About the Summit

Leading Change Summit 2025 is our annual signature event that brings together up to 150 of Canada’s most driven young professionals (ages 19-35) to explore and address the country’s most critical sustainability challenges. Held at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel on February 10, 2025, this summit provides a unique opportunity for young leaders to collaborate with peers, engage in critical discussions, and accelerate solutions for a regenerative future.

The summit serves as a brave space for open dialogue and bold ideas, connecting participants from diverse sectors to exchange solutions, skills, and resources.

Explore Key Themes:

This year, the program will focus on three key thematic areas: Nature, Human, and Systems, exploring sustainable practices and transformative solutions to tackle the most pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges of our time.

Nature
Delve into critical topics like biodiversity, water security, and nature-based solutions for climate mitigation.

Human

Examine the intersection of sustainability, social equity, and community engagement in driving sustainable development.

Systems
Explore the structural and systemic changes required to build a sustainable future, focusing on economic, technological, and policy innovations.

Summit 2025 Agenda

Date and Time: Monday, February 10, 2025 | 9:00am – 5:00PM ET

Welcome

A Grounding Workshop: Connecting to Land & Life

Facilitator:

Carole Monture, Climate Leadership Coordinator, Indigenous Climate Action

Harnessing AI for Conservation and Biodiversity

Moderator:

Megan Quinn, Coordinator, Conservation Biology – Eastern Ontario, Nature Conservancy of Canada

Panelists:
TBA

Fossils 101: Biodiversity of the Past and the Future of our Climate

Facilitators:

Graeme Hopkins, Scientist and Public Speaker

Climate in the Courtroom: Advancing Climate Action through Litigation

Facilitators:

Shelby Empey, Lawyer- Disputes Associate
Ankita Gupta, Litigation Associate

Lunch

Pathways to Purpose: Exploring Sustainability Careers
In Collaboration with Natural Resources Canada Science & Technology Internship Program – Green Jobs

Opening address by:

Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

Moderator:

Aubrey-Anne Laliberte-Pewapisconias, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Leading Change

Panelists:

Eryn Stewart, Managing Director, Future Cities Institute
Lauren Castelino, Founder, Green Career Centre
Prof. Emily Moore, Director, Troost Institue, University of Toronto

Investing in Our Values: Exploring How Savings Can Be Used to Do Good

Facilitators:

Calvin Trottier-Chi, Leading Change Fellow/ Research Associate, Canadian Climate Institute
Chloe Wu, Leading Change Fellow/ MSc in Sustainability Management, University of Toronto

Beyond the Destination: Charting a Pathway Forward for Sustainable Tourism
In Collaboration with Air Canada

Moderator:

Alex Yeung, Manager, Natural Resources & Biodiversity Programs, Air Canada

Quick Takes on Canada’s Regenerative Future

Speakers:

Nicole Doray, Manager, Sustainable Communities, David Suzuki Foundation
Julie Segal, Senior Program Manager, Climate Finance, Environmental Defence Canada
Jane McDonald, Vice President, Climate and Nature Solutions
Janna Wale, Indigenous Research and Partnerships Lead, Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions