Keynote Speakers
-
Tej Gidda, Ph.D., P.Eng.
Tej Gidda is a Vice-President and Global Leader – Future Energy at GHD, and has been in the consulting business for twenty years after a long stretch in academia. As part of Future Energy, he investigates approaches to driving affordable, secure and low-carbon energy, across a wide range of technologies. He lives in Waterloo, Ontario and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Waterloo.
-
Michelle Sawatzky-Koop
Michelle grew up in Steinbach, Manitoba where she attended the Steinbach Regional Secondary School and graduated in 1988. She led her volleyball team to the 1987 “AA”Provincial Championship. The starting setter on the 1989 Canada Summer Games Bronze Medalist Team, she was recruited to play with the University of Manitoba Lady Bisons from 1988 to 1993. At the University of Manitoba she was the starting setter as they won the National Championship in 1990, ’91 and ’92. Throughout her University career she garnered many personal awards – she was named CIAU Player of the Year in 1991 and 1992. In 1993, she was named the University of Manitoba Female Athlete of the year.
Internationally, Michelle was a member of the Junior National team in 1990 and also of two World Student Games teams in 1991 and 1992. May of 1993 marked the start of Michelle’s career as a member of the Senior National Team. In 1995, she was part of the bronze medal finish at the Pan American Games in Argentina. March of 1996 the team qualified for the Olympic Games and in July of that same year, the team finished 9th at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
Volleyball is not the only facet of Michelle’s life. Music is certainly the other side of things. Michelle began to study music at the age of 4 and studied piano and voice for many year. She graduated from the University of Manitoba School of Music in 1993 with a Bachelor of Music Piano Performance. In 1992 and 1993, she participated in the National Music Competition and also in 1993, completed a 12-concert solo piano tour of Western Canada. As a member of the National Youth Choir in 1992 and 1993, she performed throughout Canada and at the World Symposium of Choirs.She has actively been teaching piano and voice privately for 40 years but called that a career in March of 2025. A second career she will always cherish.
Since the Olympics, Michelle has been a motivational speaker and has shared her story across Canada. Hers is a story of overcoming obstacles and persevering “no matter what” to reach her dream. Michelle relate’s her inspiring story of growing up in Canada and against the odds achieving her dream of making it to the Olympics on the Canadian National Team. She was constantly being underestimated by coaches and team members because her relatively short stature as a volleyball player. But her love of the game and her determination to practice,train,and work hard toward her dream allowed her to navigate the obstacles and opportunities she faced. Michelle’s accomplishments speak of the heart of a true champion.
Michelle “life team” is her husband of almost 28 years, Chris Koop and their 22 year old twin boys, Paxton and Tyson. She kept herself busy for 27 1/2 years as part of Golden West’s “Morning Show” team, doing her best to keep all of southern Manitoba informed and highlighting amazing Manitobans every single day. (AM1250, CFAM950, CJRB1220)
Just recently she made one of the biggest changes of her life in deciding to further serve her community as the Director of Communications, Marketing and Sales at the brand new Southeast Event Centre in downtown Steinbach!! A not-for-profit gathering place whose main aim is to bring people together for sports, arts, entertainment, banquets, conferences, trade shows and lots of community and family time.
Just to add to her plate, she is also the 1st Assistant Coach with the University of Manitoba Bison Women’s volleyball team and continues to be involved with helping young people have every opportunity possible in the sport where her passion lies.
Speakers
-
Timothy Abbott
Tim Abbott is an Environmental and Wastewater Engineering specialist at AECOM based out of Winnipeg, MB. He received his PhD from the University of British Columbia where he was focused on biological and thermochemical treatments to better treat contaminants and to recover resources from organic materials. Since joining industry, he as worked on several trace contaminant/PFAS projects, facility upgrades and masterplans, and other studies for municipalities and government agencies across North America.
