Speakers

	Drew Atkins / Nəq̓ɑɬc̓I Is a member of the Kwantlen First Nation Community by marriage to his wife Phyllis Atkins. Drew has been working on behalf of the Kwantlen Community for over a decade and has been overseeing several environmental remediation projects on Kwantlen Lands, the result of historic INAC leases. Drew currently works as the Manager of Special Project and Resource development for Kwantlen Lands, Resources, and Stewardship.
	Krista Barfoot, Ph.D., C.Chem., QPRA, Principal, Environmental Services, Stantec A Brownfield Redevelopment Specialist with Stantec Consulting Limited, Dr. Barfoot has 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 View Full Bio +/- [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), co-chair of the Ontario Environmental Industry Association (ONEIA) Brownfields Committee and PFAS Committee, an ONEIA Excess Soils Sub-Committee member, and a member of the board of the Canadian Brownfields Network. 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 Stantec’s Waterloo, Ontario office.
	Aaron Barter, Director, Innovation and Sustainability, Waterfront Toronto At Waterfront Toronto, Aaron is responsible for enabling the development of net-zero carbon communities, sustainable infrastructure and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting. His work is focused on high-performance new construction, integrated water resource planning, green infrastructure and enabling low-carbon transportation alternatives. He leads the sustainability strategies for the Quayside and Villiers Island projects and works closely with government and developer partners to deploy sustainable innovations that support local economic development and clean growth. He joined Waterfront Toronto from the MaRS Discovery District in Toronto, where he worked with government, utilities and the private sector on the evolution of Ontario’s energy sector and facilitated linkages between local start-ups and industry incumbents, and previously held roles in municipal government and the development industry. Aaron studied mechanical engineering at the University of Toronto.
	Janet L. Bobechko, Partner, Certified Specialist Environmental Law, WeirFoulds LLP Janet Bobechko is a Certified Specialist in Environmental Law and a nationally recognized senior practitioner with extensive experience in all aspects of environmental law, climate change and sustainability. Janet’s environmental law practice is focused on climate change and sustainability, Environment Social Governance (ESG), real estate and brownfield development and environmental dispute resolution. View Full Bio +/- She routinely provides sophisticated and strategic advice on environmental compliance, mergers & acquisitions, real estate and portfolio acquisitions and dispositions, leasing, financings, and environmental management systems. She has significant experience in construction contracts and lien matters as they relate to contamination, remediation and excess soils. Her dispute resolution work includes, providing advice on environmental aspects in complex civil litigation for legacy contamination, migration of contamination, environmental regulatory inspections, defence of charges, orders, and strategic due diligence advice.Janet supports her clients with advice on environmental approvals (all media), chemical management and importation of new substances into Canada, transportation of dangerous goods, hazardous products, pesticides, stewardship, producer responsibility and the circular economy. She advises on risk management, emergency planning and spill response, storage tanks, Federal E2 Regulations and strategic communication. She is routinely consulted on issues related to sewage works, waste/process water management and treatment, source water protection and sustainable water supply. Janet advises on climate change issues including climate risk, climate resilient infrastructure 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 technologies. She advises boards of directors regarding environmental compliance, corporate reporting strategies and risk mitigation and environmental insurance, and advises clients on environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) matters. Janet sits on the external advisory committee for Ryerson’s Corporate Social Responsibility Institute and co-chair’s the Ontario Environment Industry Association (ONEIA) Climate Change Committee. Janet is also on the Province of Ontario’s Excess Soils Engagement Group. She is a sough after speaker at industry events. Janet received a career achievement award from the Canadian Brownfields Network as a person who has had a profound impact on the brownfield industry in Canada.
	Phillip Caldwell, RPP, MCIP, Senior Project Manager, Commercial Districts and Small Business Section, City of Hamilton Phillip Caldwell is a registered professional planner with over 14 years of experience working in both upper, lower and single-tier municipalities in Canada. Phil graduated from the University of Waterloo’s School of Planning and has since developed extensive knowledge and expertise in urban planning matters with a specific focus on innovative policy and program development that supports urban intensification and revitalization through the use of Community Improvement Plans and brownfield redevelopment. Phil has previously worked for the cities of Burlington and Calgary, and the Region of Waterloo. Phil is currently a Senior Project Manager in the City of Hamilton’s Planning & Economic Development Department where hs focused on urban renewal initiatives including responsibility for the City’s Community Improvement Plan’s and brownfield financial assistance programs.
