#RCBC2019 Speaker Bios
(List regularly updated and subject to change)

Jonathan Arnold, Keynote Speaker, Canada's Ecofiscal Commission
Jonathan Arnold is a Research Associate with Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission. Since joining the team in 2015, his research has focused on transportation, climate change, municipal water and wastewater, and solid waste policy. Jonathan previously worked as an economist with Environment Canada’s Regulatory Analysis and Valuation Division in Gatineau and holds a Master’s of Public Policy from Simon Fraser University. Jonathan was born and raised in Halifax, NS, and has lived in Stockholm, Ottawa, and now Vancouver. As an avid cyclist, Jonathan spends much of his free time in the mountains, but can also be found on the basketball court, travelling, or lounging with a good book.
Jonathan Arnold is a Research Associate with Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission. Since joining the team in 2015, his research has focused on transportation, climate change, municipal water and wastewater, and solid waste policy. Jonathan previously worked as an economist with Environment Canada’s Regulatory Analysis and Valuation Division in Gatineau and holds a Master’s of Public Policy from Simon Fraser University. Jonathan was born and raised in Halifax, NS, and has lived in Stockholm, Ottawa, and now Vancouver. As an avid cyclist, Jonathan spends much of his free time in the mountains, but can also be found on the basketball court, travelling, or lounging with a good book.

Chloe Dubois, Keynote Speaker, Ocean Legacy Foundation
Chloe Dubois is co-founder and president of Ocean Legacy Foundation, a non-profit organization that employs spatial mapping, research/cleanup expeditions, and plastic-to-fuel technologies to develop its marine debris solutions program. Dubois will share this dynamic and integrative approach that combines sustainable technologies with skills training to tackle plastic waste and debris.
Chloe Dubois is co-founder and president of Ocean Legacy Foundation, a non-profit organization that employs spatial mapping, research/cleanup expeditions, and plastic-to-fuel technologies to develop its marine debris solutions program. Dubois will share this dynamic and integrative approach that combines sustainable technologies with skills training to tackle plastic waste and debris.

Jamie Benton, Fraser Valley Regional District
Jamie Benton is the Environmental Services Coordinator for the Fraser Valley Regional District. An environmental professional with a decade of experience in local government regulating water and waste management industries and processes, Jamie works with a variety of groups to reduce, reuse, and recycle as much waste as possible.
Jamie Benton is the Environmental Services Coordinator for the Fraser Valley Regional District. An environmental professional with a decade of experience in local government regulating water and waste management industries and processes, Jamie works with a variety of groups to reduce, reuse, and recycle as much waste as possible.

Oliver Berger, Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society
Hailing from the small town of Williams Lake, Oliver Berger works as a waste educator for the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society. A self-taught "composteur," Oliver had made tackling food waste his personal vendetta; he has extensive experience running eco-friendly events diverting recyclables and compostables, and is passionate about highlighting best practices and showcasing how easy it is for everyone to do the same at home.
Hailing from the small town of Williams Lake, Oliver Berger works as a waste educator for the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society. A self-taught "composteur," Oliver had made tackling food waste his personal vendetta; he has extensive experience running eco-friendly events diverting recyclables and compostables, and is passionate about highlighting best practices and showcasing how easy it is for everyone to do the same at home.

Al Boflo, BumperNow Plastics
Al Boflo is a co-owner of BumperNow Plastic Welding Inc. BumperNow specializes in repair and re-use of automotive plastic parts. The company has been able to strike a balance between a sustainable solution for the environment, and a profitable operating business. When not passionately saving bumpers from the landfill, Al loves numbers. In fact, he's trained as a Chartered Accountant. He's a true accountant gone green!
Al Boflo is a co-owner of BumperNow Plastic Welding Inc. BumperNow specializes in repair and re-use of automotive plastic parts. The company has been able to strike a balance between a sustainable solution for the environment, and a profitable operating business. When not passionately saving bumpers from the landfill, Al loves numbers. In fact, he's trained as a Chartered Accountant. He's a true accountant gone green!

