Micheline Ayoub

Global Hub Director, Canada Hub; Executive Director, Sustainability in the Digital Age

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Jennifer Garard

Deputy Director, Sustainability in the Digital Age, Canada Hub

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Jennifer Garard is the Research Manager for the Sustainability in the Digital Age initiative, where she coordinates, advances, and oversees all research-related activities, and a Science Officer at Future Earth. Previously, Jennifer was a researcher with the working group Scientific Assessments, Ethics, and Public Policy at the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change in Berlin, Germany, and an intern with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity Health and Biodiversity Cross-Cutting Initiative. She holds a BSc in Environmental Science from McGill University (2008), a Master of Environmental Assessment from Concordia University (2013), and a PhD from the Technische Universität Berlin (“Stakeholder Engagement at the Science-Policy Interface,” 2018).

Nilufar Sabet-Kassouf

Strategic Program Manager, Sustainability in the Digital Age, Canada

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As the Strategic Program Manager for the Sustainability in the Digital Age (SDA) think tank and the Future Earth Canada Hub, Nilu focuses on the organizational management of SDA and Future Earth Canada’s governance and structure, ensuring synergies across its strategic programming, and identifying and implementing processes for collaborative work. She often facilitates engagement and relationship building with and among stakeholders from the earliest stages of project and initiative development, and for convenings and dialogues across disciplinary research boundaries for knowledge synthesis and co-production. She also co-designs/-facilitates the annual Leadership Training workshop within the LEADS program. Nilu holds a BSc in Cell and Molecular Biology from Concordia University and a MSc in Biochemistry from McGill University, which focused on structural studies of antibiotic resistance mechanisms. She has also engaged in collaborative research projects in neuroscience and music at The Centre for Research on Brain, Language and Music. She loves to make music, facilitate movement and yoga sessions, rock climb any chance she gets, and connect as much as possible with the land she belongs to.

Andréa Ventimiglia

Advancements Manager, Sustainability in the Digital Age, Canada Hub

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Andréa currently employs her wide complement of skills in research, analysis, editing and evaluation as Science Editor and Advancement Officer for both Future Earth and Sustainability in the Digital Age. Her approach to writing and fundraising is rooted in her diverse professional experience spanning program evaluation, international development, freelance science writing, and laboratory research. Prior to joining Future Earth, Ms. Ventimiglia worked as a science program evaluator helping to measure and valorize the societal impact of research and research funding. She holds a B.Sc. in Biology from the University of Waterloo, and a Masters in Journalism from Carleton University.

Rachelle Fox

Digital Communications Officer, Canada Hub

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Rachelle Fox joins Future Earth and Sustainability in the Digital Age as the Digital Content and Communications Officer. She holds a B.A. in Journalism and Études françaises and an M.A. in Littératures francophones et résonances médiatiques from Concordia University. Her master’s research-creation project explored the intersection of theatre and social media with a specific focus on the ways people communicate and behave in digital spaces. She’s passionate about technology, sustainability, and storytelling. Rachelle is also an artist and avid snowshoer.

Nilushi Kumarasinghe

Project Manager, Sustainability in the Digital Age initiative, Canada

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Nilushi joins Future Earth as a Project Manager for the Reimagining Climate Governance Project under the Sustainability in the Digital Age Initiative. She holds a BSc in Environmental Sciences from the University of Southampton (United Kingdom) and a MSc in Environment and Resource Management from VU University Amsterdam (The Netherlands). Nilushi has predominantly worked in the INGO sector with organizations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Wetlands International and different entities within the United Nations system. She has experience coordinating projects, conducting research and disseminating knowledge in the fields of climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainable development and conservation. Prior to this, Nilushi worked as a Sustainability Strategy Consultant developing tools to help strengthen the role of the private sector in sustainable development.

Wendy Kuo

Finance and Human Resources Manager, Canada Hub and Sustainability in the Digital Age

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Wendy Kuo joined Future Earth Canada Global Hub and Sustainability in the Digital Age in 2021 as Project Manager in charge of the National Dialogue Series, successfully delivering seven virtual cross-nation events in collaboration with the Canadian Science Policy Centre with the goal of identifying the role of digital innovations to accelerate Canada’s progress in sustainable development toward the United Nations 2030 Agenda. In the spring of 2022, Wendy was assigned to her current role, responsible for the management of finance and human resources in both organizations. Wendy possesses a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Nutrition from McGill University and over ten years of experience in office management and administration.

