LEADING CHANGE VIRTUAL

ABOUT LEADING CHANGE VIRTUAL

Leading Change Virtual brings the best elements of the face-to-face Forum to an online stage. We provide interactive dialogues on issues that matter to young people and virtual Leadership Coffee Chats with sustainability heavy-hitters.

UPCOMING EVENTS

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED – At this time, this event will be rescheduled for a later date. Please stay tuned for more information! We look forward to seeing you soon.

The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) is Canada’s impact investor investing in new infrastructure that focuses on sustainable economic growth and taking climate action

Are you interested in learning more about the CIB’s role in Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy? Are you curious about careers paths for young professionals looking for purpose-driven roles?  

On Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023 from 1-2:30 pm EST, you’re invited to join the CIB and Leading Change for a virtual town hall featuring a special presentation about the organization’s commitment to youth leadership and sustainability from their very own Chief Executive Officer, Ehren Cory. You’ll also connect with a small group of CIB leaders in interactive breakout session roundtables who are working in a diversity of focus areas – from project finance to strategy and research to communications and legal – across sustainability efforts at the CIB.  

Don’t miss this chance to learn from and connect with leaders at one of Canada’s major players in the infrastructure and finance sectors! To ensure meaningful participation, this event has limited spots, so we encourage everyone to register early. 

Ehren Cory is the CEO of the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), an impact investor that develops the next generation of infrastructure Canadians need. He is a recognized leader in sustainable finance and infrastructure investing in Canada.   

Ehren joined the Canada Infrastructure Bank in 2020, bringing his strong leadership approach, infrastructure expertise, and a track record of delivering results by partnering with the private and public sectors. He is focused on the CIB’s strategic direction to accelerate infrastructure investment in Canada and building the CIB as a results-oriented organization. 

Prior to joining the CIB in November 2020, Ehren was the president and CEO of Infrastructure Ontario, a provincial Crown Agency responsible for financing, building, and enhancing the value of the province’s infrastructure and real estate assets. He became CEO in 2017 after spending four years with the Agency in executive roles responsible for the successful transaction structuring, tendering, and delivery of billions of dollars in infrastructure projects. 

Between 2001 and 2012, Ehren was a partner at McKinsey & Company in Toronto, where he served as a leader in the Public Sector and Capital Projects practices, advising clients in both the private and public sectors. 

Ehren is involved in a number of Canadian and international organizations tackling sustainability in relation to finance and the development of infrastructure, including the Sustainable Finance Institute at Queen’s University and the Toronto Region Board of Trade Financial Innovation committee.  He also serves on the Board of the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships.  

Ehren is a graduate of the MBA program at INSEAD in Fontainebleau France, where he graduated with distinction. He also received an Honours degree in Business Administration (HBA) from the University of Western Ontario. 


Ehren Cory, Président-directeur général, Banque de l’infrastructure du Canada 

Ehren Cory est président-directeur général de la Banque de l’infrastructure du Canada (BIC), un investisseur d’impact qui développe la prochaine génération d’infrastructures dont la population canadienne a besoin. Il est un chef de file reconnu en matière de finance durable et d’investissement dans les infrastructures au Canada. 

M. Cory s’est joint à la Banque de l’infrastructure du Canada en 2020, apportant à l’organisation sa solide approche du leadership, son expertise en infrastructure et son bilan en matière d’obtention de résultats dans le cadre de partenariats avec les secteurs privé et public. Il se concentre sur l’orientation stratégique de la BIC pour accélérer les investissements dans l’infrastructure au Canada et à faire de la BIC une organisation axée sur les résultats.  

Avant de se joindre à la BIC en novembre 2020, M. Cory a été président-directeur général d’Infrastructure Ontario (IO), un organisme de la Couronne provincial responsable du financement, de la construction et de l’amélioration de la valeur des infrastructures ainsi que des biens immobiliers de la province. Il est devenu président-directeur général après avoir passé quatre ans au sein de l’organisme dans un rôle de direction responsable du succès de la structuration des transactions, des appels d’offres et de la livraison de milliards de dollars en projets d’infrastructure. 

De 2001 à 2012, M. Cory était associé chez McKinsey & Company à Toronto, où il a été un leader des pratiques du secteur public et des projets d’investissement, conseillant des clients des secteurs privé et public. 

M. Cory est actif au sein de plusieurs organisations canadiennes et internationales qui traitent du développement durable en lien avec la finance, y compris l’Institut de la finance durable de l’Université Queen’s et le comité de l’innovation financière de la Chambre de commerce de la région de Toronto. Il siège également au conseil d’administration du Conseil canadien pour les partenariats public-privé.   

M. Cory a obtenu son diplôme avec distinction du programme de MBA de l’INSEAD, à Fontainebleau, en France. Il a également obtenu un diplôme spécialisé en administration des affaires (HBA) de l’Université Western Ontario. 

 

Ceara Copps-Edwards is an experienced and passionate public affairs and communications professional with a diverse background, joining the Canada Infrastructure Bank in October 2022. At the CIB, Ceara works with partners across the country on investment communications and thought leadership.

Ceara is also the Vice President of the Public Affairs Association of Canada where she mentors young professionals entering the industry.

In her previous role at NATIONAL Public Relations, Ceara advised clients across the country on strategic communications. Prior to that, Ceara was the Manager of Public Affairs at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce where she led communications and government relations efforts on key policy initiatives and reports as well as leading signature events including the Ontario Economic Summit.

Ceara has a BA (Hons) from the University of Ottawa as well as a Master of Science and Culture from the KU Leuven in Belgium.

Kait Tyschenko (they/iel) has spent their career focusing on sustainability and impact. At the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) they hold ownership of the CIB’s measurement standard for Greenhouse Gas reductions in its investments, supporting investments outcome measurement across Indigenous infrastructure, clean power, green infrastructure, and public transit.

Kait holds a Bachelor of Health Science from Western University and a graduate diploma in Social Responsibility and Sustainability from the University of Toronto, St. Michael’s College.

In addition to their work to ensure a more sustainable infrastructure sector in Canada, Kait is the founder of the Queer Infrastructure Network (QUIN), an industry advocacy and networking group for 2SLGBTQ+ people working in the many dimensions of infrastructure.

As Associate General Counsel, Juliette oversees the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s corporate and commercial activities, contributes to the corporate governance and compliance matters, and provides strategic counsel on investment projects spanning the CIB’s priority sectors. Juliette joined the CIB’s legal team in 2020.

Dedicated to supporting climate action, Juliette has almost a decade of experience in the renewable energy industry as in-house legal counsel for RES Canada and Samsung Renewable Energy Inc. Juliette started her career in Montreal at two of Canada’s leading law firms, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP and  Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP.

Practicing law in both French and English, Juliette is a member of the Law Society of Ontario and the Barreau du Québec. Juliette holds law degrees (civil law and common law) from the University of Ottawa and a B.Sc. from McGill University.

Shuman Zhang is a Senior Manager of Investments at the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), where she leads and supports the origination and execution of infrastructure projects in various sectors, such as Trade and Transportation and Green Infrastructure. She also leads advisory and business development of greenfield opportunities in select priority sectors.

Shuman has over seven years of experience in infrastructure finance. She joined the CIB in 2018, after working as an Investment Banking Analyst at BMO Capital Markets. Shuman holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto. In her spare time, she enjoys reading fiction and watching movies, and exploring nature.

PAST EVENTS

Leadership Coffee Chats registration is open. Join us and hear from top experts on sustainability in their fields.

Welcome to our virtual Leadership Coffee Chat series! These intimate and efficient 1-hour conversations with sustainability leaders are designed to shed light on your burning industry questions and connect you to peers who may be on a similar career path.

