‍The Courage to Lead: Inclusion, Advancement, and Systemic Change in Sustainability

Location: LinkedIn Live

Date: June 16 | 8:30AM PT / 11:30AM ET / 4:30PM GMT

The sustainability sector is under pressure – from political headwinds, rollbacks of environmental regulations and DEI commitments, and an erosion of institutional trust. At the same time, the field faces a credibility problem of its own: it asks organizations to become more equitable while operating within a sector that has significant representation gaps at senior levels, particularly for professionals from racialized and working-class backgrounds.

So what does it actually take to lead with inclusion in this environment, and how do we build career pathways that work for everyone?

Join us for the launch of The Courage to Lead: Cultivating Inclusion in Sustainability, Diversity in Sustainability's 2026 research report. Heather Mak, co-founder of Diversity in Sustainability and author of the report, will host a conversation with senior leaders from across the sector (and contributors to the report!). Joining her are:

• Michael Kobori, former Chief Sustainability Officer at Starbucks;

• Julius Lindsay, climate and JEDDI leader and co-founder of the Black Environmentalist Alliance;

• Darshana Myronidis, Global Sustainability Leader; and

• Jennifer Taves, Senior Manager, Sustainable Communities at Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

Together, they'll dig into the report's key findings and what they mean in practice:

• What self-knowledge, confidence, and authenticity look like at different stages of a sustainability career

• How to cultivate networks and relationships that are both genuine and purposeful – and why this matters as much as technical expertise for long-term advancement

• What organizations need to do differently on hiring, pay equity, performance management, and talent development

• How individuals and institutions can move from stated commitments to measurable systemic change

Register here to hold the time in your calendar, and submit your questions for our speakers in advance – we want to shape the conversation based on what's on your mind!

DiS Feedback Forum: Embedding Ethics and Equity through TRAACER

DiS Feedback Forum is a collaborative session where DiS community members share projects in progress and receive constructive input. Participants gain fresh insights, sharpen their ideas and expand their network along the way.

Join Sabrina Shadie, an internationally recognized Equity, Ethics and Inclusive Governance specialist based out of the UK as she talks through the DRose TRAACER Model (Transparency, Representation, Accountability, Accessibility, Commitment, Empowerment and Resources), a practical toolkit that helps leaders and decision-makers embed Ethics and Equity systematically into projects, programmes and organizational strategy. It simplifies complex Social Impact concepts into actionable steps and reflective questions so teams can check that planning, delivery and evaluation are genuinely inclusive and ethically aligned. In the discussion, Sabrina will walk through the seven principles, reflective questions and scoring approach and invite feedback on where the model best supports your work and how it can be strengthened further. In particular, she welcomes insight on reinforcing sustainability-aligned governance within TRAACER so that ethical, inclusive decision‑making and resource allocation are consistently geared towards long‑term, equitable outcomes.

About Sabrina and D Rose

Sabrina Shadie is an internationally recognised Equity, Ethics and Inclusive Governance specialist with over 25 years’ experience supporting organisations across the environmental, higher education, health, public and non‑profit sectors to embed meaningful, values‑driven change. A Fellow of both the Institute of Equality & Diversity Professionals and the Institute of Leadership, she brings deep expertise in systems change, intersectional practice, organisational culture, and ethical decision‑making.

Sabrina’s work is informed by lived experience of intersecting inequalities, shaping a practice that is relational, justice‑focused and grounded in real‑world structural understanding. She has designed nationally recognised race equity programmes, delivered CPD‑accredited anti‑racism and EIA training, and supported sector‑wide initiatives advancing representation, accountability and sustainable inclusion. Her approach combines strategic clarity with practical delivery, enabling organisations to take confident, evidence‑led steps toward equitable, resilient and ethical futures.

About DRose
DRose is a small, values‑led consultancy and learning academy that helps organisations embed Ethics and Equity into everyday strategy and delivery. Through DRose Academy’s CPD‑certified learning and practical toolkits, most notably the TRAACER Toolkit, we turn complex social impact concepts into simple, actionable steps that strengthen transparency, representation, accountability, accessibility, commitment, empowerment and resourcing in real projects. Our work spans leaders and teams across sectors, with reflective assessments, scoring guides and templates that make inclusive practice measurable and repeatable. DRose is a committed signatory of the Disability Confident Scheme, Good Business Charter, Prompt Payment Code, and the Charter for Inclusive Entrepreneurs, reflecting our long‑standing focus on ethical leadership and fair business practice.