	Paul H. Cheung, M.Env.Sc, QPRA, Environmental Risk Assessor, Terrapex Environmental Ltd. Paul H. Cheung is an environmental risk assessor at Terrapex with over 10 years of environmental consulting experience. Specialising in risk assessment, vapour intrusion assessment, and risk management, Paul uses his technical skills to assist clients navigate the regulatory, municipal conveyance, and transactional due diligence processes. He has a keen interest in brownfield development strategy and regularly consults for a broad range of public, residential and commercial real estate, and industrial clients.
	Gavin Domitter, National Manager, Indigenous Relations & Business Development, Milestone Environmental Contracting Gavin Domitter is the National Manager, Indigenous Relations & Business Development, for Milestone Environmental Contracting. He supports the organization and team in working collaboratively with Indigenous communities, industry and clients across Canada, in identifying opportunities of common interest and mutual benefit. View Full Bio +/- Gavin has over 20 years of experience successfully managing people, projects and programs in a variety of diverse industries and environments. Since 2009 he has led the design and delivery of over 20 capacity building programs for over 750 First Nation, Metis, and Inuit participants on projects in sum exceeding $250,000,000 in contract value; as well as numerous successful Indigenous joint ventures and limited partnerships. He is committed to a field-based approach, having worked throughout Canada on some of the most remote projects, with extended periods in the field and in communities. He can be reached at 604.328.5012 or by email at GavinD@milestoneenv.ca.
	John Georgakopoulos, B.Sc. (Hons.), M.Sc., LL.B., Partner, Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP John Georgakopoulos B.Sc. (Hons.), M.Sc., LL.B., is a Partner at Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP and is a Certified Specialist in Environmental Law by the Law Society of Ontario. John resolves complex environmental legal issues for clients, uniquely drawing on his technical knowledge as a former senior environmental scientist with Ontario’s environmental regulator. View Full Bio +/- John has particular expertise advising property developers, REITs, industrial manufacturers, and municipalities about managing environmental risks and liabilities associated with brownfields and contaminated sites. John provides strategic advice to help protect clients against corporate and personal environmental liabilities including civil claims, regulatory orders, prosecutions and fines. John is called to the Bar in Ontario and Alberta.
	Tom Grimminck, Partner, Dillon Consulting Limited Tom is a Partner at Dillon Consulting Limited, and the national Manager of Dillon’s Contaminated Sites Business Unit. As the Business Unit Manager, Tom is accountable for the quality and delivery of over 250 environmental site assessment and contaminated site consulting projects annually, delivered by a staff of over 100 environmental professionals across Canada. Tom has practiced as an environmental consultant and environmental contractor for 25 years in the fields of environmental site assessment, detailed contaminant delineation, remediation of contaminated sites, development and implementation of remedial action plans, landfill design and construction, and long term monitoring of contaminated sites and landfills. View Full Bio +/- Tom has worked on a variety of large and small scale site assessments concluding with successful RSCs under O.Reg. 153/04. On these projects historic industrial lands underwent redevelopment for either commercial, community or residential land use. Tom has supported property owners in a variety of sectors including transportation, real estate, manufacturing, property management, insurance, and governments for sites throughout Canada. Tom is a member of Dillon’s Vendor or Record review team that provides third party review to the MECP of human health and ecological risk assessments and the associated risk management plans submitted under O.Reg. 153/04 by property owners and their QPs in their efforts to file site specific Records of Site Condition. Further, Tom has been responsible for the preparation, design and implementation of risk management plans and risk management measures for sites throughout Ontario to support regulatory compliance with O.Reg. 153/04.
