Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of LSF is made up key stakeholders representing various aspects of Canadian society, including private and public sectors, education communities, environmental organizations, and the scientific communities across Canada.
Chair
Dr. Bob Bernhardt
Former President & CEO
Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine
- Oakville, Ontario
Read Dr. Bernhardt's Bio
Bob Bernhardt, BSc, MEd, LLM, PhD, has a broad background encompassing post-secondary education, international education, administrative law and medical education. Bob was President of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) from 2004-2022. Dr. Bernhardt’s previous roles in a variety of educational institutions have included faculty, dean, director of planning, director of strategic planning, vice-president and that wonderful title of the 90s, “corporate change leader”. He has also served as director of education for the Law Society of Upper Canada, where he was responsible for Ontario’s bar admission process, continuing legal education and lawyer specialist certification. Dr. Bernhardt has an academic background spanning science, information systems, education, administrative law and leadership in higher education. He has led the creation of new post-secondary education departments overseas, consulted on teacher education programs in the Middle East, and served as the president of the international Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC).
Vice Chair
Mr. Alex Ikejiani
Lawyer
Department of Justice Canada
- Ottawa, Ontario
Read Mr. Ikejiani's Bio
Alex Ikejiani is a Certified Specialist in Environmental Law by Law Society of Upper Canada and works for the Department of Justice Canada in Ottawa. The primary focus of his work has been in the areas of environmental law, regulatory prosecution, oceans and resource management law. In the course of his work, Mr. Ikejiani also works closely with the other government departments to enforce compliance of federal environmental laws. Mr. Ikejiani has been the lead counsel on a number of federal regulatory initiatives, including the drafting of eight federal regulations designating Marine Protected Areas under the Oceans Act which protect and conserve vast portions of Canada’s oceans. Mr. Ikejiani has been a sessional lecturer at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law, since 2003 and has also lectured with the Institute of the Environment, Faculty of Science. He was appointed as an Adjunct Professor of Environmental Law and Policy with the Civil Law Program at the Law Faculty of the University of Ottawa. He is also the co-instructor for the Willms & Shier Environmental Moot Court at the University of Ottawa. Mr. Ikejiani is a practicing member of the Ontario Law Society, Nova Scotia Bar Society (non-practicing), and Nunavut Law Society (non-practicing).
Vice Chair
Ms. Frances Edmonds
Head of Sustainable Impact
HP Canada
- Mississauga, Ontario
Read Ms. Edmonds' Bio
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. With Frances’s leadership HP is able to state that HP Canada is the most environmentally responsible IT Company in Canada.
A strong believer in environmental education, Frances has established programs to provide a wide range of environmental education opportunities for Canadians, from kindergarten to companies that are not even HP’s customers.
More recently Frances has turned her attention to community engagement: having managed HP’s global team she now works to develop and implement global environmental education and volunteer programs for HP.
Ms. Janet Bobechko
Partner, Certified Specialist Environmental Law
WeirFoulds LLP
- Toronto, Ontario
Read Ms. Bobechko's Bio
Janet Bobechko is a Certified Specialist in Environmental Law and a nationally recognized senior practitioner with extensive experience in all aspects of environmental law. Janet’s environmental law practice is focused on climate change and sustainability, Environment Social Governance (ESG), regulatory compliance and approvals, real estate and brownfield development, and environmental dispute resolution. She co-chairs the Climate Change Committee for the Ontario Environment Industry Association and is an external advisor to Ryerson University Institute for the Study of Corporate Social Responsibility.
Ms. Carolee Buckler
Ministry of Agriculture
Manitoba
- winnipeg, manitoba
Read Ms. Buckler's Bio
Carolee Buckler is currently with the Ministry of Agriculture in Manitoba. She was formerly the Manager of Strategic Initiatives and Engagement Unit for the Planning and Transformation Division in the Department of Education. She managed the coordination of department-wide strategic planning and initiatives, engagement, and delivery of central government priorities with the support of a small group of professional staff. Prior to this role, Carolee held several positions in the department including, Manager of Strategic Planning and Intergovernmental Affairs, Senior Advisor to the Deputy Minister, and Education for Sustainable Development Coordinator. She has also served in and/or consulted for international organizations, educational institutions and in the non-profit sector, leading capacity building projects, knowledge management, research, planning, and monitoring and evaluation initiatives. Carolee is also a member of the University of Saskatchewan’s Monitoring and Evaluation of Climate Change Education Project. She holds an MA in International Development Studies and BA in Political Science and International Relations (Hons).
