafoam3998@gmail.com

I have lived in New Zealand since 1995. Chief Strategy Officer for Deloitte N.Z., after a long career in management consulting. I love gardening, art and interior design. We have three children and three grandkids—retirement is next!

Connect with Deborah
Email: debslucas38@gmail.com

I just retired at the end of June after a 22-year career as a High School Math and Computer Science teacher following a 14-year IT career. Looking forward to new adventures, lots of electronics/design projects and flexible travel! Love to hear from fellow grads. Go gray Warriors!

Connect with Gord
Email: gp_7141@yahoo.ca

An international educator and professor in Ireland, I recently edited and contributed four papers to a special issue of Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad entitled U.S. Study Abroad: The View from Europe. I also recently joined the global board of CANIE: The Climate Action Network for International Educators.

Connect with Stephen
Email: drstephenrobinson@gmail.com

After a rewarding 30-year career in public school education, including the last 17 years as an elementary school principal, I have retired with immense gratitude. I continue to live in California but enjoy returning to Kitchener-Waterloo often to spend time with family and friends.

Connect with Sharon
Email: sharonburns@gmail.com

I recently celebrated one year of The Suite Spot by TLF, helping coaches and business owners simplify their online marketing, systems and client journeys. No surprise... you can do a lot with a UW planning degree! Say hello by email.

Connect with Tara

tara@taralynnefranco.com

Retired, but busy! President of the Ontario Model Soldier Society, sold out my second book (even to Antarctica!), Director of Toronto Winetasters Society, writing my third book, sailing, and renovating my house.

Connect with Victor
Email: vrudik@hotmail.com

I am currently an Associate Professor of Economics and Undergraduate Program Director at IBA Karachi in Pakistan. My teaching, research and consulting work focuses on areas including competition policy, energy markets, health economics and economic policy. I’ve worked with universities, government institutions, international organizations and the private sector. My Waterloo experience continues to influence my approach to using economics to address real-world development challenges.

Connect with Amir
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirjahankhan/ 

Celebrating 20 years of operating Wildlife Gardening (WG) with my best friend/husband, Liam Kijewski. Launched the summer of my graduation, WG is a native plant nursery and ecological restoration/landscaping business servicing southern Ontario.

Connect with Crystal
Email: WildlifeGardening@gmail.com

Co-class champions, Maria Legault, Olivia Kwok and Liz Wong helped plan a special reunion for the undergraduate class of 2011.

15 years seemed to melt away when our class gathered together in the ES Lounge for a relaxed catch-up. We enjoyed reminiscing on our favourite moments from classes, identifying spaces on campus where we loved to spend time, and hearing some casual life updates. About 14 of us enjoyed this reconnection, and look forward to many more! - Maria

Help plan your own class reunion: envalumni@uwaterloo.ca

Rivers to Ridges and the Southern Lakes Caribou in the Schools Program are 2026 Arctic Inspiration Prize Laureates, advancing Indigenous-led, land-based education that connects students and educators with caribou, Indigenous knowledge, stewardship, and the land.

Connect with Wren
Email: wren@riverstoridges.org

After graduating from UWaterloo with my PhD in Geography, I accepted a full-time professorship with Humber College. My research pertains to the impacts of tourism on Indigenous communities and how these initiatives can be more sustainable. In keeping with this theme, during my summer breaks, I guide socially responsible safaris for groups of like-minded Canadians to a number of African countries. 

Connect with Ryan
Email: rtsnider@uwaterloo.ca

Account Manager for Environment and Climate Change Canada, currently managing funding contracts for a funding program to improve building energy codes across Canada.

Connect with Tony
Email: ferg5990@gmail.com

Environment Class of 2016 alumni reunited for a relaxed evening of food and drinks at Arabella Park. Graduates of the Environment and Resource Studies, Geomatics and Planning programs reconnected and shared where their lives and careers had taken them. The past 10 years since leaving Waterloo have been a whirlwind that included graduate studies, starting businesses and many career changes! Thanks to Class Champion, co-lead, Michelle Cuomo for leading this get-together!

Help plan your own class reunion: envalumni@uwaterloo.ca

The planning class of 2016 got together for a Homecoming dinner in Toronto, organized by Class Champion co-lead, Jinny Tran. 

It was so nice to reconnect with our classmates, some of whom we had not seen in almost a decade. We caught up on where everyone is working and currently living, and realized that many of our paths overlap- funny enough, it turns out that one of my classmates is also my neighbour! It was great to see everyone again and pick up right where we left off.

Help plan your own class reunion: envalumni@uwaterloo.ca

It's been eight years since I completed my MEB in Waterloo. At that time, I was in Brazil and working as a corporate manager in the areas of health, safety and environment. I believe the MEB was a major turning point. In 2022, I applied for an internal position as global director of health, safety, and environment. Since March 2023, I have been residing in Mississauga, Ontario, leading these three disciplines that I find so fascinating.

Connect with Rogerio
Email: rgonslvs1@gmail.com

The undergraduate class of 2021 celebrated a 5-year class reunion at Homecoming 2026. Class champion co-lead, Teresa Cimino planned a dinner in Toronto for ENBUS '12 graduates (pictured here). Back in Waterloo, other class of '21 alumni gathered on campus before heading out to the Heuther for a class gathering with co-lead, Justine Bustos. 

Help plan your own class reunion: envalumni@uwaterloo.ca

Last year, I moved to the big city and started a new role as a Senior Planner at Fotenn Planning + Design. In more exciting news, my friends and I were awarded a grant with the 880 Cities Ontario Community Changemakers program to launch a non-profit called Can Companion. A Can Companion is an outdoor, attachable alcohol can receptacle that makes can collection safe, hygienic and dignified, and contributes to environmental circularity. Check it out!

Connect with Sydney
Email: sydneydito98@gmail.com

After completing my MSc in Geomatics, I spent a year as a Research Assistant in the University of Waterloo's Vision and Image Processing (VIP) Lab before joining Beanfield as an Application Data Analyst. I am currently pursuing a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Waterloo. My research focuses on Earth foundation models, multimodal remote sensing and trustworthy geospatial AI for environmental monitoring. It has been rewarding to build on the strong foundation I gained in the Faculty of Environment while connecting academic research with real-world geospatial applications.

Connect with Kristie
Email: j265hu@uwaterloo.ca

After I completed the Environment and Business program in 2023 and the Master of Climate Change program in 2024, I started work at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. I conduct environmental reviews and impact assessments within the nuclear sector in Canada. The Environmental Assessment diploma from UWaterloo has been particularly helpful for my role!

Connect with Elizabeth
Email: elizabethkawilliamson@gmail.com

I will be joining a major player in the stack testing industry, Alliance Technical Group, in October. I have been able to transition from a junior to an intermediate scientist within two years and join arguably the largest stack testing organization in North America.

Connect with Preet
Email: preetraj200121@gmail.com

HEYYY, hopefully everyone who went to South Bruce Peninsula last year is still doing great! I had went back to China and started my career :) I work for TikTok now, so if anyone is interested, please message me lol, I know, things cannot always be perfect, good luck yall!

Connect with Zhichao
Email: zhichao.jiao.student2001@gmail.com

I recently completed my Master of Public Administration at Queen's University. This was a great experience to expand on what I learned about environmental governance at the University of Waterloo. I deepened my knowledge of public policy, building on the skills and co-op experience I gained during my undergraduate degree. I am currently working at the Ontario Public Service as a Senior Divisional Policy Coordinator for the Policy Division of the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks in Toronto, ON.

Connect with Hanna
Email: hannameili232@gmail.com<

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