Year: 2025

Mark Anson

Originally from northern B.C., Mark is trained as both a builder and an architect. His passion is developing and exploring innovative uses for wood. His commitment is to showcase wood as a structural composite material, engineered to precise design specifications, but also as an environmentally responsible material that is both… Read more

Dave Butler

Dave Butler has worked in sustainability and adventure tourism for nearly 30 years. Now the Strategic Advocacy Coordinator for HeliCat Canada (the trade association for helicopter and snowcat skiing operators in Western Canada), Dave recently retired as Vice-President, Sustainability for CMH Heliskiing and Summer Adventures. He is also a published… Read more

Carmen Yulín Cruz

Carmen Yulín Cruz is the author of El Poder está en la Calle and a passionate advocate for justice and equality. She studied political science at Boston University and earned a master’s degree in public policy from Carnegie Mellon University. Cruz began her career in human resources before returning to Puerto Rico… Read more

Dr. Aaron Tkaczynski

Dr Aaron Tkaczynski is a Senior Lecturer in both tourism and events with an emphasis on destination marketing in the School of Business in the Faculty of Business, Economics & Law. He has been employed at the University of Queensland in a research capacity since 2009. Aaron’s research expertise and… Read more

Dr. Michael Pidwirny

Michael is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographic Science at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus. Michael’s research at the University of British Columbia is focused on two themes related to human-caused climate change. The first theme studies how human-caused climate change alters winter… Read more

Lexa Bergen

Lexa Bergen is a Disability Activist and Advocate, trained Coach, and Photographer. With over 20 years of personal advocacy in chronic health and disability, she draws from her lived experience with disability and as a parent to a person with disabilities. Lexa is dedicated to identifying and removing barriers to… Read more

Nina Boys

Nina is a sustainable tourism leader with extensive experience in destination stewardship, community engagement, and sustainable hospitality. She oversees all criteria and on-site inspections for Beyond Green, a global portfolio of resorts, hotels and lodges that are ‘walking the walk’ of sustainability leadership across local Nature, Culture and Community. Nina… Read more

Paul Shorthouse

Paul is one of Canada’s leading experts in the emerging circular economy, providing solutions and engaging leaders who are working at the intersection of business innovation, public policy, economic development, and sustainability. For over a decade, this work has placed him at the forefront of the important transition that is… Read more

Robert Ezelle

Robert Ezelle serves as Director of the Washington Military Department’s Emergency Management Division (EMD), which is responsible for leading and coordinating mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery activities to minimize the impact of disasters and emergencies on the people, property, environment and economy of Washington State. During his tenure, the State… Read more

Paul Stewart

Paul is the Head Chef of the Victoria Cool Aid Society whose culinary career was inspired by his late Mother Anita, who was a cookbook author, culinary activist, and recipient of the Order of Canada. A graduate of the Stratford Chefs School and armed with over twenty five years of… Read more