Keynotes
Jim Elzinga
Guardians of the Ice
Jim has been an active alpinist for over 40 years. He has led multiple expeditions in North America, the Himalaya and the Andes. In 1986, he led the most successful Canadian expedition to Everest (Everest Light). He received a rare Award of Recognition from the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation recognizing his leadership of this historic expedition.
“No matter how far I have travelled, I have year after year been drawn back to one place: the Columbia Icefield. It is a touchstone in my life; a place in the world and in my heart to which I have been returning for 50 years! It is only now- after a lifetime in the mountains – that I have come to more fully realize the extent to which my experiences in this remarkable place have inspired not just direction, but purpose in my life. I encounter the mountain as both my mentor and my photographic subject.”
Jim’s interest in photography led him, in the early 80s to enroll in the four-year Photo Arts program at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). As a documentary photographer, Jim was one of the first western photographers into China to document the lives of ordinary people. In the Icefield, each engagement is an effort to make the invisible visible: “I work to photograph mountain landscapes in an authentic intimate way so viewers are catalyzed to act, moving in their own way toward fuller engagement with the natural world.“
Greg Van Tighem
Municipality of Jasper
Greg Van Tighem is the retired Fire Chief and Director of Protective Services for the Municipality of Jasper. With over 25 years of experience leading emergency management and fire/rescue operations in Jasper National Park, Greg is a recognized leader in municipal emergency management and wildfire preparedness.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Emergency Management with distinction. In his semi-retirement Greg serves as a training consultant with FireSmart Canada and FireSmart Coordinator for the Municipality of Jasper. Greg is a Jasper Marriage Commissioner, an active community volunteer, fundraiser, avid cyclist and father of 2 amazing adult kids.
On July 22, 2024 over 25,000.00 people from the town of Jasper and Jasper National Park were evacuated due to threatening Wildfires south and north of the townsite. On July 24, 2024 the south fires having formed into one tremendous fire front overwhelmed the town of Jasper. 358 structures were destroyed in under 4 hours, over 35,000 hectares of forest was burnt in under 30 days.Join Chief Van Tighem as he talks about this catastrophic event; the preparation, the fire, and recovery.
Madison Feehan
Space Copy
Madison C. Feehan is the founder and CEO of Space Copy. As an early career professional based in Edmonton, Canada with a background in advanced lunar instrument development and early-stage innovations for NASA’s Planetary Science, Heliophysics, and Astrophysics divisions, Madison’s initiatives are focused towards combining deep-tech development for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) with entrepreneurship. Madison’s background is based in Commerce, and she holds a Harvard Business School Certification in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, in conjunction with ongoing studies in International Business. Madison seamlessly merges scientific expertise with a keen business acumen and stands at the intersection of space science, entrepreneurship, and STEM education. As the leader of Space Copy, an international logistics and manufacturing company, Madison leads groundbreaking initiatives, driving innovation in space technology and fostering accessible STEM education, as well as serving as the G100 Region Chair of Space Technology and Aviation for the Province of Alberta, and Chair of the Lunar Chamber of Commerce. Her commitment to shaping foreign policies for small businesses in STEM through volunteer work with consortiums including the United Nations, Lifeboat Foundation, and National Small Business Association; mentoring others in sciences and propelling innovation and collaboration across borders with visionary leadership.
Session Speakers
Alida Kusch
Dillon Consulting
Alida Kusch is a Senior Waste Management Specialist and Partner at Dillon Consulting, with over 18 years of experience in strategic planning, operations review, and program development for solid waste systems. Her expertise serves a diverse clientele, including municipalities, Indigenous communities, and national private sector clients across Canada. Alida is committed to advancing long-term sustainability and delivering practical, client-specific solutions.
Allen Langdon
Circular Materials
As CEO, Allen is responsible for leading Circular Materials through the development of Ontario’s new blue box recycling system while expanding the organization’s operations into other provinces, starting with New Brunswick. His mission is to support producers with a robust not-for-profit service offering that advances the circular economy, delivers national harmonization of extended producer responsibility (EPR) services and harnesses competitive procurement to provide the best value for producers.
Prior to joining Circular Materials, Allen served as the President and CEO of Return-It, British Columbia’s very successful used beverage container management program in Canada. In this role, Allen oversaw the modernization of Return-It’s collection network, which consists of more than 170 collection sites, including Return-It depots, Express Plus and Express & GO stations. Return-It has routinely exceeded a 75% recovery rate for used beverage containers in British Columbia, and its network has supported the collection of new materials, including waste electrical and electronic equipment.
Allen also served as the Managing Director for Recycle BC, the first 100% EPR program for paper and packaging in North America where industry assumed full financial and managerial responsibility for the residential recycling system.
Allen currently serves as an Advisory Board Member for the Washington State Recycling Development Centre.
