Our Team
Alicia Richins
Office Administrator Volunteer, The Youth Harbour
(she/they)
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Alicia graciously volunteers her time to oversee Climate ShareSpace Toronto and its members, while also supporting FES with on-the-ground office administration.
Alicia is a Sustainable Impact Strategist who fiercely champions climate justice and hopeful futures. With extensive experience in facilitation, sustainability, impact measurement and standards development, she helps forward-thinking organizations to assess, amplify and embed their desired social and environmental impact, using the UN Sustainable Development Goals as a guiding framework.
They also serve as Director of Strategy and Governance for Leading Change Canada, an organization focused on activating youth sustainability leadership for the transition to a low carbon economy within a generation.
Alicia is joining FES as the volunteer Office Administrator to the Climate ShareSpace Toronto, supporting and resourcing local climate champions in their important work.
A proud dual citizen since birth of Canada and Trinidad and Tobago, Alicia holds a Master in Environmental Studies, Planning Concentration, and a BA in Economics and Social Science (Honours), both from York University.
Her latest creative project is the Climateverse, a new media project reporting the news from parallel realities where humanity is taking bold action on climate change and social justice.
Toronto, ON Tkaronto | Dish With One Spoon Wampum | Treaty 13 | Anishnabek, Haudenousaunee, Mississaugas of the Credit Nations.
Alyssa Obrand
Executive Director
(she/her)
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As the key management leader of FES, Alyssa is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs, fundraising, and strategic plan of the organization.
Alyssa joined FES in 2021, after finishing her Bachelor of Commerce at McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management, where she majored in Managing for Sustainability. Now, upon finishing a Masters of Science in Environment, Politics and Society at the University College London in the United Kingdom, she is fulfilling her passion for environmental activism and reimagining the philanthropic sector for youth with FES.
Alyssa has experience working in environmental consulting, green startups, the UK climate politics sector, and is passionate about working in advocacy. From years of working with youth, she has seen first-hand the power and strength of young minds, and believes that her own generation is the greatest force for change. When not plugging away at her spreadsheets, Alyssa is most likely enjoying time outside on her bike, training for a marathon, or swimming.
Alyssa lives in Montréal, QC | Tiohtià:ke | Mooniyang.
Ella Cheah
Grants Coordinator, The Youth Harbour
(she/her)
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Ella supports FES and The Youth Harbour by coordinating grant administration, supporting impact reporting, developing resources for applicants and grantees, and serving as a key point of contact throughout the grant lifecycle.
Ella is passionate about advancing social and environmental impact at the intersection of youth leadership, climate action, and health equity. She cares deeply about building more inclusive and wellbeing-centred communities and is drawn to work that uplifts and empowers young changemakers.
She is a recent graduate of the UBC Sauder School of Business, where she specialized in Business Technology Management with a focus on Sustainability & Social Impact. Through her previous roles at Future of Good and Propel Impact, Ella has had the opportunity to engage with the impact sector through research, storytelling, and advisory work. She is also an advocate for mental health and reproductive justice and has led community initiatives at Sauder Health and Wellness, a student-led organization at her university.
Outside of work, Ella enjoys sunny bike rides, discovering new cafes, and meaningful conversations with friends. She also loves to travel and recently returned from a three-month backpacking trip across Southeast Asia.
Vancouver, BC | Unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Emily Lau
Projects & Impact Manager, The Youth Harbour
(she/her)
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Emily supports The Youth Harbour’s initiatives, including Amplify, grantee management, and impact reporting, ensuring seamless project coordination along the way. She is the go-to person for all things resources development and wrap-around support!
With a background in Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo, Emily has experience in both public and private Sectors conducting community engagement activities to advance sustainability initiatives.
In 2020, Emily led programs to empower and engage over 100 youth volunteers who wanted to make a positive impact for young people while gaining leadership skills and building networks — all during an ongoing global pandemic that created mass uncertainty for youth and the future of work. During this time, she felt invigorated and inspired by the energy and dedication youth had for making the world a better place while finding joy in community. Combining her knowledge and experience in youth leadership, community engagement, and sustainability, Emily spent the last two-plus years organizing programs and events for young professionals working in climate action.
Outside of work, Emily enjoys reading, thrifting, making her friends laugh with hyper-specific memes, and trying new restaurants!
Vancouver, BC | xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations
Julie Dunleavy
Program Director, The Youth Harbour
(she/her)
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Julie is responsible for all things granting, and leads the general oversight of The Youth Harbour program. Julie provides coaching to applicants, progress meetings with grantees, and manages the Youth Steering Committee.