-
Joe Ackerman
Joe Ackerman earned a double degree in Chemistry/Environmental Studies at the University of Winnipeg before entering Biosystems Engineering at the University of Manitoba to get a Masters and Ph.D, studying nutrient capture from waste streams. He has formulated and completed several landscape–level research projects on phosphorus dynamics and related environmental effects such as redox induced chemical transport and the role of organic matter. More recently his research has focused on municipal solid waste, PFAS sources and fate, and what a truly effective plastic recycling scheme would look like. He manages a research workshop that builds and tests renewable energy systems, vertical agriculture experiments, and adaptive composting techniques for GHG mitigation.
-
Joe Angevine
Joe was born and raised around the Calgary area and has worked in the waste & recycling industry for 20 years. He completed a Bachelor of Management degree from the University of Lethbridge and has been managing the Foothills Regional Landfill & Resource Recovery Centre for 11 years.
Joe worked at the Foothills Landfill during the 2013 High River flood and saw the devastation and huge demands placed on the landfill after the disaster. He recently completed a Master’s Degree in Environment & Management from Royal Roads University and completed his master’s thesis: Come Hell or High Water: A Comparative Analysis of the 2013 High River Flood Response. This thesis focused on improving disaster debris management practices in Alberta.
-
Jeannie Bertrand
Jeannie has been working in the solid waste and recycling field for over 14 years. She has witnessed the transition from waste diversion from landfill to a focus on material management and materials as a resource, and is a strong supporter of the development of the circular economy. She has worked with clients across Canada to identify best practices for managing their solid waste while protecting the environment. She currently leads the national solid waste team for Dillon Consulting, and is serving as the President of the Recycling Council of Alberta.
-
Charles Binks-Collier
Charles is the co-founder and CEO of Circulr. Circulr helps brands that are sold in grocery stores reuse their packaging. Previously, he worked at both a large CPG firm, Parmalat, and a smart city company, Miovision. Educated at 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 backcountry camping and running.
-
Shawn Bower
Shawn specializes in finding risk management solutions for our clients and acts as a resource base for any risk management and loss control issues. Shawn joined Lloyd Sadd with over 12 years’ experience in the insurance risk control field. With experience working with major industry sectors like oil & gas, construction, manufacturing, hospitality, public sector, forestry and commercial clients, Shawn has gained extensive knowledge in all aspects of risk management.
Project work such as new construction reviews, fire protection engineering, auditing of risk control programs, assessing property and liability hazards, and delivering training workshops, has helped to provide clients with a high level of service. Current member of NARIMS Over the years, Shawn has provided risk management consulting with commercial clients to review, assess and fortify their risk management programs. Shawn’s key responsibilities are to expose potential risk situations and provide recommendations and resources to help improve our clients’ risk profiles.
-
Jason Brown
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.
-
Denise Burgess
Ms. Denise Burgess is the Director of Engineering for Comcor Environmental and is licensed to practice professional engineering in six provinces across Canada, including British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Newfoundland and Labrador. She received her Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Waterloo and has been practicing in the environmental field for over 25 years. She has extensive experience in the approval, design, construction and monitoring and maintenance of landfill gas flaring and utilization systems.
-
Lyndsey Chauhan
-
Mannie Cheung
Mannie Cheung is the Vice President of Operations at Product Care Association of Canada, a not-for-profit industry association that develops, implements, and operates extended producer responsibility programs for household hazardous and special products in Canada and the USA on behalf of its’ industry members. Mannie has over 20 years of leadership and management experience in the extended producer responsibility sector and more than 9 years in the hazardous waste management industry, leading business and program development, compliance, optimization of operational efficiencies and program effectiveness.
-
Che-Wei Chung
Che-Wei joined ARMA in 2022, bringing over 15 years of experience working with local and provincial governments, including four years managing Saskatchewan’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) recycling programs and working with provincial authorities to implement recycling programs in local governments.
In addition to his knowledge of municipalities, program management, public policies, and recycling, Che-Wei led a team to start Canada’s first EPR for grain bags and managed advocacy initiatives that led to major policy changes in transportation, water management, infrastructure, immigration, and diversity.
He takes pride in his ability to connect with people from different backgrounds and interests and strives to make ARMA’s programs the best in Canada. He loves to share his knowledge of what happens to scrap tires, leftover paint, used oil, and old electronics. In 2024, Che-Wei was appointed to the role of Vice President, Stewardship-a newly created role.