Amanda Chouinard
Reeve Consulting
Amanda Chouinard is a Senior Consultant and the Program Manager of the Canadian Collaboration for Sustainable Procurement (CCSP) at Reeve Consulting, where she supports a network of over 50 organizations with implementing sustainable procurement best practices. Through the CCSP, she regularly runs webinars for procurement professionals, facilitates a yearly Working Group, and provides strategic support to members. She has presented to groups like the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council, OPBA, NISCL, ASCM, and ICLEI Canada. As a consultant, Amanda has worked directly with a variety of public sector clients across Canada on developing sustainable procurement policies, strategies, tools, and delivering training to staff and senior leadership. She holds a Masters of Environment and Business from the University of Waterloo.
Barry Friesen
Cleanfarms (Canada)
Barry Friesen is Executive Director of Cleanfarms Inc., a national Producer Responsibility Organization operating coast to coast in Canada. In Quebec, Cleanfarms is known as AgriRÉCUP.
Barry is a professional engineer who has been deeply involved in solid waste issues since 1995, first as a government regulator for waste, a municipal waste operator servicing a half million residents and, since inception in 2010, running Cleanfarms. His range of expertise is in demand at international meetings such as the OECD Conference on Rural Development, the Conference on Canadian Stewardship, Agricultural Film Americas and other circular economy and policy conferences.
Barry currently serves as Chair of the Conference on Canadian Stewardship and as a member of the AGRI plastics working group of the European Association of Plastics Recycling and Recovery Organizations. A recipient of Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee Medal, Barry is the past chair of the Board of the Compost Council of Canada, past Board member of the Recycling Council of Ontario, past Board member of the Alberta Plastic Recycling Association, past Chair of the National Task Force on Packaging and past Board member and recent recipient of a Paul Harris award from the Etobicoke Rotary Club. He is also the recipient of CropLife Canada’s CD C.B. Davreux Stewardshipfirst™ Award that recognizes long-standing dedication and commitment to stewardship in Canada’s plant science (2022).
In relation to the fourth session of the International Negotiation Committee to develop an internationally binding instrument on plastic pollution (Ottawa, Spring, 2024) Barry contributed to Canadian government’s “Plastics Action Zone” by leading a sold out panel on creating a circular economy for agricultural plastics in Canada. He also spoke in the prestigious Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN’s panel Navigating the Future of Plastics Used in Agriculture.
Blaire Gaalaas
Circular Materials
Blaire Gaalaas is Managing Director for Alberta and the Yukon at Circular Materials. In this role, Blaire is responsible for overseeing Circular Materials’ extended producer responsibility (EPR) recycling program operations in Alberta and the Yukon, ensuring compliance with the regulatory frameworks in both regions. Her strategic vision, deep knowledge of regulatory environments and exceptional team leadership is key to driving operational success and advancing a circular economy. Prior to joining Circular Materials, Blaire spent 15 years at the Beverage Container Management Board (BCMB), including 5 as CEO, where she successfully led initiatives focused on sustainability, compliance, beverage container collection system design and innovation. Blaire values connecting with Circular Materials’ partners and stakeholders and looks forward to continued collaboration as she and her team work to develop efficient and effective recycling programs in Alberta and the Yukon.
Brian Bastien
Product Care Association of Canada
Brian Bastien is the President and CEO of Product Care Recycling – a not-for-profit organization operating 25 programs across 12 jurisdictions, a pioneer in Extended Producer Responsibility, celebrating 31 years of operating programs across Canada and the United States. The programs offer environmentally safe disposal solutions for a variety of products including paint, flammable liquids, and light bulbs. During his 14 years living in Alberta, Brian worked with the Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation, where he developed his knowledge of the recycling and stewardship sector. Brian’s career has taken him around the world, from Vancouver where he currently lives, to Ontario, and the US. He also lived in the UK where he completed his International MBA at the University of Aberystwyth. Brian is a passionate advocate for environmental stewardship. He has dedicated his time in official capacities volunteering for numerous boards and causes.
Brian Wonnacott
Alternative Root
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 is President of Elevate Ag Services, which specializes in the management of organic waste streams from agricultural, forestry, commercial and other sources.
Briggs Gibbins
Last Shot Apparel
Briggs Gibbins is a dynamic young entrepreneur passionate about harnessing the power of business to create jobs, drive innovation, and deliver products and services that are socially and environmentally responsible. She is the founder of Last Shot Apparel, a garment design and manufacturing company based in Edmonton. LSA specializes in creating sustainable and ethically-made apparel for companies and organizations across Canada.
In 2025, Briggs is honoured to represent Canada at the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance Summit in South Africa, bringing forward her belief that business can be a force for positive global change. Her leadership reflects her vision for a future where commerce actively contributes to a healthier planet.
Before launching her business career, Briggs built a rich and diverse background in the performing arts. She competed internationally with Team Canada in dance, worked aboard cruise ships, and appeared in numerous productions for Netflix, Hallmark, and Paramount. She holds a degree in Business Administration and is the host of the inspiring podcast Leave Average for Joe, where she shares stories about challenging the status quo and pursuing meaningful work.
