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

Kat is in charge of overall strategy and direction of The Youth Harbour, and supports the overall network with scaling and implementing solutions. 

Kat is the Executive Director of The Youth Harbour, a project of FES. Prior to becoming Executive Director, she supported over 50 community projects across remote, rural, and Indigenous communities. Kat is passionate about activating in the local community, whether that be organizing grassroots campaigns and clothing swaps, volunteering at the University of Calgary as an Advisory member or the local foundation. She has worked on a diversity of projects from volunteering at Calgary Legal Guidance, presenting systems research on the national pharmacare, or co-founding literacy campaigns. Kat is passionate about empowering youth to take impactful action on sustainable development, strengthening and amplifying the youth *force* in the Canadian climate movement. She talks widely about the intersections of climate action, race, and the “diaspora” effect on second-generation immigrants. Kat is a Future of Good Young Impact 2022 Leader, Weather Network Climate Champion, and Corporate Knights Top Sustainability Leader 30 under 30. 

Montréal, QC | Tiohtià:ke | Mooniyang

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 be a funder that trusts and empowers youth, both in English and in French.

Vancouver, BC | xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations

Jess mainly works on the N:OW 4 Net-Zero team and provides some secondary support to The Youth Harbour team. She supports the development of strategy and overall direction of the program.

Jess wears many hats at FES, channeling her passion for youth empowerment, sustainability, and climate action into every endeavor. In managing the SDGs LAB program since 2020, she’s delivered 80+ sustainability training workshops to 4000+ students and educators across Canada, the US, and the UK. She’s been a pivotal figure in expanding the program’s reach and curriculum and raised over $300,000 that has been injected into FES programming to support youth climate action. Currently, she’s building the new N:OW for Net-Zero program from the ground up, to provide educators and students with the resources and funding needed to improve net-zero literacy and reduce GHG emissions in Canadian schools.

Jess studied International Development and Social Entrepreneurship at Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia). Before FES, Jess lived in Costa Rica working in cross-cultural, experiential education programs for youth, underscoring her dedication to creating and facilitating unconventional learning opportunities that empower young changemakers.

Vancouver, BC | xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations

Emily is joining the team as Operations Coordinator, supporting the Finance, Strategy, and Operations at FES.

With a background in Environment 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!

London, UK and Montréal, QC | Tiohtià:ke | Mooniyang

 Alyssa supports the team with financial management and administration tasks, and is in charge of everything from payroll, to invoices, and receipts.

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.

Vancouver, BC | xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations

Miranda is responsible for supporting the team with overall event coordination and partnership development. Miranda is the go-to person for all Climate ShareSpace locations.

Miranda is a purpose-driven development professional, focused on leveraging education for an inclusive and climate-resilient world. Holding a Bachelor in Environmental Studies and Honours in International Development from the University of Waterloo, Miranda brings an intersectional lens to her sustainability work, ensuring those most vulnerable are represented and centered in change-making conversations.

With a strong desire to connect and collaborate globally, Miranda has coordinated skill development for marginalized youth in Ukraine, developed gender equality training for women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka, and supported a team in Tanzania to build gender-transformative programming. Driven by her passion for youth empowerment, gender equality, and climate action, she is eager to engage with and inspire women and youth to take leadership in fostering a sustainable, just future.

Outside of work, you can find Miranda exploring “off the beaten path” places, obsessing over google maps and geography quizzes, and experimenting with new recipes.

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.

Waterloo, ON | Shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe (Anish-nah-bay) and Haudenosaunee (Hoe-den-no-show-nee) peoples

Christine is an Inuk woman born and raised in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories (NWT). She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecosystem Management from Lethbridge College and is currently in her first year of her Masters in Integrative Biology at Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario. Her thesis is focusing on Muskox demographics within Thaidene Nëné Indigenous Protected Area in the NWT. Christine’s passion for wildlife and the environment began at a young age as she was exposed to several different Indigenous cultures while growing up in the north, including her Inuvialuit heritage. She has spent a significant amount of time while living in the NWT learning from elders and community members about the land and traditional ways of life.

Before starting her Masters, Christine worked as the Watershed Programs Intern with the Government of the Northwest Territories in Yellowknife. She spent most of her time on the land with Indigenous communities sampling water and fish for contaminants. As the north is warming at a rate 4x faster than the rest of the country,  there have been several examples of this in the NWT. Significantly warmer winters, melting permafrost, low water levels, and increased forest fire activity has been documented, and this has only furthered Christine’s interest in climate activism and species conservation in the NWT and Canada as a whole.