When Che-Wei isn’t volunteering on various non-profit boards, he likes biking, snowboarding, and ice fishing. He loves travelling to new places, studying history, and visiting historical sites.
-
Spencer de Klerk
Spencer de Klerk serves as the General Supervisor of Waste Processing and Conversion for the City of Edmonton, overseeing a large team responsible for annually processing over 100,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste. His expertise spans waste processing, asset management, and environmental sustainability. In response to the growing challenge of lithium-ion battery fires at the Edmonton Waste Management Centre, Spencer played a key role in the collaboration between the City’s Waste Services’ Communications, Strategy, Education, and Asset Management teams to develop and implement a multi-faceted public awareness campaign and optimize waste processing practices. His presentation will highlight the success of these initiatives in reducing processing-related fires by 83%.
-
Noémie De Vuyst
Noémie is an Outreach Advisor for the Green Municipal Fund (GMF), a $2.4 billion program which supports municipalities and their partners in the implementation of innovative sustainable development initiatives. Since joining GMF in 2017, Noémie has collaborated with municipalities large and small across Canada to develop successful funding applications.
-
Chantelle Diakuw
Chantelle Diakuw is SARCAN’s Assistant Director of Collections. In her 25 years with SARCAN she has led a SARCAN depot team in Saskatoon, served as SARCAN’s Regional Manager for the Northwest, and currently helps oversee the entire network of 73 collection depots in Saskatchewan. Chantelle has a passion for leading organizational change and strategic growth. On weekends, you will find Chantelle with a great book and don’t hesitate to reach out to her and ask what is currently on the “Chantelle’s Picks” shelf.
-
Vince Diviacchi
Vincent Diviacchi has worked in the geosynthetics industry for 15 years at various companies in installation, fabrication, and manufacturing as a technical representative. As a technical rep for Agru America, Vince provides support to the engineering and design community to aid in product selection and effectiveness based on project specific design criteria. The environmental geosynthetics he supports are utilized in various aspects of waste and wastewater containment and closures in industries such as oil and gas, mining, municipal and industrial solid waste, and energy.
-
Bobbie Duns
Bobbie Duns is the Events Coordinator & Finance Administrator at the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council, where they answer the recycling hotline, oversee all administration, and plan various events throughout the year. Last year they facilitated Repair Cafes in 7 cities across the province. Bobbie also works part-time for SWANA Northern Lights Chapter. They spend their spare time with their two dogs, volunteering with a dog rescue, coaching kid’s roller derby, or finding new crafty hobbies to get into.
-
Mike Fernandes
Mike Fernandes owns and operates StrategyMakers Consulting Inc. providing strategic advisory and project management support services to governments, public sector agencies, non-profit organizations and small and medium-sized businesses primarily in two areas of specialty:
• environmental sustainability;• business and organizational strategy, management and leadership.Over his 30+ year career, Mike has successfully completed numerous projects in a wide range of sectors both within Manitoba and across Canada.
Particularly relevant to this event and topic:
✓ Mike has worked across Canada to deliver successful outcomes in projects related to product stewardship, Extended Producer Responsibility, circular economy, recycling and diversion✓ Mike is currently working with the Manitoba and Saskatchewan institutes of Supply Chain Canada to explore opportunities for applying circular economy principals to supply chain management practicesMike holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Economics from the University of Winnipeg and an Masters of Business Administration from the IH Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba.
-
Stephan Fourmont
Stephan Fourmont works for Afitex-Texel Geosynthetics as Business Development Manager North America. He is in charge of the promotion and sales of geosynthetic drainage and reinforcement products.He is also responsible for providing technical support to customers, government officials and consulting engineers for soil related issues on their construction projects by offering efficient geosynthetics solutions.Stephan has been working in the geosynthetics industry for 20 years. He is a member of SWANA, IGS, ASTM and Chairman of the Canadian Mirror Committee ISO/TC 221 on Geosynthetics.Stephan has an Engineer’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering (Grenoble University, France) and a Master’s degree in Physics (Tours University, France).
