From leading research in Canada’s frozen north to advancing health and education in developing countries to helping homeowners and municipalities across the nation become more resilient in the face of a changing climate, the incredible impact of this year’s Faculty of Environment alumni award recipients reflect and exemplify values foundational to the faculty itself: community impact, caring and research excellence.
Established in 2008, Environment’s annual awards recognize and celebrate graduates and partners who stand out amongst the rest – alumni making tangible, real-world impact, demonstrating just how far an Environment degree and a lot of hard work can take you, and partners whose unwavering support and shared values have amplified our impacts towards some of the world’s most urgent and wicked challenges.
Over the years, the faculty has recognized more than 20 incredible honourees, among them, a Nobel-prize contributing researcher on the impact of climate change on water resources and wetlands, a founder of one of the largest, long-standing planning firms in Ontario, and a founder of a social enterprise championing Indigenous inclusion in the clean energy economy.
This year, from a competitive field of talented and dedicated nominees, we are pleased to welcome three more deserving recipients to this prestigious group whose impact can be witnessed in communities across the country and around the globe.
Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award
Dr. Chris Derksen (BES '97, MA '98, PhD '01)
Research Scientist, Environment and Climate Change Canada
Chris is a world-leading expert on snow with expertise spanning conventional observations, remote sensing, and climate model analysis. His research activities focus on the role of snow cover in the climate system and the implications of climate change on snow, including freshwater availability, Arctic ecosystems, and the carbon cycle. [Read more]
Friend of the Faculty Impact Award
Intact Financial Corporation
Being received by: Carla Smith
Executive Vice President & Chief People, Strategy and Climate Officer, Intact Financial Corporation
Intact Financial Corporation is Canada’s largest property and casualty insurer and one of the University of Waterloo and Faculty of Environment’s strongest and most impactful partners. Intact’s partnership with the university spans more than a decade. Their foundational donation in 2015 helped establish the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, a renowned applied research centre that helps homeowners, communities and businesses reduce risks associated with climate change and extreme weather events while working with government to advise on policy and action. [Read more]
Young Alumni Inspiration Award
Laura Maxwell (MDP ’17, Development Practice)
Manager, Sustainability and Social Impact, Deloitte
Laura co-leads Deloitte’s social impact offering, working with environmentally minded and impact-focused organizations and their leaders as they advance progress on pressing societal challenges. This includes leading sustainability initiatives for clients in a broad range of sectors to build and evaluate impact-driven programs and strategies that created shared economic and societal value. [Read more]
Do you know an exceptional friend or alumnus?
We would love to consider them for one of our awards. Please nominate them today. It only takes 5 minutes and you could be helping us discover our next award recipient!
