Meet CEP Toronto's Management Team
Kimberly Rafuse | President
Kimberly is passionate about sustainable development, corporate social responsibility, climate change and risk management.
She currently works for a large global reinsurance company and her work focuses on industrial risk control, and she is also involved with a consultancy on climate change and financial institutions. She has worked with industry, non-profits, and in consulting. She returned to Toronto from Calgary in 2015, and was previously a Board Member of Connecting Environmental Professionals (CEP) Calgary.
She has a Bachelor's of Engineering, Chemical/Environment, and a Master's in Environmental Security.
Jessica Obodoechi | Vice President
Jessica is a specialist in environmental planning and management with knowledge of compliance, permits, interpretation of environmental laws and regulations, as well as research, stakeholder engagement, and policy development. who is devoted to promoting communities that are resilient, sustainable, and livable. She is a certified Environmental Professional in-training (EPT) and holds a Master of Science degree in environmental science from UNESCO IHE Delft, Institute for Water Education in the Netherlands.
She is motivated to get involved in sustainability efforts because of her passion and environmental responsibility. She has been participating in training classes, volunteer activities, and online courses related to sustainability and community engagement. In addition to her skills as an environmental planner, she has 5 years of experience in the hospitality and events sector. She contributes her meticulous planning, highly organized coordination, and problem-solving abilities. She also likes to be active and constantly try to help others when she can.
She enjoys learning new things, trying out new healthy recipes, going to events, dancing, going to parks, and playing challenging games like escape game in her free time.
Connect with her on LinkedIn
Snehal Khade| Director, Finance
Snehal has broad-ranging international experience across finance, research and corporate banking with specialization in providing sustainable finance solutions for Government-sponsored entities, renewable energy companies, waste management companies, real estate entities, and key public sector listed companies.
She started her professional journey in investment banking at JP Morgan and later worked at Statistics New Zealand. In her most recent assignment, she served as a Corporate Banking Relationship Manager for Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, one of UAE's largest banks.
Snehal holds a Bachelor’s degree from Mumbai University and has completed her postgraduate studies from Auckland University of Technology. She is currently pursuing the Green Economy program from Ryerson University.
She is passionate about forest and wildlife conservation and is a strong advocate of the adoption of the triple bottom line framework, which integrates financial, social and environmental values.
In her spare time, she enjoys pilates, hiking, kayaking, adventure sports and learning about permaculture.
Isis Lamb | Director, Events
Isis is an environmental sustainability professional, passionate about the impacts of horticulture on the planet and creating an atmosphere to help fight climate change in your own backyard.
She has over a decade of experience in the hospitality and events industry. After graduating at George Brown College in Special Events Management, Isis went on to gain her International Certified Exhibition Manager (CEM) designation, as well as a Digital Event Strategist (DES) certificate. Over the past several years she has specialized in the event management of national associations specifically, executing sponsorship and trade shows programs.
As a lifelong advocate for the environment Isis switched gears in the past year to pursue formal training and education in the Horticulture industry, learning the fundamentals of agriculture, botany and environmental sustainability.
In her spare time, Isis enjoys deepening her practice with yoga, hiking with her dog Atlas and hosting dinner parties.
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Goldie Srivastava | Director, Marketing
Goldie is a multi-award winning, marketing and communications leader with 20+ years of experience across marketing, integrated communications, journalism, brand development, technology, and public affairs. He has spent the majority of his professional career in the marketing and communications domain, first as a journalist, then as a marketing and communication leader for some of the largest Fortune 500 companies and then eventually as a brand owner and marketing leader of a cleantech venture he co-founded. He is passionate about environmental sustainability, social impact and innovation.
He did his Bachelor's Degree in Physics from Mumbai University.
You can connect with him on LinkedIn
Shawna Weisberg | Advisor
Shawna is a passionate social impact professional. She brings this enthusiasm to her role as Executive Director of Ceridian Cares, a charity that bridges the gaps for individuals when public and private support systems are not enough to meet their basic needs. Previously, Shawna managed a corporate grantmaking portfolio with the Community Investment team at CIBC, and spent several years leading a national employee donation campaign for TD Bank, raising over $11 million annually for charities across Canada. She has also managed many Employee Experience and Employee Engagement initiatives.
In her spare time, Shawna has been an artist and illustrator for over 20 years.
Sofia Lau-Alves | Marketing Manager
Sofia is a frontend web developer and sustainability professional who practices environmental stewardship and tackles issues with a systems thinking approach. She is passionate about causes that make a positive impact and better the world. She is fascinated by biophilic design and believes all infrastructure needs to evolve, integrating nature and natural systems & processes to ensure the well-being of humans and heal the planet.