About the Drose TRAACER Model

The DRose TRAACER Model is a practical toolkit that helps leaders and decision‑makers embed Ethics and Equity systematically into projects, programmes and organizational strategy. It simplifies complex Social Impact concepts into actionable steps and reflective questions so teams can check that planning, delivery and evaluation are genuinely inclusive and ethically aligned. The model sits within the wider DRose Ethics and Equity Strategic Framework, giving organizations a consistent structure to apply equitable approaches and quality practices across all decision‑making and development processes.

At its core, TRAACER brings focus to seven principles that underpin ethical and inclusive practice:
Transparency, Representation, Accountability, Accessibility, Commitment, Empowerment and Resources. These principles prompt leaders to consider disclosure and trust; who is involved and centred; who is responsible and how they are held to account; how accessible the work is; long‑term commitment to change; empowerment of historically marginalised groups; and whether resources are aligned to inclusive goals.

The toolkit is designed for hands‑on use. Participants apply the framework to their own projects via:

• Guided reflection and simple, seven‑question prompts covering decision‑making, planning and implementation;

• Introductory0–5 scoring checklist (with justification for each score) to evidence what is working and where gaps remain;

• Advanced Excel template and practical resources that support continuous improvement and accountability.

Learning outcomes are CPD Standards Office–certified and include: identifying criteria to measure the impact of diversity actions, implementing good practice and articulating transparency and accountability within inclusive culture change. The training encourages iterative review and documented reflection so teams can track improvement over time and align to organisational objectives.

Are you ready to feel like you have more time and energy for what matters most in 2026?

Diversity in Sustainability is happy to host Rebecca Magee from Sister Seasons for a mini Energy Management at Work session.

The way we’re working isn’t working for all of us, but nature offers us a blueprint in the seasons that can show us how to interrupt patterns of burnout and bring more personal sustainability to our work. In this workshop, you’ll rethink your approach to work by shifting from trying to manage time to discovering how to manage your energy. 

You’ll be introduced to: 

• What energy management is 

• A memorable nature-based framework for understanding its patterns in your work and life 

• Practical strategies for anticipating your shifting energy needs

Expect a mix of presentation, reflection and community connection to help you plant seeds for new ways of working that can help you thrive.

About Rebecca Magee:

Rebecca Magee is a teacher, facilitator, experience designer and the founder of Sister Seasons, a mission-driven business that helps changemakers work with nature’s cycles to build the skills to be thriving, regenerative leaders. Her background blends ongoing studies in women’s leadership and health with a 15+ year career in environmental sustainability, social impact, and philanthropy at visionary organizations such as Echoing Green and EILEEN FISHER. A skillful facilitator, Rebecca has created transformative learning experiences for social impact leaders around the world, guided communities of women through life-changing retreats and peer groups, and led impact initiatives from B Corp certifications to ground-breaking grant programs. She is a graduate of Georgetown University, and currently lives in New Zealand Aotearoa.

For more information, connect on LinkedIn.

Join DiS co-founder Heather Mak for a frank discussion with the newly retired Michael Kobori, former Chief Sustainability Officer at Starbucks on January 14, 2026 at 9AM PT/12PM ET/5PM GMT. This event will take place on LinkedIn Live! Use this form to reserve a space, receive an invite for your calendar, and pre-ask questions to Michael.

About Michael: 

Michael Kobori has spent his career working to build a more just and sustainable world. He has served as a board director of Bunge Global SA, Chief Sustainability Officer at Starbucks, Vice-President of Sustainability at Levi Strauss & Co., Vice-President at BSR, and in various roles at The Asia Foundation. Currently, he is a strategic advisor to NationSwell, a community of leaders from the corporate, public, and non-profit sectors and an advisor to Gaeastar, a circular economy start-up.

Michael is a member of the U.S.-Japan Council and The Asia Foundation’s President’s Leadership Council. He has served on the USDA’s Cotton Board, UN Better Work Program, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Better Cotton Initiative, and the Levi Strauss Foundation board. An esteemed speaker at UN forums, the Aspen Institute, and industry conferences, Michael is dedicated to nurturing the next generation. He taught sustainability at the Haas Business School, University of California at Berkeley and has served as a mentor for 50/50 Women on Boards.