Tracy Casavant, NISP Canada
Tracy Casavant brings a unique soft and hard skill set of training and experience to her circular economy efforts. Combining chemical engineering with graduate work in industrial ecology, she has more than 20 years of experience advancing sustainability in industry and communities. She is currently working to bring the award-winning national industrial symbiosis program model to Canada, and is working to bring the building industry into the circular economy. She has also developed numerous local government policies, such as the Guide to Eco-Business Zone Planning and Development for the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority, designed to support eco-industrial development in communities, including industrial symbiosis.
Tracy Casavant brings a unique soft and hard skill set of training and experience to her circular economy efforts. Combining chemical engineering with graduate work in industrial ecology, she has more than 20 years of experience advancing sustainability in industry and communities. She is currently working to bring the award-winning national industrial symbiosis program model to Canada, and is working to bring the building industry into the circular economy. She has also developed numerous local government policies, such as the Guide to Eco-Business Zone Planning and Development for the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority, designed to support eco-industrial development in communities, including industrial symbiosis.

Lyndsey Chauhan, Recycle BC
Lyndsey has over 15 years of experience in developing and executing marketing, sponsorship and branding strategies. As director, marketing communications with Recycle BC, Lyndsey is responsible for corporate marketing communications activities including branding, advertising, sponsorship, events, digital marketing, and other resident promotion and education. In her role at Recycle BC, Lyndsey also led the organizational rebrand from ‘Multi-Material BC’ to ‘Recycle BC’. She has held past roles with LIFT Philanthropy Partners, 2010 Legacies Now (including a games-time secondment to the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games), the Vancouver Canucks and Molson Coors Canada.
Lyndsey has over 15 years of experience in developing and executing marketing, sponsorship and branding strategies. As director, marketing communications with Recycle BC, Lyndsey is responsible for corporate marketing communications activities including branding, advertising, sponsorship, events, digital marketing, and other resident promotion and education. In her role at Recycle BC, Lyndsey also led the organizational rebrand from ‘Multi-Material BC’ to ‘Recycle BC’. She has held past roles with LIFT Philanthropy Partners, 2010 Legacies Now (including a games-time secondment to the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games), the Vancouver Canucks and Molson Coors Canada.

Heather Connell, City of Guelph
Heather Connell is the Manager Business and Technical Services with the City of Guelph. Heather has over 20 year’s experience in solid waste within the industrial and municipal sectors and holds a Master’s of Engineering Degree from the University of Western.
Heather Connell is the Manager Business and Technical Services with the City of Guelph. Heather has over 20 year’s experience in solid waste within the industrial and municipal sectors and holds a Master’s of Engineering Degree from the University of Western.

Alec Cooley, Busch Systems
With over 25 years of experience, Alec Cooley is most recently known for his work as Director of Recycling Programs for Keep America Beautiful and comes to Busch Systems after a nine-year tenure specializing in the management of national events such as Recycle-Mania along with extensive grant and sponsorship programs. Previous postings include management positions with the National Recycling Coalition, Humboldt State University and an ongoing association with College and University Recycling Coalition (CURC).
With over 25 years of experience, Alec Cooley is most recently known for his work as Director of Recycling Programs for Keep America Beautiful and comes to Busch Systems after a nine-year tenure specializing in the management of national events such as Recycle-Mania along with extensive grant and sponsorship programs. Previous postings include management positions with the National Recycling Coalition, Humboldt State University and an ongoing association with College and University Recycling Coalition (CURC).

Rosemary Cooper, Share Reuse Repair Initiative
Rosemary is the Lead Coordinator of the Share Reuse Repair Initiative (SRRI) and a Senior Associate with One Earth – a Vancouver-based non-profit whose mission is to shift consumption and production systems so they are sustainable and just. The SRRI is a cross-sectoral effort to build a vibrant culture and economy of sharing, reuse and repair that prevents waste, enables lighter living and supports circular innovation. Rosemary is also a Faculty Member in BCIT’s School of Business with a focus on the Circular Economy. In the 1990s, Rosemary’s Masters degree at York University explored the integration of economic development and sustainability planning.
Rosemary is the Lead Coordinator of the Share Reuse Repair Initiative (SRRI) and a Senior Associate with One Earth – a Vancouver-based non-profit whose mission is to shift consumption and production systems so they are sustainable and just. The SRRI is a cross-sectoral effort to build a vibrant culture and economy of sharing, reuse and repair that prevents waste, enables lighter living and supports circular innovation. Rosemary is also a Faculty Member in BCIT’s School of Business with a focus on the Circular Economy. In the 1990s, Rosemary’s Masters degree at York University explored the integration of economic development and sustainability planning.