Sofia holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Environment and Resource Studies with a Minor in International Development Studies from the University of Waterloo. She also obtained a Spanish Language Certificate at University. She practiced her Castellano in Ecuador while living there for 4 months participating in community development work. She also completed the Web Development Immersive Bootcamp at Juno College and is looking to collaborate with fellow coders to enhance her skills and find ways to incorporate her passion for sustainable development and wellness.
Sofia likes to solve problems, stay active, and always help others whenever she can. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, bringing her dog Skylar to the dog park, practising Hot Yoga, playing sports, dancing, attending events, learning new skills, experimenting with healthy recipes, playing board games, and completing escape rooms.
Renisa Dsouza | Communications Manager
Renisa is of the belief that sustainability will be the future norm and the quicker the world transitions, the better it will be for global citizens.
Renisa is a marketing and corporate communications professional with over 12 years experience. She has 4+ years experience in sustainability advocacy, communications and promotions.
Her first brush with sustainability was in 2014 when she became a core member of a CSR consultancy team emerged as a result of a national CSR policy launch. She had the opportunity to counsel leading corporates to develop and execute CSR, CSV & ESG strategies and campaigns in alignment with company objectives and regulatory policies. In her recent stint with the Swedish Government, Renisa had the opportunity to promote Sweden as a global sustainability leader among governments, civic organizations, corporates, non-profits, public and media leading to innovative partnerships. She has strategized and executed impactful green transition campaigns on sustainable innovations, urbanism, mobility, accessibility, circular economy, inclusivity, environment protection, food and waste management. She has also planned and executed far-reaching public awareness campaigns on SDGs encouraging them to develop sustainable lifestyles.
On a personal front, Renisa likes to meet people, learn new things, teach yoga, tutor kids and spend time with family, friends.
You are welcome to connect with her on LinkedIn.
Yadi Wang | Marketing Coordinator
Yadi is a Marketing Professional. She has experience in marketing strategy and operation for B2B software and B2C fashion retail business. She is finding a way to apply her passion and business skills to sustainability.
Yadi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and History and a Certificate in Business from Queen’s University. Her care and concern for the environment, all creatures and their future generations’ well-being drive her to engage in sustainability initiatives. She has been taking courses online, taking training programs, and doing voluntary work with organizations in the field.
In her spare time, Yadi enjoys yoga, reading, and exploring vegan recipes.
Aneeka Dogra | Sponsorship Coordinator
Aneeka’s passion for the environment led her to focalize her efforts on the impacts of food waste and animal agriculture on climate change. She operates a food truck that provides affordable, sustainable menu items to not only encourage people to incorporate more plant-based meals into their diet, but to also make a green lifestyle more equitable for everyone while reducing food waste in the city.
Prior to CEP, Aneeka was involved with multiple international development non-profits and charities and served as the Director of the International Health Program at the University of Toronto. With a B. Sc. In Neuroscience, B.A. in Political Science/Psychology, she is a big proponent of interdisciplinary collaboration to solve global problems such as climate change. Aneeka hopes to blend her passion for climate action with her background in community health and international development to emphasize how climate change will impact the most vulnerable populations in our local communities as well as globally.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing volleyball, watching movies, and cooking.
Victoria DePaulo | Event Coordinator
Victoria is an environmental professional in training (EPt) with a passion for environmental management and sustainability. Currently, she works for a metal recycling company in environmental coordination and compliance. She is interested in corporate social responsibility and sustainability initiatives.
Victoria holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Anthropology from McMaster University. In addition, she completed a graduate certificate program from Niagara College in Environmental Management and Assessment. Her love of science and the environment pushed her to get further involved with environmental initiatives in her area, including volunteering with EcoFair, the Hamilton Conservation Authority, and Project Neutral. Victoria hopes to one day get more involved with climate action and sustainability initiatives on a full time basis.
In her free time, she enjoys playing video games, crocheting, and spending time with her two cats.
Connect with her on LinkedIn
Meaghan Hope | Corporate Secretary
Meaghan has always been passionate about the environment, especially in the areas of animal welfare, food systems & waste, and renewable energy. She holds a degree in Environmental Studies, with a Post-Graduate Certificate in International Development. She has extensive experience working in environmental initiatives, including running events for her university program's community and helping run a Green Party campaign. Having worked in youth education and career counseling, she works full-time as an admissions coordinator for a tech-training school and hopes to integrate data, technology, and sustainability into her future career.
In her spare time, she enjoys being involved in animal rescue, playing guitar, and cooking new types of food.
Feel free to connect with her on LinkedIn