Michael received his Masters’ Degree in Public Policy from the University of California at Berkeley, where he also received his undergraduate education in Asian Studies and Psychology. He spent a year at International Christian University in Tokyo and studied sustainable finance at Oxford University.

Michael is married to Sachiko Nagai. They live in Berkeley, California and have two adult daughters, Anne and Ellen. Michael is an enthusiastic chef and enjoys cycling, fishing, gardening, and swimming. He recently completed his PADI open water scuba diving certification. 

We’re excited to host an upcoming Office Hour with Sokeinaye "Soki" Charles, EMBA, Sustainability Lead at De Havilland Aircraft of Canada. Our Office Hours give you the opportunity to learn directly from experienced sustainability professionals about their career paths, ask questions, and build your network. These sessions are designed to support you as you navigate your own career journey and the sustainability field. 

Sokeinaye “Soki” Charles is the Sustainability Lead at De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, where he leads the organizations’ efforts to integrate sustainability strategy, disclosure, and performance management into its broader business objectives.

A seasoned sustainability and energy professional with over 17 years of industry experience, Soki has held key sustainability roles in Nigeria and Canada. Prior to joining De Havilland, he helped develop the sustainability and ESG strategic framework and energy transition roadmap at Seplat Energy, Nigeria’s premier indigenous energy company, where he also guided the transition from CSR to full ESG reporting. Most recently, at Veren Inc., Soki led Canada’s first joint EO100/MiQ responsibly sourced gas certification.

Soki holds a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering and an Executive MBA from the University of Calgary. He is a GRI Certified Sustainability Professional and a Certified Sustainability /ESG Practitioner. Outside of work, he enjoys playing the guitar, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Do you believe in the importance of an establishing a strong social infrastructure as the backbone of community resilience? Are you interested in how community cohesion and collective care yield that greatest response against climate change and other disasters?

Join us on November 12 at 9AM PT/12PM ET to learn more about resilience hubs with robyn.e! If you are:

🎉Curious about Resilience Hubs
🎉Interested in developing skills to plan, design, & implement a Resilience Hub
🎉Searching for a fun online learning experience among peers
🎉Looking to connect with experts and doers in the field

You won’t want to miss this! robyn.e will preview the Resilience Hub Academy--an offering by the Resilience Hub Collaborative (RHC). The Resilience Hub Academy is a 3-month training program for Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Academics, Non-profits and institutional partners, government practitioners and consultancies, to develop the skills to plan, design and implement resilience hubs. The academy also connects participants with content experts.

About robyn.e:

robyn.e (she.we.love) exists to do the work of a human being embodying compassion, empathy, and love. As one of the co-stewards of the Resilience Hub Collaborative (RHC), she has been a leader in environmental sustainability, climate action, and self- and collective care for over two decades. Her extensive experience encompasses working with CBOs, NGOs, and local governments on co-developing innovative, inclusive, and equitable climate-related, community-led programs–all with special emphasis on collaborative partnerships, compassionate leadership, effective team-building, and one-to-one coaching. She has an educational background in urban planning, architecture, civil engineering, & executive leadership, serving in various leadership roles within the sustainability profession and beyond, and co-founding the California BIPOC Climate Network–a brave space of support & nourishment to environmental professionals of color.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about Aiyana’s career journey to date and how to build sustainability capabilities within your organization, based on Drawdown Labs’ “Job Function Action Guides”. Aiyana develops resources, media, and initiatives that help employees—regardless of their role—turn their jobs into climate jobs.

More about Aiyana:

Aiyana Bodi leads employee engagement with Drawdown Labs, working with corporate partners and their employees to scale climate solutions in more meaningful and impactful ways. She develops and manages resources, media, and other initiatives to show non-sustainability employees tangible ways they can make their jobs climate jobs.

She uses her expertise in communications, research, and design to help people find their place in the broader ecosystem of change — turning their climate concern into action. Aiyana is passionate about climate justice, and sees employee activation as a vehicle for just and equitable solutions that not only help organizations reduce emissions, but also empower workers.

Aiyana holds a Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Science in Ecology from the College of William & Mary in Virginia, her home state. She is based in Brooklyn, New York.