Spaces for these events are limited as the sessions are intended to be intimate career-focused discussions. Our special guest mentors dive into subjects relating to sustainability, innovation, industry, and the circular economy. Sign up early to ensure your spot as a participant where you’ll be able to craft a question set with your peers for the Leadership Coffee Chat mentor.

PAST COFFEE CHATS

Tamara Connell is the CEO of Academy for Sustainable Innovation leading ASI to create learning experiences that cultivate and nurture human capacities, leadership practices, and new mindsets to steer the transition to a low-carbon, socially-inclusive economy. Tamara holds a BSc in Environmental Planning, and a Masters in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability. She has 20+ years of adult education experience and has designed and delivered courses, programs, and other custom engagements all around the world. Tamara’s previous roles include Program Director in the Master’s of Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability program at BTH in Sweden, Director of Sustainability Learning Programs at The Natural Step Canada, and Associate Director of Education & Training at RADIUS SFU. 

Alan Shapiro is a Vancouver-based water and sustainability consultant and an instructor in BCIT’s School of Business + Media. Alan’s work is focused on addressing complex water challenges, advancing clean technology solutions, and supporting the next generation of sustainable businesses. Alan is Principal at sustainability consultancy Shapiro & Company and Director of waterNEXT, Canada’s water technology network. Alan serves on the boards of development charity Water For People Canada and sustainability network Leading Change. You can find Alan on Twitter at @watercomm.

Nagwan Al-Guneid currently leads Business Renewables Centre Canada (BRC-Canada). BRC-Canada is a non-profit initiative that works to simplify and accelerate large-scale corporate and institutional renewable energy procurement across the country. 

Nagwan was previously the communications lead and co-lead for the AI stream of work at the Energy Futures Lab, a multistakeholder platform working towards building a low–carbon emissions future in Alberta’s energy system.

Heather Campbell has a diverse twenty-five year energy career in a full range of energy industries. She is the Executive Director, Clean Technology with Alberta Innovates.

Heather holds a Bachelor of Engineering Science degree in Biochemical and Chemical Engineering from Western University in addition to a Master of Laws in Energy Law and Policy from the University of Dundee. She is a licensed Professional Engineer practicing in Alberta, Canada.

With nearly 20 years of experience in the sustainability sector, including a diversity of leadership, advisory, change management, and governance roles, Lindsay Bunce recently joined Simon Fraser University as the new Associate Director of Sustainability. In her most recent role as Executive Director of EcoSchools Canada, Lindsay oversaw all aspects of a dynamic and growing non-profit, was responsible for spearheading EcoSchools Canada’s national expansion, and represented Canada in the international Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) network.

Leading Change Canada’s official WCEF Studio will offer networking opportunities focused on creating connections between young Canadians who are passionate about bringing circular economy initiatives to life in their communities, and around the world. Regional and themed networking rooms will be open in between and after the main event programmes to give young people interested in circular economy issues the opportunity to meet and interact with like-minded peers. These rooms will offer a space for knowledge sharing and a chance to connect the content delivered at WCEF2021 to local topics, issues, and solutions at the ground level.

WCEF2021 will focus on the system level changes, or “game changers,” needed to accelerate the transition to a circular economy.  

Hosted virtually from Canada from September 13-15, WCEF2021 will offer three days packed with information, ideas and examples of the circular economy. 

  • Game Changer Sessions will explore cross-cutting themes to answer a common question: “What transformational steps can we take in the next five years to catalyze the systemic changes required to scale up a global circular economy that is prosperous, inclusive and equitable?” 
  • Demonstration Sessions will bring the themes of the Game Changer Sessions to life through concrete, inspiring examples of the circular economy “in action”.  
  • Accelerator Sessions will be hosted by partner organizations on September 15. These outcome-oriented events will bridge WCEF2021 with the daily work needed for a circular transition.
  • Virtual Expo Area will spotlight selected circular economy solutions and approaches, as well as networking opportunities with circular economy enthusiasts from around the world.

Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra are co-organising WCEF2021 in collaboration with the African Circular Economy Alliance, Circular Economy Leadership Canada, City of Toronto, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the European Commission, Government of Finland, Government of the Netherlands, International Chamber of Commerce, Latin America and the Caribbean Circular Economy Coalition, Nordic Innovation, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy, United Nations Environment Programme, and World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Le FMEC 2021 abordera les changements systémiques, ou « grands changements », nécessaires pour accélérer la transition vers une économie circulaire.  

Organisé virtuellement en direct du Canada du 13 au 15 septembre 2021, le FMEC2021 c’est 3 journées remplies d’informations, d’idées et d’exemples inspirants d’économie circulaire. 

  • Les séances « changer les choses » exploreront des thèmes transversaux afin de répondre à une question commune : quelles mesures transformationnelles pouvons-nous prendre dans les cinq prochaines années pour catalyser les changements systémiques nécessaires pour amplifier une économie circulaire prospère, inclusive et équitable à l’échelle mondiale? 
  • Les séances de démonstration donneront vie aux thèmes des séances « changer les choses », en partageant des exemples concrets et inspirants de l’économie circulaire en action. 
  • Les séances d’accélération, organisées par nos organisations partenaires, se tiendront le 15 septembre. Ces séances axées sur les résultats permettront de faire le lien entre les objectifs du FMEC2021 et le travail quotidien nécessaire pour la transition circulaire. 

Le Forum comportera également une expo virtuelle pour mettre en avant-scène une sélection de solutions et d’approches en matière d’économie circulaire, en plus d’offrir la possibilité aux participants de réseauter avec des passionnés d’économie circulaire du monde entier! 

Environnement et Changement climatique Canada et le Fonds d’innovation finlandais Sitra co-organisent le FMEC2021 en collaboration avec l’Alliance africaine pour l’économie circulaire, Circular Economy Leadership Canada, la Ville de Toronto, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, la Commission européenne, le Gouvernement de la Finlande, le Gouvernement des Pays-Bas, International Chamber of Commerce, Latin America and the Caribbean Circular Economy Coalition, Nordic Innovation, l’Organisation de coopération et de développement économique, Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy, le Programme des Nations unies pour l’environnement et World Business Council for Sustainable Development. 

  • Quoi? Le FMEC2021 
  • Quand? Du 13 au 15 septembre  
  • Où? Sur la plateforme virtuelle du FMEC2021  
  • Combien? La participation est gratuite 
  • Plus d’information? Contactez ECCC à ec.2021wcef-fmec.ec@canada.ca  

Créer des milieux de travail inclusifs : le point de vue de jeunes canadiens

Les employeurs et les dirigeants qui cherchent à accroître la diversité de leur main-d’œuvre, à adopter des pratiques de travail plus inclusives et à fidéliser leurs talents étaient invités à participer à ce webinaire interactif organisé par Leading Change et Ressources naturelles Canada le 24 novembre, 2020. Un expert de la diversité et de l’inclusion, ainsi que de jeunes talents exceptionnels ont donnés aux participants des moyens pratiques pour créer et favoriser des milieux de travail inclusifs.

Leurs recommandations découlent d’une série d’ateliers de visualisation et de mobilisation organisés dans le cadre du Forum Leading Change et du Forum GLOBE de 2020. Le webinaire vise à partager les conclusions de ces forums avec un plus grand nombre d’employeurs et à créer une dynamique afin de poursuivre cet important travail avec les industries et les différents secteurs d’activités au Canada.

Cliquez ici pour voir l’enregistrement.

Employers and leaders who are looking to increase workforce diversity, adopt more inclusive workplace practices, and retain talent were invited to join this interactive webinar hosted by Leading Change and Natural Resources Canada on November 24, 2020. Attendees heard from a Diversity and Inclusion expert and top youth talent on practical ways to create and nurture inclusive workplaces.

