Circular Economy

Registration begins at 5:30pm and ends at 6:00pm. Please plan to be seated by 6:00pm. 

Our previous events were sold out so buying tickets in advance is strongly recommended. 

 

This panel event will explore how organizations in the private and public sectors are working to implement circular economy innovations and best practices in their supply chain.

 

96% of CEOs agree the circular economy is key to future success, yet only 18% are currently changing their business models.

 

While there are challenges to implementing circular economy principles, they can be resolved using innovative thinking.

 

The world's population is growing and with it the demand for raw materials. However, the supply of crucial raw materials is limited. Finite supplies also mean Canada is also dependent on other countries for their raw materials, not to mention the significant impact extracting and using raw materials have on the environment.

 

Moving towards a more circular economy could deliver benefits such as reducing pressure on the environment, improving the security of the supply of raw materials, increasing competitiveness, stimulating innovation, boosting economic growth, and creating jobs.

 

This panel event will look at how organizations are harnessing supply chain innovations and sustainability best practices to develop a circular model for their business. Learn about what challenges they faced, what approach they took and what they are doing currently to move the needle in their respective industries.

 

 

Schedule

5:30 - 6:00pm: Registration

6:00 - 7:30pm: Introduction & Panel discussion

7:30 - 8:00pm: Q&A

8:00 - 9:00pm: Networking 

 

Light refreshments will be provided.  

 

Panelists: 

Frances Edmonds BSc.(Hons), Dip. H&S, CRSP, Head of Sustainable Impact, HP Canada

In her role as head of Sustainable Impact, Frances Edmonds is responsible for overseeing HP’s full suite of corporate social responsibility programs including strategic partnerships with key nonprofit organizations and an industry-leading volunteer program. Under Frances’s leadership, HP became the most sustainable technology company in Canada in 2018.

 

Frances works closely with HP’s many partners to drive sustainable practices across HP’s business and throughout Canada. From being a founder of WWF’s Living Planet @ Work and Living Planet @ Campus programs to her TEDx talk demonstrating the power of collaboration, Frances seeks new and innovative ways to leverage the power of HP to create meaningful change across Canada.

 

Frances also has a passion for environmental education developing and implementing global environmental education and volunteer programs for HP. She is frequently featured in the news as an expert resource for media on sustainable impact.

 

Frances received her second Clean 50 award in 2017 recognizing her as one of Canada’s top sustainability professionals. She sits on the boards of Learning for a Sustainable Future and the Schulich Centre for Responsible Business advisory council.  

 

Frances started her career with the UK Government as an enforcer of environmental health and safety requirements followed by her role as manager of environmental health and safety in Canada’s chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Frances has a degree in Environmental science from Bradford University (UK), a post-graduate diploma in Occupational Health and Safety and is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP).

 

Melissa Mirowski, Head of Sustainability, IKEA Canada 

Melissa is the Country Sustainability Manager for IKEA Canada. She has over 12 years of experience leading change towards sustainability in diverse roles in private, non-profit, and public sectors with a range of experience that includes corporate social responsibility, academia, natural resource management, renewable energy development, and social finance.  Melissa works to support the integration of sustainability across the Canadian retail organization by partnering with various internal and external stakeholders and leading forward-looking initiatives to position IKEA for success in a rapidly changing world; ensuring that the Ingka People & Planet Strategy comes to life in the market. 

Crystal Howe, Head of Sustainability, Ice River Springs 

With a background in organic farming and a passion for business with a purpose, Crystal drives sustainability best practices within the organization, the community and with our supplier and customer partners. She has championed many initiatives in areas of zero waste to landfill, energy reduction and manufacturing efficiencies to minimize the environmental impact and maximize the effectiveness of our business. Crystal also collaborates with various government and non-government groups to promote positive action for the health of our planet.

Nadine Gudz, Vice President, Academy for Sustainable Innovation 

A seasoned sustainability leader and Clean50 honouree, Nadine led corporate sustainability strategy, partnership development and employee engagement initiatives for sustainable business pioneer, Interface Inc. for more than ten years. Currently completing her Ph.D. in sustainability education and organizational change, she’s Faculty for the Graduate Certificate program in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability at St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto. Nadine is a LEED accredited professional who has served on the Boards of the National Zero Waste Council, US Green Building Council Education Advisory Committee and Canadian Business for Social Responsibility. She brings subject matter expertise on sustainability education, circular economy, biomimicry, corporate sustainability/climate strategy and speaks regularly on related topics. 

Moderator: 

Tessa Vlaanderen, Manager, Program and Planning, Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority 

Tessa Vlaanderen is Manager, Programs, and Planning at the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA). RPRA was created in 2016 by the Government of Ontario to support the transition to a circular economy and a waste-free Ontario. Tessa oversees waste diversion programs and their transition from a collective to an individual extended producer responsibility legal framework. Her focus is on the Blue Box Program (printed paper and packaging) and the WEEE Program (waste electrical and electronic equipment).

Prior to working for RPRA, Tessa was based in New York City where she founded a circular economy consultancy and an advocacy network. Earlier in her career, she worked in The Netherlands on resource optimization and recovery in both the public and private sectors. Roles included program manager for the Circularity Center, a non-profit accelerating circular business innovations; product developer for a new recyclable concrete material with Shell Global Commercial; and energy efficiency & water quality analyst for Europe’s largest oil refinery.

 

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Event presented by Connecting Environmental Professionals Toronto.