-
Adam Fowler
After completing his Bachelor of Science, Adam worked as a Business Analyst in Bermuda. He later began his career in insurance with a large international insurance broker in 2005. After 4 years, Adam joined Lloyd Sadd as a Marketing Broker, and was promoted into the Account Executive role in 2013. His whole life has been centered around sports, playing volleyball all over Canada, USA, and Europe on university teams and on the Bermuda National Team. Aside from his family, Adam is passionate in supporting causes that involve children and disabilities. He currently volunteers for the Glenrose Courage Classic Golf Tournament Fundraising Committee.
-
Barry Friesen
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).
-
Molly Fyten
Molly brings forward 20 years of experience as a motivated, strategic, and positive executive leader with a specialized focus in the municipal sector. Spending most of her time working for the MD of Lesser Slave River No. 124 as the Director of Strategic Projects & Initiatives, she also fulfills a number of other contracts for municipalities, Commissions, industry, and First Nation groups across the province under her consulting company, 210 Solutions Inc. Ms. Fyten has several professional qualifications that support her work, including a BSc. Degree with a Specialization in Environmental Science, a Certificate in Municipal Management and Leadership, and a Certified Local Government Manager (CLGM) designation. She also holds several SWANA certifications and others spanning multiple fields, but her academia journey is far from over. Ms. Fyten brings forward several years of experience in leading positive organizational and community change & culture, and has acquired a strong understanding of board governance, while holding various positions on several boards and organizations across a wide range of sectors. Molly strives to bring forward a unique perspective to any space she occupies, coupled with her progressive thinking and energetic passion for anything she gets her hands on. Forming the foundation of everything Molly stands for, community is always a focal point for her, both personally and professionally.
-
Blaire Gaalaas
Blaire is Circular Materials’ Managing Director – Alberta and the Yukon. Previously, she was the President and CEO at the Beverage Container Management Board (BCMB), the regulator for beverage container recycling in Alberta. Before the BCMB, Blaire developed and operated a non-profit legal centre called the Edmonton Community Legal Centre. Blaire is Alberta-born and raised and currently resides in Sherwood Park.
-
John Greathead
John Greathead is a seasoned municipal and utility operations leader with over 27 years of experience managing critical infrastructure, emergency response, and capital projects across Alberta and the North. As former Director of Operations and Interim CAO for the Municipality of Jasper, and now leading engineering and maintenance for Pursuit Collection properties in Jasper, John has guided communities through wildfire crises, water system overhauls, and major infrastructure builds — always with an eye toward sustainability and resiliency. With formal training in emergency management and deep operational expertise from frontline mechanic to executive leadership, John brings practical insight into preparing for the so-called “100-year storms” that now seem to arrive every four years.
-
Michelle Hannah
As the Manager of Waste Reduction and Management with the Government of the Northwest Territories, Michelle heads a growing team working to prevent resources from going to waste in the Northwest territories. She loves the opportunity to come up with creative solutions to address the unique challenges of managing waste in such a vast yet sparsely populated territory. With a background in Environmental Protection from the University of Guelph, and previous experience working in sustainable community development in Canada and abroad, Michelle thrives on collaboration and connecting with people and organizations of different backgrounds.
She is happiest playing outside – be it gardening, skiing, cycling, paddling, swimming, or just about anything but running. When not frozen in, she lives afloat and off the grid on Tinde’e (Great Slave Lake).
-
MD Tanvir Hasnine
MD Tanvir is a PhD candidate at University of Manitoba and an environmental consultant at Dillon Consulting limited specializing in sustainable solutions for solid waste and wastewater treatment. His research focuses on electrochemical oxidation for treating landfill leachate, removing micro- pollutants, microplastics, and PFAS. With dual master’s degrees in environmental science and environmental engineering, Tanvir relates academic expertise with practical experience.He has published numerous scientific papers and book chapters and has been recognized with 15 awards and fellowship during his PhD, including the SWANA Northern Lights Chapter Fellowship and the Best Poster Award at the Western Canada Water Conference in 2024. His work shows dedication to advancing environmental sustainability.
-
Steve Johnson
Steve has over 30 years’ experience in the solid waste management field as a regulator, landfill engineer, and consultant.