Briggs continues to merge creativity, business acumen, and social responsibility to demonstrate that ethical entrepreneurship is not just viable — it’s vital for the future.
Catherine Tays, PhD
CSA Group
Dr. Catherine Tays is the Strategic Initiatives Manager for Emerging Programs at CSA Group (Canadian Standards Association). She has a PhD in Microbiology and Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering from the University of Alberta, during which she worked on the biotransformation of greenhouse gas into biodegradable bioplastics. In her current role, Catherine helps identify areas and ways in which standards can play a role in supporting and advancing the sectors of agriculture and agrifood, as well as transit and passenger rail. This involves supporting CSA’s work in sustainable agriculture, agricultural data and reporting, food loss and waste, and more. Catherine has also previously worked in energy systems transition, research program management, and science communications and engagement.
Charles Binks-Collier
Circulr
Charles is the co-founder and CEO of Circulr. Circulr helps producers and retailers in the fast-moving consumer goods space reuse their packaging, specifically focusing on grocery store reuse. Previously, he worked at Parmalat and attended Wilfrid Laurier University, where he completed a BBA degree and a minor in Computer Science. His focus turned to using business as a tool for positive environmental change. In his free time, Charles is a glider pilot and enjoys kayaking and running.
Chloé Dubois
Ocean Legacy
Ms. Dubois has worked in the non-profit and socio-environmental sector for nearly 20 years, focusing on agro and aquatic ecosystems, climate science, and ecological conservation across Canada and internationally. Since founding Ocean Legacy in 2013, she has led operations across eight countries, engaging hundreds of thousands of people in plastic pollution cleanup, research, education, and recycling initiatives. She spearheads one of Canada’s first and largest marine plastic recycling facilities and co-developed the EPIC strategy—built on Education, Policy, Infrastructure, and Cleanup— to tackle plastic pollution and promote resource circularity. Committed to reconciliation, she continues to collaborate with First Nations, governments, industry, and civil society to develop sustainable solutions for plastic waste and ghost gear removal.
Christina Seidel
sonnevera international corp.
Christina holds a PhD in Engineering Management and has an extensive background in Circular Economy and waste reduction. She operates sonnevera international corp., a waste reduction consulting firm, and was the Executive Director of the Recycling Council of Alberta for over 30 years, where she was very involved in the waste management policy development arena and led Circular Economy and EPR advocacy efforts. She chaired the Canadian Standards Association Plastics Recycling: Definitions, Reporting and Measuring technical committee and is also an adjunct professor in the Engineering Faculty at the University of Alberta
Christopher Wai
Sixone
Chris is the Co-Founder and CEO of Sixone, a company revolutionizing blended plastic recycling. Sixone’s technology selectively extracts useful materials from complex waste – starting with polyester from post-consumer textiles – into high-quality circular polymers.
Prior to founding Sixone, Chris was an executive at Texhong Textile Group and was both an operator and investor in technology companies in Silicon Valley. Chris has a BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Cornell University and an MBA from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.
Claire Theaker-Brown
Unbelts
Bio coming soon.
Clayton Miller
Quantum Lifecycle Partners LP
Based in Toronto, Clayton has been recycling electronics for over 25 years and has seen the industry evolve dramatically over that time, just like the technology itself. He brings a passion for business and the environmental sustainability to the table, with a particular focus on the intersection where each drive value for the other. Having had progressively senior roles at a total of 4 different electronics recyclers, he loves Quantum and is proud to work for an amazing company that creates value for customers and the planet. When not reusing and recycling electronics, Clayton spends time volunteering in the community and maintaining his farm in rural Ontario with his son.
Colby Hansen
Alternative Root
Colby Hansen is Co-owner of Alternative Root and Hansen Land and Livestock. Colby operates a mixed farm northwest of Edmonton, growing grain and raising cattle. He is committed to the concept of regenerative agriculture and will be putting AltRoot compost on his land to increase soil health, water retention and production. Hansen plans to run large-scale farm trials on the benefit of compost as fertilizer with research groups like Gateway Research and the University of Alberta
Don McKenzie
McKenzieIBC
Don McKenzie is the Owner of McKenzieIBC, a 2nd generation family business specializing in packaging solutions for Agricultural, Industrial and Food/Beverage Inputs.
With a focus on IBCs – (Intermediate Bulk Containers), McKenzieIBC has been influencing packaging designs and finding unique solutions for critical value chains for over 32 years!
Don started his professional career as a Commercial Insurance Broker and soon found himself launching Canada largest national Agricultural Inputs Insurance program with Western Financial Group. This opportunity kindled Don’s passion for working with stakeholders in Agriculture and when an opportunity arose to build on his father’s success with McKenzieIBC, it was a natural next step.
A subject of intense pride, McKenzieIBC has been the dedicated Canadian representatives of Snyder Industries, North America’s largest Rotational Molder for its 32+ year tenure. Many of the popular packaging designs in both Ag and Industrial chemical service can trace back to Snyder Industries and McKenzieIBC.