The recommendations were the result of a series of visioning and engagement workshops held as part of the 2020 Leading Change and GLOBE Forums. The objectives of this webinar were to share those findings with a broader audience of employers as well as build momentum to continue this important work with industries and sectors across Canada.

Click here to view the recording.

This webinar was co-led by ECO Canada’s Arbaiza Jamaluddin, Acquisitions Coordinator and Hannah Williamson, Events and Training Coordinator. Arbaiza (EPt, CIAPP-C, CIPP/C) is a concierge, guiding clients, hosts, and members through ECO Canada’s resources. Her goal is to provide you with the best client experience and engage with you on a closer level to build relationships and trust. Hannah leads, plans, develops and delivers ECO Canada’s events and webinars programs. She has a MSc in Conservation Biology and over 7 years experience coordinating projects and programs in the not-for-profit and public sector.

Click here to view the recording.

For over 20 years ECO Canada has been connecting environmental employers and skilled talent through employment support services. On October 21, 2020, Leading Change was pleased to partner with ECO Canada to share how they can support you from end to end of your career journey.

What was covered:
Environmental Careers – Where do you fit?
Job Market Overview – What’s out there?
Career Fair – How to find opportunities.
Employment Programs – Reduce employment barriers.
Success Stories – Hear from employers.

Leading Change was pleased to bring in Chantale Despres, Director – Sustainability, Finance at CN Railway for an intimate leadership coffee chat. Chantale has a wealth of knowledge and experience surrounding internal change projects and making the “business case” for sustainability. 

With as much as $2.5 trillion USD expected to be spent on clean technology development by 2022 and investment and societal signals driving stronger action on climate change, it’s clear that the changes of tomorrow will be driven by the inventors of today. Not surprisingly, interest in entrepreneurship has grown among youth who are looking for challenging, meaningful, and impact-oriented careers.

On July 9, 2020, we invited four Canadian cleantech founders to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and pivots they’ve made along their start-up journey. 

Speakers: 

  • Kelcie Miller-Anderson, Founder, MycoRemedy
  • Bo Simango, CEO & Co-Founder, Aquafort AI
  • Apoorv Sinha, CEO, Carbon Upcycling Technologies Inc.

Expert on the line:

  • Richard Adamson, CEO, Industrial Climate Solutions Inc.

Moderator: 

  • Kristine O’Rielly, Innovation & Cleantech Consultant, The Delphi Group

Leading Change was pleased to bring in Chantale Despres, Director – Sustainability, Finance at CN Railway for an intimate leadership coffee chat. Chantale has a wealth of knowledge and experience surrounding internal change projects and making the “business case” for sustainability. 

Leading Change was pleased to share a special Leadership Coffee Chat opportunity with The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change for the Government of Canada.

This virtual event took place during Environment Week and highlighted the linkages between nature protection, biodiversity, the climate change agenda, and economic prosperity in the post-COVID-19 world.

Click here to view the recording.

Speakers: 

  • Nauman S. Anwar, Manager PMO Governance, ENMAX
  • Sarah Applebaum, VC, Renewable TechVentures
  • Laura Corrales, Sustainability Officer, Delmar International
  • Corey Mattie, Director, Scotian Wind

Expert on the line:

  • Catherine Stace, Career Strategist, CACEE Board member, and Career Services Manager at the Max Bell School of Public Policy

Moderator: 

  • Megan Poss, Executive Director, Leading Change

The current global health crisis and economic downturn mean many organizations are, or will be, cutting back on recruitment activities. What does this mean for young people hoping to enter the workforce and advance sustainability priorities? Participants heard from people who have faced rough markets or roadblocks on their path to securing meaningful employment. They offered empathetic insight, tips, and strategies for pursuing a career path with purpose when times are tough.

Content focused on students, recent graduates, and young people seeking sustainability-related employment.