Montréal, QC | Tiohtià:ke | Mooniyang

Issakha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Development Sociology, a Master’s degree in Local Development Engineering and is currently enrolled in a Master’s degree in Environment and Sustainable Development at the University of Montreal. Issakha has experience in project management and design, planning, development plan design, local animation, budget design, land management and governance of a community or any structure and specialist-apprentice on environmental issues. Before arriving in Canada, Issakah worked in the climate field in his home country of Senegal, through a consultative body known as the Conseil de quartier de Khor, a not-for-profit community organization that is an offshoot of his hometown’s local authority. The latter organized reforestation days to preserve the mangrove, which is one of the shields against flooding, an upsetting and persistent problem in this region. Saint-Louis, his hometown, is surrounded by water and is undergoing a dramatic ecological transition, with the advancing sea level rising and flooding in the region. His occupation in Senegal revolved around voluntary work, through the school supervision of his younger sisters and brothers who were leaving school under the influence of their illiterate peers, who make up the majority of the population in the neighborhood. But also, through the student association, they organized clean-up and reforestation days called “Journée de mon quartier”.

Ottawa, ON | Traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg people

Ami (she/her/elle) developed her passion for environmental advocacy at a young age, inspired by her mother’s dedication to raising awareness about the detrimental effects of plastic on our planet through neighbourhood canvassing. In her current role as the Program Director at Environmental Leadership Canada, Ami oversees the management of the Parliamentary Internship for the Environment Program—a national initiative with a dual focus on the environment and federal politics for youth. She also holds a position on the Board of Green Communities Canada and has previously worked with GreenPAC, Re_Generation, and ECCC. Guided by the understandings of positionality, power dynamics, and privileges, Ami embraces a relations-first approach. She advocates for the untangling of productivity from self-worth, challenging the conventional perception of individuals as mere contributors to the workings of capitalism. She believes that civic engagement and literacy are essential for empowering youth to address the complex challenges of climate change the world faces today.

Tiohtià:ke/Mooniyang (Montréal, QC), Kanien’kehá:ka and Anishinabeg unceded territory

Albert Lalonde has been co-spokesperson for the Pour le futur collective, behind the Friday climate strikes in Tiohtià:ke/Mooniyang (Montreal) high schools since 2019. They are a founding member and former co-spokesperson of CEVES (Student Coalition for an Environmental and Social Shift), a union of the student groups that have been organizing the global strikes and protests for climate justice in Montreal, Quebec City and Sherbrooke since 2019, including the historic September 27, 2019 demonstration that brought more than 600,000 people to the streets throughout the province. Albert is suing the Canadian government for its responsibility in the climate crisis along with 14 other young people (La Rose v. Canada). They work as a project manager for the David Suzuki Foundation’s Climate Awareness Lab.

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.

Delta, British Columbia | Traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the sc̓əwaθenaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsawwassen) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Peoples.

Mahroo is a Pakistani immigrant residing within the geography now called ‘British Columbia’. She has a Bachelor of Environment with a Joint Major in Sustainable Business, as well as Certificates in Sustainable Development and Ethics from Simon Fraser University. Working as a Sustainability Analyst for the Embedding Project, a global public-benefit research project that helps companies embed social and environmental factors across their operations and decision-making, she works on the intersections of business and sustainability to create guides, tools, and resources to help push the agenda for sustainability in the corporate sphere. She is passionate about climate justice, international development, and the need to center communities and equitable outcomes as a crucial piece to the climate movement.

Edmonton, AB | ᐊᒥᐢᑿᒌᐚᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ amiskwacîwâskahikan | Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Nakoda (Stoney), Dene, Anishinaabe (Ojibway/Saulteaux), Metis Nation (Region 4), and Treaty 6 Nations

Tony (he/him) is an undergraduate student at the University of Alberta studying economics, sociology, and sustainability. He completed an Adaptation Resilience Training (ART) internship at the Climate Change and Global Health Research Group where he helped launch a new Climate Change and Health Hub: A vibrant, inclusive, and organized community of researchers, students, and citizens that create and mobilize the knowledge needed to achieve just, equitable, sustainable, and resilient futures for different ecosystems. 

Born and raised in Edmonton, Tony has witnessed Edmonton’s rapid growth and transformation, which continues to inspire him towards pursuing a career in city building and urban planning. He hopes to contribute to a healthier, greener, and friendlier Edmonton for all of us. Tony is particularly passionate about how local communities can work together to promote sustainability and climate action. In the warmer months, you can find him growing fresh and delicious vegetables at his favorite community garden!

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.

Kyle is a recent graduate of the global economics program at the University of Western Ontario with a strong interest in environmental economics and public policy. He currently chairs FES’ Vetting Committee and has served as a director since 2017. Outside of FES, Kyle is heavily involved with Lions Clubs International, a global service organization. From 2018-2019, Kyle was appointed to serve as one of two Leo Lion Board Liaisons, a newly created position to represent young people on the Lions Clubs’ International Board of Directors. He also co-founded the West London Lions Club and the Canadian Young Lions Retreat. In his free time, Kyle enjoys reading, hiking, and serving his local community. He grew up and lives in the unceded traditional territories of the Semiahmoo, Katzie, Kwikwetlem, Kwantlen, Musqueam, Qayqayt, Tsleil Waututh and Tsawwassen First Nations.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.