In a successful multiyear partnership with Cleanfarms (Canada), McKenzieIBC and Snyder Industries have been able to achieve the Agri Industry’s 1st truly circular (recycled) packaging outcome and are thrilled to share some of the journey and takeaways with you at this year’s conference.
Edward Gugenheimer
Alberta Recycling Management Authority
As Chief Executive Officer of Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA), Ed Gugenheimer draws on his nearly thirty years of experience in executive leadership, fiscal governance, and operational expertise to shape Alberta’s waste management future.
In his role, Ed has been instrumental in advancing the organization’s mission and long-term impact. Under his leadership, ARMA adopted its forward-looking vision, Inspiring a Future Without Waste. Thanks to his expertise in financial management, risk oversight, and building strong organizational cultures, ARMA continues to advance government and industry policy and approaches in sustainability and recycling.
ARMA’s work, guided by Ed’s leadership, demonstrates his ingenuity and commitment to delivering results for Alberta. Most notably, Ed oversaw the successful launch of Alberta’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system—an innovative program that shifts the responsibility for recycling from municipalities to producers. Ed has also led the expansion of electronics recycling to more than 500 devices and was recently selected by the Government of Alberta to steward North America’s first renewables recycling program, including EV batteries and wind turbine electrical components.
Looking ahead, Ed is keen to build on ARMA’s 33-year legacy through innovation and a shared perseverance to secure Alberta’s position as a global leader in the circular economy.
Ed is a Chartered Professional Accountant with strong financial acumen and a history of supporting organizations across diverse sectors. Outside work, Ed enjoys time at the lake and is actively involved in leadership, stewardship, and community development through volunteer work. He lives in Edmonton with his wife, Leanne, and their son, Addison.
Gil Yaron
Light House
Gil Yaron is Managing Director, Circular Innovation for Light House whose mission is to advance regenerative and circular policy and practices in the built environment that nuture human health and well-being. He brings more than 30 years of experience in policy, research, stakeholder engagement, circular economics, material diversion strategies, extended producer responsibility and CRD policy and practice. Gil has advised all levels of government on CRD waste diversion strategies and leads some of the most innovative CBE projects in Canada, including the Building Material Exchange (BMEx), Construction Plastics Initiative and Circular Construction Accelerator. He is a member of Metro Vancouver’s Solid Waste Management Plan Technical Advisory Committee and the Canadian Standards Association’s Circular Construction Technical Committee. He has authored many publications, including A Blueprint for Change: Preventing Demolition Waste through Home Relocation and Deconstruction and Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of the Relocation and Retrofit of Henry Hudson Elementary School. Gil will oversee all aspects of project delivery, stakeholder engagement, and synthesis of findings.
Hannah De Frond
International Trash Trap Network
Hannah De Frond is manager of the International Trash Trap Network (ITTN). The ITTN, led collaboratively by Ocean Conservancy and the University of Toronto Trash Team, is a global network of local groups using trash traps for plastic pollution cleanup, community education and engagement, and harmonized data collection to inform and motivate policies for pollution prevention. Hannah is also a research scientist working with Ocean Conservancy to better understand the sources, sinks and effects of plastic and microplastic pollution. Through her work, Hannah aims to provide communities, scientists and policymakers with the tools and data needed to effectively address this pervasive environmental challenge.
Iris Monner
CSA Group
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 waste management and remediation sector. Iris has a passion for community building and is a board member for her organization’s Women’s Empowerment Network. She recently completed a four-year mentorship commitment with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Jacquie Hanton
Friendlier
Jacquie is the co-founder and CRO of Friendlier, a clean-tech start-up that is on a mission to simplify the transition from single-use to reusable packaging. After completing an academic exchange term in Sweden, Jacquie and co-founder Kayli were inspired to live more sustainably and to make it easy for others to do the same. She was recognized as Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2023 in the Social Impact category. She sits as a chair on the Technical Committee for Reusable packaging standards at the CSA group, and on the leadership committee of PAC Next. Under her leadership, Friendlier has grown to serve campuses, restaurants, and institutions across Canada, diverting millions of single-use containers and cups through a scalable circular system.
Jason Brown
Call2Recycle Canada
Jason Brown is the Director of Western Canada at Call2Recycle. Founded in 1997, the not-for-profit organization works on behalf of stakeholders to provide its battery recycling program. Since inception, Call2Recycle has recycled over 50 million kilograms of batteries, keeping them out of local landfills and recovering the valuable materials that can be used to create new batteries and other products. At Call2Recycle, Jason oversees multiple consumer battery EPR programs. He works closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including program industry members, regulators, advisory committees, service providers, and the public.