He is the Canada Waste Services Manager located in AECOM’s Edmonton office. Mr. Johnson is involved in the National Solid Waste Benchmarking Initiative, Circular Economy/Zero Waste planning initiatives, solid waste management feasibility studies, landfill & compost siting studies, landfill & compost design, transfer station design, landfill master plans, operations plans, environmental monitoring plans, fill plans, compliance audits, related environmental studies and regulatory applications, and solid waste construction projects. He is also an instructor for the SWANA Northern Lights Chapter landfill operator basics course, leachate management course, household hazardous waste course, and manager of landfill operations.
Steve has presented at almost every SWANA conference for the past 20+ year.
-
Kendra Johnston
Kendra Johnston is the Office Manager of the Newell Regional Landfill. Born and raised in southern Alberta and has built a career at the landfill and been at NRL for over 20 years.
She has experience in all aspects of the landfill operations and has built her career in the industrial and MSW sides of the landfill. Currently has the main landfill site along with 5 transfer stations under her purview. In her spare time she can be found with her husband in her RV on an adventure.
-
Jennifer Koole
Jennifer is currently the Executive Director of the Recycling Council of Alberta, a non-profit with a mission to advance the circular economy in Alberta. She has extensive experience in managing waste diversion and environmental programs at the municipal level in Alberta and Ontario and is learning ropes of leading a board-run, member based organization. She has been waving the waste reduction flag professionally for decades – and loves every minute of it (well, most of the minutes). In her brief stint as a zero-waste consultant she worked abroad, in the middle east, on the Masdar project building the world’s most sustainable city from the ground up. Her work experiences have also included climate change mitigation + adaptation, contaminated sites management, and ISO 14001 registrations.
-
Kelly Kuryk
Kelly Kuryk is a Senior Manager with Manitoba Environment and Climate Change. Since the early 2000s, she has held various roles in both the public and non-profit sectors, often focusing on waste diversion and recycling. In her current role, Kelly leads a unit responsible for developing environmental stewardship policy, managing provincial waste diversion and recycling programs, and overseeing regulated extended producer responsibility in Manitoba.
-
John Lavery
John Lavery is the CEO and managing partner with Ramo’s Western Division, also known as Bionera Resources. John’s calling is the sustainable circular economy – one that effectively addresses societal or industrial issues, improves our environment, and creates economic, social and cultural benefit through its mechanisms of action.The circular economy journey has taken John through several decades working with wastes and residuals, to a point where his main focus is on closing that loop using one of nature’s truly amazing species – the shrub willow tree. He can’t wait to show you how a natural systems approach can dramatically improve landfill management.
-
Michel Lefebvre
Michel is the outgoing Past President of the SWANA Northern Lights Chapter, a SWANA faculty member, and Manager and Senior Engineer with Tetra Tech’s Solid Waste Management Practice. Michel has worked in the solid waste field for over 25 years and in that time he has worked on hundreds of projects with a focus on managing and improving landfills and solid waste infrastructure.
-
Chen Li
Chen Li is an MSc student in Environmental Engineering at the University of Manitoba, specializing in mycelium-based materials and their applications in sustainable packaging. Chen’s research is focused on developing biodegradable alternatives to conventional packaging materials by optimizing fungal mycelium growth and exploring innovative substrate combinations. Driven by a passion for environmental sustainability, Chen aims to advance the understanding of mycelium-based biomaterials and their potential to address critical environmental challenges, particularly in reducing plastic waste and promoting more sustainable material production.
-
Christine Major
Christine Major is the General Manager for Portage & District Recycling Inc. She has over 15 years of experience working in the Recycling & Waste Management Industry. Christine’s personal goal is to grow with PDRI by providing valuable environmental services to the public, maintain and support a sustainable future and improve efficiencies for customers and within the plant. She currently sits on 4 Boards such as the Manitoba Association of Regional Recyclers, RM of Grey Recycling Committee, Elm Creek Agriculture Society and Snoflies Snowmobile Club.
