Archive | Speaker

Bio coming soon.

Brian Wonnacott is Co-owner of Alternative Root and Elevate Ag. Growing up in Southern Ontario, Brian worked on a variety of farms including feedlot, equine, agroforestry and cash cropping operations. He nurtured a keen interest and respect for using natures resources effectively and economically. Brian thinks of waste as a product with an undiscovered use. Brian […]

Leading Alberta’s beverage container recycling system, Mark Emsden was appointed President and CEO of the Beverage Container Management Board (BCMB) in April 2025. His goals over the coming years include ensuring Alberta’s system remains the best in Canada, and is convenient, accessible, and builds a circular economy that benefits all Albertans. Prior to his current role, Mark […]

Richard Ireland was born and raised in Jasper. After pursuing a law degree and establishing a career elsewhere, he returned to Jasper with his family in the late 1980s. He was first elected to the Jasper Town Committee in 1989, where he played a key role in the establishment and consolidation of local government, supporting […]

Joseph Dahmen is Associate Professor at the UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, where he is Chair of the Bachelor of Design in Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urbanism program. Professor Dahmen directs the Biogenic Architecture Lab and is co-founder of Mycofoundry, a startup company developing commercial applications of mycelium biocomposites. He is a founding […]

Pierre Benabidès is a leading consultant in the waste management sector, involved in recyclability assessment and end markets development for recyclable materials on behalf of producers, recyclers, PROs or trade associations. For the Circular Plastic Taskforce, he is acting as Executive Director as he coordinates planning and implementation of the different projects undertaken by the […]

Mary Tress (pronouns she/her) is a Climate Programs Coordinator with the City of Nelson. She oversees the innovative Pre-treated Organics Program, designed to keep residential food waste out of the landfill and help manage wildlife attractants through the use of in-home pre-treatment appliances. Mary holds a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in agricultural sciences and […]

Ryan Hefflick is a lifelong entrepreneur and sustainability advocate whose passion for recycling began at the age of five, returning beverage containers to the local Bottle Depot in Edmonton with his father. That early spark evolved into a career spanning clean energy development, recycling operations, and most recently, cutting-edge technology. After more than 25 years […]

Vahid Rashidi is an accomplished and results-driven leader with over 10 years of experience in project management, stakeholder engagement, and operational leadership within the public sector. He has a proven track record of success in planning, executing, and delivering large-scale, complex projects, including the recent Apartment and Condo Waste Collection Program for the City of […]

Iris Monner is the Manager, Standards Strategic Development at CSA Group (Canadian Standards Association) and holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University. She has over 15 years of experience developing and applying national and international standards at CSA. In her current role, Iris is tasked with identifying opportunities for standards-based solutions within the […]