Julie brings years of experience in environmental and youth-led spaces. Growing up in Guelph, ON (Haudenosaunee, Anishinabewaki, Attiwonderonk and Mississauga territories) she participated in semester-long environmental leadership and business leadership experiential learning programs in secondary school. These demonstrated to her the power of community and youth-led action. Furthering her education at the University of Ottawa, she completed an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences in International Development and Globalization, Minor in Geography, in French Immersion with Second Language Certification.
Julie is intentional about her online and outdoor work-life balance, from managing a team of 25 youth conducting nationwide urban research completely online in the height of the pandemic, to then professionally planting over 100,000 trees throughout forests in Manitoba, Ontario and British Columbia. Since joining FES in November of 2021, Julie has built relationships with dozens of youth-led organizations to ensure that The Youth Harbour can continue to trust and empower youth, both in English and in French.
*Haudenosaunee, Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ, Attiwonderonk (Neutral), Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and Mississauga territories
*Omàmìwininìwag (Algonquin), Kanienʼkehá꞉ka (Mohawk) and Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ territories
*Kanienʼkehá꞉ka (Mohawk) and Haudenosaunee territories
Kathryn Hoffart
Creative Director
(she/they)
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Kathryn is our “creator extraordinaire,” managing external communications through our social media platforms, website, and newsletter. Kathryn also manages Amplify (previously known as Branding Buddy) for The Youth Harbour.
As a graduate from Mount Royal University with a major in Information Design and a minor in Psychology, Kathryn fuses her creative skills and empathy with human-centered design to create user-friendly and innovative solutions.
With 7 years of strategic branding, marketing, and communications expertise, Kathryn has delivered impactful design projects in sectors such as healthcare, energy, and social impact. For the past years as Creative Director at FES, she's evolved distinct yet unified brand identities for its programs, ensuring consistency, accessibility, and driving measurable growth in social media engagement, website traffic, and newsletter readership.
When she is not designing, you can likely find her getting creative with plant-based recipes, thrifting unique finds, or getting her rambunctious pet rabbits out of trouble.
Kathryn lives in Calgary, AB | Mohkinstsis | The Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and Treaty 7 Nations.
Marouane Joundi
French Communications Consultant
(he/him)
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Montréal, QC | Tiohtià:ke | Mooniyang
Marouane supports FES in its communications in French, both in terms of written content and by helping to interpret meetings.
Originally from Morocco and living in Quebec since 2018, Marouane has been actively involved in several climate justice groups and has participated in various local and international mobilizations. He has also dedicated his master's degree in political science to the study of the arguments and rhetoric of the public debate on climate mobilization in Quebec.
After completing his master's degree, he worked in the water protection sector, in the Quebec municipal sector and in a political office. He is currently returning to his studies in the field of economics with a particular interest in social, environmental and geographical economics.
In his spare time, Marouane enjoys writing, poetry, history and the media. He is also involved as an executive member of the Aile Jeunesse du Chantier d'économie sociale. Finally, he is exploring the world of radio, having launched a public affairs program with a friend on the University of Montreal radio station.
Miranda Podolinsky
Operations Manager
(she/her)
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Miranda is responsible for compliance, financial coordination, and administrative support, ensuring smooth operations and internal systems at the organization. She is our go-to person for all Climate Collab Centre locations (Climate ShareSpace Toronto & Activist Resource Library Montreal).
Miranda is a purpose-driven development professional, committed to fostering inclusive and climate-resilient communities. With a Bachelor in Environmental Studies and an Honours degree in International Development from the University of Waterloo, she brings an intersectional lens to her climate work—ensuring those most vulnerable are represented and centered in solutions.
Motivated by a strong desire to connect and collaborate, Miranda has coordinated skill-building programs for marginalized youth in Ukraine, developed gender equality training for women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka, and supported a team in Tanzania to design gender-transformative programming. Passionate about youth empowerment, gender equity, and climate justice, she is dedicated to supporting young people to lead in shaping a more sustainable and just future.
When not at her desk, you can find Miranda outside cruising on her bike, indoors cooking up a new recipe, or binging the latest reality TV show.
Vancouver, BC | xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Skw’akw’as (Sunshine) Dunstan-Moore
Indigenous Projects Manager, Indigenous Youth Fund
(she/her)
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Skw’akw’as (Sunshine) is responsible for the Indigenous Youth Fund (IYF), a for-Indigenous youth, by-Indigenous youth initiative dedicated to resourcing and supporting Indigenous young people advancing community-based climate action across so-called Canada.