	Carla Guerrara, Founder & CEO, Purpose Driven Development & Planning As a globally recognized real estate development professional, Carla combines the fields of real estate development and urban planning. Carla has delivered over $1 B of complex, mixed-use real estate development across Canada's top markets over the past 20 years. Notable projects include leading the West Don Lands waterfront revitalization on Toronto’s waterfront, one of the world’s most advanced waterfront revitalization initiatives. Carla has been awarded the prestigious Urban Land Institutes Top 40 Under 40 Global Land Use Professionals Award, as well as Business in Vancouver's Top 40 Under 40 Award. Carla is the Founder and CEO of Purpose Driven Development and Planning, a company which brings a proven approach to unlocking successful development in our complex urban environments for developers, public sector and First Nations clients to create communities where we can all thrive. View Full Bio +/- Carla was recently appointed as a Board Member to the Thames Estuary Growth Board helping to lead the revitalization of the world-famous Thames River and the largest growth opportunity in the UK. Locally she also serves on the British Columbia Pavilion Corporation. Carla is an international thought leader and speaker on innovative approaches to development and city building.
	Paula Hutchison, P.Eng.(ON), Principal, Geosyntec Consultants Paula Hutchison is a licensed Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario, and a Qualified Person, Environmental Site Assessment (QPESA) and Qualified Person, Risk Assessment (QPRA), as defined by O.Reg. 153/04, as amended. She has over the last 15+ years worked as an engineer on a variety of environmental projects throughout Canada, the United States, and internationally. Paula’s practice is focused on helping clients find solutions to difficult challenges related to environmental due diligence and compliance, contaminated site management, and brownfield redevelopment. Her work has guided clients with environmental due diligence support related to property acquisitions and divestures. She has been involved in all aspects of environmental project work including contaminated site strategy development, site investigation and characterization, vapour intrusion assessments, remedial engineering design and implementation, litigation technical support, contract development, construction management, and liaison with agency and regulatory representatives. Paula has also supported her clients in defining and advancing towards their Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) objectives. Paula holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Environmental Engineering with Chemical Specialization.
	Bozena Jankowska, Managing Director and Global Head of ESG, Slate Asset Management Bozena is a Managing Director and the Global Head of ESG at Slate Asset Management, overseeing the definition and implementation of the firm’s global ESG strategy. Bozena has nearly two decades of experience at the interface of finance and corporate responsibility. She started her career as a Business and Environmental Consultant at Laing Technology Group before joining Allianz Global Investors (AGI) as Team Head of Sustainability Research in 2000. While at AGI, Bozena led the push for sustainability within the finance industry well before it was mainstream. View Full Bio +/- She designed, managed and marketed the Allianz Global Investors clean technology fund – Global Ecotrends – which grew from $10 million in seed funding to $1 billion in AUM and became a global franchise for the firm. In 2010, Bozena was appointed Global Co-Head of ESG for AGI, taking over responsibility for ESG integration across the firm’s global investments and reporting directly into the firm’s CEO. She pioneered a number of innovative ESG strategies and processes, establishing a global ESG team and growing AGI’s total sustainable investment assets under management from €70 million to over €30 billion during her tenure with the firm. After leaving AGI, Bozena applied her entrepreneurial drive to self-fund and launch a successful women’s sustainable fashion label. She’s overseen the brand’s business strategy and creative direction, including sustainable materials research and sourcing, supply chain management, successful partnerships with non-governmental organizations focused on environmental sustainability and more. Bozena earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the university of Sussex. She completed her Master of Science in Environment Technology with Distinction at Imperial College.
	Parisa Jourabchi (Ph.D., P.Eng.), Founder & Chief Scientific Officer, ARIS Environmental Ltd. Parisa Jourabchi (Ph.D., P.Eng.) is the founder and chief scientific officer of ARIS Environmental Ltd. who brings a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach to site investigation and remediation. Parisa holds a bachelor of engineering physics and masters in geophysics from UBC, and a Ph.D. in biogeochemistry from Utrecht University, The Netherlands. Parisa conducts applied research on projects that include assessment of natural source zone depletion (NSZD) rates at petroleum hydrocarbon sites, vapour intrusion, and the development of toolkits for the evaluation of monitored natural attenuation (MNA), NZSD, remedial technologies and sustainability. View Full Bio +/- She contributes to guidance development and has extensive experience in numerical and analytical modeling for environmental applications. Parisa is currently leading the development of an ASTM Standard Guide for Estimating Natural Attenuation Rates for Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid (NAPL) in the Subsurface.