Tim Corcoran, Molok North America
Tim Corcoran is currently the Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for Molok North America, but has held leadership positions in sales and marketing for the past 25 years. While working within executive-level roles at Molok North America for the past 4 years, he has had extensive experience working with developers, municipalities, architects, educational institutions, not-for profits and property managers. Tim assists them in finding environmentally responsible solutions to their waste, recycling, organic and textile containment needs, while constantly looking for ways to increase efficiencies and diversion while reducing the environmental impact.
Tim Corcoran is currently the Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for Molok North America, but has held leadership positions in sales and marketing for the past 25 years. While working within executive-level roles at Molok North America for the past 4 years, he has had extensive experience working with developers, municipalities, architects, educational institutions, not-for profits and property managers. Tim assists them in finding environmentally responsible solutions to their waste, recycling, organic and textile containment needs, while constantly looking for ways to increase efficiencies and diversion while reducing the environmental impact.

Julie Dickson-Olmstead, Save-On Foods
With nearly three decades of business management and integrated marketing communications experience to her credit, Julie Dickson Olmstead is a seasoned executive with a strong track record of success across a number of sectors and disciplines, including telecommunications, retail, broadcast, food and beverage and non-profit. An accomplished presenter, Julie has developed content for and hosted lectures, workshops and seminars on strategic planning, board governance, media relations, issues and crisis management, reputation management, leadership development and social media.
With nearly three decades of business management and integrated marketing communications experience to her credit, Julie Dickson Olmstead is a seasoned executive with a strong track record of success across a number of sectors and disciplines, including telecommunications, retail, broadcast, food and beverage and non-profit. An accomplished presenter, Julie has developed content for and hosted lectures, workshops and seminars on strategic planning, board governance, media relations, issues and crisis management, reputation management, leadership development and social media.

Chris Diplock, The Thingery
A leader in Vancouver’s collaborative economy, Chris Diplock is the Founder and CEO of The Thingery, the parent organization of neighbourhood Thingery branches. The Thingery focuses on the development of community owned lending libraries of things (a Thingery). Chris has extensive experience in Vancouver Sharing Economy, having co-founded The Vancouver Tool Library and lead a city-wide research project called The Sharing Project.
A leader in Vancouver’s collaborative economy, Chris Diplock is the Founder and CEO of The Thingery, the parent organization of neighbourhood Thingery branches. The Thingery focuses on the development of community owned lending libraries of things (a Thingery). Chris has extensive experience in Vancouver Sharing Economy, having co-founded The Vancouver Tool Library and lead a city-wide research project called The Sharing Project.

Vivian De Giovanni, City of Guelph
Vivian De Giovanni is the Supervisor of Program Development in Solid Waste Resources at the City of Guelph. She has worked in the waste management field for over 25 years in both the municipal and non-profit sectors, with experience in both program and policy development.
Vivian De Giovanni is the Supervisor of Program Development in Solid Waste Resources at the City of Guelph. She has worked in the waste management field for over 25 years in both the municipal and non-profit sectors, with experience in both program and policy development.

Jill Doucette, Synergy Sustainability Institute
Jill Doucette founded Synergy in 2008 after completing a biology degree and clean tech research in UVic. She is an active writer, with three published books, speaker, entrepreneur and community member. Jill is passionate about about creating solutions to address sustainability through partnerships, business, and local government.
Jill Doucette founded Synergy in 2008 after completing a biology degree and clean tech research in UVic. She is an active writer, with three published books, speaker, entrepreneur and community member. Jill is passionate about about creating solutions to address sustainability through partnerships, business, and local government.