Sunshine is of Nlaka’pamux, Stl’atl’imx, Yakama descent from Tl’kemstin (Lytton), British Columbia. With a background in communications, Sunshine is currently studying Global Law at Carleton University and brings over five years of experience in international climate policy. She served on the Environment and Climate Change Canada Ministerial Youth Council from 2022–2024, chairing the Council during its inaugural year, and was also a member of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO Youth Advisory Group from 2021–2025. She completed a Parliamentary Internship with Environmental Leadership Canada, working in the office of Senator Mary Coyle in the Senate of Canada.
Sunshine is committed to creating space for BIPOC youth within colonial institutions and advocates for intersectional and anti-colonial approaches to policy development, education, and public discourse. A self-proclaimed Swiftie, she can often be found listening to “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?” while navigating colonial spaces.
Téa Agtarap
Program Coordinator, N:OW for Net-Zero
(she/her)
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Téa leads the coordination and creation of resources available to N:OW for Net-Zero grantees while also maintaining strong relationships with Canadian youth and educators looking to integrate net-zero initiatives into their local communities and schools.
With a passion for youth empowerment and environmental intersectionality, Téa brings educational and climate science expertise to the N:OW for Net-Zero program at FES. After completing a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geoscience, she expanded her understanding of human-environment relationships through a Master of Science in Geography with a concentration in the Anthropocene, a pressing epoch that defines our planet’s recent past, present, and future states. Her graduate work explored how people can live positively within the Anthropocene, honing her ability to think critically about cultivating hope in what often feels like an overwhelming and doom-laden time.
This academic foundation, paired with public service experience in policy, strategy, and program delivery, shapes Téa’s commitment to blending scientific knowledge with storytelling, creativity, and care to spark meaningful climate action and to help learners recognize their own agency in shaping sustainable futures.
Outside of work, you can probably find her baking fresh bread, dancing to an epic tune, or hosting an iconic dinner party with friends and loved ones.
Montréal, QC | Tiohtià:ke |Kanien'kehá:ka Nation
Valerie Ntinu
Partnerships Manager, The Youth Harbour
(she/her)
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Valerie plays a key role in stewarding FES’ and The Youth Harbour’s external relationships, with a focus on securing and overseeing partnerships. She ensures that projects with external partners run smoothly and also manages the Abundance Fellowship.
Valerie is a diligent and goal-oriented professional known for her agility, dedication, and sharp focus. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and a Master’s in Media, Culture, and Society, fueling her passion for meaningful change. With an unrelenting thirst for justice, Valerie recently migrated to Canada, aiming to introduce climate-determinism concepts from Europe to her new home.
After spending several years in the corporate sector, she chose to pivot toward “for purpose” work, driven by a desire to make a deeper impact. Her career has seen her excel in communications and equity work, where she championed causes close to her heart.
In addition to her professional endeavors, Valerie is the founder of drINKcafe, a not-for-profit initiative offering a creative and safe space for Black and brown non-binary and femme individuals. When not working or advocating for her community, you can find her deeply engrossed in a modern African fictional novel or enjoying the latest episodes of Love is Blind.
Montréal, QC | Tiohtià:ke | Mooniyang
Our Youth Steering Committee
Ay’Den Abraham
(he/him)
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Cold Lake, AB | Ayîk Sâkâhikan (Frog Lake), Treaty 6 territory
Ay’Den Abraham (24) is an active member of his home community of Ayîk Sâkâhikan (Frog Lake). Based out of Cold Lake, Alberta. Located on Treaty 6 territory. He is a ceremonial helper, environmentalist, as well as committee and board member for various projects pertaining to Economic Development with the scope of sustainability and clean energy.
With a background in carpentry being a family generational trade, he and his family have helped build the community. Working as a summer student through to supervisor in his youth is where he became more passionate about sustainability for the environment for the future population. He took training to become a Volunteer with his Fire Department in the Summer of 2023.
In August of 2023 upon request, he co-coordinated a Plains Cree cultural camp with the scope of environmental monitoring. The camp was very successful and with encouragement from his colleagues he began to build relationships and his skills with Indigenous Clean Energy and Legacy Energy and Alternative Power (LEAP) projects. He applied through the programming through ICE and was accepted into Generation Power 2023/24, and again for 2024/25, leading projects in both their Charge Up Program and ImaGENation 2024-2025 cohort program. He still volunteers as a firefighter when he is in his reservation and has the time.
He believes in leaving a great world behind for his future generations, friends and family and everyone to live as one with the environment.
