As Vice President, Professional Services & ESG at ECO Canada, Yogendra oversees the development and delivery of professional services to support the rapidly growing network of the Canadian environment and sustainability workforce. He provides strategic insight and technical support for environment and sustainability programs and works closely with a diverse range of stakeholders including government, industry, Indigenous partners, and the environment & sustainability professionals.

For over 25 years of his career in the Environment and Sustainability sector, Yogi has delivered projects in over 20 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. Yogi holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and an MBA from the University of Alberta. He also supports a number of Canadian and international academic institutions, standard-setting organizations, and industry associations in various professional capacities.

Yogi leads ECO Canada’s Accreditation Program, Technical and Professional Services, ESG initiatives, and ECO Canada’s Indigenous programs focused on Indigenous training and employment.

Yogi’s areas of expertise and interests that can help or assist Carleton University students include; ESG, Sustainability, and the Environment.

William is the Director of Water Treatment and Supply with the City of Toronto. He is responsible for the 4 water treatment plants, many reservoirs, pumping stations, elevated tanks, and all the water supply mains between them.

He has over 40 years of experience in Operations and Capital in both water and wastewater treatment.

Victoria Fernandez holds a master’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Rutgers University, under the Fulbright Program. She has over 17 years of experience in Civil Engineering and for the last 15 years. Ms. Fernandez has been involved in a wide range of projects related to stormwater management, flooding risks, climate change adaptation, coastal protection and water quality in Canada, Venezuela and the United States. Her experience includes stormwater infrastructure detail design, flooding studies, low flow assessments and water and stormwater infrastructure assessment. Ms. Fernandez has accrued comprehensive experience in computer modelling of complex systems involving hydrodynamic processes, freshwater discharge, stormwater runoff, infiltration, wave action and sediment transport. Her experience also includes detailed design and construction services of stormwater and coastal protection infrastructure.

Thomas is a practiced people leader with extensive experience in strategic planning facilitation and developing high performance team cultures. His aim is to facilitate the development of authentic personal and organizational character, as this character is what underpins the success of people-oriented organizations and communities. Thomas has taken the knowledge gained through researching leadership and organizational performance and applied it through coaching and mentoring leaders who are seeking innovative ways to navigate career opportunities.

Thomas continues to lead municipal infrastructure revitalization and improvement programs, with a drive towards improved infrastructure investment planning. Thomas makes data driven decisions using spatial analytics and collaborative engagement to ensure organizational performance metrics are met responsibly and sustainably. He has led and facilitated many advancement projects ranging from climate change action planning to community education to 100-year infrastructure investment modelling.

Thomas is the past Industry Chair of the Seneca Polytechnic Civil Engineering Technology Program Advisory Committee and past Chair of the Municipal Alliance for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles in Ontario. Thomas holds diplomas and degrees from Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Thomas is known for his raw energy, light-hearted personality, and work ethic.

Terry Rees had been the Executive Director of the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations (FOCA) since 2004. FOCA is the largest waterfront landowner organization in Canada, representing 50,000 member families in 525 community associations. Ontario’s waterfront residential property owners collectively spend $11.44 billion annually, supporting 157,000 jobs and contribute over $700 million to local property taxes across rural and northern Ontario.

Terry is a member of many regional and provincial committees focussed on biodiversity, water and water management, rural economic development and more.

Terry has been regular attendee at the Water Canada Summit and has been a featured speaker at dozens of other conferences and events across Canada. He has a degree in economics from Western University, and a certificate in environmental management from Ryerson University. Terry was honoured with a Waters Next Award in 2012.
Terry currently lives in Peterborough, Ontario.

Tara joined the Students on Ice (SOI) Foundation in 2016 as the program team lead for Canada C3—an epic expedition that travelled the length of Canada’s coastline from the Great Lakes to Victoria via the Northwest Passage. Inspired by the legacy of this journey, she spearheaded and currently manages Blue Futures Pathways, a program to engage diverse youth in Canada’s emerging Sustainable Blue Economy. As director of programs, she also oversees SOI’s Expedition and Alumni Programs. Tara has a background in education, capacity development and international humanitarian aid, and a BA Honours degree from the University of Leeds, UK.

Stephen Braun has over 30 years of water resources experience in stormwater quality, urban drainage, riverine flooding, stream restoration, civil design, environmental assessment, and multi-disciplinary studies. Stephen is a senior water resources engineer at Matrix Solutions Inc. and is currently President of the Canadian Water Resources Association. He is also a founding partner of CB Shield Inc. and co-inventor of several commercially available stormwater treatment devices.

