Our Story

Ruth Bankey

Dr. Bankey is the Chair of the Board of Directors for both the Capacity Building Institute of Canada (CBI) and Sustainable Capacity Solutions. She is also the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Inclusive Innovation Hub (I2Hub), which creates & supports a community of transformation in inclusive innovation practice and research by increasing access, co-creating new knowledge, building networks & collaborating to rethink what inclusivity means in & for innovation. Her work in these organizations intersect around issues of innovation for the environmental sector. For example the I2Hub's project "Climate Action Now!" - a cross-sector initiative to scale and accelerate climate action through building a community of practice, developing and implementing concrete climate action projects, and paving the path for the systems transitions needed to reduce carbon emissions on a global level.  Her day job is as a Senior Advisor in Business Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence for the Canada Revenue Agency, and will be joining Telfer's school of Management as an Adjunct Professor.

Sophie Lamb

With her 9 years of experience in the non-profit sector, Sophie brings knowledge, enthusiasm, and fresh ideas to the organizations she's with. Sophie completed two undergraduate degrees at Carleton University, a BA in Environmental Studies and a BSc in Environmental Science with a Minor in Biology and Earth Sciences. With a passion for advocacy,  she completed a training course with the UN on Advocacy and Implementation of the SDGs. She currently volunteers with the Ottawa Riverkeepers, and Greening Sacred Spaces Ottawa as Board Chair. She works full-time with Climate Network Lanark as their Sustainable Development Coordinator. She loves all things nature and spends her free time reading, swimming, and walking her dog, Winnie. 

Erhan Gencer

Erhan Gencer is an entrepreneur and high level executive in agriculture, agro-industries, food processing and real estate. He has extensive experience in the production, trade and retail operations. Turn-key business developer; design, project, execution, management and organization.

Cinzia Vaccaro

Cinzia is a Professional Engineer and graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Toronto. She has over 15 years of work experience in the environmental field in both the public and private sector.  She has dedicated her career to specializing in climate change and energy management, where she had implemented many low carbon, resilient and energy efficient solutions.  She is passionate about advocating and providing leadership to promote sustainability.

Justin Quan

 Justin Quan is a Senior Program Engineer (P.Eng.) with the Oil, Gas & Alternative Energy Division of Environment & Climate Change Canada, focusing on energy system decarbonization. He is also the Associate Director of Research & Engineering at Save The Water, an Industry Advisor for the University of Alberta Department of Mechanical Engineering, a Consultant for Students for the Exploration & Development of Space, and a frequent volunteer with the University of Ottawa Faculty of Engineering. Justin graduated from the University of Ottawa with degrees in Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry, and has earned certificates in Business Analytics from Cornell University, Data Analytics from Google, Six Sigma from the University System of Georgia, and Gas and Oil Production Operations from Energy Safety Canada. 

Stefan Klietsch

Stefan Klietsch is completing Master of Arts studies in Political Science at Carleton University, while working in student employment at Public Safety Canada.  In his spare time he is dedicated to political activism, having run a few campaigns for Member of Parliament, presented motions to party plenaries, and otherwise blogging about current events.