Cameron Armstrong
(she/her)
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Winnipeg, MB | Treaty 1 Territory, the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg, Ininiwak, Anisininewuk, Dakota Oyate, and the Homeland of the Red River Métis
Cameron Armstrong is a third-generation, mixed Filipina environmentalist and youth advocate from Winnipeg, Manitoba/Treaty 1 Territory. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Environmental Science at the University of Manitoba. Her interests lie in environmental justice, water protection, and empowering Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) youth in environmental spaces.
Recognized as one of 2023’s Top 25 Environmentalists Under 25 by the Starfish, Cameron serves as a Senior Program Specialist at Youth Climate Lab, where she runs From Root to Sky, a program for BIPOC youth focussed on anti-racist climate action and deconstructing systems of oppression within environmental work. She has served as a member of EarthEcho International’s Youth Leadership Council advocating for just ocean conservation and has conducted research at the University of Manitoba, focussed on environmental racism and water control structures in collaboration with Lake St. Martin First Nation and Dauphin River First Nation. She currently works as a Research Assistant at the University of Manitoba’s Centre for Human Rights Research and is currently working on Just Waters, an interdisciplinary project focussed on hydro-social relations. In 2023, she also completed an externship with the National Geographic Society and The Nature Conservancy exploring freshwater conservation and hydro development impacts in Northern Manitoba.
Cameron is currently on the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada’s Youth Advisory Council and also works on Consider Climate, Manitoba, advocating for climate-centered policy decisions in Manitoba. In her free time, you can find Cameron in a coffee shop or dancing to Carly Rae Jepsen.
Rahul Balasundaram
(he/him)
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Ottawa, ON | Traditional unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Anishinaabeg Algonquin People
Rahul is an Eelam Tamil-Canadian young professional, who recently completed his MA in Immigration at Settlement Studies at the Toronto Metropolitan University, where he researched the interconnectedness of climate mobility, climate justice and the securitization of migration. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences in International Development from the University of Ottawa and has worked in migration, humanitarian and sustainable development research, policy and programming through roles in various NGOs, think tanks and the federal government.
Chanel Best
(she/her)
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Ottawa, ON | Traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg people
Chanel holds a Bachelor of International and Global Studies (BGInS) from Carleton University where she specialized in Globalization and the Environment. She became an advocate for student food insecurity conducting her own primary research related to international students for the Department of Geography.
Chanel is a seventh generation Canadian who identifies as a person of the global majority. Her love for nature and the environment comes from growing up in Northwestern Ontario on the shores of Lake Superior. Her heart is particularly fond of freshwater related causes, demonstrated by her participation in lobbying successfully for the creation of the new Canada Water Agency. She has spent her early career investigating and understanding the root causes of inequality in our Philanthropic systems with experience as a granter, fundraiser and consultant. Recognizing her unique identity and professional experience, she understands the importance leadership through equity and uplifting community champions who are already doing great work.
In addition to being at the Partners Table for the Womxn’s Leadership Collective for Nature and Climate Action where she co-lead an inaugural youth cohort. She was awarded a fellowship with Youth Challenge International as a Programs and Partnerships and Climate Action Fellow working on the ground alongside young women entrepreneurs building sustainable social enterprises in northern Ghana.
Chanel currently works as a Grant Manager at Grantsimple supporting a portfolio of community projects and Not-for-profits navigating the challenging funding landscape. She hopes to pursue a masters degree in the future that aligns with both her passions of the environment and philanthropy, and is deeply excited to join the Youth Steering Committee.
In her spare time you can find her writing, dancing, and spending time on the water.
Sasha Emery
(she/they)
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Whitehorse, YK | Traditional territories of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta'an Kwäch'än Council
Sasha Emery is a young francophone climate activist born in the Northwest Territories and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon. She holds a bachelor's degree in environmental and urban studies from the University of Ottawa. Growing up in Northern Canada, she has seen firsthand how the Arctic environment and biodiversity are disproportionately affected by the effects of climate change. She is involved in climate advocacy on several levels.
Among other things, she has helped raise awareness of the needs of northern communities facing the reality of climate change in the North with the federal government as a member of the Prime Minister's Youth Council. As a member of Natural Resources Canada's Youth Council, she collaborated with other young environmental professionals to create and present recommendations on energy transition to the department. In addition, during her tenure on the Yukon Government Youth Panel on Climate Change, she led several climate awareness workshops in her community to fill gaps in the curriculum.
Passionate about intersectionality within the climate movement, Sasha represented the interests of Canadian youth as a delegate to the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development with Young Diplomats of Canada in 2024. She wants to help empower young people and challenge current unsustainable lifestyles. She created and co-hosts a podcast by and for francophone youth in minority communities called “Conversations climatiques” (Climate Conversations) to dissect current environmental issues and make resources on eco-anxiety accessible. In her spare time, she paints, dances, and hikes outdoors.