We are honoured to host a special conversation with Mayor Jyoti Gondek. Please join us on Wednesday, June 5 at 9:00 a.m. MT for Office Hours with Mayor Gondek.

This session offers sustainability practitioners in Calgary a unique opportunity to hear about Mayor Gondek’s career journey, her commitment to sustainability, and the City of Calgary’s leadership in advancing climate action and environmental responsibility. As she seeks re-election, the event also provides a timely reflection on her impact and vision for a more sustainable and inclusive city.

Most importantly, this is a chance to be inspired by a woman of colour who champions both sustainability and diversity, equity, and inclusion at the highest level of civic leadership.

Please note, this event is for residents of the City of Calgary only. We hope to see you there!

About Mayor Gondek:

Mayor Jyoti Gondek was born in the U.K. and immigrated to Canada at age four, growing up in Winnipeg and throughout Manitoba. As one of the few visible minority families in her community, she embraced Canadian life while holding onto her Punjabi roots, a duality that shaped her lifelong advocacy for language, culture, and inclusion.

After completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Manitoba, she moved to Alberta in 1996 with her husband, Todd. Her early career at Credit Union Central and Greyhound Canada deepened her leadership and community engagement skills. The passing of her father, a formative influence, strengthened her commitment to public service.

Elected as Calgary’s Ward 3 Councillor in 2017 and Mayor in 2021, Jyoti has focused on public safety, economic development, and inclusive community-building. A Ph.D. in urban sociology and work in the real estate sector ground her evidence-based approach. She was honored with the Blackfoot name Nattoyipittakii (Holy Eagle Woman) for her resilience and leadership. Jyoti lives in North Central Calgary with her multigenerational family.

The sustainability field is evolving rapidly, bringing both challenges and new opportunities. If you're facing or considering a career transition—whether due to job loss, restructuring, or a desire for change—you’re not alone.

Join the DiS community for an engaging discussion on navigating career shifts in sustainability. Connect with peers who have been through similar experiences, share insights, explore emerging opportunities, and gain practical advice to move forward with confidence.

About our speakers

Marie Jurcevic

Marie has been a corporate sustainability practitioner for almost 15 years. She has held sustainability roles at ARC Resources, Enbridge, Seven Generations Energy and Canadian Business for Social Responsibility. Prior to working in the energy industry, Marie worked in the non-profit sector. She specialized in youth engagement and empowerment. Marie supported youth in various capacities, most notably she was involved in a youth-led initiative called Youth Reach Out Against Racism.

Marie has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Calgary and a Master of Science in Responsibility & Business Practice from the Faculty of Management at the University of Bath. On a personal note, Marie loves to spend time with her family, travel, volunteer and as a self-proclaimed foodie, she is always keen to try new recipes or the latest restaurant.

Poonam Madan

Poonam Madan is a seasoned sustainability leader with nearly 25 years of experience in developing and executing ESG strategies across diverse sectors, including energy, mining, power generation, and global consumer goods. She has led sustainability initiatives for renowned organizations such as Enbridge, Sherritt International, Capital Power, and Gildan Activewear, where she worked at the highest levels to embed sustainability into business operations and governance, driving long-term value creation, regulatory compliance, and effective risk management.

Poonam has a proven ability to collaborate across functions, guiding teams in HR, legal, finance, operations, and supply chain to execute impactful sustainability strategies. Her work has earned multiple accolades, including placements on Corporate Knights’ Global 100 and Best 50, recognition in Time Magazine’s Top 500 Sustainable Companies, and being named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Montreal in 2023 and 2024.

Attention Toronto based sustainability senior leaders! Join us for the next Inclusion Blueprint Dialogue: Sharing Power and Privilege as Organizational Leaders on September 24, 2024, from 9:30 AM to 2 PM at York University! This important event will explore how senior leaders in sustainability can share their power and privilege to eliminate barriers for diverse professionals. Don't miss the opportunity to be part of the conversation! Please email info@diversityinsustainability.com to register – this conversation is open to people leaders.  

Our upcoming Office Hours will be hosted with Eli Browne on July 12th. Our Office Hours are designed for you to hear from a seasoned sustainability professional and for you to personally ask them questions in an intimate, virtual setting.  This Office Hours session will take place on LinkedIn Live.

Over an hour, Eli will provide an overview of her career in sustainability and answer any questions you might have related to your career. 