Randy Kahlon, ABC Recycling
Randy Kahlon is ABC Recycling’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He leads ABC’s partnerships with local communities, indigenous groups, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private businesses with the goal of educating and increasing awareness on the impacts of scrap metal recycling to the circular economy. Randy spent the past six years researching best practices in developing new markets for commodities overcoming the challenges of ever-changing regulatory frameworks. He is an expert at interpreting the market forces driving the global economy, and he applies this knowledge to help ABC impact the market locally.
Randy Kahlon is ABC Recycling’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He leads ABC’s partnerships with local communities, indigenous groups, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private businesses with the goal of educating and increasing awareness on the impacts of scrap metal recycling to the circular economy. Randy spent the past six years researching best practices in developing new markets for commodities overcoming the challenges of ever-changing regulatory frameworks. He is an expert at interpreting the market forces driving the global economy, and he applies this knowledge to help ABC impact the market locally.

Leanne Koehn, Ridge Meadows Recycling
Leanne Koehn works in community engagement for Ridge Meadows Recycling, a social profit environmental society that works in partnership with the City of Maple Ridge to provide both recycling services and environmental education to residents, businesses, and schools. Leanne leads a team in organizing the annual "Celebrate Earth Day in Maple Ridge" festival, an eco-inspired, all-ages event that includes the Family Freecycle, the Cycle Recycle free bike draw, arts & entertainment, interactive booths, flash mobs, a special Haney Farmers Market, electric vehicles, food truck festivals, and more.
Leanne Koehn works in community engagement for Ridge Meadows Recycling, a social profit environmental society that works in partnership with the City of Maple Ridge to provide both recycling services and environmental education to residents, businesses, and schools. Leanne leads a team in organizing the annual "Celebrate Earth Day in Maple Ridge" festival, an eco-inspired, all-ages event that includes the Family Freecycle, the Cycle Recycle free bike draw, arts & entertainment, interactive booths, flash mobs, a special Haney Farmers Market, electric vehicles, food truck festivals, and more.

Monica Kosmak, City of Vancouver
Monica Kosmak, PMP is Senior Project Manager, Zero Waste at the City of Vancouver. For two decades, Monica has dedicated her career to the pursuit of zero waste and fostering a circular economy through extended producer responsibility (EPR). Currently Monica and a dedicated team are implementing Vancouver’s Single-Use Item Reduction Strategy for shopping bags and disposable dishware. This work is in her genes: her grandmother reused a foam take-out container from a fast food burger for her own sandwiches for 25 years.
Monica Kosmak, PMP is Senior Project Manager, Zero Waste at the City of Vancouver. For two decades, Monica has dedicated her career to the pursuit of zero waste and fostering a circular economy through extended producer responsibility (EPR). Currently Monica and a dedicated team are implementing Vancouver’s Single-Use Item Reduction Strategy for shopping bags and disposable dishware. This work is in her genes: her grandmother reused a foam take-out container from a fast food burger for her own sandwiches for 25 years.

Mark Kurshner, Product Care Association
Mark is the president of Product Care Association based in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Product Care is a non-profit industry association that operates product stewardship programs across Canada. Product Care manages programs on behalf of its members and also as program manager for other stewardship organizations. Products and programs managed by Product Care include paint, lighting products, flammable liquids, pesticides, smoke alarms, as well as small appliances and outdoor power equipment. Mark became the president of Product Care Association in 2002 and is a qualified lawyer.
Mark is the president of Product Care Association based in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Product Care is a non-profit industry association that operates product stewardship programs across Canada. Product Care manages programs on behalf of its members and also as program manager for other stewardship organizations. Products and programs managed by Product Care include paint, lighting products, flammable liquids, pesticides, smoke alarms, as well as small appliances and outdoor power equipment. Mark became the president of Product Care Association in 2002 and is a qualified lawyer.

Allen Langdon, Encorp Pacific
Allen Langdon is the president and CEO of Encorp Pacific, with extensive leadership experience in the field of Extended Producer Responsibility, most recently as Managing Director of Recycle BC. Prior to joining Recycle BC, Allen held senior management positions in the consumer products distribution industry, including assignments as Vice President, Sustainability for the Retail Council of Canada and Vice President, Environment for the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors. Langdon combines a deep knowledge of stewardship operations with extensive brand owner and stakeholder relations experience, both within BC and across Canada.
Allen Langdon is the president and CEO of Encorp Pacific, with extensive leadership experience in the field of Extended Producer Responsibility, most recently as Managing Director of Recycle BC. Prior to joining Recycle BC, Allen held senior management positions in the consumer products distribution industry, including assignments as Vice President, Sustainability for the Retail Council of Canada and Vice President, Environment for the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors. Langdon combines a deep knowledge of stewardship operations with extensive brand owner and stakeholder relations experience, both within BC and across Canada.