Shauna Kelly
(she/her)
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Burin, NL | The unceded, traditional territory of the Beothuk and the Mi'kmaq on the island of Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland)
Shauna was raised in Wîchispa/Mohkinstsis (Calgary) in Treaty 7 Territory along the riverbank of the Bow River and under chinook arches by parents from Newfoundland. Growing up in Alberta with many family members who had moved away from home to work in the oil sands, conversations about the environment, economy, and climate change were regular around the dinner table, sparking her interest in climate action and sustainability. In high school, Shauna became involved in the Alberta Climate Leadership Youth Network. Alongside her peers, she spoke at environmental conferences, co-wrote an international youth white paper for the IPCC Cities Conference, and successfully advocated for increased climate education as well as funding for solar energy projects on schools in the province.
Shauna holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from the University of Northern British Columbia. Her studies centered on just energy transitions, food security and sovereignty, and sustainable community development. Throughout her time at UNBC, she was engaged in many environmental and social justice initiatives, including leading the composting program on campus and co-organizing a climate justice teach-in.
Shauna now lives in Burin on the island of Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland) on the unceded, traditional territory of the Beothuk and the Mi'kmaq. She works with the Sierra Club Canada Foundation as the Offshore Wind Coordinator for Newfoundland and Labrador as part of the Atlantic Offshore Wind Coalition, which aims to strengthen support for smart development of offshore renewable energy in Atlantic Canada. Beyond work, Shauna is deeply involved in community, she has served on multiple boards and youth councils, and is a regular volunteer for community events and initiatives. Her free time is spent hiking, knitting, or watching tv with her cat.
Justin R. Langan
(he/him)
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Winnipeg, MB | Treaty 1 Territory, Homeland of the Red River Métis
Justin R. Langan (26) is a Métis leader, social entrepreneur, and policy advocate from Swan River, Manitoba. Raised in a rural Métis community, his work is grounded in lived experience and cultural responsibility. He is the Founder and Executive Director of O’KANATA, a federally incorporated youth-led nonprofit advancing education, employment, cultural programming, and climate action with Indigenous youth across Canada and internationally.
Justin has represented Canada at major global forums such as the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Arctic Frontiers, and the Youth 20 (Y20), where he contributes to policy discussions on inclusive economic growth, sustainability, and Indigenous rights. His leadership has been recognized with distinctions such as the Indspire Award, CBC Future 40, and Corporate Knights Top 30 Under 30 Sustainability Leaders.
Beyond his organizational and policy work, Justin is an advocate for digital sovereignty and eco-literacy, bridging traditional Indigenous knowledge with emerging technologies. He currently serves on advisory councils with organizations such as Ducks Unlimited Canada and Health Data Research Network Canada, and is a member of the UNESCO SDG4 Youth & Student Network.
He is committed to uplifting youth voices, protecting the environment, and building equitable futures rooted in culture, sustainability, and community resilience.
Peter Oyedijo
(he/him)
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Sydney, NS | Unama’ki, the unceded and traditional territory of the Mi’kmaw People
Peter Oyedijo is a graduate of the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program at Cape Breton University in Mi’kmaw’ki. Peter emigrated to Canada several years ago and has been a passionate environmental advocate and youth leader since childhood. During his time at CBU, he actively engaged in various initiatives, eventually serving as the Executive Vice-President of the Cape Breton University Students’ Union.
Peter’s commitment to environmental advocacy began at a young age. He has since channelled this passion into meaningful initiatives that address climate change and promote sustainability.
As a member of the inaugural Nova Scotia Youth Climate Council (NSYCC), Peter played a pivotal role in shaping the council’s direction and impact. Serving as the first Secretary of the council, he was instrumental in the formation of the Climate Policy Committee, focusing on climate policy initiatives and advocacy. His leadership in this area underscored his dedication to ensuring that youth voices are central to policy discussions and decision-making processes in the province.
Beyond his work with the Youth Climate Council, Peter has been deeply involved in various community initiatives within the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, serving on multiple boards and committees. He consistently brings the youth perspective to the table, particularly at the intersections of climate change and education.
Currently, Peter works in Cape Breton University’s Student Affairs department, where his interest in environmental issues intersects with his way of approach to issues. He aspires to further his education by pursuing a master’s degree, with a focus on policies that affect the environment, business and the education sector.
