Speakers

About the Speakers

Yvonne Lai
The New Canadians Centre

Yvonne has been working at the New Canadians Centre since 2009. She moved to Canada from Singapore in 1998 to attend university. She graduated with a BA (Honours) in Psychology and English from Trent University, and with an MA and PhD in Psychology from York University. Her graduate work was based on assessing immigrant needs in small urban communities and patterns of community engagement. She feels very fortunate to be able to work with such a dedicated team in a great community and looks forward to engaging with individuals and community partners to further the mission of the NCC and Peterborough Immigration Partnership.

Rosie Mensah, RD
Registered Dietitian

Carolina Cohoon
Specialist, Deafblind Literacy
CNIB Deafblind Community Services

Rosie advocates for food justice and health equity. Early on, Rosie became aware of the link between poverty and food insecurity, and the destructive effects it was having on her community. This developed her interest in food justice. Recently, Rosie developed an anti-oppression course for nutrition professionals called Culture, Equity, Diversity, and Race in Dietetics (CEDAR). Additionally, Rosie is the voice behind the brand "The Rosie Nutritionist", which explores food, bodies, and health through an intersectional lens. Rosie holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Toronto and is a member of Canadian Food Policy Advisory Council.

Born and raised in South America, Carolina was introduced to the wonderful and rewarding field of Deafblindness shortly after she obtained Permanent Residence status. If you had asked her many years ago, she says she would have had no idea that she’d be
educating so many people about rethinking disability and designing for diversity! Carolina is honoured and grateful to be a Canadian educator for deafblind adults. She feels blessed to work in a field that reduces inequalities and promote inclusion.

Skylar Franke
Executive Director, London Green Economy

Skylar is the Executive Director of the London Environmental Network, Coves resident and Vice President of the Urban League of London Board, localist
Skylar Franke can most often be found right in the middle of conversations overlapping the environment, the community and politics in this city.

Gabriella Kalapos
Executive Director, Clean Air Partnership

Gabriella has advocated for local government action on advancing sustainable communities for more than 25 years through her work at the Toronto Environmental Alliance,
ICLEI-Cities for Climate Protection campaign, and currently as executive director at the Clean Air Partnership. Her focus has been to encourage, support and monitor implementation of clean air and climate change actions, and to build partnerships that enable collaboration among communities & all levels of government. Gabriella has a bachelor of science in environmental geography from Concordia University & a master's degree in environment and business from the University of Waterloo.

Ben Grieder
Energy Coordinator, Energy Efficiency for the Ecology Action Centre

Ben is passionate about Community Energy Planning, Electric Vehicle Transportation, Active Transportation and anything related to Energy Efficiency. Ben graduated from Acadia University with a Professional Studies degree in Community Development and Environmental Sustainability Studies. In recent years, he has worked as a Community Energy Planner, his goal is to help people understand the benefits of energy efficiency, energy conservation and renewable energy. Most people have heard of accountants, well Ben is a slightly different kind of accountant where he focuses more on Greenhouse Gas Emission Accounting. He is also an energy efficiency specialist, with a background in building sciences and energy analysis.

Michelle McAdoo
Executive Director, Communications, Canada Beef

Karli Reimer

Ducks Unlimited Canada

Amie Peck
Public & Stakeholder Engagement,
The Canadian Cattlemen's Association

Sandra Vos
Beef Farmer

Michele is the communications, social media and website lead for Canada Beef. Michele has over 20 years of experience managing projects in consumer relationship marketing, content creation, media, TV production and digital programs. Prior to joining Canada Beef Michele worked in the Kraft Kitchens at Kraft Canada.

Karli grew up on a beef farm next to a Ducks Unlimited Canada wetland project gave her first-hand experience in how nature and agriculture can and must work together. An international and national award-winning agricultural journalist and communicator, Karli’s path led her straight to Ducks Unlimited Canada where she currently leads the marketing and communications for the conservation group’s agricultural programs and industry relations.

Amie leads a team which works to increase public trust in the Canadian beef industry by supporting industry synergies, forming strategic partnerships and connecting positively with consumers and the public. This includes addressing industry issues by coordinating key messages and specific responses together with provincial and industry organizations.

Sandra operates a grass-fed beef farm in Brant County and has worked hard to find what works best for her farm while continuing to improve its sustainability. Sandra has demonstrated her commitment to the environment by focusing on pasture management, caring for waterways, and protecting wildlife habitat.