Jay Sanderson
Backroads Reclamation
Jay Sanderson is the founder of Backroads Reclamation and a national leader in developing circular infrastructure for Canada’s built environment. With over 20 years of experience in heavy transport, logistics, and materials handling—including roles at Halliburton, Mammoet, Bantrel and ConocoPhillips—Jay brings a systems-driven, operations-first lens to solving complex waste and recovery challenges.In 2020, as COVID slowed industrial projects and shifted priorities across the country, Jay turned to hands-on work to stay active—dismantling a family barn that was slated to be burned. What began as a practical project quickly became a professional turning point. Board by board, he saw what was about to be lost: old-growth lumber with decades of life left. That experience exposed a national blind spot: Canada is demolishing thousands of buildings annually—each full of recoverable wood and materials—with no scalable system to preserve them.Jay founded Backroads to change that. His company is developing the missing business infrastructure to make reclaimed lumber viable at scale: from grading standards and certified deconstruction crews to processing systems and market-aligned supply chains. His goal is to make reuse predictable, profitable, and integrated into the way cities grow.Jay brings operational insight to advance material recovery, circular supply chains, and long-term industry resilience.
Joanne Dafoe
ChopValue YYC
Joanne Dafoe is the Owner and President of ChopValue YYC, the Calgary microfactory that remanufactures used bamboo chopsticks into furniture and décor. A lifelong Calgarian with a design background and entrepreneurial spirit, Joanne launched ChopValue YYC in 2020 after connecting with the concept during the pandemic. Under her leadership, the microfactory has partnered with dozens of local businesses, employs skilled woodworking SAIT graduates, and showcases how circular design can be both beautiful and impactful. Her commitment to sustainability and local innovation makes her a leader in Calgary’s green business community.
Jodi Tomchyshyn London
JTL Squared Consulting Inc.
Jodi is a waste, recycling, and EPR policy wonk at work, and a passionate waste minimization advocate at play. She began her career in 2001 as an RCA Ambassador while working on her Master’s degree and writing a thesis on extended producer responsibility (EPR). Since then, she’s built a career as a waste and recycling policy specialist, working on topics and projects in the waste minimization space that she would have done for free (don’t tell her clients!). Her current client roster ranges from governments, to EPR oversight agencies, to producer responsibility organizations, to ENGOs. Her waste and recycling related mottos guide her way: “don’t ask of others, things you wouldn’t ask of yourself”, “walk the talk”, “minimize waste while maximizing joy”, and “leave only footprints when out in nature.” It’s her personal passion in this space that led her to become an anti-litter advocate in her personal time, including daily plalking (picking up litter while walking) and working to raise litter awareness in her local community.
Joseph Dahmen
University of British Columbia
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 member of the Microbial Cell Systems for Sustainable Living (MCELLS) research excellence cluster at UBC, and a member of the UBC BioProducts Institute. His research has been supported by the Tri-Agency in Canada, Natural Resources Canada, as well as the National Science Foundation in the United States and other sources. He lectures frequently on his research and creative projects, which have been published in leading scholarly journals and the popular press.
Karen Alm
City of Calgary
Karen Alm is the Manager of Collection Services at Waste and Recycling Services at The City of Calgary. She graduated from The University of Calgary with a BSc in Civil Engineering and is a registered professional engineer. She started at The City of Calgary in 1997 and has worked in many areas including traffic signal engineering, road design, fleet management, and long-range strategic planning. Karen grew up in Calgary and is committed to supporting the mission of enabling Calgarians to reduce and manage their waste responsibly, now and into the future. In her free time, Karen loves spending time golfing, skiing, and hiking with her husband and two daughters.
Kate Rich
Alberta Environment and Protected Areas
Kate Rich, P.Geo., has led various strategies for the public and private sectors related to water, energy, climate change, and land management – all with a focus on sustainable development. She has lived and worked in several cities across Canada and internationally. Her current role is the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Water and Circular Economy Division in Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, which includes strategy, policy and programs regarding the circular economy, recycling, waste and plastics management.
Kent Wootton
Canadian Tire Corporation
Kent Wootton is a sustainability professional with over a decade of experience in developing and managing sustainable and environmental strategies. He is currently the Manager of Circular Materials Innovations for Canadian Tire Corporation, and he is responsible for driving the implementation and integration of circular economy partnerships and implementing sustainable product packaging improvements across the Canadian Tire family of companies. He has also recently taken over the responsibility of managing waste diversion for all corporate stores in the Canadian market. His past responsibilities at Canadian Tire include Sr. Consultant for Product Legislation and Sr. Compliance Analyst (CT Bank). He is also the current Co-Chair of the Canada Plastic Pact Recycled Content Working Group and has been a member of multiple different industry advisory groups. Kent plays an important role in making Life in Canada Better by being part of the solution to reduce landfill waste and by driving circular economic opportunities.
Lauren Degenstein
Davey Textile Solutions Inc.