Peter is excited to contribute his experience to the Youth Steering Committee. In his free time, he enjoys reading, staying informed on policy developments, and playing musical instruments.
Charlotte Ribotta
(she/her)
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Carleton-sur-Mer, QC | The unceded and traditional territory of the Mi’kmaw Nation
Charlotte has a master’s degree in urban and regional planning. She is from France, and came to live in Gaspésie, QC following an internship she really enjoyed, at a social innovation research centre specializing in sustainable development. She is interested in new socio-ecological practices and movements and how they are implemented. She enjoys working on projects to promote social-ecological transition and to deepen dialogue and community empowerment.
Charlotte likes concrete things and also likes to learn new things. She’s been surfing since she was a child and loves being close to the sea, which is where her desire to protect the environment comes from.
She’s looking forward to taking part in the committee to get connected and find out about more youth-led climate action taking place.
Mariam Salaymeh
(she/her)
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Montreal, QC | Tiohtià:ke, on the traditional territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka Nation
Mariam is the Montreal Program Coordinator for the RISE program at Apathy is Boring and serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of CKUT 90.3 FM, as well as Secretary of the Board at the Musée des Ondes Emile Berliner. Born in Kitchener to Palestinian and Bulgarian parents, she grew up in Prague, Czech Republic and is now based in Tiohtià:ke (Montreal), on the traditional territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka Nation. She holds a degree in anthropology and linguistics from McGill University and is currently studying municipal government at the École nationale d’administration publique (ENAP). Mariam’s work is rooted in community building, youth civic engagement, and equitable urban futures. She brings a deep interest in Indigenous solidarity and commitment to decolonial practice. Her background includes grassroots organizing, community broadcasting, and international teaching. She previously taught high school in Japan and now supports youth through programming that centers community projects, local democracy, public media, and livable cities.
In her spare time, Mariam DJs community events and cheers for the Raptors.
Zeinab Salehiankia
(she/her)
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St. John’s, NL | Traditional unceded territory of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit
Zeinab is in her final semester of the Master’s in Environmental Science (Co-op) program at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Based in the city of St. John’s, Newfoundland, the easternmost city in North America, she originally comes from Iran and lived in Naples, Italy, the home of pizza, where she embraced its vibrant culture, cuisine, and diverse experiences before moving to Canada.
Zeinab is passionate about climate advocacy and environmental sustainability. She is actively involved with ClimaFacts Atlantic, a student-led nonprofit focused on raising public awareness and mobilizing knowledge about climate change. Additionally, she contributes to the Youth Engagement Working Group in the City of St. John’s, where she promotes youth-led sustainability initiatives across the city.
Her research interests focus on nature-based solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change, particularly flooding in coastal cities. She leverages her expertise in spatial data analysis and ArcGIS in her work to promote sustainability. Zeinab has interned and collaborated with various environmental organizations, gaining valuable experience in advocacy, policy development, and environmental management.
Currently, through her involvement with Neighbours United, Zeinab engages in one-on-one advocacy and canvassing to promote a green and sustainable future for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Zeinab is also an active volunteer, participating in environmental initiatives such as clean-ups and tree planting. In addition to her academic and advocacy work, she is passionate about creating meaningful connections between communities and the environment, driven by her belief in the power of grassroots action to combat climate change.
Board of Directors
Alison Holder
Director
Non-profit Director, Equal Measures 2030 (c/o Panorama Global)
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Alison Holder is Executive Director of Equal Measures 2030 (EM2030), a “global to local” coalition that connects data and evidence with advocacy and action on gender equality, to transform the lives of women and girls. The EM2030 coalition produces a flagship research product (the SDG Gender Index), supports advocates to build data skills and share learning, and uses its collective voice to push gender equality up the global policymaking agenda. Alison has 25 years’ experience in international development and the private sector, including leading policy, advocacy and campaigning work on gender equality, economic justice, and corporate accountability.
Anthony Boright
Director, (Projects & Vetting Committee Chair)
Retired, fintech
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Anthony has 30+ years of marketing and sales experience in the technology, financial services and consumer packaged goods industries, spending the last 15 years launching and operating start-up companies that helped financial services firms meet their communication and regulatory requirements through digital technologies.
Austin Zacharko
Director
Business Development Associate, SunGrid
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Austin grew up in Alberta and is a registered E.I.T. with APEGA. He has completed a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta as well as an M.Eng in Sustainable Energy Engineering at Carleton University. With these programs, he has developed a strong understanding for a broad range of topics related to sustainability and climate change.
Austin has gained experience from working in government, academia, consulting, industry, and with NGOs. He currently works with Capital Power as an Energy Management Engineer.
