#RCBC2019 Speaker Bios
(List regularly updated and subject to change)
Jonathan Arnold, Keynote Speaker, Canada's Ecofiscal Commission
Chloe Dubois, Keynote Speaker, Ocean Legacy Foundation
Syvannah Vine, Busch Systems
Emily Willobee, District of West Vancouver
Gary Rodricks, Telus
Kim Timmer, Cleanfarms Canada
Kim 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 grain bags, twine and other ag plastics. Most recently, Kim has been heavily involved in the development of Saskatchewan’s grain bag recycling program, a first for Western Canada.
Kim 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 grain bags, twine and other ag plastics. Most recently, Kim has been heavily involved in the development of Saskatchewan’s grain bag recycling program, a first for Western Canada.
Mark Kurscher, Product Care Recycling
Rosemary Cooper, One Earth
Rosemary is a Senior Associate with One Earth, leading on Share, Reuse, & Repair. She is a planning professional with over 20 years experience advancing sustainability by emphasizing collaboration amongst government, business, & community. One Earth is a Vancouver ‘think and do tank’ creating & imagining sustainable ways of living in cities and around the world. Rosemary co-authored the 2015 Local Governments and the Sharing Economy Roadmap & teaches in BCIT’s Sustainable Business Leadership program. Her Masters at York University explored the integration of economic development & sustainable community planning.
Rosemary is a Senior Associate with One Earth, leading on Share, Reuse, & Repair. She is a planning professional with over 20 years experience advancing sustainability by emphasizing collaboration amongst government, business, & community. One Earth is a Vancouver ‘think and do tank’ creating & imagining sustainable ways of living in cities and around the world. Rosemary co-authored the 2015 Local Governments and the Sharing Economy Roadmap & teaches in BCIT’s Sustainable Business Leadership program. Her Masters at York University explored the integration of economic development & sustainable community planning.
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.
Cynthia Shanks, Keurig Canada
Lyndsey Chauhan, Recycle BC
Allan Langdon, Encorp Pacific
Tracy Casavant, NISP Canada
Jill Doucette, Synergy Sustainability Institute
Randy Kahlon, ABC Recycling
Leanne Koehn, Ridge Meadows Recycling Society
Joe Hruska, Canadian Plastics Industry Association
As Vice President of Sustainability, Joe Hruska leads the development and execution of the Canadian Plastics Industry’s sustainability program, advocacy, and partnership programs to promote solutions that increase the recycling and recovery of plastics at their end-of-life and to promote plastics benefits throughout its entire life cycle. Founder of the consulting firm Hruska & Associates, Joe is recognized for his contributions to public policy on stewardship issues. As Executive Director of OMMRI & Corporations Supporting Recycling in association with industry and government partners, he implemented the UN recognized Blue Box recycling system.
As Vice President of Sustainability, Joe Hruska leads the development and execution of the Canadian Plastics Industry’s sustainability program, advocacy, and partnership programs to promote solutions that increase the recycling and recovery of plastics at their end-of-life and to promote plastics benefits throughout its entire life cycle. Founder of the consulting firm Hruska & Associates, Joe is recognized for his contributions to public policy on stewardship issues. As Executive Director of OMMRI & Corporations Supporting Recycling in association with industry and government partners, he implemented the UN recognized Blue Box recycling system.
Al Boflo, Reclaim Plastics
Bruna Moraes, University of Campinas
Jamie Benton, Fraser Valley Regional District
Vivian De Giovanni, City of Guelph
Tim Corcoran, Molok North America
Oliver Berger, Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society
Oliver Berger has worked as a depot operator and a classroom educator teaching kids about the ins and outs of waste. He has extensive experience running eco-friendly events diverting recyclables and compostables in huge gatherings, setting examples to show how easy it is for people to do the same at home. Oliver operates a small-scale composting facility at a local community garden where anyone can come learn how to compost. He also works with the Cariboo Regional District to train employees on best practices and public communication. Currently he is with the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society to help educate and inspire the public.
Oliver Berger has worked as a depot operator and a classroom educator teaching kids about the ins and outs of waste. He has extensive experience running eco-friendly events diverting recyclables and compostables in huge gatherings, setting examples to show how easy it is for people to do the same at home. Oliver operates a small-scale composting facility at a local community garden where anyone can come learn how to compost. He also works with the Cariboo Regional District to train employees on best practices and public communication. Currently he is with the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society to help educate and inspire the public.
Toni Desrosiers, Abeego
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.