-
Michael McPhee
I am an early-career researcher and professional currently serving as the Lands Coordinator for the Sambaa K’e First Nation in the Dehcho region of the Northwest Territories. In my role, I lead a variety of initiatives, including environmental community-based research projects that integrate Indigenous Knowledge with Western Science. These efforts aim to develop sustainable solutions that honor the deep and reciprocal relationship between the land and its people, ensuring that Indigenous voices are central to shaping environmental strategies. I hold an Honors Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a Master of Science in Geography from Wilfrid Laurier University. With a multidisciplinary skill set, I apply expertise in environmental science, geography, and northern indigenous research methodologies to explore the effects of climate change on human-environment interactions. Currently, my work is focused on uplifting Indigenous environmental perspectives within key areas of conservation, environmental monitoring, and academic research. This work emphasizes the importance of bridging traditional ecological knowledge with scientific inquiry to promote more holistic and culturally informed approaches to environmental stewardship. Through this intersection, I strive to create long-term, sustainable solutions that not only address environmental challenges but also enhance the social and cultural well-being of communities. By fostering cross-sector collaboration among Indigenous communities, government, researchers, and industry, I am committed to advancing inclusive, forward-thinking approaches that support resilience, sustainability, and equity.
-
Karen Melnychuk
Karen Melnychuk has been the Executive Director of Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba (MMSM) since 2010. With over three decades of leadership experience across regulatory proceedings, sales, training, and strategic planning, Karen is known for her leadership and commitment to environmental stewardship. Under her guidance, MMSM has implemented innovative recycling solutions, resulting in a sustainable landscape for packaging and printed paper in Manitoba and has lead the development of the transition plan for full EPR in Manitoba.
-
Pam Miller
Pam has worked for 16-43 Waste Management for a little over 3 years, she is the Site Manager, HR department, Truck driver, office manager and the re use room co-ordinator. She also works as a travelling bartender for weddings and events, in case anyone is getting married soon, she makes the best Caesers ever! Pam volunteers with the local hockey association, the Speers public library and Maymont school. She has a small hobby farm with chickens, pigs, cattle, horses and of course the worst 4 guard dogs on the planet. In her spare time she enjoys going to all the sports and drama events for her 3 children, and kayaking anytime she can get to a river.
-
Mark Molesky
Mark Molesky is a Professional Mechanical Engineer & Project Manager with Industrial/Commercial Process, HVAC, and Plumbing design experience. Mark has been with the City of Lethbridge since 2022 as their resident Waste & Recycling Engineer. Before joining the City, Mark worked in Consulting on various new construction waste management facilities along with other industrial and commercial projects. During his off hours, you will find him on the ski hill, mountain biking, or camping in his campervan.
-
Iris Monner
Iris Monner is the Manager, Standards Strategic Development at Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group) and has a background in Mechanical Engineering. She has over 15 years of experience developing and applying national and international standards.
-
Hanna Musslick
Hanna Musslick (MOLO, B.Sc) is the lead Landfill Gas Technician at the City of Vancouver Landfill. Over the last ten years, she has overseen the implementation of many new technologies to improve landfill gas collection. These include precision orifice plate gas well heads, solar and pneumatic leachate pumps, buried and suspended temperature sensing, down hole well inspections using a cabled camera and, most recently, automated well field tuning devices. In addition to these technologies, she has directed the change in wellfield tuning procedure in anticipation of two renewable natural gas facilities (commissioning in 2024), and been on call for flare station trouble calls during the best of times, and the worst of times.
-
Jeff O'Driscoll
Jeff O’Driscoll, P.Eng., is a leader in assessing climate change resilience on infrastructure and held the designation of Infrastructure Resiliency Professional (IRP) from Engineers Canada. Jeff is a Civil Engineer with over 30 years experience in engineering management, project development and planning, design and construction. In 2007 Jeff was involved in the first project applying the PIEVC Protocol Climate Risk Assessment Process developed by Engineers Canada for the City of Portage la Prairie Waterworks Infrastructure. Since this time Jeff has worked across Canada and internationally on climate change resilience projects including many knowledge transfer, training and facilitation workshops and advisory services including Climate Lens assessments across Canada.