Austin is a member of the Metis Nation of Alberta and holds his heritage in high regard. He strives to ensure indigenous ideas and cultures have been represented in all projects he works on. He is an active member of his community where he volunteers for numerous organizations such as the Edmonton Food Bank.
In his free time, Austin enjoys spending time outdoors. This often includes rock climbing, backcountry hiking, multi-day canoe trips, and snowboarding.
Cyrielle Noël
Director
Founder of Eau da Cité
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Cyrielle Noël is a spatial planner, with an expertise in marine and coastal environments. Being born and raised on the river island of Tiohtiá:ke (Montréal), Cyrielle is described as a soulful thalassophile, who moonlights as a social entrepreneur while also working as a Program Specialist for Ocean Wise. Cyrielle is the founder of Eau-Dacité: a planning studio focused on rehabilitating and reconnecting people to sustainable blue spaces. Cyrielle is a volunteer with Montréal Global Shapers and, in her free time, she enjoys connecting with nature by snowboarding, caving, and fishing.
Darren Chang
Director
Senior Investment Analyst, New Market Funds
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Darren is currently a Senior Investment Analyst at New Market Funds focusing on the area of affordable housing investment, as well as non-profit and co-operative financing across Canada.
His previous experiences include Financial Institution and Real Estate Audit at KPMG and Private Investment Valuation at Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan. He is passionate about creating tangible social impact, blending the areas of business, finance, and philanthropy. A graduate from UBC Sauder and a current WEF Global Shaper, Darren can often be seen outside of the office practicing yoga or watering the (hopefully alive) succulents placed sporadically around his home.
Kathy Falconi
Vice-Chair & Treasurer (Audit & Risk Committee (Committee Chair), Equity, Nominations, & Governance Committee)
Retired CPA
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Kathy Falconi, CPA, is an executive with over 30 years experience in the financial services industry. She has held executive roles in finance, operations and most recently technology at both large and medium-sized organizations. In her most recent roles she has an extensive track record executing successful transformation initiatives, optimizing operational and business performance within the Financial Services sector.
Kathy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Economics from the University of Toronto and is a Chartered Professional Accountants designation from CPA Ontario. She lives in Toronto, is an active volunteer in her neighbourhood and serves as an executive board member for the resident’s association.
Michael Rodger
Director
President, Self-employed
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Michael Rodger is an experienced, international executive with 30+ years working in both local and global markets. Michael is CEO of Wentworth Corporation, a Canadian import and distribution company which imports products or represents companies to sell to retailers and commercial distributors across North America. Wentworth also provides consulting support to governments or directly to companies to assist in launching or growing their businesses in North America. Michael is also President of Inter-City Watch (ICC), which he and his business partner acquired in 2019, to manufacture analogue and smart wrist-watches and sell to retailers across North America.
Prior to managing Wentworth, Michael was a Director with Accenture LLP providing consulting, transformation, outsourcing and project management services to clients across North America in multiple industries including insurance, retail, utilities, manufacturing and communications. Before Accenture, Michael co-founded and led a firm specializing in global outsourcing helping Canadian firms leverage offshore global resourcing where he ultimately sold his firm to India’s largest engineering company - Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
Prior to managing his global sourcing firm, Michael founded Norland Services International (NSI) which is an ongoing consulting practice helping small to medium size companies restructure and either grow or position for sale. Before founding NSI, Michael spent more than sixteen years working with IBM, in Canada, the US and globally in a variety of international roles in in services, operations, sales and marketing in multiple industries, departing as a Vice President.
Michael has a BA in Finance and Administration from University of Western Ontario and management certificates from the Harvard Business Client Program, Thunderbird University and IBM Management Institute. Michael is member of the Canadian Institute of Corporate Directors; the Canadian Centre for Ethics and Corporate Policy; the Canada Company Military Charity; and has had many committee leadership roles as Director and President with the North Rosedale Residents’ Association.
Michael enjoys sports including skiing, cycling, canoeing/kayaking, fly-fishing, cottaging, board work, travel and trying to make Canada and the City of Toronto better places to live. Michael lives with his wonderful and brilliant wife Alexandra Jenkins in downtown Toronto, Canada.
Sarah Hanson
Director (Fundraising Committee Chair)
Founder of Mino Bimaadiziwin Collective
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Sarah Hanson is Anishinaabe from Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, currently living and working on the traditional lands of the Fort William First Nation, currently referred to as Thunder Bay. She graduated from Queen’s University with a degree in Biology, which combined with her held Indigenous Knowledge informs her work in climate action, sustainability, and reconciliation.