Santiago Ramirez Said

Indigenous and Community Engagement Coordinator

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Santiago is a botanist who has dedicated his life to the service of impact and change through creativity, inclusion, and a multidisciplinary mindset. Having lived in Brazil, Colombia, and Canada, Santiago has always felt at home on the entire American continent and, since very young, has devoted his career to the conservation of the continent's natural heritage and the sustainable and equitable development of its societies. Currently, Santiago is joining Future Earth as a Project Manager for the Landscape Analysis project co-designed with Microsoft. Parallel to his work in Future Earth, Santiago is a National Geographic Explorer, working with indigenous communities in Panama to advance cultural and ethnobotanical conservation initiatives while co-creating reforestation projects tightly based on indigenous knowledge. Prior to this, Santiago worked as a Lead Methodologist for the Colombian Ministry of Education, developing interdisciplinary initiatives to prevent Gender-based violence in rural Colombia. He holds a BSc in Biology and Conservation from the University of the Andes (Colombia), a specialization in GIS from the University of California, Davies (United States) and an M.Sc. in Natural Resource Sciences from McGill University (Canada).

Wynona Acco-Barron

Research Assistant, Canada Hub

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Wynona is a research assistant at Future Earth and Sustainability in the Digital Age and a BSc student in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences at Concordia University. She joins the Landscape Analysis team with a focus on bridging the gap of Indigenous and western sciences in the application of Nature-based Solutions and Nature Climate Solutions. She has also aided in the carbon rights project with the Conservation Through Reconciliation Partnership, which seeks to delineate rights and identify opportunities for Indigenous communities in carbon offset projects. In an effort to reconnect with her late grandmother’s Métis heritage, she looks forward to strengthening her connection to the land and advancing sustainable and equitable futures for Indigenous Peoples.

Poonam Maskeri

Research Assistant, Canada Hub

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Poonam has over eight years of cross sectoral experience in environmental research and analysis, specializing in climate adaptation and decarbonization strategies. Her role is to support the DISA and CODES initiatives at SDA and Future Earth, with her broad knowledge to assist in gaining avenues for funding and raising awareness of the role of digital sustainability in achieving net zero targets and driving climate positive change.

Odille Joblin

Program Coordinator (LEADS)

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I am the program coordinator of LEADS. My role here is to make sure the program runs smoothly. I’m always happy to answer questions students may have and to contribute to designing amazing workshops and events for the program. I myself graduated not so long ago, from a Double Master’s of science in Public Policy and Human Development from both Maastricht University and the United Nations University. I’ve always been a thinker and a rethinker. I like to re-imagine the world and to provide solutions to make it more sustainable and equitable. This is why I am really invested in this role of coordinating a university program in sustainability. Aside from that, I advise companies on how they can optimize their positive social and environmental impact. In my free time I enjoy working out and travelling. I also volunteer for McGill track as a coach or video-maker. Before moving to Montreal, I was working for the European Innovation Council, in Brussels, my hometown. The quest for renewal and personal growth led me to undertake this new journey here. So far I’m really loving my experience in Canada and can’t wait for what is coming next!

Camilo Alejo

Postdoctoral Fellow, Canada Hub

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Camilo is interested in understanding the current and potential nature-based solutions emerging from Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities across the American continent. Using spatial analysis and participatory methods, he has worked on issues related to livelihoods, cultural values, forest conservation, and climate change mitigation in Indigenous Lands and Protected Areas. Currently, Camilo is developing a framework to monitor carbon stocks, water, and biodiversity in Canada that leverages diverse knowledge systems and technology. Camilo holds a B.Sc. in Biology from Universidad de Los Andes (Colombia), M.Sc. in Biodiversity Conservation and Use from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Colombia), and a Ph.D. (c) in Biology from McGill University (Canada).

Breanna Byrd

Intern, Canada Hub

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Breanna Master’s student in the Department of Geography, Planning, and Environment at Concordia University. I am interested in hydrogeomorphology. I am part of the Leadership in Environmental and Digital Innovation for Sustainability- LEADS program