Dr. Ryan Sorichetti is a Great Lakes Ecologist and Research Scientist for the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. His work is focused on Great Lakes nearshore water quality and leads special focus projects and scientific reporting on shoreline areas undergoing changes, or with impairments, in water quality. Ryan completed his PhD at Western University in aquatic sciences with a focus on trace metals (iron) limitation on cyanobacterial growth in lakes and has continued research interest in biogeochemical nutrient cycling, algal physiology and taxonomy, lake physical processes and climate change science.

Robert Haller is the executive director of the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association, a role he took on after almost 20 years as a senior municipal administrator – most of those years serving as a CAO for small and medium-sized communities. Robert leads the CWWA as the national voice for water and wastewater in Ottawa and promotes collaboration between all the water organizations across Canada. Robert has served on a number of national roundtables representing the utility sector to the federal government.

Rizwan Younis is a Project Manager within Water Services for the City of Guelph. His professional experience is demonstrated by his inclusion in Ontario’s Sunshine List, which publishes the salaries of public sector employees earning over $100,000 annually. Therefore, Rizwan Younis has a professional career in project management with the City of Guelph’s water services. This indicates his involvement in projects related to the City of Guelph’s water infrastructure.

Renée Grosselle is the Manager of Environmental Standards for the City of Winnipeg’s Water and Waste Department.

Renée is responsible for significant functions of the Water and Waste Department including: regulatory compliance monitoring and reporting; provision of accredited analytical services; industrial wastewater licensing, control and revenues; By-law enforcement; cross connection and backflow programs, and security and emergency preparedness auditing and governance.

Education:

Renée holds a B. Sc. with a Major in Environmental Chemistry, an Honours Certificate from the Canadian Institute of Management and a Masters Certificate in Municipal Management from York University – Schulich School of Business.

Work History:

Her career started with the City performing laboratory sampling and analysis.  With over 25 years of experience and extensive knowledge in the water and wastewater field, her accomplishments include administering and implementing the Environmental Monitoring and Compliance Reporting programs for the City of Winnipeg.

Membership in Organizations:

She is a member of AWWA (American Water Works Association), the WCWWA (Western Canada Water and Wastewater Association), the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA).

I have over 32 year’s of experience in the Wastewater industry and since 2009 I have successfully managed 2 of the largest WW Facilities in Canada, the GE Booth WWTF in Peel and now the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant (ABTP) in the City of Toronto. The ABTP plant is currently the largest Wastewater Secondary Treatment Plant in Canada originally commissioned in 1910. It has a capacity of 818 MLD, serves a geographic area of 2,500 ha and a population of over 1.5 million people. I am a graduate of Seneca College as Civil Engineering Technologist and a I have a Masters in Project and Public Management from the Schulich School of Business.

Winner of the 2023 Water Canada Awards’ Water Steward of the Year

Patrick has dedicated the past 12 years to envisioning and realizing the future of the wastewater industry, using his water technology company to introduce a new way to monitor wastewater, and help solve challenges across the water sector. He is building a strong, innovative team to grow the impact of not just bio-sensing technology, but the integration of new tech and advanced treatment for better water outcomes.

Bio-sensing technology provides data about biological activity from much earlier in a treatment process – allowing operators to take earlier action to treat the incoming water more effectively.

Natasha Pozega is the Water Conservation Coordinator for the City of Cornwall, where she spearheads initiatives focused on sustainable water management, including projects like universal water metering and AMI implementation, and promoting drinking water quality. Beyond her professional role, she is deeply engaged in the Cornwall community, actively participating in and organizing events such as the Cornwall Triathlon. Her combined expertise in environmental sustainability and community engagement makes her a valuable contributor to discussions on water conservation and local development.

Michele Grenier is the Executive Director of the Ontario Water Works Association (OWWA). She is a licensed professional Chemical Engineer with more than 20 years of experience in the water and wastewater industry in both the public and private sectors. Her expertise is in the planning, operation, optimization and maintenance of municipal drinking water systems. Michele is a member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association, the Ontario Environment Industry Association, and the Toronto Metropolitan University’s Urban Water Centre Board of Advisors. She is also the current Chair of the Ontario Advisory Council On Drinking Water Quality And Testing Standards.

In 2024 Mr. Goffin joined Toronto Metropolitan University as Water Policy Fellow in the School of Public Policy and Democratic Innovation and affiliated with the Bruce Fellowships in Canadian Freshwater Policy.

