Five Environment alumni share what motivates them to give their time and talents so generously for the benefit of people and planet
Service and generosity run deep in the Waterloo community, inspiring countless acts of impact both on and off campus. From participating in opportunities like the Environment Leadership Series to initiatives that reach well beyond Ring Road, alumni are making a difference for people and the planet. We caught up with Susan Brown (BES '08), Michael Hazell (BES '77), Maria Legault (BES '11; MES '14), Ryan Lo (BES '14) and Betty Rozendaal (BES ’83; MA ’87) to learn what motivates them to give their time and talents so generously through their work and volunteer activities.
Throughout my volunteerism and career, I've always been drawn to community-scale work and having a strong connection locally to the community that I'm part of. For me, that’s Waterloo Region.
I first started in environmental sustainability with Reep Green Solutions and Sustainable Waterloo Region. Over time, my interests have shifted and grown to the social sustainability side of things, which has led me to where I am currently at House of Friendship. I've enjoyed being part of community efforts like organizing a neighborhood association in downtown Kitchener and working on affordable housing with Union Co-operative.
Becoming involved and connecting with community-minded people has given me a strong sense of belonging where I live. It also helps me to feel like I'm contributing to issues that can seem so big, so overwhelming. It’s my way of "thinking globally and acting locally" as we learn in the Faculty of Environment.
Every day, I remind myself that community-building starts with making a point to acknowledge people I pass by with a smile, nod, or "good morning" – simple acts in hopes of helping others feel that they belong too.
My journey in philanthropic service was shaped by my experiences at Ridley College, University of Waterloo and Rotary International, where constructively advancing diversity and networking agendas is a central tenant and led me to create YES Canada. This Toronto based Alliance helps equity deserving young people make the right connections to facilitate their life and career journey. Today the Alliance is 30 organizations strong with partners such as: Pact Urban Peace, Trails Youth Initiative, the Girl's E-mentorship & MINA programs, which positively advance differently challenged youth sectors.
As someone who benefited from scholarships, mentorship, and established five successful businesses, it is of paramount importance to me that people discover and pursue their vocations. Professionally, this drove me to form Career Partners International, so organizations may optimize their talent. Altruistically it drove me to create the Gail’s Way Foundation to provide financial support and mentorship so deserving young people can attend the university of their choice. When individuals are connected with the right support and vocation, it positively changes the world.
I am engaged in service through several volunteer leadership roles that allow me to give back to my community and support meaningful change. Most recently, I joined the Board of Destiny Athletics Canada and I also serve on my condo board. I remain active as a Board Member with the Green Party of Ontario in the Kitchener South–Hespeler riding, where I’ve been key to several campaigns as a campaign manager and foot canvass mobilizer. Previously, I spent three years as a Board Member with CycleWR, supporting advocacy for active transportation and sustainable infrastructure in Waterloo Region. Beyond these roles, I bring my professional expertise in communications and project management to strengthen the organizations I serve, whether by telling their stories, guiding strategy, or connecting with diverse stakeholders.
I am motivated by a deep belief that lasting change begins at the local level, where small acts of service ripple outward to benefit humanity and the planet. My education in the Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo, where I earned both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies, instilled in me a responsibility to care for people, communities, and ecosystems. I feel gratitude for the support I’ve received from my own communities and strive to give back by contributing to more equitable, sustainable, and connected futures.
I co-founded and lead a non-profit organization called Urban Minds with a mission to create meaningful ways for youth to shape equitable and sustainable cities. Since 2016, my team and I have worked directly with over 1,000 high school students across Ontario, educating them on urban issues, introducing them to city-building career paths, and engaging them in decision making with governments and community partners. From land use planning to park master plans, from a decommissioned airport to urban shopping centres, I've had the privilege to work on many projects where we spotlight young people's creative ideas for a more livable future.
One in four Ontarians are under the age of 25, and yet youth are often excluded in the processes of planning and designing spaces that are meant to serve them in the decades ahead. Our built environment also presents one of the greatest opportunities for change to tackle the climate crisis, in the ways we live, work, and move. When I see youth standing up for their future over shortsighted gains in conversations about our cities, or when I hear about our participants' journeys in becoming community leaders, I am all the more motivated to continue this work.
My service is grounded in the belief that true well-being comes from honoring the deep interconnectedness between personal health, community health, and planetary health. With a background in environmental science and a current practice as a naturopathic doctor, I strive to embody and promote a holistic vision of wellness—one that integrates mind, body, environment, and spirit.
I live as sustainably as I can, making mindful choices in my clinic such as sourcing eco-conscious materials and reducing waste, and continue to advocate for environmental responsibility in both public and private spaces. I support organizations and charities that work to make holistic wellness accessible to all, use the arts for collective healing, and promote regenerative practices. These include True Patriot Love, Cuso, and the Faculty of Environment Dean's Scholarship for Excellence.
What motivates me is a deep belief in the interconnectedness of all life: human, ecological, and planetary. My education gave me a clear understanding of the impact our choices have on the Earth, and my work as a naturopathic doctor reinforces how closely our health is tied to the health of our environment.
