Class Notes for winter 2026

Wondering what your classmates have been up to? Find out who's been promoted, launched a new project, published a book or started a family. Catch up, then submit an update of your own for the next issue.

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Geoffrey Corfield has now written 11 books. The latest are humorous histories of the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia. Available direct from the author. None of it has anything to do with planning! 

Connect with Geoffrey 
Email: corfieldwg@gmail.com 
Phone: 519-471-2465 

Retired from a successful legal career and has found volunteerism immensely satisfying. After 9 years on the Board, he is now in his third year as President of The Catholic Crosscultural Services, one of Canada's largest refugee settlement agencies. He has remained an avid traveller with his wife of 38 years, Kathleen Voll, (BA ‘79, Psych), often with their children Tara and Sina. He still cherishes his years of playing soccer and rugby for the Warriors. 

Connect with Sean 
Email: khufu8@sympatico.ca  

Andrew’s career in technology culminated with his move to Managing Partner at Fortium Partners. As a former CIO, he not only takes on technology leadership roles for clients, fractionally and in advisory capacities; he is now matching Fortium technology executives with new clients who need senior leadership help. He recently concluded a three-year role on the board of the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA). 

Connect with Andrew 
Email: ciohalford@gmail.com  

In the preliminary stages of planning a 40th reunion on campus this year for anyone connected with the Co-op Geography, 1986 graduating class. More information to follow. Watch for an email or contact him directly. 

The photo was taken in NZ at Taranaki with Richard, Jeff, Mary & Rich, who were in the Co-op Geography Program and had a mini-reunion of sorts. 

Connect with Richard 
Email: rauck27@gmail.com  
Phone: 519-860-0381 

Joined fellow ‘95 Planning Class Alumni Lesley Lackner and Jef Kent, as well as other friends and NHL Alumni Ric Seiling, Kurtis Gabriel, Brad May, 2nd Overall Pick in the 1991 NHL Supplemental Draft David Trombley and CFL Alum Michael Collymore on the ice November 8 at Mattamy Centre at the Gardens for shinny hockey game which raised $3,000 for the 95' Planning Class Entrance Scholarship. 

Connect with Todd 
Email: tpokrywa1@hotmail.com  

Spent 28 years in the corporate world and is now Founder & CEO of Flesh & Bone, a custom market research, insights, and strategy company. Based in Toronto and operating globally, F&B provides consumer and B2B research services to a wide variety of businesses and organizations. 

Connect with Matthew 
Email: matthew.denomme@flesh-bone.com  

Authored a memoir Little Flames Under My Skin – Rebuilding a Life One Neuron at a Time, which was named Runner-Up for the 2025 Sue William Silverman Prize for Creative Nonfiction, judged by Cheryl Strayed. She is currently seeking a Canadian publisher.

Connect with Melissa  
Email: melissawilliams204@gmail.com  

I lived in Beijing for 21 years developing transport emission policy and biofuel sustainability standards.

I now represent SCS Global Services, a sustainability certification body in China. I’m also the President of the Rotary Club of Beijing. Feel free to come and visit!

Connect with Robert 
Email: robjearley@gmail.com  
Phone: +86 139 1131 5889 

Hi ENV friends! I am living in Vienna and working for the United Nations Industrial Development Organization implementing projects on circular economy and industrial decarbonization in Africa.

Connect with Peter
Email: pksmalley@gmail.com

Launched the Sho Than K'e Ho Chi Dok Land and Peoples Model Mentorship Program alongside Elder Copper Jack. Funded by the Government of Canada's Sustainable Development Goals funding Program, there are 50 participants nationwide.

Connect with Wren 
Email: wren@riverstoridges.org  

Recently co-authored a paper on The Unsettling Environmental Footprint of Artificial Intelligence and Some Options. 

Connect with Wendy 
Email: wdegomez@uwaterloo.ca  

Living in Thailand and loving the chill vibes. While her heart is still in the environment, she’s leaning more on the business side by freelancing with VIP Copywriting Services and building websites.  
www.vipcopywritingservices.com  

Connect with Victoria 
Email: vipcopywritingservices@gmail.com

Was recognized as a Clean50 recipient in the Emerging Leader category for his climate resilience work with the Green Municipal Fund and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

Connect with Dustin 
Email: dustin.m.carey@gmail.com  

Left the country after graduating for nearly a year of travelling in Asia, Australia and New Zealand with his now-wife, Lisa, who he met at St. Paul's (now United College) in residence in the first year (2011). Afterward, they moved to Edmonton, where he has been working at the City of Edmonton in planning, while still managing to get on a plane a few times a year.

 He currently manages the Affordable Housing Investment Program, which is the City's main grant program for investing in affordable housing. Since living in Edmonton, he and Lisa adopted a senior dog, Miyagi (now 15 years old) and had a son, Liem (now 2 and a half). 

Connect with Harrison 
Email: harrison.sheremeta@edmonton.ca  

Joined Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP in January 2025, a leading environmental law firm in Canada, as an Associate Lawyer. 

Connect with William 
Email: wtotzke@willmsshier.com  
Phone: 416-917-7717 

Recently started a position as an associate lawyer in the Real Property Group at Cohen Highley LLP in Kitchener. 

Connect with Julien 
Email: jluckasavitch@cohenhighley.com  
Phone: 226-476-4444  

Ben has worked in economic development in Manitoba and Ontario since graduating. He earned his Ec.D. designation in 2021 and became a licensed Realtor® in 2023. Now based in Waterloo, Ben works full-time in economic development while supporting first-time homebuyers through his real estate practice, donating $500 from each detached-home transaction to a client-chosen charity. He recently joined Valery Real Estate Inc., Canada’s first AI-powered real estate brokerage.

Connect with Ben
Email: ben@shantz.ca
Website: www.benshantz.ca

Will be working with Ecojustice as a Law Student for Summer 2026! Reach out if you are interested in connecting about Environmental Law. 

Connect with Ethan 
Email: ethan.sabourin@mail.utoronto.ca  

Moved to Saudi Arabia and now works with the Royal Commission, supporting economic and social development initiatives. Her focus includes women’s and children’s affairs, as well as inclusive project development across sectors, helping ensure programs and services are accessible, equitable, and community centred. 

Connect with Lana 
Email: dajanilana@gmail.com  

Started a full-time job in Toronto as an Associate Consultant at Oracle. 

Connect with Mehul 
Email: mehula2020@gmail.com  

Pursued a master’s degree immediately after completing my undergraduate studies and recently finished my graduate program. While he is still searching for his next role, the experience has reinforced how valuable community, persistence, and alumni connections can be— especially in a difficult job market. 

Connect with Fernando 
Email: fefuentes2000@gmail.com 

Hello fellow alum! I graduated from the MEDI program in 2024 and am now serving as Director of Regional Economic Development with the Government of Yukon.

My career has taken me across Canada, from British Columbia, where I worked as a Program Manager with the provincial tourism human resource association, to the Northwest Territories as a Regional Tourism Development Officer, to Niagara-on-the-Lake as President & CEO of the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism NOTL, and now back north again, where December reminded me what −40 to −50°C really feels like. 
 
It’s been an incredible journey across regions, industries, and communities, and I love reading about the paths each of you has taken since U Waterloo. Looking forward to staying connected and seeing where everyone’s careers (and retirements) continue to lead. 

Connect with Minerva 
Email: minerva.ward@yukon.ca  

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