	Suvish Melanta, Associate, Grounded Engineering Ms. Suvish Melanta is an Associate at Grounded Engineering with over a decade of experience in environmental engineering services. As a licensed Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario, she has managed numerous greenfield and brownfield development projects involving risk assessments, remedial excavations, soil management activities, environmental compliance monitoring. Suvish has worked on York’s vivaNEXT project and currently works with many leading provincial developers, providing strategic guidance on environmental and hydrogeological aspects for high-rise developments, and the application of Ontario regulations and regional development policies. Suvish holds undergraduate degree in biological engineering from the University of Arkansas and a graduate degree in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Maryland.
	Tanisha Monster, Business Development, Milestone Environmental Contracting As an experienced Environmental Specialist with an educational background in Environmental Studies and Emergency Management, Tanisha Monster has a unique perspective as a Business Development professional. Tanisha draws on her experience in environmental awareness, environmental compliance, sampling, and environmental policy to drive marketing, communication, client relation and prospecting activities for Milestone in support of strategic business growth.
	Monisa Nandi, Senior Environmental PM, Soil and Groundwater Quality, City of Toronto Monisa Nandi has over 20 years' experience in Environmental Site Assessment, Environmental Assessment and Environmental Compliance in Ontario and British Columbia. Monisa has designed and managed all stages of Environmental Site Assessment investigations and remediation projects and led large multidisciplinary teams on major projects such as Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension, and the West Don Lands/Pan Am Athletes Village. Prior to joining the City of Toronto, Monisa worked for Crosslinx Transit Solutions on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT project for three years in the roles of Environmental Quality Manager and Environmental Director. View Full Bio +/- In her role as Environmental Director, Monisa was responsible for various sustainability initiatives including the Environmental Management Plan, Sustainability Plan and LEED Silver certification for the Maintenance and Storage Facility. In her role as Senior Environmental Project Manager at the City of Toronto, Monisa provides subject matter expertise on excess soil management including greenhouse gas emissions and circular economy initiatives. Monisa completed a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science at the University of Waterloo and a Master of Applied Science in Environmental Applied Science and Management at Ryerson University. Monisa completed the Centre for Sustainability and Excellence's Advanced Certified Sustainability (CSR) Practitioner Training certificate in 2017.
	Lisa Prime, MCIP RPP, LEEP AP, Chief Planner, City of Cambridge Lisa Prime, MCIP RPP, LEEP AP, is the Chief Planner for the City of Cambridge, part of the Innovation Corridor and within one of the fastest growing regions in Ontario. Also Founder of PRIME Strategy & Planning Inc, Lisa is an industry leader in urban revitalization and sustainable community development. Senior roles in both government and the private sector have given Lisa a wealth of municipal policy, infrastructure, and approval process experience. View Full Bio +/- Lisa has led major planning initiatives in policy and development including creating and implementing the innovation and sustainability portfolio for the Toronto waterfront revitalization initiative crossing planning and design, real estate development and infrastructure construction. Lisa has a strong track record in change and addressing the dilemmas and roadblocks in complex approvals. She is an expert in collaborating with industry leaders and partners to create the best outcomes for projects she works on, drawing on best practice.
	Clayton Reynolds, Vice President, ESG and Risk Solutions, Marsh Sitting at the intersection of risk, ESG, insurance and real estate, Clayton is focused on helping Canadian firms enhance their sustainability programs and leverage those successes in the insurance market to impact coverage capacity and pricing. He is currently working out of Marsh’s Toronto office in his role as Vice President, ESG and Risk Solutions. Clayton began his career in commercial real estate working at two of Canada’s largest real estate and development firms, Dream Unlimited and RioCan REIT, where he specialized in insurance, brownfield development, environmental claims and litigation as well as corporate sustainability. Clayton also oversaw GHG accounting and reporting for Sun Life’s global real estate operations and he remains actively involved in Canada’s real estate community through his role at Marsh and industry associations.
