Speakers

Jen Angel, Chief Executive Officer

Evergreen

Jen Angel is a builder of community, momentum and places people love. As CEO of Evergreen, she works with public, private and community partners to build better public spaces. For more than 30 years, Evergreen has been bringing people together with nature and each other in cities across Canada. Prior to Evergreen, Jen helped create some of Nova Scotia’s favourite places by land and sea, leading a team to support economic development, community health and well being, and climate adaptation agendas through better public infrastructure. Her portfolio includes real estate, infrastructure and land-based program development and governance, participatory planning, and design. She is the Chair of the Canadian Infrastructure Council, tasked with delivering Canada’s first National Infrastructure Assessment. She’s served on a number of Boards, including as Chair of Discover Halifax, Chair of the Downtown Halifax Business Commission, and Chair of the Fundraising Cabinet of United Way Halifax. She’s been named among Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 CEOs and 25 Most Powerful Women, received the Allyship Award from Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, and is currently Placemaking Fellow with the Canadian Urban Institute.

Krista Barfoot, Sector Lead, Infrastructure - Canada

SLR Consulting

A Brownfield Redevelopment Specialist with SLR Consulting, Dr. Barfoot has over 25 years of industry experience and expertise in strategic site planning, risk assessment, vapour intrusion assessment, and risk management.  Dr. Barfoot’s technical expertise additionally extends to excess soil management, emerging contaminants (including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances [PFAS]), non-aqueous phase liquid, risk mitigation measures, and stakeholder communication. 

Dr. Barfoot is a qualified person for risk assessment (per Ontario Regulation 153/04), President of the Canadian Brownfields Network, chair of the Ontario Environmental Industry Association (ONEIA) PFAS Committee, and an ONEIA Excess Soils and Brownfields Committee member. She has actively led the development of the strategic approach for revitalizing a number of large, high-profile brownfield sites in Ontario, and is based in SLR Consulting's Guelph, Ontario office.

Janet Bobechko, Partner

WeirFoulds LLP

Janet Bobechko is a Certified Specialist in Environmental Law by the Law Society of Ontario and Partner at WeirFoulds LLP. Janet is a nationally recognized senior practitioner with over 30 years of experience in all aspects of environmental and natural resources law. Janet’s environmental law practice is broadly focused to include climate change and sustainability, Environment Social Governance (ESG), brownfield development, environmental dispute resolution and natural resource development. She routinely provides sophisticated and strategic advice on environmental compliance, mergers and acquisitions, real estate and portfolio acquisitions and dispositions, leasing, financings, and environmental management systems. She has significant experience in construction and infrastructure matters including linear infrastructure and renewable energy. Her dispute resolution work includes advice on environmental aspects in complex civil litigation for legacy contamination, migration of contamination, environmental inspections and investigations, defence of regulatory charges and administrative orders relating to federal and provincial environmental offences, and strategic due diligence advice. She advises clients in the natural resource sector involving mining and Indigenous consultation. Janet advises on climate change issues including climate risk, climate resilient infrastructure, nature based solutions and the impacts to supply chains. She provides support to clients as they look to diversify their businesses with investments into new, low carbon asset classes and clean technologies. She is co-chair of the Ontario Environment Industry Association (ONEIA) Climate Change Committee.

Daniel Brenner, Senior Project Manager

VEI Contracting Inc.

Mr. Brenner is a Senior Project Manager at VEI Contracting Inc., is an Environmental Engineer, and specializes in in-situ remediation. Mr. Brenner has been involved in the design and implementation of remediation programs across Canada involving permeable reactive barriers, adsorptive technologies, chemical oxidation/reduction, and biodegradation, in soil, groundwater, and bedrock for a variety of contaminants, including petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, and heavy metals. Mr. Brenner holds a Bachelors’ degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Guelph and is a Professional Engineer and a Qualified Person in Ontario.

Chris DeSousa, Professor

Toronto Metropolitan University

Christopher De Sousa is a Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at Toronto Metropolitan University. His research focuses on brownfield redevelopment in Canada and the United States. De Sousa is the past President of the Canadian Brownfields Network, a member of the US Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Brownfields/Land Reuse Health Initiative, jury chair for the Canadian Brownie Awards, and a member of TMU’s Center for Urban Research and Land Development.

Tiago Do Couto, Director Land Development

Minto Group

Tiago is the Director of Development for Minto Communities.  Tiago started working in the real estate / land development industry in 2000.  With 25 years of experience in the industry, he has been responsible for the development of over 10,000 homes within the GTA and Ottawa markets along with commercial assets.  He has developed projects from traditional greenfields, to brownfields with extensive remediation components. 

In addition to his role at Minto, Tiago is a past president of the Durham Region Home Builders’ association and currently chairs the Government Relations committee at the association which is responsible for advancing the industry’s goals at a local and Regional municipality level as well as helping to shape provincial policy through it’s advocacy.

Tiago holds a bachelor’s of applied science degree from the University of Toronto and is a licensed professional engineer.

John Georgakopolous, Partner

Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP

John Georgakopoulos resolves complex environmental legal issues for clients, uniquely drawing on his technical knowledge as a former senior environmental scientist with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. John advises corporations, directors and officers on environmental risks and liabilities regarding real estate and corporate/commercial transactions. He has particular expertise advising industrial manufacturers, property developers and REITs about brownfields and contaminated land. John’s strategic advice helps protect clients against corporate and personal environmental liabilities including civil claims, regulatory orders, prosecutions and fines.

John guides clients through the complex regulatory environment, assisting with regulatory approvals for air, waste and water. He provides strategic advice to help clients maintain compliance with environmental laws. John negotiates with regulators on behalf of clients to avoid or minimize regulatory action, including prosecutions, orders, fines and penalties. He assists
clients with regulatory inspections and investigations.

John represents clients in regulatory and civil proceedings about contaminated soil and groundwater, nuisance, air, noise, waste and odour issues. John appears before Ontario courts and tribunals. He is also retained by litigation counsel as an environmental expert.

Elizabeth Gillin, VP Development

Daniels

Elizabeth Gillin is the Vice President of Development at The Daniels Corporation and has over 18 years of experience in the urban planning and land development industry. She successfully manages and executes complex development approvals and entitlements processes for mixed-use and mixed tenure projects in the Greater Toronto Area. Starting at project inception, Elizabeth plays a leading role in the due diligence, concept plan development, pro forma analysis, and approvals strategy. Throughout the project lifecycle, she manages municipal approvals, review and execution of legal agreements, schedule, internal and external stakeholders and consultants, budget management and project-related municipal negotiations, working collaboratively with municipal governments and staff. She is currently leading the development of 3,000 residential units with a mix of building tenure and form (high-rise buildings to low-rise townhouse developments).  Prior to starting at Daniels, Elizabeth worked in consulting for 10 years and focused municipal policy, special planning studies and management of development approvals. She is a Registered Professional Planner (RPP) and a Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners (MCIP).

Annelise Grieve, Principal

Strategic Environmental Planning Solutions

Shannon Hunt, Senior Project Manager, Durham Branch Manager

Terrapex

Shannon is a Senior Project Manager and the Durham Branch Manager of Terrapex. She has worked as an environmental consultant since 1996 overseeing the assessment, remediation and risk assessment of a variety of different types of properties including former retail fuel stations, solvent impacted sites, radioactively impacted sites, railway lands, port lands, large industrial properties and smaller commercial and residential parcels. Shannon also has extensive municipal experience as an environmental advisor and peer reviewer and is an excess soil specialist.
In addition to her role at Terrapex, Shannon is the President of the Durham Region Home Builders’ Association and is an active member of the Qualified Person’s Community of Ontario supporting their Excess Soil Working Group and Steering Committee.
Shannon holds a BSc in Civil Engineering from Queen’s University. In addition to being a licensed Professional Engineer, she is a Qualified Person in environmental site assessment (QPESA) and risk assessment (QPRA) in Ontario.

Stephanie Huyssen,  Senior Environmental Officer

City of Barrie

Stephanie has been working for the City of Barrie since 2007 and holds an Honour’s Bachelor Degree in Biology and two Diplomas in Fish and Wildlife Technology. With over 18 years of experience in environmental compliance and sustainability, she currently serves as Senior Environmental Officer, leading complex environmental monitoring programs and ensuring compliance with key Acts and regulations.

Her previous roles with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority provided valuable experience in watershed monitoring, wetland rehabilitation, and environmental regulations. Stephanie has managed large-scale projects, developed policies, and built strong relationships with stakeholders like the Ministry of the Environment and local Conservation Authorities. She is committed to continuing her professional growth while contributing to meaningful environmental sustainability efforts.

For fun, Stephanie enjoys riding and training horses for competition at her farm in Coldwater, Ontario.

Mark Koberg, Principal

Baird & Associates

Gabrielle Kramer, Partner

BLG LLP

Neil Loewen, Senior Associate, Urban Planner

Urban Strategies

Franz Lopez, Counsel

BLG LLP

Ashley MacInnis-Murdoch, Senior Manager, Land Development & Projects

City Homes

Ashley is the Senior Manager of Land Development & Projects at City Homes, where she has been a driving force since 2015. With over a decade of experience in residential development, Ashley has led numerous projects through draft plan and site plan approvals, guiding them from initial consultation to construction completion.
Her portfolio includes the development of single-family and multi-residential communities on complex sites—many of which required extensive remediation and caisson work due to contamination or challenging soil conditions. Ashley's expertise in zoning analysis, planning policy, and site strategy makes her a key decision-maker in land acquisition and project feasibility.
Certified by the Ontario Association of Certified Planning Technicians (CPT) since 2021, Ashley has also helped secure community improvement grants at both the municipal and regional levels. With a strong foundation in policy writing and public relations, Ashley brings a practical and forward-thinking approach to development.

Colin McColman, Director, Environmental & Social Risk

Scotiabank

Colin is a Director of Environmental and Social Risk in Scotiabank’s Global Risk Management department.
Prior to joining the bank in 2018, Colin spent 10 years as an environmental, and occupational health and safety consultant, where he helped clients across Canada with a variety of due diligence and regulatory compliance matters that typically involved:
•              Environmental site assessments and contamination;
•              Hazardous building materials and wastes; and
•              Indoor air and drinking water quality concerns.
 
In his current role, Colin leads a small team of professionals that help to advance and maintain Scotiabank’s enterprise-wide ESG risk management program by providing technical advisory services and training to Banking and Credit Officers; developing policies and procedures; and preparing internal and external reports.   

Terry Obal, Specialty Testing Practice Leader

SGS North America

Jean Pare, Vice President, Sales & Marketing

CHEMCO

Martin Pothier, Business Development Project Manager

Remea

Martin Pothier is an ecotoxicologist working towards finding new ways of reusing soils. His PhD research made use of bacteria as a tool to measure arsenic in the field. He has since worked at a soil washing facility and is now using soil mixing for treating source zone contamination in-situ.

 Renee Recoski, Director Waste Management and Environmental Services

The District Municipality of Muskoka

Carl Spensieri, President

Steamboat Insurance Agencies Inc.

Carl focuses on delivering better outcomes for clients by using his expertise to find creative risk transfer solutions for environmental risks.  
Prior to underwriting, Carl practiced as an environmental engineer. Carl’s areas of expertise include merger & acquisition due diligence;
professional liability; environmental liability assessment and risk transfer; property transactions; and Canadian infrastructure projects.
 
He holds a Masters of Applied Sciences and Engineering from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of London (UK).
He is also a Professional Engineer (Ontario).

Peter Sutton, Vice President, Environmental Services

Terrapex

Peter Sutton is a member of the Board of Directors of Canadian Brownfields Network, and Co-Chair of CBN’s Technical Advisory Committee.   A licensed professional engineer and designated "Consulting Engineer" in the Province of Ontario, Peter is also registered with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks as a “Qualified Person” for both the filing Records of Site Condition (QPESA) and the submission of Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessments (QPRA) per O. Reg. 153/04. Peter is currently Vice President, Environmental Services at Terrapex, a firm of consulting engineers and scientists providing consulting services in the environment, geotechnical engineering, hydrogeology, building science and health and safety.  In this role he oversees the environmental site assessment and remediation, environmental risk assessment, ecology, and hazardous materials service lines at Terrapex. In addition, he continues to provide high level consulting services in the areas of environmental site assessment, soil and groundwater remediation, risk assessment, and Brownfield redevelopment, as well as peer review / expert opinion services to clients in support of due diligence efforts, civil litigation matters, and subrogation claims related to soil and groundwater contamination.