Sarah Marshall, NOVA Chemicals
Sarah Marshall is the technical services leader at NOVA Chemicals, responsible for technical service and applications development for the Polyethylene Business. She joined the company in 1997 as a technical service specialist, and has held a variety of roles within the technology organization including leader of product and catalyst development and product research and development team leader. Ms. Marshall earned her Bachelors of Engineering degree at McGill University, Montreal, PQ, in 1997. She currently serves as Chair of the board of the Canadian Plastics Industry Association, and participates in community life in Calgary, Alberta with her family.
Sarah Marshall is the technical services leader at NOVA Chemicals, responsible for technical service and applications development for the Polyethylene Business. She joined the company in 1997 as a technical service specialist, and has held a variety of roles within the technology organization including leader of product and catalyst development and product research and development team leader. Ms. Marshall earned her Bachelors of Engineering degree at McGill University, Montreal, PQ, in 1997. She currently serves as Chair of the board of the Canadian Plastics Industry Association, and participates in community life in Calgary, Alberta with her family.

Bob McDonald, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
Bob McDonald has been managing waste diversion programs in BC for the past 25 years. He was involved in the BC government's original 'in-house' managed stewardship programs in the early 1990's, and has returned to the Ministry in 2014 to lead some 21 different Extended Producer Responsibility programs now in place. He also served for the Cowichan Valley Regional District for many years, helping it achieve one of the lowest per-capita waste disposal rates in Canada, while also building a thriving local waste management industry. Bob has a diverse range of education, including the trades, marketing management and degree in business administration.
Bob McDonald has been managing waste diversion programs in BC for the past 25 years. He was involved in the BC government's original 'in-house' managed stewardship programs in the early 1990's, and has returned to the Ministry in 2014 to lead some 21 different Extended Producer Responsibility programs now in place. He also served for the Cowichan Valley Regional District for many years, helping it achieve one of the lowest per-capita waste disposal rates in Canada, while also building a thriving local waste management industry. Bob has a diverse range of education, including the trades, marketing management and degree in business administration.

Sarah Miller, RecycleSmart Solutions
Sarah Miller is an Account Manager at RecycleSmart Solutions where she helps customers maximize cost reduction, increase waste diversion, and streamline daily operations. She has a Bachelor of Commerce and a Masters of Resource and Environmental Management in which she focused her research on solid waste diversion. Sarah is passionate about environmental sustainability and believes that responsible waste management is critical for the health of the planet. She has significantly limited her contributions to the landfill and is dedicated to helping others achieve the same.
Sarah Miller is an Account Manager at RecycleSmart Solutions where she helps customers maximize cost reduction, increase waste diversion, and streamline daily operations. She has a Bachelor of Commerce and a Masters of Resource and Environmental Management in which she focused her research on solid waste diversion. Sarah is passionate about environmental sustainability and believes that responsible waste management is critical for the health of the planet. She has significantly limited her contributions to the landfill and is dedicated to helping others achieve the same.

Gary Rodricks, TELUS
Gary recently retired as a Sergeant from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police after 25 years. He was part of a multi-disciplinary group which spear headed the forming of the current provincial Metal Recycler Act. Due to his work Gary was the recipient of the Arnold Silzer Community Policing Initiative Award: To recognize outstanding community policing and problem-solving initiatives which, through the cooperative effort of individuals or groups, reduced or eliminated a problem, thus impacting positively on the safety and well-being of the community. Presently Gary has the Cable Theft portfolio for TELUS in British Columbia and has come up with many innovative solution for the cable theft problem.
Gary recently retired as a Sergeant from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police after 25 years. He was part of a multi-disciplinary group which spear headed the forming of the current provincial Metal Recycler Act. Due to his work Gary was the recipient of the Arnold Silzer Community Policing Initiative Award: To recognize outstanding community policing and problem-solving initiatives which, through the cooperative effort of individuals or groups, reduced or eliminated a problem, thus impacting positively on the safety and well-being of the community. Presently Gary has the Cable Theft portfolio for TELUS in British Columbia and has come up with many innovative solution for the cable theft problem.

