LinkedIn Sustainability Influencers to Follow in 2023
In the escalating urgency of the climate crisis, the demand for guidance and inspiration from leaders at the forefront of sustainability efforts increases. As the flames of wildfires and the fallout from floods serve as a bleak reminder of our environmental challenges, the call for climate action and justice has never been clearer. We also witness of Ontario's ambitious plans to reshape immigration and hiring policies to be more inclusive of international students, newcomers, and women, with many of our community members navigating the shifting landscapes of workforce inclusion. On the professional frontier of LinkedIn, a select group of influencers is dedicated to creating positive change. This pivotal moment marks sustainability as more than a mere buzzword—it's a necessary paradigm shift. Against this backdrop, we proudly present our LinkedIn Sustainability Influencers to Follow for 2023.
This year's selection of trailblazers goes beyond the conventional narratives, reflecting the dynamic intersections of sustainability across various industries. This past summer, we issued a call for sustainability influencers and compiled a list of 30 exceptional leaders in the field who are dedicated to giving back to their communities. Below, you'll find their impressive biographies, along with information on the opportunities they offer, such as coffee chats ☕, mentorship 👥, and career coaching 🏆. You can connect with all these sustainability influencers on LinkedIn by clicking on their names. Best of luck as you navigate the intersections of environmental sustainability, social impact and professional growth!
Ayan is an award-winning advocate who is a Black Somali Muslim woman with a passion for empowering youth and improving education access. She's worked with non-profits, youth initiatives, and government bodies, addressing youth issues. Ayan currently serves in the office of the Honourable Marci Ien, MP and Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth in Canada, where she continues to learn and contribute towards barriers facing youth.
Open to: ☕ 👥
M (Mangla) serves as the CEO and Founder of Sustainable Life, a global platform dedicated to connecting eco-conscious consumers with sustainable businesses. She is also a Business Development Specialist at Kelowna Chamber, where she fosters valuable connections among local businesses specializing in sales. As an Activator at Coralus (formerly SheEO), she actively collaborates on pioneering economic and social models geared towards fostering positive change and sustainability.
Open to: ☕ 👥 🏆 and networking of any kind.
Daniella is the Co-Chair of the Interagency Wildfire Management Task Group at the City of Port Moody and an incoming MSc student at EPFL. She is passionate about climate change adaptation in urban areas. Daniella is interested in understanding climate change science through applied research, connecting science and policy for practical management solutions, and ensuring climate resiliency initiatives are executed in a transparent, inclusive, and equitable manner across stakeholders.
Open to: ☕ 👥 🏆
Celine is a curious and engaged environmental storyteller and organizer. As a published essayist she uses storytelling to explore Black geographies and African storytelling in the pursuit of environmental liberation. Celine is an active member of the youth-led grassroots climate justice movement. She is also a final-year Environmental Studies student at the University of Waterloo and is completing her Senior Honours thesis on (re)collecting Black Storytelling for Environmental Liberation.
Open to: ☕ 👥
Grace Swain, Algoma-based Indigenous advocate, artist, and speaker, amplifies Indigenous voices through media, art, and facilitation. With roots in Swan Lake and Wiikwemkoong First Nation, she's part of the Provincial Indigenous Youth and Family Advisory Council and a ChangemakerXChange facilitator. Additionally, Grace empowers Indigenous women with land-based art programs, removing barriers for artists and reviving cultural connections through traditional teachings.
Open to: ☕ 👥 🏆
Simrat has experience in production of low carbon and green hydrogen and ammonia projects across the world. He is supporting client’s sustainability objectives through various climate change and decarbonization engagements including the compilation of GHG inventories and LCAs. He has worked in the fertilizer industry and has practical experience in the process control, emission reduction and process improvement and worked on projects based on hydrogen from biogas and green steel.
Open to: ☕ 👥
Jennifer is a UBC graduate with a BSc in Forest Sciences, passionate about combating climate change and biodiversity loss. With her government agency experience, she now works as a Policy Analyst for the Canadian Forest Service, focusing on international forest policy and bioeconomy initiatives. Jennifer is also a Global Ambassador with Youth4Nature and was a youth delegate at COP26 and COP27.