Kate Thompson, Manager of Environmental Management and Compliance

City of Barrie

Bruce Tunnicliffe, President

VEI Contracting Inc.

Bruce Tunnicliffe is founder and president of VEI Contracting Inc. (formerly Vertex Environmental) and founder and organizer of SMART Remediation.
Mr. Tunnicliffe has 25 years of experience designing and implementing remediation programs at Brownfield Sites for contaminants such as petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, heavy metals, and emerging contaminants such as PFAS. Mr. Tunnicliffe holds a Master’s degree from the University of Waterloo where he studied DNAPL remediation in fractured bedrock.

Kyle VanderMeer, Environmental Engineer

City of Guelph

Kyle VanderMeer, P. Eng, PMP, is an environmental engineer for the City of Guelph with 10+ years experience in project management, contamination assessment and remediation, excess soil management, and electronic data management. Kyle received a 2022 Brownie Award from the CBN for his work on the City of Guelph’s Guidance for On-Site and Excess Soil Management program, as well as a 2023 Public Works Project of the Year Award in Environmental Sustainability and Biodiversity from the Ontario Public Works Association for his management of the Bristol Street Park Buried Waste Remediation project. Kyle has presented at various environmental conferences including CANECT 2024 and ONEIA’s annual business and policy forum. Kyle’s experience also includes Phase One & Two environmental site assessments; operation, maintenance, and monitoring programs; construction oversight; and emergency spill response. 

Joanna Vince, Partner

Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP

Joanna Vince, B.Sc. (Hons.), J.D., is a Partner and Certified Specialist in Environmental Law by the Law Society of Ontario at Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP. Joanna has significant expertise assisting clients with environmental approvals and permits for developments and industry. Joanna advises industry, conservation authorities, governments and crown corporations, Inuit groups, tribunals and land claims organizations on environmental law matters.

Joanna advises on the environmental liabilities associated with contaminated lands and how to manage those liabilities for holding, redeveloping, buying and selling contaminated lands. Joanna helps clients navigate the environmental regulatory process. She advises clients about compliance obligations and represents them in managing regulatory inspections and investigations.  

Joanna has appeared before environmental tribunals and boards on behalf of clients to obtain, confirm or dispute environmental permits and approvals, including for certificates of property use, wastewater treatment systems, noise and air emissions, and water permits. Joanna is called to the Bars of Ontario, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon.

Brooke Wallace, Environmental Scientist

Geosyntec Consultants Inc.

Brooke is a Project Environmental Scientist in the Environmental Due Diligence & Brownfields Group at Geosyntec Consultants based in Guelph, Ontario. She has over seven years of experience in the environmental consulting industry throughout Canada and the United States. Her areas of expertise include phased Environmental Site Assessments, subsurface investigations and soil and groundwater remediation. Brooke has experience providing technical support and project management on client projects for transactional due diligence purposes, Ontario brownfields redevelopments (Records of Site Condition filings), municipal site plan approvals, excess soils, environmental litigation, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) materiality assessments and strategy implementation.

Gord Wichert, Technical Director - Aquatic Ecology

SLR Consulting

Dr. Gordon Wichert works as a Technical Director of ecology at SLR Consulting specializing in aquatic ecosystem dynamics, assessment and rehabilitation, and watershed planning.  For more than 25 years he has completed studies in conservation ecology, landscape-scale delineation and environmental effects monitoring. Much of his work involves characterizing existing ecosystem conditions, identifying potential responses to proposed land use changes often associated with development, and recommending mitigation and rehabilitation measures.

Ericka Wicks, Regional Sector Leader for Renewable and Energy Transition

Stantec

Ericka is a Regional Sector Leader for Energy Transition and Renewable Energy for Stantec. With 15 years of experience in the sustainability and energy sector for and with public and private organizations, her expertise includes business development, program and project development and management, sourcing funding and financing, and environmental sustainability and energy expertise. She has experience working across disciplines, sectors, and silos, and is a transdisciplinary thinker with an understanding of systems-level interconnections. Ericka has helped develop energy management and sustainability opportunities for the governmental (local, Indigenous, provincial, territorial, and federal), industrial, energy utility, agriculture, aquaculture, and non-profit sectors. She is a passionate collaborator, helping to make organizations more impactful, balanced, and efficient by finding and building upon commonalities and desired outcomes.