WHO WE ARE
Behind the Scenes
We are pleased to introduce you to the Executive Director, Executive Advisors, and Industry Sector Specialists that are committed to the goals and objectives of the Transformation Initiative.
NATASHA ARSENIJEVICH
Executive Director
Natasha Arsenijevich is a sustainability leader and business strategist with expertise in sustainability in the built environment, business and strategy development, agriculture and food studies, women's studies, and professional writing. She has developed an award-winning sustainability program and has worked on a number of innovative market leading projects. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Pollution Probe, one of Canada's first charitable environmental organizations. For six years, Natasha pursued an academic career in the field of Environmental Studies, graduating from York University with a Bachelor and a Master in Environmental Studies (B.E.S, M.E.S). Her passion for the environment extends beyond education and employment experiences; she strives every day to make her personal life a representation of sustainability and ecological equity.
A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
"We are living in a time of volatility. Climate change, political unrest, social strife, and new pandemics have become elevated with the rapid adoption of unregulated communication networks and technology. Our race to build things better, faster, and stronger has left us with a broken home: we have lost 50% of Earth’s wildlife in the last 40 years; we are projected to have fishless oceans by 2050; we have destroyed half of our planet’s forests through deforestation; and 80% of global wastewater goes untreated. Inequity is also on the rise – at least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day; 1 in 3 women across the world experience violence; nearly half of the global population does not have access to fresh water. We are living in the age of humans – the Anthropocene.
Unregulated and in the hands of ill-will, we are seeing that our ingenuity, creativity, and ability to innovate could lead us to a bleak future. But it is this same resourcefulness that will guide us to greatness. Our only way forward is through the path of innovation. When under the direction of sustainability and equity, innovation has the power to be transformative, bridge sectors, foster collaboration, and solve problems. We have little time left to make some big changes. And band-aid solutions are not going to cut it. We need radical transformation.
Canadians are ingenious. We have a strong and proud history of innovation. As a nation, we have invented the light bulb, the propeller, the electric radio, the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, recycling, the telephone, nuclear physics, the compound steam engine, the electric range, oil pipelines, insulin, and more. It is the spirit of innovation that will continue to propel us forward.
Let us strive for better, deliver innovative solutions, and fight for a sustainable future. This is the essence of The Transformation Initiative."
EXECUTIVE ADVISORS
Behind the Scenes
To meet our objectives, we have assembled an exceptional team of advisors. Their thought leadership, breadth of networks, and depth of knowledge will help guide our organization and support projects as needed. Learn more about some of our exceptional leaders below.
INDUSTRY SECTOR EXPERTS
Behind the Scenes
We are fortunate to have access to some very impressive professionals. Our Industry Sector Experts assist us in solving complex business challenges through our creative and collaborative strategic approach.
ALI HOSS
Energy & Existing Buildings
Ali Hoss is An award-winning energy leader and innovative business strategist with over 15 years of work experience and deep knowledge of energy conservation and environmental sustainability. He is a board member of the Energy Task Force for the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) providing advice on the changing energy landscape in Canada with a focus on public policy. Ali is a professional engineer, a certified Energy manager, a contributor to industry books and peer-reviewed scientific journal papers; he is also a public speaker, and a guest lecturer.
STEPHEN MONTGOMERY
Building Construction, M&E Engineering
Stephen Montgomery, has 18 years of experience in the building industry and has combined his experience in consulting (mechanical system designer) and construction into a pragmatic and open-minded approach to planning and design solutions that considers both the environment and client vision. Among the first engineers certified by the Canada Green Building Council in 2003, Stephen has witnessed a transformation of the construction industry through the introduction of various social and legislated environmental pressures.