Ms. Shirley Chan, OBC
Order of British Colombia
- Vancouver, British Columbia
Read Ms. Chan's Bio
Shirley Chan retired in 2012 from her position as CEO of the non-profit economic development agency in Canada’s poorest postal code. Previously she was Director of Sustainable Development and Regional Director General of Health Canada, Director of Non-market Housing for Vancouver, Chief of Staff for Vancouver Mayor and various Federal Public Service positions. In the 60s and 70s, Shirley helped organize her neighbourhood to found a community association that stopped demolition of Strathcona and Chinatown; putting an end to the proposed freeway system in Vancouver. Shirley held leadership roles with boards of UBC, BC Hydro, Vancity Credit Union, Citizen’s Bank, Dr, Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and Learning for a Sustainable Future. She received an Honourary Doctorate (UBC); Outstanding Alumni Award (SFU); YWCA Woman of Distinction Award and Queen’s Jubilee Medal. She has a BA, SFU; MES, York.
Mr. Paul Cuthbert
Cuthbert Consulting
- Gimli, Manitoba
Read Mr. Cuthbert's Bio
Paul has had the privilege to experience a wide range of portfolios in his career. These include teacher, science, technology and distance learning consultant with Manitoba Education and Training, Curriculum Coordinator, Administrator and Superintendent/CEO. Since his retirement from Evergreen School Division in Manitoba, Paul has formed a consulting company, Cuthbert Consulting and provides services for school divisions and other organizations in the area of governance, policy, planning and leadership development. He is also currently serving as the Mentor for the Manitoba Association of School Superintendents. Paul served on the EdCan(CEA) Advisory Council, the Manitoba Education for Sustainable Development Leadership Council, Green Manitoba and the Education Research Development Institute (ERDI) until his retirement. He is a former Western Canadian project lead for the New Pedagogies for Deep Learning research project is a former president of the Manitoba Association of School Superintendents. Paul is currently the Chair of the Board of Noventis Credit Union and recently achieved Certified Credit Union Director certification at the Rotman School of Management.
Mr. Doug Dokis
Indigenous Educator
- North Bay, Ontario
Read Mr. Dokis' Bio
Doug Dokis is a member of the Dokis Anishinabek Nation in northern Ontario. Doug has over 30 years’ working for, and advocating on behalf of Indigenous peoples in numerous private and public sector roles. His primary focus has been on systemic change through developing and advancing programming in support of improving Indigenous educational outcomes. Doug believes strongly that Indigenous peoples knowledge has much to offer Canadian society. It is through this belief that he has worked towards greater cross-cultural understanding that draws from the best of the two knowledge systems. Working within the education system for the past 25 years as a teacher, Administrator, Cultural advisor and in program and curriculum development, Doug has worked with many strategic partners at the national level to bring about systemic change. For the past 11 years, he has been the Director, and more recently become the Advisor for the National InSTEM (Indigenous youth in STEM) program at Actua, a national charitable organization delivering STEM education to over 35,000 Indigenous youth annually.
Ms. Brenda Green
Senior Advisor, Partnerships and Development First Nations University of Canada
- Ile-a-la-cross, Saskatchewan
Read Ms. Green's Bio
Brenda Green has been the CEO/Director of Education for Ile-a-la-Crosse School Division in Saskatchewan since 2019. Her previous roles included: Vice President of Education for Indspire, an Indigenous-led registered charity that invests in the education of Indigenous people for the long term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada; Superintendent of Education, Saskatoon Public School Division; Advisor on First Nations and Metis Education to Deputy Minister’s Office, Saskatchewan Ministry of Education; and Provincial Superintendent, Ministry of Education Ministry of Education, responsible for inititiatives pertaining to FIrst Nations and Metis education. Branda graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with undergraduate degree and Masters in Education including a Masters Certificate in Project Management through Edwards School of Business and York University.
