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Meet the Team
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT & CO-FOUNDER
Manvi is an MSc candidate in Public Health & Health Systems with a research focus on climate-related health risks, a published scientific researcher and a guest lecturer on Environmental Racism and Justice. She was recently an expert reviewer on the Federal government report on climate change & health.
MANVI BHALLA
(She/Her)
DIRECTOR, SECRETARY & CO-FOUNDER
Janaya is a co-founder of Shake Up the Establishment and a member of the Board of Directors. She has her BA in Art History from the University of Guelph. Currently studying to be a teacher, she hopes to bring the same SUTE-inspired passion and energy to the classroom.
JANAYA CAMPBELL
(She/Her)
DR. KOMIL BHALLA
(She/Her)
DIRECTOR & TREASURER
Dr. Komil Bhalla received her dental degree (B.D.S.) in 1997 and completed her Masters in Prosthodontics in 2001, both at GDCH Ahmedabad, in India. She then obtained her D.D.S. degree to practice Dentistry in Canada at the University of Western Ontario, in 2007. Dr. Komil Bhalla has also been certified by the University of Toronto in Moderate Sedation for dental procedures. Together with her husband, the Drs. Bhalla opened their dental offices, MM Family and Sleep Dentistry, in 2007. Over the years, Dr. Bhalla has continued to maintain her deep interest in empowering women and increasing representation of women of colour in leadership. As a business owner, she puts community at the heart of her work and often holds events benefitting the health & wellbeing of children and families.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
CHRISTINA DI CARLO
(She/Her)
Chief Research Officer
Christina is a climate activist passionate about reducing the role that social and cultural determinants play on health outcomes. She obtained her BSc (hons) in Biomedical Sciences and recently her Master of Public Health in 2020. She is currently attending medical school at the university of Ottawa.
Christina is a climate activist passionate about reducing the role that social and cultural detriminates play on health outcomes. She obtained her BSc (hons) in Biomedical Sciences and recently her Master of Public Health in 2020. She is currently attending medical school at the university of Ottawa.
Christina is a climate activist passionate about reducing the role that social and cultural detriminates play on health outcomes. She obtained her BSc (hons) in Biomedical Sciences and recently her Master of Public Health in 2020. She is currently attending medical school at the university of Ottawa.
John is a graduate from the University of Guelph with a BA majoring in Philosophy and minoring in Cinema/Media Studies. He was an active member of Guelph’s arts and philosophy communities, serving as President of the Society of Undergraduate Philosophers.With a passion for graphic design and political engagement, John is proud to play a part in SUTE’s day-to-day operations.
JOHN O'CONNOR
(He/Him)
Chief Operations Officer
Samantha is a community organizer and sustainability professional. She holds a degree in Environmental Governance from the University of Guelph, which gave her the tools to mobilize her community and share knowledge on many of today's most pressing sustainability issues. She currently manages Shake Up the Establishment's Funding and Outreach team.
SAMANTHA CASEY
(She/Her)
Chief Development Officer
RESEARCH DEPARTMENT
SCIENCE
With the guidance and foresight of our Director of Research, Rose, our Science Team works diligently and collaboratively to research and provide factual reports on the ever-changing global climate crisis. Their work supports the development of educational resources and keeps our Learning Centre up to date. Find the team’s recent fact-based articles here.
A graduate of the Master of Environment and Sustainability program at Western, Rose spends her days at an environmental firm working with clients and non-profits to reduce the environmental impact of their projects. She hopes to use her experience to help SUTE continue forward as a crucial contributor in the fight for climate justice!
ROSE DUNCAN
(She/Her)
Director of Research
Hayley is an environmental enthusiast with a BSc (Hons) in Biology from Queen’s University. She is currently an MSc candidate at the University of Guelph where she researches sustainable agriculture practices.
HAYLEY BRACKENRIDGE
(She/Her)
Science Team Manager
Holly is an Acadia University graduate with a BAH in Environmental and Sustainability Studies with Environmental Science. Holly is interested in land management, food systems, sustainable architecture, environmental economics and political ecology.
HOLLY GIACOMODONATO
(She/Her)
Scientific Researcher
ACACIA MARKOV
(She/Her)
Scientific Researcher
Acacia has been a proud member of SUTE since 2020.
Isaac graduated from the University of Guelph in 2019 with a BScH in Bio-Medical Science. He is passionate about community-focused approaches to addressing the links between climate change, health, and environmental justice.
ISAAC BELL
(He/Him)
Scientific Researcher
Aidan is a BSc.Env. graduate with a major in Ecology from the University of Guelph and is currently completing a MSc. in Ecology. He is passionate about biodiversity, habitat and species at risk conservation. He also loves turtles.
AIDAN MALONEY
(He/Him)
Scientific Researcher
POLITICS
Director of Research Rose Duncan leads the conscientious change-makers who make up our Politics Team. This active team works tirelessly to keep you updated on all things concerning climate in the Canadian political space. By maintaining a non-partisan stance, their work aims to help keep voters informed while holding politicians accountable for their platforms and actions. Read some of their work here.