More about Eli:

“Eli Browne is a passionate sustainability professional with over 15 years’ experience bringing sustainability initiatives to life in complex corporate settings. Currently, Eli is the Head of Sustainability for CHEP Canada, joining in 2024. CHEP’s parent company is Brambles, which is recognized by Time Magazine as one of the most sustainable companies in the world. CHEP’s pallets, crates and containers help the world’s biggest brands transport their goods more efficiently, sustainably and safely. As pioneers of the circular economy, CHEP created a sustainable logistics business through the share and reuse of its platforms under a model known as ‘pooling.’ As a member of the Canadian leadership team, Eli is responsible for engaging internal and external stakeholders to lead programs in support of CHEP’s corporate sustainability targets and to incorporate sustainability as part of the company’s value proposition to customers.

Eli has extensive prior experience in bringing sustainability to life in complex corporate settings. She previously worked for Empire Company Limited, the second largest national grocery retailer and the parent company of leading retailers including Sobeys and Safeway. In that role, Eli led a national team responsible for developing and managing sustainability strategy, Environment Social and Governance (ESG) reporting and executing strategic initiatives. These initiatives included setting Empire’s science-based climate targets (becoming the first national grocery relator to obtain target validation from the Science Based Targets initiative), eliminating single-use plastic checkout bags (removing 800 million plastic bags from circulation each year) and launching a national food donation program across Empire’s stores and warehouses, in partnership with Second Harvest (which rescued over 30 million pounds of food in 2023).

Eli has been recognized by the Canadian Grocer Magazine as a Star Woman in Grocery in 2022 and is also a recipient of the Generation Next Award in 2021. She holds a Master of Applied Science degree from  Toronto Metropolitan University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Guelph.”

Our upcoming Office Hours will be hosted with Marie Jurcevic on June 27th. This event is open to all, but going forward will be a regular event exclusive to Diversity in Sustainability Circle members! Our Office Hours are designed for you to hear from a seasoned sustainability professional and for you to personally ask them questions in an intimate, virtual setting. 

Over an hour, Marie will provide an overview of her career in sustainability and answer any questions you might have related to your career. 

More about Marie:

“Marie Jurcevic is one of the Co-founders of Diversity in Sustainability and the Sustainability Lead at ARC Resources. Marie leads ARC Resources’ ESG reporting, and disclosure efforts and she supports the development and integration of sustainability strategy within the organization. Marie has been a corporate sustainability practitioner for about 15 years. She has held sustainability roles at Enbridge and Canadian Business for Social Responsibility. Prior to working in the energy industry, Marie worked in the non-profit sector. She specialized in youth engagement and supported youth in various capacities, most notably she was involved in a youth-led anti-racism initiative called Youth Reach Out Against Racism.

Marie has a BA in Sociology from the University of Calgary and an MSc in Responsibility & Business Practice from the Faculty of Management at the University of Bath.”

We're celebrating our 4 year-anniversary for Diversity in Sustainability with a two-part event in Toronto! We love creating engaging and thought-provoking events that cultivate meaningful connection for BIPOC sustainability practitioners and allies, and we are hosting a gathering at Arcadia Earth, followed by drinks and nibbles at one of Canada's only Black-owned Breweries, Mascot Brewery, just a 12-minute walk away. A shout out to our friends at Sun Life and Works Design for making this possible by providing sponsorship for this event!

Experience Arcadia Earth - 3:15-4:30PM

486 Front St. W. building C, Toronto, ON, M5V 0V2

Located in the new WELL building at Front and Spadina, immerse yourself in an eye-opening journey through Arcadia Earth's art installations, designed to inspire action towards a more sustainable future. We’ll go in two groups to take in the exhibit starting at 3:30PM. This is a great way to get to know other sustainability practitioners in a friendly environment. 

Afterwards, Let's Celebrate at Mascot - 5PM-10PM

220 King St. W., Toronto, ON, M5V 3M2

After Arcadia Earth, we'll take a 12-minute walk over to Mascot Brewery, a Black-owned brewery at King and University Ave. for drinks and nibbles starting at 5:00. Your ticket includes one beer, wine or non-alcoholic beverage (try out some of the Black-owned collab beers, including Bruzé, made together with Canada's only Black-owned winery, Nyarai Cellars!) This will be the perfect opportunity to celebrate and meet other members of the Diversity in Sustainability community!  We will also have a few giveaways that evening for guests, including from us, No Women No Spice (organic and direct trade cardamom, black peppercorns and cinnamon from Zanzibar) and Bead n’Butter (a Métis beader from Winnipeg whose work was shown during Paris Fashion week). 