Prior to joining Toronto Metropolitan University Mr. Goffin spent more than forty-years in the Public Service of Canada, with Environment and Climate Change Canada, during which time he was engaged in policy develop and program delivery in a wide variety of areas including environmental protection, wildlife management, meteorology, water and ecosystem management, intergovernmental affairs, Indigenous relations and community outreach and engagement.

For more almost twenty years Mr. Goffin was responsible for leading Canada’s efforts to restore and protect the water quality and aquatic ecosystem health of the Great Lakes and in 2012 he was lead negotiator for Canada responsible for negotiation of the Canada-United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.  In 2020 Mr. Goffin took on a new role, leading the creation of the Canada Water Agency.

Mr. Goffin received his undergraduate training in environmental studies from the University of Toronto, and has a Master of Science degree in Geomorphology, also from the University of Toronto.

Melissa is a strong believer in entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation as the path toward a sustainable future. With eight years of experience in academia, government, consulting, community initiatives, and the non-profit sectors across Canada, she draws from multiple perspectives in her work advancing the fields of natural resource management, conservation, and sustainable business. Melissa holds a BSc in Geography and an MSc in Biology from Carleton University.

Melissa is Director, Policy & Programs at Pollution Probe, a national not-for-profit, charitable organization that seeks to improve the health and well-being of Canadians by advancing policy that achieves positive, tangible, environmental change. She is responsible for leading the organization’s Circular Economy and Great Lakes Programs and also contributes to its transportation file. Since joining Pollution Probe in 2010, Melissa has worked in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders to find common solutions to challenging environmental issues. She has led a variety of research and development initiatives and public outreach and education campaigns related to environmental health, the Great Lakes, plastic waste, chemicals management and consumer engagement.

Meaghan Quanz works as a Habitat Restoration Specialist with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC). She was first introduced to the field of wetland science while working as a research assistant on wetland restoration projects in Alberta. After completing her Masters of Environmental Science at Dalhousie University, she worked for a local environmental consulting firm completing wetland and other biological surveys before landing her current position at DUC. Meaghan spends most of her time working on wetland restoration projects in the Atlantic provinces, and is involved in identifying, planning and delivering potential projects, as well as monitoring projects post-restoration.

Marty Bince is an industry leading sales and automation professional, and management consultant. Currently Automation Business Development Manager with EECOL Electric, Marty has a demonstrated history of technical acumen and experience in many industrial and manufacturing settings, including as a former business owner of an industrial automation software distributor. He has experience with many facets of oil & gas extraction/production/transportation, manufacturing, mining, food processing, water/wastewater, manufacturing and clean tech. Marty has been a member of the International Society of Automation (ISA) Executive Board since 2017 and is ISA President for the 2023 term.

Martin Bureau is a passionate innovator with a proven track record in successfully commercializing water conservation and treatment technologies. Committed to resilience, sustainable development, and the circular economy, he tackles some of the most pressing challenges in the water sector.

With over 25 years of experience in manufacturing, environmental engineering, and water technology—both in research environments and the private sector—Martin has played a key role in growing companies and business lines. He has successfully launched new products and services while managing a robust innovation portfolio from ideation to commercial rollout. His contributions to trenchless watermain renewal and contaminated water treatment technologies, particularly PFAS remediation, have earned him national and international recognition.

Martin has extensive experience within Canada’s innovation ecosystem, collaborating with leading universities such as McGill, Université de Montréal, INRS, Queen’s, UBC, Cornell, and UCLA Berkeley, as well as institutions like the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), Transition Énergétique Québec (TEC), and Investissement Québec. He has also served on the boards of Écotech Québec, the Conseil Patronal de l’Environnement du Québec (CPEQ), and several other organizations.

A professional engineer, Martin holds a Master’s and PhD in engineering. As VP of Innovation for seven years, he built an intellectual property portfolio comprising 14 patent families and 60 individual patents. A recognized speaker, he has authored over 250 journal papers and conference presentations.

Mark Gloutney is the National Director of Science, Education and Business Planning. Mark spent his formative years in and around wetlands along the St. Lawrence River in Quebec, where he developed the passion for wetlands and wildlife. Mark received a B.Sc. from McGill and completed a Ph.D. from the University of Saskatchewan in 1996. After two years in environmental consulting Mark joined the DUC team in Atlantic Canada as senior biologist in 1998. Since joining DUC Mark has been involved with the delivery of conservation program and was the Director of Regional Operations for Eastern Canada and British Columbia until 2022. This included a strong focus on implementing and managing wetland restoration projects that impact water quality and quantity. Mark started his new executive position in April 2022 with a focus on leading and growing DUC’s science and education programs across Canada. One of the core areas of focus of DUC’s research team in on evaluating impacts of conservation actions on water quality and quantity.