Lauren Degenstein (she/her) is the Sustainability, Training/Production Coordinator at Davey Textile Solutions Inc. in Edmonton, Alberta. She holds a Master of Science in Human Ecology (Clothing & Textiles) from the University of Alberta, where her research focused on product stewardship and the environmental impacts of the textile industry. Lauren is Co-Chair of the Canadian Textile Industry Association’s Environment and Sustainable Development Committee. She has been a Textiles and Fashion Expert with the non-profit Waste Free Edmonton since 2021 and joined its Board of Directors in 2024. She has co-authored over 10 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters related to textile sustainability and consumer behavior.
Leah Seabrook
Strathcona County
Leah is a passionate environmental leader who’s been shaping the world (or her corner of it) of waste reduction for over 20 years! With a deep love for community and sustainability, she played a key role in launching Strathcona County’s iconic Green Routine waste collection program. More recently, she guided her community in creating a bold new Waste Management Roadmap — a shared game plan to rethink their approach to waste and send less to the landfill. This roadmap champions an upgraded waste hierarchy, which is pushing the community toward a circular economy and next-level waste solutions.
What really lights Leah up? Cracking the code on why we waste the way we do — and finding fun, innovative ways to shift those habits for the better. She’s always on the lookout for new ways to spark learning, inspire action, and make the planet a little greener every day.
Lori Koebel
ABCRC
Lori Koebel is the Vice President of Sustainability & Stakeholder Relations at Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation (ABCRC). She leads ABCRC’s communications, stakeholder engagement and sustainability initiatives, working with partners across the industry to support Alberta’s high-performing beverage container recycling system and share solutions nationally. Lori is known for building strong partnerships and for championing innovative approaches that improve system efficiency and return rates. Her leadership has helped establish ABCRC as a trusted voice in recycling and sustainability across Canada.
Lourdes Juan
Knead
Lourdes is an award winning Canadian Entrepreneur and Urban Planner, with a Masters in Environmental Design. She has founded a diverse array of companies and organizations in urban planning, food security, hospitality, food and clima-tech. Lourdes’ community advocacy is vast and also includes serving on numerous local and national boards related to urban planning and design, affordable housing, entrepreneurship, and impact investment. Lourdes is a mom to a four year old son who inspires her to continue to work towards building a brighter future.
Mackenzie Brown
Warrior Women
Mackenzie Brown is a First Nations Cree woman from the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, currently residing in Mohkinstsis (Calgary). A dynamic and award-winning performer, drummer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and advocate, Mackenzie has dedicated her life to creating meaningful connections through her art, culture, and community work. She is the co-founding member of Warrior Women, a performance duo with her mother that drums and teaches internationally, sharing their knowledge with schools, festivals, organizations, and communities across the globe.
In addition to her work as a performer, Mackenzie is a prolific multidisciplinary artist, known for her vibrant acrylic paintings, beadwork, leatherwork and large-scale murals. Her art reflects her Cree heritage, with a focus on the relationship between the land, animals and Indigenous identity in a contemporary context. Mackenzie’s work has been featured in several prestigious galleries, including the Arts Commons Calgary, ATB Arts Branch, cSpace, Pump House Gallery, Edson Gallery Museum and Gray Gallery at Grant MacEwan University. Her murals can be found across Canada—in Alberta (Edmonton and Calgary), in Guelph, and in Jasper National Park.
She was a featured artist at MASA, Africa’s largest performing arts festival, where she represented Indigenous art in collaboration with the Ministry of Global Affairs Canada. She has also worked with high-profile clients such as Starbucks, Co-operators Insurance, New Horizon Coop Grocery, Sysco, and Parks Canada.
Over the years, Mackenzie has received numerous accolades for her contributions to the arts and Indigenous communities, including the Alberta Indian Arts and Crafts Award in 2017, Esquao Award for Children’s Future (2019), Indigenous Woman of the Year from the Alberta Assembly of First Nations (2019), Top 30 under 30 from the Alberta Corporation for Global Cooperation (2020) and the Distinguished Alumni Award from MacEwan University (2022). In 2024, she received the Calgary Mayor’s Arts Award for Indigenous Artists and was named to Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40.
Mackenzie’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in her cultural teachings and the spiritual guidance of âtayôhkan (spirit guides). Her paintings, often characterized by movement and vibrant colours, evoke a sense of connection to Mother Earth and the spirit of the land. She draws inspiration from the landscapes around her, reflecting her beliefs in the healing power of art and its ability to bring forgotten stories and languages back to life. Through her work, Mackenzie aims to evoke emotion, remembrance and a deeper understanding of the relationship between all living beings and the land.
Maggie Bain
Circular Innovation Council
Maggie Bain is a project manager and researcher with Circular Innovation Council (CIC), specializing in food waste diversion and piloting circular economy solutions. With expertise in human-environment interactions, social behavior change, and system dynamics, she applies a practical approach to developing scalable, transformative solutions for circular resource management. Maggie currently collaborates with governments, industry stakeholders, and organizations to advance circular management of food waste at regional scales. She holds an M.Sc. in Behavioral Ecology and an M.A. in Human Geography, bringing an interdisciplinary background in sustainability, social behavior, and ecosystem thinking to her work.