Open to: ☕ 👥
Aalekhya is a motivated sustainability analyst at AET Group experienced in greenhouse gas quantifications/verifications and organizational carbon reduction strategies. She's action oriented, having implemented solutions towards climate action, volunteered with non-profits and collaborated with young professionals in conferences and case-competitions. She has mentored students and young professionals looking to transition to the sustainability space at Voiz Academy. She’s passionate about contributing to the climate space from diverse lived experiences.
Open to: ☕ 👥
Miranda and Jill are the co-founders of SustainablyManaged. Miranda creates most of the video content and her background in environmental sciences provides a well-rounded understanding of the planet, which helps bring science and activism together. Jill creates most of the graphics for Instagram and has designed the organization’s logo, color scheme, and vibe. Her background in academic research helps to create informative and easy-to-digest designs that tell a story.
Open to: ☕ & resume reviews
Jordan is a Sustainability Consultant at Arup where he develops decarbonization plans for infrastructure and buildings by lending from his engineering training. He co-founded ReImagine17, a non-profit that publishes resources, facilitates workshops, and leads programs that empower youth to critically think and act on sustainable development. He has spoken at the United Nations in New York, built solar projects in Tanzania, and worked with the University of Waterloo Sustainability Office.
Open to: 👥 🏆
Sayano is a first generation settler on the stolen territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ Nations. She runs climate action programs for youth at CityHive–a by-youth-for-youth non-profit organization in Metro Vancouver. Sayano is keen on learning how BIPOC youth are represented in the climate movements, and recentering the narratives to decolonize the efforts to combat the climate crisis and the systems that continue to oppress equity deserving groups.
Open to: ☕
Tesicca is an award-winning community engagement innovator and a serial changemaker. She co-founded CityHive, a non-profit on a mission to transform the way young people shape their cities. She also co-created the VSB Sustainability Conference, and kick-started the Vancouver Youth4Tap Coalition, a campaign that led to the installation of new water fountains in every public high school in Vancouver. She works as the Program Manager at Environment Funders Canada.
Open to: ☕ 👥
Ryan is a Planning Technician and has a background in both geomorphology and environmental planning. He is passionate about sustainable land use policy and development in the GTA, especially in response to the present and predicted future impacts of climate change on communities and the environment. He has also mentored graduating university students on how to enter the environmental sector.
Open to: ☕ 👥
Karley is an Environmental Project Specialist at Brampton, championing the implementation of Brampton's Environmental Master Plan. Her expertise spans land use planning, climate change, and natural heritage. She also has experience in community and Indigenous engagement. With a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management and Assessment from Niagara College, Karley is now on the Board of Directors of Land Care Niagara.
Open to: ☕ 👥
Ryann is an advocate and high school student from Toronto. She is passionate about the connection between the environment and animal agriculture, and seeks to highlight this through speaking engagements. She is also a Research Assistant, and enjoys exploring the role of youth engagement in the climate space. Ryann is a member of the ProVeg UN Youth Board and was a delegate at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15).
Open to: ☕ 👥
Mirha is a climate activist and UofT graduate working at The Atmospheric Fund, where she supports climate policy and clean energy solutions in the GTHA. Mirha has engaged in climate action across private and non-profit sectors; in a prior role she led an initiative to expand recycling access across Texas. Studying abroad in Puerto Rico, Mirha contributed to research on extractivist industries, and aspires to explore global environmental justice further.
Open to: ☕ 👥
Steven is a seasoned expert in the emerging field of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR), driven by a profound passion for reversing climate change, cultivated through his background in renewable energy. With an impressive skill set encompassing technical renewable energy system design, sales, business development, and management, he remains dedicated to continuous learning, personal growth, and harnessing his expertise for the betterment of the environment.
Open to: ☕ 👥 🏆
Annabelle's experience includes launching a university campus-wide capacity-building program for student groups to enhance their environmental and social impact, managing sustainability projects for Western Canada’s largest student union, and researching private and public sector collaboration towards net-zero. She is excited to attend COP28 as a youth delegate, passionate about supporting eco-conscious initiatives that promote inclusive community wealth building, and hopes to work at the intersection of climate action and finance.