	Reanne Ridsdale, PhD Candidate, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Ms. Ridsdale is PhD Candidate at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). Her research focuses on brownfield revitalization and contaminated land management. Specifically, her research addresses the intersection of brownfields, social justice, and environmental racism. She was awarded the 2018 Visionary HUB (Hero’s Underpinning Brownfields) award from the Canadian Brownfield Network (CBN). In 2020, Reanne was elected to the Board of Directors for the CBN. Reanne is a board member at Sustainable Remediation Forum Canada. View Full Bio +/- Reanne along with her supervisor Dr. Chris De Sousa run ReActivate Brownfield Research Lab at TMU. Their research has been recently published and is featured on their website. Her interest in stakeholder engagement has resulted in teaching professional workshops in Canada, USA, and Brazil. Recently, her work on stakeholder engagement was featured in the 2021 ITRC guidance for Sustainable Resilient Remediation. She has co-authored two publications with the international SuRF Initiative Team. Reanne frequently teaches geography courses as a sessional instructor at Brandon University. Reanne completed her Master’s in 2015 from the University of Saskatchewan. Her thesis focused on how sustainability discourses contribute to sustainable remediation and its efficacy in decision-making. Her research also included looking at the components of a sustainable framework, which includes robust stakeholder involvement, maintaining intergenerational goals, and achieving a socio-ecological balance. She received two Mitacs Accelerate Grant during her studies with Saskatchewan Research Council (2013) and with Canadian Brownfields Network (2018). She received Ryerson Graduate Fellowships for 2016-2020.
	Donny Sousa, General Superintendent, Milestone Environmental Contracting Donny Sousa is an experienced heavy equipment operator and general site superintendent that has worked on a wide variety of remediation projects, including site decommissioning, building demolition, contaminated soil excavation/shoring, tank removals, water treatment systems, haulage and disposal of contaminated soils and sediments. From supervising the physical construction of a project to managing staff, subcontractors and equipment, Donny keeps all the moving parts on track while having a keen eye on health and safety protocols. Collaborating with a team of project managers, engineers, and superintendents, he ensures client communications are ongoing with respect to project scope, progress, and costs. View Full Bio +/- Projects often take place in remote communities and Donny will tell you the best aspect of his job is the relationships that he builds when he can employ, train and mentor people on a project in these communities where he knows it leaves a lasting benefit. Email: DonnyS@MilestoneEnv.ca
	Ben Sweet BSc, MEng, EP, Director of Environmental Technologies, QM Environmental Mr. Sweet is an Environmental Professional with over ten years experience in the environmental industry. Over this period, he has occupied numerous roles ranging from Environmental Scientist to Technical Lead, supporting specialized environmental contracting and consulting entities with a focus on water treatment, in-situ remediation, and contaminated site characterization. Mr. Sweet has delivered complex remediation and site characterization projects across the US and Canada for various Consulting Engineer’s and Industrial/Commercial stakeholders. He has personally led the delivery of characterization, remediation, and water treatment programs involving a diversity of site scales and challenges including emerging contaminants, complex hydrogeological conditions, NAPLs, and sensitive regulatory and/or legal constraints. View Full Bio +/- Mr. Sweet is currently the Director of Environmental Technologies for QM Environmental. In this role, he provides technical support and business unit leadership to further expand QM’s environmental technology offerings and comprehensive environmental service line. Mr. Sweet strives to ensure QM’s clients are equipped with innovative and cost-effective solutions to manage their environmental liabilities. Mr. Sweet has completed his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Acadia University and a Master’s in Chemical Engineering from the University of New Brunswick. Mr. Sweet has shared his expertise as a member of technical committees and has presented at numerous workshops and conferences across Canada and the US.
	Joanna Vince, B.Sc. (Hons.), J.D., 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. View Full Bio +/- Joanna helps clients navigate the environmental regulatory process. She advises clients about compliance obligations and represents them in managing regulatory inspections and investigations. She has appeared before environmental tribunals and boards on behalf of clients to obtain, confirm or dispute environmental permits and approvals, including for wastewater treatment systems, noise and air emissions, and water permits. 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 is called to the Bars of Ontario, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon.