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Veronica is a bourgeoning urban planner, with an interdisciplinary background in global health, political science, and planning. She is a recent graduate of York University’s Master in Environmental Studies Planning program with research experience rooted in identifying and understanding climate hazards, and their impacts on the health, and resilience of vulnerable populations, as it pertains to environmental justice and planning. Most of her experience has been in interpreting and applying municipal environmental and housing policy in Ontario. In her current role, she is responsible for providing content and research support, for the development of The BRACE training series designed to enhance planners’ capacity to understand and implement climate change adaptation strategies into their everyday planning practices. She has experience in assessing environmental impact statements and developing policy recommendations based on alignment with municipal and provincial environmental policies. She has worked on various multidisciplinary teams to undertake assignments involving research, and analysis of information to further understand the environment, sustainability, and land use. She has also worked with planning staff from the City of Toronto, other City Divisions, citizens including community groups, individuals, property owners, planning professionals such as consultants, and other community stakeholders. She is proficient in visual communications software such as Adobe Creative Suite, GIS and Sketchup, speaks French and Twi, and is eligible for candidate membership in the OPPI and CIP.
Paul is a Project Manager with the Climate Risk Institute. An engineer by training, he has dedicated his career to finding and implementing climate change solutions. Currently, Paul is supporting both climate mitigation and adaptation work across Northern Ontario through two initiatives. First, as a regional advisor for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Partners for Climate Protection Programme is working with municipalities to develop greenhouse gas reduction plans. Second, as the coordinator of the Northern Climate Change Network, he is convening a group of northern Ontario municipalities working to advance adaptation and build resilience to climate change in the region. He is also working with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute on the development of new climate change adaptation focused training for Ontario planners. Paul holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering and is in the process of obtaining his Canadian Risk Management designation. He lives and works and is raising his kids in beautiful Northern Ontario, where he is close to ski trails and canoeing.
Zahra is a Planner and Associate with Dillon Consulting Limited, and the lead for the company’s national Community Planning and Urban Design team. She has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology from the University of Toronto and a Master of Environmental Studies in Planning from the University of Waterloo. Zahra’s work as a planner spans the areas of municipal policy, strategic planning, public engagement, environmental assessment, and infrastructure planning. Her experience also includes leadership on award-winning municipal engagement programs, such as the Biosolids Strategy for the Region of Waterloo. She also sits on the Executive Committee of the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Great Lakes Chapter.
Healther is a Partner with Dillon, a professional engineer and registered professional planner. Since beginning her career 18 years ago, her focus has included consultation/engagement, Environmental Assessments, impact assessment, infrastructure planning, land use planning and Traditional Knowledge/Traditional Land Use Planning. Through this work she has worked with Indigenous communities in Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. She has had the privilege of working closely with the Indigenous Community staff, community members including Elders and youth, and Chief and Council. She has worked on Land Use Plans, Infrastructure reviews, Asset management, Pandemic Planning, Climate Change, and various Environmental Assessments. She has presented at OPPI conferences since 2013 and earlier this year co-wrote a Blog Post with Stephanie Burnham titled "Planning's relationship with Indigenous Communities: Planning Policy and Slow Progress in Changing Times". Heather is also a lead for Dillon's work on Truth and Reconciliation.