Mark Emsden
Beverage Container Management Board
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 served as BCMB’s Director of Operations and Compliance for five years, overseeing the organization’s operational, investigative and compliance functions. He has a distinguished career of two and a half decades with the military and in law enforcement, with ten years as a Detective focused on homicide, organized crime, and fraud. Mark is a proud and proven leader with a passion for the environment and keeping Alberta at the forefront of recycling.
Mary Tress
City of Nelson
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 geography from the University of Guelph, along with a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems and Food Security from Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
Mary is also an avid gardener, composter, and seed-saver, and she has previously enjoyed collecting and planting seeds for a small landfill revegetation pilot. She gratefully acknowledges that she lives and works within the unceded traditional territories of the Sinixt, the Syilx, and the Ktunaxa peoples.
Mehr Nikoo
Alberta Innovates
Mehr Nikoo is a seasoned professional engineer with dual master’s degrees and over two decades of experience in process and research engineering, as well as project management. Her career includes roles at EPCs, InnoTech Alberta, and various start-up companies. Since June 2018, Mehr has been with Alberta Innovates, where she manages projects focused on utilizing agricultural and forestry residues, diverting plastics and municipal solid waste from landfills, and advancing clean technologies.
In her current role as Program Director for Bioindustrial and Circular Innovation, Mehr leverages her expertise to drive impactful initiatives that promote sustainability and innovation.
Niki Wilson
Niki Wilson is a multimedia science journalist with a past life as a biologist. She grew up dodging bears in Jasper National Park, Canada, and has studied everything from mammoths to mountain pine beetle. She now writes about nature and the environment for publications like BBC Earth, PBSNature, and Canadian Geographic. She was associate producer for the Audible top five podcast Wild Sounds of Canada, and co-host of the Apple top ten science podcast Anthropomania. For her work in science journalism, in 2023 she was honoured with the Wildlife Outreach Award from the Alberta Chapter of The Wildlife Society. Niki has taught science communications since 2010 with the Banff Science Communications School, now Global Partners in Science Communications. She also teaches independently, hosting workshops on journalism, nature writing and communicating complexity to a cross-section of organizations, universities and public. Niki is thrilled this year to celebrate 11 orbits around the sun as a science advisor and main stage host for the Jasper Dark Sky Festival.
Pierre Benabidès
Circular Plastics Taskforce
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 organization. Among others, Pierre supports the CPT in PET thermoform recyclability study, identifying food grade recycled resin production pathways, and oversees several studies on flexible plastic packaging, including the PRFLEX research.
Prior to launching Lichens Recyclability, his consulting firm, he worked as an advisor on market development for Éco Entreprises Québec, the PRO for packaging and printed paper in Quebec. He holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Management from Sherbrooke University
Rafiq Ahmad, Ph.D.
University of Alberta
Dr. Rafiq Ahmad is an inspiring force in the world of Smart Systems, Additive Manufacturing, and Sustainable Technologies, driving innovation that bridges Earth and space. As Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta, he founded and leads the Smart & Sustainable Manufacturing Systems Laboratory (SMART Lab) and the Aquaponics 4.0 Learning Factory, both trailblazing platforms transforming how we design, build, and produce sustainably in the age of Industry. A visionary entrepreneur, he co-founded Waste Parrot Inc., recently recognized by NASA as one of just 17 global winners in the Lunar Recycling Challenge, selected from over 1,200 teams across 86 countries, and the only Canadian winner. His work is not only redefining technology but also inspiring the next generation of changemakers. Honored with the Edify Top 40 Under 40 (2022) and the ASTech Award for Digital Technology Innovation (2023), Dr. Ahmad continues to turn bold ideas into transformative impact for a smarter, more sustainable world.
Rashmi Prakash
Aruna Revolution
Rashmi Prakash is the Founder and CEO of Aruna Revolution, a fibertech company transforming agricultural by-products into high-performance, compostable materials for the $211B disposable hygiene market. With a background in biomedical engineering and a passion for circular design, Rashmi leads Aruna’s mission to eliminate disposable hygiene products from ending up in landfills, leaching microplastics and causing harm to the body with toxic materials. Recognized as one of Design Engineering’s Top 10 Under 40 and a winner of multiple sustainability and innovation awards, Rashmi is committed to building a future where businesses protect both human and planetary health.
Richard Ireland
Mayor, Municipality of Jasper
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 the community’s goal of local self-determination.
Mayor Ireland was elected Jasper’s first Mayor in 2001 and has served continuously since, through multiple re-elections and acclamations, including his current term beginning in 2021.
In 2024, the Jasper Wildfire Complex challenged the community like never before. Mayor Ireland’s leadership during and after the wildfire, marked by calm communication, compassion, and a steady focus on safety, helped guide residents through the evacuation, recovery, and ongoing rebuild.