Ms. Sheila Innes
Retired Sustainability Professional
- Calgary, Alberta
Read Ms. Innes' Bio
Sheila Innes, a recent retiree, is currently engaged in volunteer activities following a career in the energy industry. Throughout her career she utilized knowledge from her Certified Public Accounting Designation and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Design to comprehensively assess economic, social and environmental aspects of developments. She also has extensive experience in Indigenous Relations, community consultation and strategic issues management.
Sheila enjoys looking to the future and working with organizations to foster change to improve environmental and social conditions. She is now excited to share her experience with Learning for a Sustainable Future and Solar Alberta through Board appointments given the vital role that education and alternative forms play in the country’s energy transition.
Dr. Marilyn Lambert-Drache
Associate Professor
Chair of Department of French Studies
- Toronto, Ontario
Read Dr. Lambert-Drache's Bio
Dr. Marilyn Lambert-Drache is the Associate Professor, Chair of Department of French Studies. She was formerly the Associate Vice-President International at York University from 2012 to 2018. In this capacity, she provided leadership to York International and worked with internal and external partners to advance internationalization at York through exchange agreements, curricular initiatives and research collaborations.
She holds a PhD in applied and theoretical linguistics from the University of Aix-Marseille in France. Her areas of expertise include experimental phonetics, phonology, and language planning in French-speaking countries. In the last few years, her research has also focused on aspects of the internationalization of higher education – especially the internationalization of the curriculum and teaching for global citizenship. At York University, Marilyn has served as Vice-Chair and Chair of the Faculty of Arts Council, University Adviser on the Status of Women, Associate Dean Student Relations in the (former) Faculty of Arts, and the director of the Centre for Student Success in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.
Mr. Jean Piette
Lawyer
BCF Business Law
- Québec City, Québec
Read Mr. Piette's Bio
Jean is a lawyer in the field of environmental law having worked for close to 20 years in the public sector and 32 years in the private sector. He designed and drafted the first wave of environmental laws and regulations in Quebec, was one of the main authors of Quebec’s environmental policies and oversaw intergovernmental relations regarding the environment. He currently advises his firm’s lawyers and clients who are dealing with environmental issues and cases, including climate change. He has published several articles and lectured widely on environmental law in Quebec, Canada, the United States, Mexico, France, and Africa. He has had numerous opportunities to teach environmental law at the undergraduate and graduate levels at Université Laval and Université de Sherbrooke.
Mr. Brayden Sonny White
Deputy Director
Haudenosaunee
Environmental Task Force
- Akwesasne Mohawk Territory
Read Mr. Sonny White's Bio
Brayden Sonny White comes from the Shohskoharó:wane/Big Driftwood Family of the Bear Clan of the Kaniehkeha:ka/Mohawk Nation & lives on the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory within the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
Brayden believes in the power of youth voice, and has been a strong youth advocate in various capacities including as a mental health advocate and supporting Indigenous youth pursuing higher education. Brayden has worked for many organizations including on the Akwesasne Youth Council Representative, White House Tribal Nations Conference Presidential Panelist, where he sat on a panel with President of the United States, Barack Obama, Akwesasne Suicide Coalition Member and Gen-I National Native Youth Network Ambassador. Brayden has been named as a recipient of the 2016 CNAY Champion For Change Award and 2016 UNITY “25 Under 25” Award.
Honourary Advisors
Ms. June Alteen
Chair
Strategic Social Plan
Corner Brook, Newfoundland
Mr. Firman Bentley
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
ADAMAC Management Group Inc.
Camlachie, Ontario
Ms. Donna Cansfield
Etobicoke, Ontario
Ms. Carly Welham
Community Based Researcher
Vancouver, British Columbia
Ms. Mary Ferguson
B.C. Hydro
Vancouver, British Columbia
Mr. Charles Hopkins
Chair
UNESCO Reorienting Teacher Education to Address Sustainability
Toronto, Ontario
Dr. Diane F. Malley
President
PDK Projects Inc.
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Mr. Alain Pélissier
Former Secretary Treasurer
Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ)
Montréal, Québec
Mr. Robert Slater
Consultant
Coleman Bright and Associates
Ottawa, Ontario
Mr. Andrew T.B. Stuart
Chairman
Sustainability Shift Inc.