Prior to finishing her degree at Queen’s University, Sarah participated in an international internship for Indigenous youth where she lived and worked in Guyana, setting up robotics programs in 5 high schools. After returning to Canada, Sarah finished her Biology degree, spent 8 months working as a Junior Environmental Policy Analyst and then transitioned to the non-profit sector working with both educational and climate action organizations.
Sarah currently dedicates her time to organizing the Virtual Youth Leadership Forum on Reconciliation for Experiences Canada, leading capacity building and knowledge sharing efforts for the North American region for Youth4Nature and teaching a policy class for Canadian Roots Exchange. When she gets the chance she spends time reconnecting to her ancestry through beading, ribbon skirt making and learning Anishinaabemowin.
Tristan Surman
Director
Student, McGill University
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Tristan Surman (he/him) is communications consultant, documentary filmmaker, and law student at McGill University.
Before going to law school, Tristan ran My Media: a communications firm for social impact and sustainability, which helped some of the world’s leading nonprofits and foundations raise millions of dollars and mobilize thousands of people for policy change. During this time, Tristan was proud to be amongst FES’ first-ever grantees and to be named one of Canada’s Top 30 Sustainability Leaders Under 30. In his free time, Tristan loves writing music, reading, and spending time outdoors with great people.
He believes deeply in FES’ mission and strategy, and hopes to bring his experience in Canada’s youth climate movement to the FES board.
Manvi Bhalla
Director
President & Co-Founder, Shake Up The Establishment
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Manvi (she/her) is an activist-scholar with over 15 years of community organizing experience. She is recognized as one of Canada’s ‘Top 25 Under 25’ environmentalists, ‘Top 30 Under 30’ sustainability leaders and was honoured with the ‘Youth Eco-Hero of the Year’ award in 2022. She co-founded Shake Up The Establishment, a national nonprofit dedicated to climate justice & political advocacy, alongside missINFORMED, a nonprofit focused on health promotion for women and gender-diverse people. Alongside her advocacy work, Manvi is a published health researcher, frequent public speaker and guest lecturer who works to centre anti-colonial approaches. During her MSc, she investigated barriers towards climate action within the public health sector. This research discerned the knowledge and understanding of climate change-related health risks by public health authorities, determined local mitigation, adaptation and risk communication strategies and identified policy recommendations for the Ontario Public Health sector at large. Presently, she is a PhD student at University of British Columbia with SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship funding. Her research works to advance intersectional environmental justice in environmental health policy-making to better serve the holistic health needs of racially, ethnically and gender-minoritized populations. Research methods for this work include critical policy analyses to assess the procedural justice implications of recent Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) reforms, community-based participatory action workshops to capture urban South Asian communities’ embodied experiences of environmental health risks and to co-develop a submission for the forthcoming NEJ strategy public consultation, and to utilise arts-based methods to co-imagine environmentally just futures with racially-minoritized youth.
Salma Tihani
Director
Program Manager, Pathy Family Foundation
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Salma Tihani (she/her/elle) is a youth leader, artist, and climate justice advocate committed to building inclusive and creative pathways for environmental action. Drawing on her Amazigh heritage and lived experiences as a first-generation immigrant, she bridges storytelling, identity, and environmental education to inspire collective change.
With a diverse background spanning universities, grassroots organizing, non-profit leadership, government institutions, and now philanthropy, Salma has dedicated her career to advancing equitable and imaginative approaches to climate action and integrated with social justice work. Her work has focused on amplifying the voices of young people, newcomers, and other marginalized communities in the fight for climate justice.
As both an artist and strategist, Salma uses creative expression to explore the intersections of culture, belonging, and environmental responsibility. She believes that art and storytelling are powerful tools for healing and mobilization, helping communities see themselves as agents of change.
Grounded in empathy and collaboration, Salma continues to champion initiatives that connect people, planet, and purpose. She believes that meaningful transformation begins when communities are seen, heard, supported and given the tools to act and mobilize.
Suzanne Apelian
Director
Managing Director, Engagement & Operations, Environmental Defence
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Having grown up witnessing the depletion of natural resources in her country, Suzanne pursued a graduate degree in environmental geochemistry to take an active role in protecting nature and all its inhabitants. Suzanne made the leap from working in the corporate sector in the U.S. to the environmental sector with her move to Canada in 2008. After working in energy conservation on demand-side management projects, she moved to an operational role utilizing her analytical background and corporate experience to help deliver outcomes more effectively. At Environmental Defence, she oversees the internal operations and leads the public engagement strategy.