Aarisha has a background in Political Science from the University of British Columbia. All throughout her studies in university, she felt there was a disconnect between academia and collective action until she found herself participating in a global seminar in Peru that introduced her to the concept of Rights of Nature-- a concept which would later shape her passion for social and climate justice. Living and learning from the Indigenous Kichwa-Lamista community, that experience not only left an imprint moving forward with her activism but also her way of life on how to hold space. With an interest in decolonizing policies, Aarisha intends to bridge knowledge gaps with on-going education by collectively learning, story-telling and inter-cultural dialogue.
AARISHA ELVI HAIDER
(She/Her)
Politics Team Manager
Lucia is a Ryerson student majoring in Political Science and minoring in Environment and Sustainability studies. She is passionate about social justice and climate issues, and is excited to combine her love of writing and activism on SUTE to hold politicians accountable.
LUCIA FERNANDEZ
(She/Her)
Politics Researcher
Rachel is currently a medical student at the University of Ottawa. She is passionate about the intersection of science and politics and she believes strongly in evidence-based policies. She is also a proud maritimer from Nova Scotia.
RACHEL HOWLETT
(She/Her)
Political Researcher
Anna is a University of Guelph student majoring in Biological Science and minoring in Political Science. She hopes to use her platform to educate others on Canada’s climate policies and hold politicians accountable in the fight for climate justice.
ANNA HUSCHKA
(She/Her)
Political Researcher
Meagan is currently doing her Master of Public Health at the University of Toronto. Her passions lie in improving the health and wellness of underserved communities, as well as environmental activism and social justice.
MEAGAN PARMASSAR
(She/Her)
Political Researcher
COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
Our Media and Design Team is responsible for keeping you up to date and informed on all social platforms. Led by Alena Blanes, this creative group consistently provides accessible, inclusive, and aesthetic content to help disseminate all things climate science.
Check it out on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook! Send them an email here.
Alena is a Media Studies and Public Relations graduate from the University of Guelph-Humber. Originally from BC, she is excited to combine her love of communication and sustainability at SUTE. She is a Master of Science in Sustainability Management candidate at the University of Toronto.
ALENA BLANES
(She/Her)
Creative Design Manager
Mary is an undergraduate student at New York University majoring in pre-medical studies. Outside of school, she is passionate about graphic design, travelling, basketball, food and of course all things environment! She strives to make a change especially concerning environmental racism.
MARY DADA
(She/Her)
Media Designer
Erin is currently studying at King’s College and is pursuing a Double Honours in sustainability and history with a certificate in Indigenous studies. Having grown up in Australia she is aware of the importance of climate justice work and making space for minority voices. In her time outside of SUTE or school work she loves to be creative and get outdoors.
ERIN APPELBE
(She/Her)
Marketing and Communications Officer
Udeshi is a recent graduate from SUNY Geneseo with a BA in Communication - Media and Journalism. She is a passionate photographer and illustrator and eager to gain more knowledge on environmental issues to contribute her skills to SUTE’s journey of advocating for climate literacy.
UDESHI SENEVIRATNE
(She/They)
Media Designer
Mei-Ling is a third-year undergraduate student at Ryerson University majoring in Environment and Urban Sustainability and minoring in French Studies. She plans to pursue a career in environmental law to continue her passion for climate and social justice!
MEI LING PATTERSON
(She/Her)
Marketing and Communications Officer
FUNDING AND OUTREACH DEPARTMENT
Lead by the effervescent Stephanie Rosen, SUTE’s Funding and Outreach team develops and maintains our community partnerships, while ensuring SUTE has the resources necessary to continue our mission. From grant writing and community fundraisers to creating partnerships with multi-national organizations, these women work diligently for us and the climate. You can support their work here.
Stephanie is a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in molecular biology at the University of Guelph. Stephanie’s passions include biology and climate justice. She looks forward to pursuing a master’s in environmental microbiology - a combination of her two passions.
STEPHANIE ROSEN
(She/Her)
Director of Funding & Outreach
Sara graduated from the University of Guelph with a degree in environmental biology. She was born in raised in Trinidad and Tobago where she first developed her love for nature and its people. Through her work at SUTE and with other community organizations, she strives to create a sustainable and equitable future for our shared planet and its people.
SARA LOW
(She/Her)
Outreach Manager
Megan is currently a fourth-year student at the University of Guelph studying Wildlife Biology and Conservation.
MEGAN ALLEN
(She/Her)
Project Manager, Events
Sophia has been a proud member of SUTE since 2020.
SOPHIA BI
(She/Her)
Project Manager, Partnerships
Ceileigh McAllister is a current student in the Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo. She is interested in environmental policy, corporate sustainability, and the study of demographics as a tool to drive social change.
CEILEIGH MCALLISTER
(She/Her)
Project Manager, ALC
STUDENT RESEARCHERS
SUTE was proud to partner with Wilfrid Laurier University and take on approximately 60 students in PSY383: Environment, Psychology and Action. Their work was used to inform and provide foundational background research for SUTE's ongoing projects. While we were not able to publish all work, we were delighted to have engaged with all of the wonderful and hard-working students.