Meryem Baskoun is the Director – Corporate Sustainability Communications and Reporting at Air Canada in charge of publishing the company’s corporate reports: CSR Report, TCFD Report, Annual Report, AIF, etc. She is also a member of the Transition Implementation Group on IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 (TIG) that informs the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) about potential implementation questions that could arise when companies implement IFRS S1 and IFRS S2. Before joining Air Canada, Meryem worked as a VP – Sustainability Advisory Services at ISS Corporate Solutions advising North American issuers on their ESG reporting, strategies and performances. She also worked for more than 10 years with Vigeo Eiris (known today as Moody’s ESG Solutions) in different positions in their ESG Research team rating companies worldwide on ESG as well as negative and positive screenings.
Alanna was recently appointed Sun Life’s first ever Senior Vice-President and Chief Sustainability Officer, reporting directly to the CEO and President. In 2019, Alanna directed the development of a new Purpose-led Sustainability Plan that starts from a foundation of being a trusted and responsible business. In her new role, Alanna will further advance Sun Life’s sustainability and climate change vision and strategy. Alanna joined Sun Life in 2016 as Vice-President of Government, Regulatory Affairs & Sustainability, where she led government relations, regulatory initiatives, and sustainability teams.
Over her career, Alanna has held senior roles in private and public sectors, including working with Federal and Provincial Governments and over 10 years in the private sector working on sustainability. Prior to joining Sun Life, Alanna held the position of Partner and Vice-President, Corporate Affairs at Barrick Gold Corporation, where she led the company’s government relations and geo-political risk management functions across its global operations. Alanna was one of four women selected in Barrick’s innovative inaugural Partner group.
Alanna was born and raised in Victoria, BC. She holds a B.A. Hon. in Political Science, Economics and Spanish from the University of Victoria, and a Master of Arts, International Political Economy, from the University of Warwick. When Alanna is not on Zoom calls, she enjoys spending time with her toddler, reading a good book, hiking, or enjoying the outdoors.
Nancy Bradshaw is a visionary with an infectious enthusiasm for new possibilities and the know-how to make things happen. At Spark Strategies, she has worked with several of BC’s most notable social and environmental organizations over the last 35 years, helping them turn up the dial for the greater good; these organizations are making tremendous progress towards nature-based climate solutions and addressing social issues.
Nancy is an award-winning entrepreneur, and tech industry executive. She has held roles at numerous non-profits, from Board Chair and [interim] Executive Director of Big Sisters of the Lower Mainland to founding director/mentor for Dress for Success Vancouver. Nancy uses her extensive experience to support initiating new projects and the expansion of non-profits, given their critical role in addressing the gaps in our current systems.
She is pleased to be back at CBSR. She was the founder and led CBSR during its inception 27 years ago. She is one of the many people advocating for business and society to do things differently, as the state of our planet calls for dramatic and urgent change. Nancy delights in working with people and projects that are helping us create that change.
Jason Clark is a government relations and campaign strategist. He has advised senior leadership of leading Canadian and international businesses and not-for-profits, with a focus on federal government relations and advocacy.
Prior to joining Clean Prosperity, Jason was a senior consultant at Crestview Strategy, a leading Canadian public affairs firm, where he specialized in energy, climate, trade, and sustainable development.
Since arriving in Ottawa, he has worked with a wide range of Canadian non-profit organizations on international development and trade issues, including Engineers Without Borders Canada and RESULTS Canada. Previously, Jason managed one of the largest public engagement campaigns on climate change, energy, and sustainability in Great Britain, working in partnership with all levels of government, business, industry and trade associations, the public sector, and civil society. Jason has also worked directly with female entrepreneurs and social enterprises in Lesotho, Africa.
Jason holds a Master of Arts degree in International Studies and Diplomacy with a Specialization in Global Energy & Climate Change Policy from SOAS, University of London, and an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Western University. Jason serves on the Board of Canadian Business for Social Responsibility (CBSR) and has previously served on the Board of the Ottawa Bicycle Club, one of the oldest and largest bicycle clubs in Canada.
Ted has over 25 years of experience working with leading-edge companies, governments and strategic initiatives to create value from combining business strategy and sustainability. Half of his experience has been with Delphi, helping business succeed through sustainability across most sectors of the economy, including: energy, food and beverage, retail, finance, telecom, manufacturing and transportation. He has delivered dozens of strategies for clients, and continues to work with many of them on ensuring successful implementation. He led Delphi as president from 2016 to the beginning of 2021.
Prior to joining Delphi, Ted worked for BC Hydro, where he was responsible for corporate sustainability strategy, policy engagement on carbon regulations, and climate change risk management. He also helped develop the first set of rules and guidelines for the international emission markets while working at Foreign Affairs Canada. Ted began his career at the David Suzuki Foundation.
Ted has a Masters Degree from the University of Northern British Columbia and an Honours undergraduate degree from Trent University.
Elizabeth is a recognized energy, sustainability, and clean technology expert, with nearly 20 years of experience working with industry, innovators, investors, governments, and environmental organizations to accelerate a cleaner, more sustainable future.
As President, GLOBE Series, she leads a passionate and highly skilled team that designs and implements impact-oriented sustainability events. These include GLOBE signature events, such as GLOBE Forum and GLOBExCHANGE, as well as diverse client events and activities. As Managing Director, CBSR, Elizabeth oversees the strategic direction of Canada’s only membership association for companies co-creating a sustainable, equitable future. In this role she also works with the Executive Director and senior management team to implement programming and initiatives. GLOBE Series and CBSR are part of Profoundry, a collective of like-minded sustainability and climate experts who help organizations create value and have a positive impact on society.
In her previous role as Emission Reductions Alberta’s Executive Director of Policy and Strategy, Elizabeth was responsible for leading on strategic initiatives and events. These ranged from developing ERA’s Technology Roadmap to delivering its biennial, three-day SPARK conference. She led the organization’s strategic stakeholder engagement and partnerships initiatives, and held the pen on its annual business plan.
Prior to joining ERA, Elizabeth served in various roles with the Government of Alberta, including Director of the Climate Change Secretariat, which supported the development of Alberta’s Climate Leadership Plan; and Director of Innovation Policy and Programs within Alberta Innovation and Advanced Education. Elizabeth’s previous experience also includes providing government relations support to Capital Power and providing policy advice to the Canadian Electricity Association in Ottawa and the Nuclear Energy Institute in Washington, DC.
Elizabeth has a master’s degree in economics from George Mason University and a bachelor’s degree in economics and geography from the University of Mary Washington.
A seasoned sustainability leader and Clean50 honouree, Nadine led corporate sustainability strategy, partnership development and employee engagement initiatives for sustainable business pioneer, Interface Inc. for more than ten years.
Currently completing her PhD in sustainability education and social learning, Nadine advises companies from a wide range of industries on sustainability, climate and circular economy strategy, integration and employee education. She also works with organizations like the Academy for Sustainable Innovation on executive leadership development for sustainability transitions and serves on the faculty for the Graduate Certificate program in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability at St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto.
Nadine is a LEED accredited professional who has served on the Boards of the National Zero Waste Council, US Green Building Council Education Advisory Committee and Canadian Business for Social Responsibility. She brings subject matter expertise on sustainability education, circular economy, biomimicry, corporate sustainability and climate strategy and speaks regularly on related topics.
Nadine holds a Bachelor degree in Environmental Science and a Master of Science in Planning.
Marie Jurcevic is the Sustainability Lead at ARC Resources where she oversees ARC Resources’ ESG disclosure efforts and supports the development and integration of sustainability strategy within the organization. She is also the co-founder of Diversity in Sustainability, a network initiated by diverse sustainability professionals aimed at increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the field of sustainability. Marie has been a corporate sustainability practitioner for about 15 years. She has held sustainability roles at Enbridge and CBSR. Prior to working in the energy industry, Marie worked in the non-profit sector. She specialized in youth engagement and supported youth in various capacities, most notably she was involved in a youth-led anti-racism initiative called Youth Reach Out Against Racism.
Marie has a BA in Sociology from the University of Calgary and an MSc in Responsibility & Business Practice from the Faculty of Management at the University of Bath.