Jeff is currently the Infrastructure Division Manager for Associated Engineering’s Winnipeg office. Jeff is a member of the Engineers and Geoscientist of Manitoba Sustainable Development Task Group, Association of Consulting Engineers of Manitoba Board, American Waterworks Association Board, Canadian Water and Wastewater Association Climate Change Committee and chairs Associated Engineering’s Climate Change Advisory Group.
-
Mario Poveda
Mario is a Waste Management Engineer registered in Ontario and Manitoba with over fourteen years of experience in environmental engineering, having worked as Project Manager (PMP certified), Lead Engineer and Contract Administrator as required. He specializes in solid waste management systems, including detailed design of waste management facilities, expansions and closures, leachate and stormwater management infrastructure design, leachate treatment systems, and compost operations. Mario has experience in construction services, including contract administration, tender preparation and review and construction oversight. Mario has been a part of the Northern Lights Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) for four years and is the incoming President for the Chapter.
-
Ash Raichura
Ash Raichura is a professional engineer with more than 20 years of experience as an environmental engineer in the public and private sectors, fulfilling his passion to develop designs that integrate our world into our natural and built surroundings. His work revolves around waste management, from reduction to diversion, and ultimately disposal. He has had the privilege of contributing to some major waste diversion projects in the City of Winnipeg, including the 4R Depots and the development of a residential food waste collection program. Ash also enjoys sharing and building on his knowledge and experiences when he serves as an Instructor for the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA).
-
Vahid Rashidi
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.
-
Matt Rawluk
Matt Rawluk, Ph.D. is the COO of Claystone Waste Ltd. (Ryley, AB)
Matt has an extensive background that, in addition to waste, includes the life sciences, transportation, oilfield, and construction industries. Born and raised in Alberta and educated at the U of A, Matt has both frontline and management experience with a strong track record of commitment to health and safety, environmental stewardship, and team building.
-
Julian Russell
With a background in environmental engineering, I am passionate about advancing sustainable solutions in Northern and remote communities. I divide my time between the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Ontario, and Quebec, collaborating with Indigenous communities, government, and industry. My mission is to help decolonize sustainable development. I serve as the Environmental Engineering Coordinator for the Sambaa K’e First Nation, supporting Chief and Council to blend Indigenous Traditional Knowledge with Western engineering practices. Some of my current projects include co-designing a 175 kW northern solar energy system and aiding the community as they revamp their approach to sustainable waste management and food production. Beyond work, I’m an advocate for decolonizing research and ethical resource management. In 2024, I coauthored peer-reviewed studies on Indigenous farming in Morocco, water management in Nunavut, and food security in Guatemala (https://doi.org/10.1002/sdr.1739).
-
Christina Seidel
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. She chaired the Canadian Standards Association Plastics Recycling: Definitions, Reporting and Measuring technical committee. She also teaches in the Engineering Faculty at the University of Alberta.
-
Tamara Shulman
Tamara Shulman is an independent consultant and waste reduction specialist who contributed to the Action Guide as part of the Share Reuse Repair Initiative project team. She works to advance zero waste and support the transition to a circular economy through practical strategies that drive system and behaviour change. Tamara has worked with local governments, First Nations, businesses, and organizations in Canada and California. When she’s not mapping out zero waste plans, she’s often in motion—either tending to her backyard hens or spinning across the dance floor to a good salsa beat.
-
Gavin Sidhu
Gavin Sidhu is a graduate of MacEwan University, holding a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in Supply Chain Management. His career has spanned the private and public sectors, with experience in sales, government, and municipal affairs.He currently serves as Director of Client Relations at Alberta Recycling Management Authority, where he has played a pivotal role in launching Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Alberta. Outside of work, Gavin enjoys golf, playing guitar, the Oilers, and spending time with friends and family. -
Alex Singbeil
Alexander (Alex) Singbeil leads Catapult Environmental’s compost operations in Manitoba (Portage la Prairie), accelerating sustainable waste management solutions for the region. As General Manager, he is currently overseeing an expansive multi-year initiative to enhance the former Overton Environmental site. This expansion involves the implementation of Covered Aerated Static Piles (CASPs) and the planned addition of anaerobic digestion (AD) for renewable natural gas production. Catapult’s vision will create a unique, integrated organics waste management, AD and compost facility, where organics are converted to both energy and organic soil amendments, positioning Catapult as a leader in the circular economy.