Other notes:

• Spots are limited - reserve your spot now and prepare for a great night! 

• DiS Circle members receive a discount and early access for Arcadia Earth admission and Mascot Brewery tickets. You will have received the discount code via DiS Circle if you are a member, but if not send us a message!

• Each ticket includes a drink ticket and some nibbles! If you’re doing the two-parter, it is $39 for both Arcadia Earth + Mascot and free for the Mascot Brewery only component.

• We want you to arrive home safely. If you are planning to drink, please arrange for alternate transportation.

Join Heather Mak, co-founder of Diversity in Sustainability, for our monthly DIS Circle Orientation, our one-stop shop for BIPOC sustainability practitioners and allies. She will walk you through the architecture of the site and answer any questions you might have as a current or prospective member of DiS Circle. See you there!

This National Indigenous History Month, join us for a discussion and Q&A on LinkedIn Live and Instagram Live with Skw’akw’as (Sunshine) Dunstan-Moore!

More about Skw’aks’as:

“Skw’akw’as Lillian (She/Her) is a Nlakapamux, Stl'atl'imx, and Yakima youth from Tlekemstin, also known as Lytton, British Columbia. Skw’akw’as translates to Sunshine in nɬeʔkepmxcín and proudly uses both names. Skw’akw’as is member and former chair of the Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Youth Council. Member of the Youth Advisory Group with the Canadian Commission of UNESCO sitting on the working group for the UN International Decade of Indigenous Languages & Expert Working Group in Education for Sustainable Development. She is currently in Environmental Leadership Canada’s Parliamentary Internship for the Environment. Her focus and passions are in International Climate Policy, Climate Justice, and Indigenous Rights. Striving to inspire and support BIPOC youth to take up space within colonial structures. Calls for an intersectional and anti-colonial view of how we write, teach, and think about policy. Skw’akw’as loves Taylor Swift and frequently listens to ‘I can do it with a broken heart’ in colonial spaces.”

Our upcoming Office Hours will be hosted with Mercy Maina on May 31st. This event is open to all, but going forward will be a regular event exclusive to Diversity in Sustainability Circle members! Our Office Hours are designed for you to hear from a seasoned sustainability professional and for you to personally ask them questions in an intimate, virtual setting. 

Over an hour, Mercy will provide an overview of her career in sustainability and answer any questions you might have related to your career. 

More about Mercy:

"Mercy Maina is a Senior Analyst in the Responsible Investing team at NEI Investments with a focus on energy, utilities and materials sectors. Prior to that, she was a Senior Consultant with EY Canada in the Climate Change and Sustainability Services practice, where she was involved in working with companies from various sectors on strategy advisory, reporting, assurance and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission verification. Additionally, she has sustainability experience working at an Intergovernmental Organization (IGO), a nonprofit organization, academia, as well as with an in-house sustainability team. These span the United Nations Environmental Programme, International Water Association, Mount Royal University’s former Institute of Environmental Sustainability(IES), and Husky Energy.

Mercy holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with a minor in International Business and Economics from Mount Royal University."

Join Heather Mak, co-founder of Diversity in Sustainability, for our monthly DIS Circle Orientation, our one-stop shop for BIPOC sustainability practitioners and allies. She will walk you through the architecture of the site and answer any questions you might have as a current or prospective member of DiS Circle. This session will take place on LinkedIn livestream. See you there!

Our upcoming Office Hours will be hosted with Marie Sereneo on May 17th. This event is open to all, but going forward will be a regular event exclusive to Diversity in Sustainability Circle members! Our Office Hours are designed for you to hear from a seasoned sustainability professional and for you to personally ask them questions in an intimate, virtual setting. 

Over an hour, Marie will provide an overview of her career in sustainability and answer any questions you might have related to your career. 

More about Marie:

"Marie Sereneo is a sustainability practitioner based in Calgary, AB. She currently works at ARC Resources, a Canadian energy producer, where she is advancing ARC's carbon offsets program as part of the organization's climate change strategy. Marie brings a diversity of cross-cutting sustainability experiences across public, private, and consulting roles, including the Government of Alberta, Deloitte, and various clients across the energy and financial sectors.