Annie is a purpose-driven entrepreneur dedicated to enriching relationships between Indigenous and corporate communities.
Annie brings to the Board valuable relationships and experience gained through her work advancing Indigenous inclusion with a focus on economic development. She also serves as a volunteer on the Board of Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, serves as a Director on the Board with Shared Value Solutions, and her company, Rise, has been an active member of CBSR’s new small and medium enterprise (SME) cohort program.
Inspired by reconciliation in Canada and her own Metis ancestry, Annie founded Rise to respond to reconciliation and advance Indigenous inclusion with a focus on economic development.
Annie champions a values-based approach to strategic inclusion. She creates undisputed space for her clients to realize their vision and establish inclusive relationships, ultimately supporting clients in reconciliation. Annie holds a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Calgary and her background in economic development, marketing and communications provides her with a solid foundation for translating multifaceted socio-economic challenges and opportunities, while leveraging the strengths and skills of those around her.
Annie lives in Treaty 7 Territory, Region 3 of the Metis Nation of Alberta, in Calgary, with her husband and their two young children where they spend as much time as possible, skiing, biking, and hiking in the mountains nearby.
Geoff has been the head of sustainability and environment at TELUS since 2011. After ten years in customer experience and operations roles both locally and internationally, he has led TELUS’ award-winning sustainability strategy, governance and disclosure, including establishing TELUS’ long-term climate-related and waste diversion goals and targets and initiating TELUS’ leading practice of linking executive and team member pay to sustainability objectives.
A Clean 16 honouree for leadership in sustainable development and clean capitalism in Canada, Geoff has also earned his GCB.D from Competent Boards and a Graduate Certificate in Governance Essentials from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.
Geoff is regularly sought out as a subject matter expert and speaker at sustainability conferences across the country on many ESG topics and issues, including social purpose, governance and disclosure, renewable energy and the SDGs and is honoured to be on the CBSR Board.
Eric Saarvala is the Executive Director of the Raymond James Canada Foundation and Head, Corporate Sustainability. His 20+ years of consulting and management experience in the private, public and non-profit sectors focuses on social impact through sustainability, corporate social responsibility (CSR), strategic philanthropy
and social purpose. Organizations have relied on him for successful strategies, sales, programs and operations, environmental, social & governance (ESG) initiatives, partnerships, stakeholder engagement, business sustainability and digital transformations to power their social impact goals. Eric has also helped organizations advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Eric holds an Executive MBA from the Ivey Business School, Western University, a Graduate Diploma in Social Responsibility & Sustainability from the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto (G. Dipl. SR&S) and is a Certified Sustainability Practitioner (CSR-P).
Eric also looks to create social impact through his volunteerism. In addition to his role with the CBSR Education Foundation, Eric sits on the Advisory Council of the Graduate Diploma in Social Responsibility & Sustainability and Chair of the Alumni Engagement Committee. He is on the Board of Directors of the Central Eglinton Community Centre and Chair of the Fundraising Committee. Eric is also a Member of the Risk Management, Finance & Audit Committee of Imagine Canada’s Board of Directors and volunteers as a coach, mentor and speaker in purpose and sustainability for the Executive MBA (EMBA) and Honours Business Administration (HBA) programs at the Ivey Business School.
Sydney is Cree Métis and Ukrainian from Treaty 6 territory, St. Albert, AB and is a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. She currently resides on the traditional and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, also known as Vancouver, BC.
Sydney has worked in the construction industry for a decade, ranging from onsite positions to most recently Sustainability Manager. Sydney completed her Bachelor’s in Construction Management at British Columbia Institute of Technology, and is currently completing her MBA in Sustainable Innovation at the University of Victoria.
Sydney has led corporate sustainability strategy, reporting, materiality assessments, and greenhouse gas accounting in her roles with a key focus on building relationships across organizations and industries.
The values that lead Sydney and her work are building connections, sharing knowledge, and having fun. Her curiosity lies at the intersection of sustainability, Indigenous knowledge and ways of being, and economies. She is curious if there is a better way forward for business through these lenses.