Presented by the School of Accounting and Finance and the Hub for Sustainability Integration
In-person in Downtown Toronto at the Toronto Eaton Centre
As the world faces the growing challenge of climate change, businesses aren’t just adapting—they’re innovating. The impact of climate change is reshaping industries, transforming traditional business models, and opening the door to new opportunities for growth and sustainability.
Join us for our Spring Lunch & Learn series, where thought leaders, industry experts, and like-minded professionals come together to explore the intersection of business, innovation, and sustainability.
Special offer
In the spirit of Canadian camaraderie, our Lunch & Learn sessions will be FREE for the first 30 registrants—and yes, lunch is still included!
To secure your free registration, please email uwsustainabilityhub@uwaterloo.ca to receive the discount code before completing your registration. Spots are limited, so don’t wait!
Session dates
- June 5, 2025
Schedule
- 11:30 a.m – 12 p.m. | Lunch & Networking
- 12 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. | Speaker Session & Discussion
Session details
Each session is designed to provide actionable strategies and forward-thinking insights that can help drive innovation and sustainability in your industry.
From Compliance to Competitive Advantage: Understanding Bill C-59’s Impact
June 5, 2025 | Meet the panel
Join us for an insightful Lunch & Learn session as we explore Bill C-59 and its implications for greenwashing in Canada. We’ll dive into its potential and pitfalls for regulating corporate environmental claims that affects businesses big and small. Learn from our panel of experts who will share lessons learned and ideas for developing best practices that may be helpful to turning compliance into a competitive advance. Our panel will discuss the impact on marketing and promotion efforts and how to operationalize the bill from a best practices perspective.
*Letter for CPD hours will be issued following the session.
Reserve your spot
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to stay ahead of the curve while contributing to a more sustainable future.
Sessions will be FREE for the first 30 registrants. To secure your free registration, please email uwsustainabilityhub@uwaterloo.ca to receive the discount code before completing your registration.
Cost: $40 for one session.
* Lunch provided with registration.
Why attend?
Gain perspectives from leading voices in sustainability, finance, and business transformation.
Stay ahead of emerging challenges and opportunities in the evolving climate and business landscape.
Build connections with professionals committed to creating a sustainable future.
Jessica Giero
Jessica has over 13 years of experience in audit, risk management, and ESG, working with clients across retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and more. A Chartered Professional Accountant, she began her career in external audit at Deloitte before moving into internal audit and risk management at Loblaw Companies. In 2021, she transitioned her career focus to ESG, specializing in financial controls processes, regulatory disclosure preparation, and sustainability strategy. As the founder of Giero Consulting Ltd., she helps companies get audit-ready through strong data and reporting integrity. Known for her organized and people-focused approach, Jessica is a trusted advisor to C-suite clients.
Kelly Harris
Kelly has over 15 years of experience providing practical, business-focused advice on advertising law. She works closely with in-house legal and marketing teams to manage risk and develop creative solutions. Her clients include global retailers, consumer goods manufacturers, and advertising agencies, often in regulated industries like food, cosmetics, alcohol, and cannabis. Recognized for her expertise, Kelly has been ranked in Chambers Canada, Lexpert, and The Best Lawyers in Canada for Advertising & Marketing Law.
Heather Mak
Heather has over 15 years of experience in sustainability across the private and non-profit sectors, specializing in strategy, stakeholder engagement, and communications. As Principal Advisor at Heather Mak Consulting and co-founder of Diversity in Sustainability, she works to advance sustainability while amplifying underrepresented voices. Her work focuses on food, retail, and consumer goods, tackling complex issues like supply chain sustainability, circular economy, and responsible sourcing. She has held sustainability roles at Deloitte, Tim Hortons, Retail Council of Canada, and more, with a commercial background at Storck, L'Oréal, and Procter & Gamble. Heather also lectures at the MBA level and mentors students and newcomers in the field.