Open to: ☕ 👥 🏆
Juliana, a Higher Education Program Manager at Beyond Benign, earned her Ph.D. at Memorial University of Newfoundland, specializing in sustainable materials from wood waste. She also contributed to the Global Conversation on Sustainability project by IYCN and IUPAC, as well as the Governance Task Force of the CIC. Juliana was recognized as a CAS Future Leader in 2020 due to her experience.
Open to: 👥
Asma is a Biomimicry and Biophilic consultant with extensive biomimicry design and international research experience, and is dedicated to sustainable problem-solving. Today, with a background in Sustainable Design and a master's in Biomimetic Environmental Design, she specializes in redesigning built environments with inspiration from nature, focusing on sustainability and efficiency. Asma is committed to making the planet a better place through her expertise in sustainable design and creative problem-solving.
Open to: ☕ 👥
Abiran is the Vice President at VxV Solutions, a leading lighting controls and building technology agency. He contributes significantly to the industry by serving as an Executive Member of the CAGBC's EGP Team, and as a Career Guide with Efficiency Canada. Abiran's roles align with his mission to promote creative design and prioritize energy efficiency of green buildings across Canada.
Open to: ☕ 👥 🏆
Divija is a sustainability specialist with a focus on systems transformation and just transitions. With 5+ years of experience, she excels in intersectional, decolonial, and adaptive project management, strategy development, and community engagement. Her expertise spans the public, private, and academic sectors in Canada. She is skilled in project management, qualitative research, and communication, leadership, planning, and innovative problem-solving abilities.
Open to: ☕ 👥 🏆
Aya is a junior engineer at Hatch's Climate Change practice, holding a Master's in Advanced Water Technologies and a Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering. She has experience working with global mining and metals, energy, and infrastructure clients. Aya specializes in process engineering, carbon accounting, decarbonization technology evaluation, and decarbonization roadmap development. Aya aspires to continue making a meaningful impact, helping industries transition towards a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future.
Open to: ☕ 👥
Julie leads a climate finance program at Environmental Defence Canada, focusing on shaping financial policy for climate action. Her work has gained national and global recognition, including winning First Prize Paper in the Ethics & Trust in Finance Global Prize. Julie is involved in youth and community led environmental organizations and advises foundations on impact investing. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University.
Open to: ☕
Jessica is a senior social researcher and project director with a commitment to advancing Indigenous self-determination. She specializes in Indigenous consultation and engagement for major infrastructure development and has experience conducting Indigenous Knowledge and Land Use Studies. She helps protect Aboriginal and Treaty Rights as they relate to lands, resources, and culture. Jessica holds a master’s degree in Public Issues Anthropology and worked with Shared Value Solutions for 8+ years.
Open to: ☕ 👥 🏆
Isabella recently graduated from UBC, majoring in honours Human Geography and minoring in Geographic Information Systems. She currently works at the City of Vancouver, helping to design and upgrade bike routes around the city and promote active transportation. Isabella has previously held roles as a Sustainability Ambassador at UBC, a Climate Action Mobilizer, chaired the Sustainability Committee at the Global Lounge and as a Communications Assistant for UBC's Sustainability Hub.
Open to: ☕ 👥 🏆
Gursimran, a recent Master of Environmental Sciences graduate, is a climate and sustainability advocate focused on climate literacy and environmental remediation. She is currently a Project Coordinator at Community Climate Council, where she and her team established a digital library highlighting climate change impacts. Experienced in fieldwork, data analysis, and resource development, Gursimran strives to become an environmental professional to preserve and manage the environment.
Open to: ☕ 👥
Christina is a Chemical Engineering student at UBC who is passionate about sustainability and clean energy technology. During her time at UBC, she has joined sustainability-focused initiatives such as the UBC Wastenauts design team, led advocacy projects with the Sustainability Ambassador program, and co-founded UBC's new Student Energy Chapter. She hopes to spend her remaining time at UBC working to expand its sustainability network through education, advocacy, and career development.
Open to: ☕
Sayed is a passionate fourth year student at York University, pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Environmental Studies with a specialization in Sustainable Environmental Management. He looks to make a positive impact, with his excellent communication skills and strong work ethic. Sayed aims to build a career as a sustainability professional, contributing his knowledge and skills to organizations focused on sustainability.
Open to: ☕