He continues to collaborate closely with provincial and federal partners to support the community as it rebuilds and recovers, navigating the complex, long-term process with patience and determination.
Richard is married to Bonnie, and together they have two sons and two granddaughters.
Rick Penner
Z3 Data Company
Rick is an innovator with a deep passion for developing solutions that address sustainability challenges with a focus on circularity.
As President of Emerge Knowledge Design Inc, Rick has spent the last 24 years successfully guiding the transformation of Re-TRAC™ from a great idea to a one of the most widely used material management reporting platforms in the US and Canada.
In 2023, Rick joined Steve Means in co-founding Z3 Data Company, a software platform designed to provide corporate sustainability managers with efficient access to detailed, company-wide waste generation and materials diversion data. Z3 streamlines the process of assembling, organizing and analyzing the data companies need to manage diversion programs, measure progress toward zero waste targets, and report to stakeholders.
Rick began his career in the waste diversion world in 1991 leading the team that started the very first Habitat for Humanity ReStore and developed a successful model for conserving resources while generating revenue to support Habitat’s home building programs. There are now over 1,000 ReStores around the world generating hundreds of millions of dollars in profit while keeping vast quantities of reusable building materials out of the landfill.
Riley Dewan
Circular Supply Inc.
Riley Dewan is a Métis entrepreneur and founder of Circular Supply Inc., an Indigenous owned company that turns discarded personal protective equipment into a resource. After years in oil and gas, he saw pallets of gloves and hard hats go to landfill and set out to build a simple closed loop system. Circular Supply pairs premium customizable gloves with return bins, rebates tied to what clients recycle, and clear ESG data so teams can cut waste and scope 3 emissions without adding complexity. Riley is piloting across Alberta and developing remanufacturing that creates new products from recovered material. His goal is a model that proves sustainability can be practical, profitable, and easy to adopt.
Ryan Hefflick
Corral AI
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 in Vancouver connecting clean energy projects to the power grid and raising two sons, Ryan returned to his roots in recycling as owner of the Jasper Bottle Depot from 2006 to 2016. He then launched the Winterburn Bottle Depot in Edmonton, not far from where his love for recycling began.
In 2017, Ryan ventured into developing counting technology for the bottle depot industry, a move that led to a pivotal partnership with Corral AI—a startup pioneering AI-powered container detection solutions. Since launching commercial products in 2023, Corral AI’s technology has expanded across five Canadian provinces, five U.S. states, and two Australian states.
Ryan is driven by the belief that AI can revolutionize the recycling industry, making it more efficient, transparent, and scalable. His story is a testament to how early passions, when paired with innovation, can create lasting impact.
Sophie Langlois-Blouin
Machinex
Sophie Langlois-Blouin is a seasoned manager with 20 years’ experience in the environmental field. With a master’s degree in environment and a bachelor’s degree in communications, she stands out for her extensive expertise in project management and strategic development.
As Project Director – Deposit & Circular Economy at Machinex, Sophie designs and implements deployment strategies for deposit-return systems in Quebec and Canada. She also plays a key role in Machinex’s strategic direction in circular economy and sustainable development.
Prior to Machinex, Sophie held a number of management positions at RECYC-QUÉBEC, including Vice President, Operations Performance. In this role, she steered major initiatives such as the modernization of deposit and curbside collection systems, and the fight against food loss and waste.
Vahid Rashidi
City of Edmonton
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 Edmonton. Vahid also served as Project Manager for the Edmonton Cart Rollout Demonstration Phase, the first project of its kind in the city for waste collection. He is passionate about building strong relationships with stakeholders, fostering collaborative environments, and driving positive change within organizations. Vahid holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Alberta and is a certified Professional Engineer and Project Management Professional. Vahid pursues woodworking as a creative outlet outside of his professional life, crafting both furniture and decorative pieces.
Zahra Bhojani, PhD
Loblaw Companies Ltd
Dr. Zahra Bhojani is a dynamic leader in sustainability, spearheading impactful initiatives that drive innovation and advance environmental responsibility across the industry. She serves as the Sustainability and Enterprise Plastics Lead at Loblaw Companies Limited, Canada’s food and pharmacy leader. In her role, she drives strategies to transition to better plastic packaging, reduce overall plastic use, and eliminate harmful plastics—clearing a path toward a more sustainable future.
A trailblazer in her field, Dr. Zahra plays a crucial role in championing an industry-first collaboration with another major retailer and several consumer goods brands. This groundbreaking initiative designs a reuse system pilot for select products in Canada and marks a significant stride toward circular economy practices. She also advocates and supports the broad adoption of the Consumer Goods Forum’s Golden Design Rules for Plastic Packaging, supporting supplier partners to enhance sustainability.
Renowned for her courageous, empathetic, and pragmatic leadership style, Dr. Zahra understands the intricate links between business, environmental stewardship, and societal well-being. Her tireless dedication to solving complex challenges drives transformative, system-wide change, inspiring positive impact across the entire industry.
