Keynote Severn Cullis-Suzuki

At just 12 years old, Severn Cullis-Suzuki gained international attention when she delivered her famous speech at the Rio Earth Summit, pleading for the delegates to preserve the planet. Since then, Severn has continued to advocate for intergenerational justice — justice for future generations —, speaking to audiences around the world about the necessity of returning to our deepest human values and acting with the future in mind when it comes to environmental sustainability.

Cullis-Suzuki has published several books including The Day You Will Change the World, and is one of the authors and editors of the book, Notes from Canada’s Young Activists. She is also an Action Canada Fellow (‘04-‘05), and was a board member of the David Suzuki Foundation for 14 years, and a founding member of the Haida Gwaii Higher Education Society.

Severn received a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Yale University, and a Master’s of Science in Ethnoecology from the University of Victoria. She is currently a Vanier and Public Scholar pursuing her doctorate in endangered language revitalization.

David Phillips, environment and climate change canada

David has been employed with Environment Canada’s weather service for 50 years. His work activities relate to the study of the climate of Canada and to promote awareness and understanding of meteorology. He has published several books, papers and reports, including a book on The Climates of Canada, and two bestsellers: The Day Niagara Falls Ran Dry and Blame It On The Weather. He was the originator and author of the Canadian Weather Trivia Calendar. David frequently appears on national radio and television as a commentator on weather and climate matters. He has been awarded the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada, the Queen Elizabeth Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals and has twice received the Public Service Merit Award. David is the recipient of three honorary doctorates from the universities of Waterloo and Windsor and Nipissing University. In 2001, David was named to the Order of Canada.

Lori nikkel, second harvest

Lori is a vocal and passionate champion of environmental and social justice issues related to food and is sought after for her expertise internationally.

As CEO for Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organization, she ensures that thousands of tons of nutrient dense surplus food is diverted to social service agencies every year.  Her current projects include The Avoidable Crisis of Food Waste, a world first evidence-based research project that identifies where, why and how much food is lost and wasted across the supply chain and the expansion of Foodrescue.ca an online tool that allows food businesses to donate surplus food to social service agencies, schools and food banks in their community.

henrique s. benites, urbaciklo

Henrique Sala Benites has been engaged with architectural science and sustainability in the built environment for over 15 years. Currently, as an academic and PhD candidate at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, Australia, he investigates regenerative and circular approaches for cities and buildings. He is an Ellen Macarthur Foundation’s Circular Economy Pioneer, founder of the 'UrbaCiklo Project’ and engages in different initiatives of urban sustainability and climate change. In addition to the background in architecture and urbanism, he holds a master's degree in bioclimatic architecture and a postgraduate degree in urban engineering. Throughout his career, he contributed to the sustainability of buildings and planned communities’ projects. Among them, the coordination of the AQUA-HQE certifications and the first LEED-ND in Latin America for the Rio 2016’s Athletes’ Village (Ilha Pura), in Brazil. 

Julie Salter-Keane, City of Kingston

Julie Salter-Keane is the manager of the City of Kingston’s Climate Leadership Division and works with staff to implement and realize the City of Kingston’s vision to demonstrate leadership on climate action. She also represents the City on the Sustainable Kingston Board of Directors. Julie is a highly motivated individual, passionate about the future of her community. In the past, Julie operated her own planning consulting firm, before becoming Director of Planning and Development at the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands. In 2010, she accepted a management position at the City of Kingston where her ability to foster relationships and identify opportunities for collaboration have led to the realization of many community projects, like the Portsmouth Olympic Harbour and Kingston Penitentiary Revisioning Project, the City’s Accessibility Plan and more.