My name is Tekaherha Logan Lazore, and I am wolf clan from the Mohawk territory of Akwesasne. I graduated from Trent University with a BA in Indigenous Environmental Studies and am currently working for the Mohawk council of Akwesasne’s environment program as their environmental field technician.

As a Regulations Officer at Raisin Region Conservation Authority, I have over 22 years of experience and knowledge in a variety of conservation programs, such as ecological monitoring, stewardship, communications and community outreach. I am passionate about protecting and enhancing the natural environment and its biodiversity, and educating the public about its importance and benefits.

I have worked on many projects and initiatives that have improved the ecological health and resilience of the RRCA watershed, such as restoring habitats, conducting field surveys, and collaborating with partners and stakeholders. I have also delivered environmental education and awareness programs to schools, groups, and individuals, using my skills in communication, organization, and leadership. I am always eager to learn new skills and techniques, and to share my expertise and insights with others.

Lisa Bowering is a water resources engineer at GHD in Waterloo with over 11 years of experience in the field. Lisa’s expertise encompasses a wide range of technical skills, including hydraulic and hydrologic modelling, stormwater management design, climate change risk assessment, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Throughout her career, Lisa has contributed to numerous projects involving the intersection of surface water and climate change, including natural channel design, floodplain mapping, hydro climate data analysis, watershed management and the development of Future Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) curves.
Her contributions to the field are further highlighted by her authorship and co-authorship of scientific papers on the impacts of climate change on municipal infrastructure. Additionally, she serves as a referee for the Journal of Flood Risk Management and Urban Water.
Out of the office you are likely to find Lisa hiking with her family or reading a good book!

Linda is an Environmental Engineer heavily involved in complex and multidisciplinary projects in both the public and private sectors. In recent years, Linda’s work has focused on supporting the pharmaceutical industry with environmental management and infrastructure construction. Linda has been a dedicated committee member with several Canadian and international water associations.

Layla Staats is an inspirational and creative multidisciplinary Artist based in the Six Nations, whose works stem from her journey of understanding and reclaiming her Indigenous strength as a generation survivor of residential schools. As an Indigenous Film Maker, Musician, Speaker, and Activist, she advocates for Indigenous rights, and utilizes her mediums to provide a platform for the stories and movements of her community.

Laura is a community organizer and changemaker, focused on delivering positive environmental and social change. She holds a Magisteriate in Environmental Studies from York University specialized in environmental education and community arts. She has worked in gardens, galleries, and along river banks to connect people with a strong sense of place.

An adept non-profit leader, Laura founded Toronto’s Not Far From The Tree, an award-winning charitable initiative to pick fruit growing in backyards and transform it into a shared public good. While at the helm of Food For All New Brunswick, she built a robust network to activate and amplify food security.

Laura lives near the Ottawa River in Orléans with her partner and their two children. Originally from Sackville, New Brunswick, Laura grew up very connected to water: canoeing on the lake in her backyard, swimming on the beaches of the Northumberland Strait, and mudsliding on the Bay of Fundy mudflats. She speaks four languages and loves to cross-country ski.

Larissa enjoys the challenge of understanding complex river systems such as the Ottawa River and learning about the watershed collaboratively with other freshwater organizations, Algonquin Communities, authorities, researchers and citizen scientists. She feels strongly that helping to build a stronger insight of rivers and watersheds is a key way to engage with people and encourage action that protects water and waterways.

Larissa holds a BSc.H in Environmental Science from Concordia University and a Masters in Resource and Environmental Management from Dalhousie University. Larissa’s favourite river activity is to explore the tributaries and see how these smaller streams have shaped the land around them.

Kiersten Runte is a marine researcher and science communicator, working with the Blue Futures Pathways (BFP) Program led by the Students On Ice Foundation as a BFP Communications Coordinator. With passion for science communication and storytelling, and over 5 years experience working in Canada’s ocean innovation and research space, they’ve fostered skills in project management, graphic design, photography, videography, technical writing, workshop development, science education and outreach. Kiersten’s background in marine mammal acoustics led them to investigate a mystery beaked whale signal, where a passion for creating marine educational programming for youth and communicating science to non-science audiences was kindled. They completed the Dalhousie University’s Indigenous studies certificate program, located on the unceded territory of Mi’kma’ki people. They are also an alum of BFP’s first cohort of interns and hopped aboard the first dedicated BFP expedition back in 2023.