Christina Seidel, Recycling Council of Alberta
Christina holds a PhD in Engineering Management, a Masters degree in Environmental Design (Environmental Science), as well as a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering. She operates Sonnevera International Corp., a waste reduction consulting firm, and is the current Executive Director of the Recycling Council of Alberta. Christina loves rural life, choosing to live on a farm near Bluffton, Alberta, where her and her family raise Warmblood horses, and enjoy many other outdoor activities.
Christina holds a PhD in Engineering Management, a Masters degree in Environmental Design (Environmental Science), as well as a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering. She operates Sonnevera International Corp., a waste reduction consulting firm, and is the current Executive Director of the Recycling Council of Alberta. Christina loves rural life, choosing to live on a farm near Bluffton, Alberta, where her and her family raise Warmblood horses, and enjoy many other outdoor activities.

Cynthia Shanks, Keurig Canada
Cynthia Shanks joined the Keurig Dr Pepper Canada team in 2012 and now acts as the Director of Communications and Sustainability. In her current role, she leads all corporate communications campaigns, brand public relations, as well as sustainability programs and partnerships. Over the past few years, she has worked closely with the recycling industry for the development and launch of recyclable K-Cup® pods. She believes that brand owners have an important role to play in fostering innovation and environmental stewardship in order to develop a Canadian circular economy. She also advocates for responsible coffee sourcing practices, and local community support through various programs and employee volunteering.
Cynthia Shanks joined the Keurig Dr Pepper Canada team in 2012 and now acts as the Director of Communications and Sustainability. In her current role, she leads all corporate communications campaigns, brand public relations, as well as sustainability programs and partnerships. Over the past few years, she has worked closely with the recycling industry for the development and launch of recyclable K-Cup® pods. She believes that brand owners have an important role to play in fostering innovation and environmental stewardship in order to develop a Canadian circular economy. She also advocates for responsible coffee sourcing practices, and local community support through various programs and employee volunteering.

Kim Timmer, Cleanfarms Canada
Kim Timmer manages stakeholder relations at Cleanfarms, an organization known for its farmer-focused recycling and waste management programs. Agricultural plastics recycling first caught Kim’s attention in 2010 and she’s had a front seat to this file ever since. Kim and the team at Cleanfarms are often called upon to provide their expertise as more and more municipalities and farmers explore sustainable options for recycling essential tools like silage bags, twine and other ag plastics.
Kim Timmer manages stakeholder relations at Cleanfarms, an organization known for its farmer-focused recycling and waste management programs. Agricultural plastics recycling first caught Kim’s attention in 2010 and she’s had a front seat to this file ever since. Kim and the team at Cleanfarms are often called upon to provide their expertise as more and more municipalities and farmers explore sustainable options for recycling essential tools like silage bags, twine and other ag plastics.

Emily Willobee, District of West Vancouver
Emily has worked for the District of West Vancouver since 2011 and has been involved in developing and implementing a wide variety of waste reduction initiatives. Her solid waste and recycling projects include the launch of West Vancouver’s Green Can organics program, the transition to bi-weekly garbage collection, the expansion of civic building recycling initiatives and now growth of West Vancouver’s streetside recycling collection programs. As a communications and public policy specialist, she plays a key role in researching and identifying a path forward in response to complex policy problems in the field of sustainability at the local government level, and in communicating change proactively to a wide variety of audiences.
Emily has worked for the District of West Vancouver since 2011 and has been involved in developing and implementing a wide variety of waste reduction initiatives. Her solid waste and recycling projects include the launch of West Vancouver’s Green Can organics program, the transition to bi-weekly garbage collection, the expansion of civic building recycling initiatives and now growth of West Vancouver’s streetside recycling collection programs. As a communications and public policy specialist, she plays a key role in researching and identifying a path forward in response to complex policy problems in the field of sustainability at the local government level, and in communicating change proactively to a wide variety of audiences.