Growing up in Winnipeg, MB, Marie’s passion for the environment was first ignited by a watershed conservation project in high school, which she represented as a Canadian youth delegate at the Stockholm+40 Partnership Forum for Sustainable Development. She went on to complete a BScH in Environmental Science from Queen's University and an MPH in Environmental Health from the University of Alberta. Marie's interdisciplinary research has focused on sustainable water management throughout her academic career, including having contributed as a provincial working group member towards the implementation of water reuse schemes in Alberta.

Beyond her professional roles, Marie is passionate about bringing young and under-represented voices to high-level climate conversations. She is currently a board member with the Clean Resources Innovation Network (CRIN), an Energy Futures Lab Fellow, and a Shaper with the Global Shapers Calgary Hub, an initiative of the World Economic Forum."

Our upcoming Office Hours will be hosted with Nicole Jackson on April 12th. This event is open to all, but going forward will be a regular event exclusive to Diversity in Sustainability Circle members! Our Office Hours are designed for you to hear from a seasoned sustainability professional and for you to personally ask them questions in an intimate, virtual setting.

Over an hour, Nicole will provide an overview of her career in sustainability and answer any questions you might have related to your career. 

Nicole Jackson, a CEEJH Senior Climate Justice Fellow, a U.S. Army Reserve Veteran, and a dedicated advocate for racial and climate justice brings a wealth of expertise to her role as Principal Sustainability Consultant at Monarch PSG. She is dedicated to collaborating with organizations to apply her knowledge in green building principles, sustainability, project management, and policy development. Her goal is to help these organizations achieve their strategic objectives and optimize their operations. Nicole's work involves crafting policies that directly contribute to reducing carbon emissions, implementing effective waste management strategies, and promoting sustainable procurement practices. Through these efforts, she strives to enhance the sustainability and diversity inclusion efforts of these organizations.

Moreover, Nicole leverages her expertise to advance her passion for driving the transition away from fossil fuels, educating others on the core principles of climate policy, and addressing issues like Food Apartheid. Nicole's dedication to sustainability and climate justice is evident through her active engagement with various organizations. Her most recent involvements include collaborating with the NAACP MSC Environmental & Climate Justice Committee, World Wildlife Fund, Inc., and the U.S. Green Building Council.

Beyond her professional commitments, Nicole remains deeply involved in her local community. She serves as an Advisory Board Member for the Sustainable Energy Workforce Development Program at Prince George’s Community College, the Co-Chair of the Prince George's County Climate Task Force Resident Advisory Group, chairs the sustainability committee for the incorporated City of District Heights, is an ecoAmerica Climate Ambassador, and plays an essential role as Historiographer and Public Relations Director within her church's Lay organization.

Join Heather Mak, co-founder of Diversity in Sustainability, for our monthly DIS Circle Orientation, our one-stop shop for BIPOC sustainability practitioners and allies. She will walk you through the architecture of the site and answer any questions you might have as a current or prospective member of DiS Circle. See you there!

Diversity in Sustainability and Canadian Purpose Economy Project are excited to host a two-part discussion with Christelle Francois, CEO of the Equity Economic Development Group, and former President of the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce, as she shares her experiences blazing trails in the world of social finance, championing Black-owned businesses in Canada, now leading her to becoming a founding member of the Canadian Purpose Economy Project. Christelle will also discuss the purpose economy - creating social purpose businesses in service of an economy powered by the pursuit of long-term well-being for all.

 More about Christelle:

Christelle Francois is a bilingual executive and entrepreneur. She is the CEO of the Equity Economic Development Group, supporting investment funds in diversifying their impact investment portfolios. In 2022, Christelle was listed among the Top 100 Most Influential Black Canadians. She's the immediate former President of the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce, where she led a strategy that successfully secured over $5M in funding in less than six months. Christelle is the Board Chair of the Table of Impact Investment Practitioners of Canada and was recently appointed as the Board Chair of Boann Social Impact, a Canadian Social Finance Fund Wholesaler and social impact investing firm. She is also a Founding Member of the Canadian Purpose Economy Project.

Date: Tuesday, April 16, 12PM ET/9AM PT