Based in Winnipeg, Alex brings two decades of broad experience across commercial, municipal, and agricultural waste management. He is looking forward to connecting with colleagues and sharing Catapult’s progress and future vision for a more sustainable Manitoba at the SWANA NL conference in his hometown.
-
Shaun Spalding
Mr. Shaun Spalding is a results-oriented professional with 25 years of experience in the waste management industry. Having worked in both the public and private sectors across Canada and the United States, he is actively engaged in waste management policy development, program management, and operational service delivery optimizations.Mr. Spalding has extensive competences preparing master plans & strategies; designing infrastructure; evaluating operational service delivery; developing procurement documents, performing contract & contractor management and administration; designing and leading material stream composition studies as well as creating and delivering education and training programs.
-
Juliana Tang
Juliana is a Geo-Environmental Engineer with 24 years of experience in environmental engineering consulting in municipal and industrial containment systems. Juliana also conducts climate risk assessment and planning and facilitates sustainability design workshops using rating systems such as LEED and ENVISION. Corporately at Associated Engineering, Juliana conducts in-house training on containment systems, sustainable design, and provide advise on climate change impacts on projects.
-
Chris Vaughn
With more than 10 years of wast management experience in the North, Chris has a passion for implementing and improving waste management practices that reflect the realities of remote and rural communities. Currently in the role of Manager, Sustainability and Solid Waste for the City of Yellowknife, he is consistently working to improve safety, compliance, efficiency and environmental stewardship on site. Chris is also the NWT Director of SWANA’s Northern Lights Chapter.
-
Erin Wildeboer
For the past 17 years, Erin has been helping residents of Strathcona County become aware of their environmental impact. Thinking outside the cart to create behavior change is her specialty and she takes pride in coming up with creative solutions to problems in the waste world. Her latest endeavor, The HodgePodge Lodge, is a community reuse building that has as much social impact as it does environmental. There is never a dull moment at the Lodge and using it to shape how the community thinks about waste is an adventure that is only beginning.
-
Jack Winram
Jack Winram BA(Economics) has over 30 years of experience in the energy and environmental sector, both with industry and in a regulatory role. A graduate of the University of Manitoba, Jack targeted energy and environmental economics and later at studied at Michigan State University School of Management. As an executive with a proven track record, Jack has had the privilege to serve on numerous boards and committee’s including the Manitoba Public Utilities Board, and currently is board director for Efficiency Manitoba and is Chair of the Water and Wastewater Certification Advisory Committee. Currently Jack is President and CEO for the Manitoba Environmental Industries Association (MEIA) managing the organization’s day to day business, advocating and promoting the environment and cleantech sectors.
-
Amanda Wolfe
Amanda Wolfe is the General Manager of Compost Winnipeg, a social enterprise of the Green Action Centre. As a social enterprise, Compost Winnipeg invests the majority of its profits to maximize the environmental and social mission. Amanda is a professional engineer with 20 years of experience in the environmental field, including work in the public and private sectors in water treatment, waste reduction and organic waste management.
-
Kori Wuttunee
Kori Wuttunee is a proud Cree woman from Red Pheasant, Saskatchewan, with strong family connections to Sandy Bay, Saskatchewan. She currently works as a Specialist in Solid Waste Management, Recycling, and Public Education with Saskatchewan Aboriginal Land Technicians. Kori is passionate about promoting sustainable practices and increasing environmental awareness in First Nation communities.
-
Dr. Ali Zoungrana
Ali Zoungrana received his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Yildiz Technical University in 2021 and later completed additional training at the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Manitoba. With over 10 years of combined industry and research experience, he has dedicated the past four years to wastewater phosphorus management at Innovantage Inc. His expertise spans solid waste management and valorization, wastewater sludge treatment and resource recovery, and sustainable alternatives for plastic pollution. At Innovantage Inc., he focuses on industrial and municipal wastewater clarification, enhancing phosphorus removal from wastewater and lagoons, and advancing phosphorus recovery for agricultural use through sludge composting.