Toronto, Ontario
Mr. Geoff Kereluik
Vice President Sales – Ontario Commercial
Bell Business Markets
Toronto, Ontario
Ms. Yvonne Su
PhD Candidate
University of Guelph
Toronto, Ontario
Dr. Gerald Farthing
Former Deputy Minister
Manitoba Education and Training
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Ms. Giuliana Minardi
Former Managing Director
RBC Capital Markets
Toronto, Ontario
Dr. David Wheeler
Chairman
International Higher Education Group
Sydney, Nova Scotia
Ms. Susan Tanner
Former Director
Canadian Environmental Network
Ottawa, Ontario
Ms. Judy Fantham
Executive Director
Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Remembering
Chair Emeritus, 2017-2022
Ms. Susan Langley
Former Secretary-Treasurer of the Ontario Teachers’ Federation
Canadian Teachers' Federation
- Toronto, ontario
Read Ms. Langley's Bio
Susan Langley was Secretary-Treasurer of the Ontario Teachers’ Federation and before that, Executive Director of the Ontario Curriculum Clearinghouse, and Principal/Vice Principal and teacher for 28 years with the Peel Board.
In her retirement Susan maintained active involvement in the Canadian Education system working for The Learning Partnership as a national manager. Since 2012 Susan has been engaged as a consultant with Directions Evidence and Policy Research Group LLP.
Susan has served on the many boards including the Board of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine and as its Chair. Susan was also Chair of the OISE/UT Advisory Board. She continues to sit on the Board of Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF) and is currently its Vice Chair.
In 2008 Susan received an Honourary Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine for her contributions to the College and the Profession. Susan also received the 2003 Canadian Teachers’ Federation Special Recognition Award for Meritorious Service to Education.
Chair Emeritus, 2006-2017
Dr. David V.J. Bell
Professor Emeritus and Former Dean
Faculty of Environmental Studies
York University
- Toronto, Ontario
Read Dr. Bell's Bio
David Bell, a political scientist by training, was an undergraduate at York University in its earliest years, graduating with his B. A. in 1965. He received his PhD from Harvard University in 1969, and taught at Michigan State University for 2 years before returning to York in 1971 where he served as Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies (1981-87) and Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Studies (1992-1996). He was founding Director of YCAS, the York Centre for Applied Sustainability (1996-2003) which later evolved into the York University Institute for Research and Innovation in Sustainability (IRIS).
David was part of the Canadian delegation to the UNESCO World Conference on ESD in Japan where he served as facilitator for a Workshop entitled “ESD in the post-2015 era: from policy to practice.” In December 2014 a revised version of his paper “Twenty first Century Education: Transformative Education for Sustainability and Responsible Citizenship” was presented for discussion at ACDME (the Association of Canadian Deputy Ministers of Education).
David was the Chair of Learning for a Sustainable Future from 2006-2017. His other roles included: Co-chair of EASO – the Education Alliance for a Sustainable Ontario (http://www.sustainable-ontario.org); and Co-chair of ESD-Canada (www.esdcanada.ca). He served as a member of the National Round Table on Environment and Economy (www.nrtee-trnee.ca) from June 2003 to February 2007. From December 2002 until November 2006, David served as Chair of the Board of Directors of Parc-Downsview-Park Inc. (www.pdp.ca), a federal Crown Corporation whose mandate was to create for the people of Canada an “urban greenspace for the enjoyment of future generations” at former CFB Downsview.
David Bell passed away in January 2017. LSF established the Dr. David V.J. Bell Memorial Fund to continue his legacy of empowering our children to change the world.
Former Board Member
Dr. Garth Pickard
Research Scientist
Institute of Energy, Environment, and Sustainable Communities
University of Regina
- Regina, Saskatchewan
Remembering Dr. Pickard
It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of Dr. Garth Pickard, Professor Emeritus at the University of Regina (Faculty of Education) on November 29, 2020.
While Garth only joined the LSF Board of Directors in 2017, our work with him dated back to 2010 when he was instrumental in helping to facilitate the Sustainability and Education Academy in Saskatchewan. He was a champion of ESD in Saskatchewan, Nationally and internationally, and a huge proponent of LSF. He will be missed!
For details on Garth’s life please click here.
