About Us

Zoe Grams is a strategist, entrepreneur and organisation leader who has worked with non-profits, municipal governments, Indigenous Nations and purpose-driven companies across Canada and the US for more than a decade. She is founder of Flux Strategy, a purpose-driven communications agency; founder of Serif, an award-winning literary marketing agency; co-founder of Upstart & Crow, a creative non-profit amplifying storytelling for positive social change; and former Chair/Co-Chair of multiple boards including WISH Drop-In Centre Society and KidSafe. Through this work she has supported federal marine protection legislation, municipal zero waste initiatives, bioregional accelerators, and scalable, regenerative businesses. Born and raised in Scotland, she holds an MA (Hons) in Philosophy from The University of Glasgow and an MSc (Dist) and Excellence Prize in Politics and Communication from the London School of Economics. She lives on the unceded territory of the ƛaʔuukwiiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) Nation, and the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

zoe[at]climatecaucus.ca

Judy (she/her) has a background in policy research, environmental impact assessment and teaching college-level economics. Climate advocacy is her passion. She co-lead the West Kootenay Climate Hub and was a co-founder of BC Climate Alliance. She has been helping coordinate Climate Caucus since our launch whenever she isn’t outside enjoying the mountains. Judy lives on the traditional and unceded territories of the K’o’moks First Nation.

judy[at]climatecaucus.ca

Olivia (she/her) joined the Climate Caucus team as Climate Action Policy Researcher in 2020. She brings her love for the outdoors, passion for municipal politics and dedication to climate justice to the CC team. Olivia completed her undergraduate degree in International Development and her MSc in Environmental Sustainability. During these programs, she was able to complete climate research projects, such as municipal responses to extreme heat and homeless populations and spend time in Vietnam completing her thesis on plastic pollution during a co-op placement.

olivia[at]climatecaucus.ca

Morag (They/them, She/her) joined Climate Caucus as a graduate researcher in 2023 as a part of their MSc program in Environmental Sustainability at the University of Ottawa. Morag is passionate about community-care and grassroots environmental action, having previously coordinated an organic community farm. Prior to starting their MSc, Morag completed their BSS in International Development and embarked on a sabbatical journey, hiking from Mexico to Canada along the Pacific Crest Trail. They are grateful to be able to enjoy the traditional and unceded territories of the Anishinaabe Algonquin people, where they reside, garden, forage, rest and work.

morag[at]climatecaucus.ca

Dr. Dianne Saxe, Toronto’s Councillor for Ward 11 – University-Rosedale, is one of Canada’s most respected environmental energy lawyers, with a deep expertise in practical, sustainable solutions to urban challenges. As City Council’s environmental champion, she is making an impact on a wide range of public policies including housing, parks, congestion, flooring, climate, TTC, Toronto Hydro, and the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Saxe was the last Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, the non-partisan guardian of the Environmental Bill of Rights. She holds Ph.Ds in Law and Environmental Studies, and has received many awards including Clean 50 and the Law Society Medal.

Saxe has worked closely with business and community stakeholders, and sat on publicly traded and non-profit boards. She ran a small business and a government agency, and her writings have been widely published. She hosts two podcasts: Saxe and the City, and Green Economy Heroes.

Saxe has deep local roots. She is often seen cycling around the ward or enjoying local parks with her grandchildren.

Jessica McIlroy is passionate about driving change to realize social and climate justice. With over fifteen years of experience in clean energy and climate action, she is continually looking for and creating opportunities to change policy, behaviour and industry practices. Jessica is currently a Councillor with the City of North Vancouver, and sits on the City of North Vancouver Library Board of Trustees, the North Van Arts Council Board of Directors, the Lonsdale Energy Corporation Board of Directors, the Metro Vancouver Climate Action Committee, the BC Municipal Climate Leadership Council, and is Chair of the City’s Climate and Environment Task Force. Ms. McIlroy has held leadership positions with Climate Reality Project Canada, the BC Sustainable Energy Association, Passive House Canada, Marine Renewables Canada, and the BC Women in Energy Network.

Keren Tang is a public health advocate, community organizer, city builder, and mom. She merges her background in public health, community development, human-centred design, and the social determinants of health, and she is a firm believer in the power of peer-to-peer, neighbour-to-neighbour networks. She has experience working in public, private, and non-profit sectors and has worked with diverse communities and families.

Keren is passionate about using participatory engagement to bring community perspectives to life, and about working with ethnocultural communities in civic engagement and health promotion. Prior to being elected, Keren worked with local government on urban wellness and with the McConnell Foundation and partners across the country on building more participatory ecosystems. A Top 40 Under 40, Keren has also served on the boards of the Edmonton Community Foundation, the North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society, ASSIST Community Services Centre, and the Edmonton Multicultural Coalition. She recognizes that a vibrant business community is a key component of a resilient city, and she is a member of VA Angels, a network of local investors that supports Alberta companies.

Having lived in several cities around the world, Keren has made her home in Edmonton with her husband and young daughter because it is a city where everyday Edmontonians have a voice in shaping its present and future. Keren is honoured to serve as councillor for Ward Karhiio.

Lori Baldwin-Sands has a proven record of representing the residents of the City of St. Thomas with what
matters most. Fiercely devoted to matters of equality, equity, diversity and inclusion in all city organizations, her leadership provides strong direction and representation for all citizens. As newly elected Chair of the Catfish Creek Conservation Authority, she is dedicated to serving the people in the Catfish Creek watershed to protect the unique nature and scientific interest of the heart of Ontario’s Carolinian Forest. Her other duties include Chair of joint city/county Health Recruitment; Chair for the new Community Centre Task Force; St. Thomas Library Board, and Southwestern Public Health Board member. Recognizing that the root of all community investment lies with government partners, she spends her time building political networks provincially and federally and recently joined a Provincial Political Board as Chair of Membership. Proud grandmother and mother of 3 independent daughters, she and her husband, Doug, enjoy opportunities of spending time in outdoor activities of fishing and birdwatching and share those times with their growing family.

Mairesse de la Ville d’Otterburn Park, dans la grande région de Montréal, Mélanie Villeneuve fait partie de la vague de nouveaux élu.e.s municipaux progressistes et écologistes porté.e.s au pouvoir aux élections de 2021. Horticultrice de formation, elle a travaillé sur des projets novateurs de lutte aux ilots de chaleurs, d’agriculture urbaine et de verdissement. Convaincue que l’aménagement des villes est un facteur déterminant dans la lutte aux changements climatiques, Mélanie développe des projets en mobilité active et en protection des milieux naturels. Elle participe à la mise sur pied du Caucus écologiste municipal du Québec qui se veut un lieu d’échange et de partage pour les élu.e.s engagé.e.s dans la transition écologique.

Ramona’s community and family have influenced and supported her as an activist working with others to co-create the West Arm Park, co-found and manage the Harrop-Procter Community Forest and develop the West Kootenay EcoSociety. Ramona has been elected to the Regional District of Central Kootenay four times. She is past chair of the Real Estate Foundation of BC, is on the Columbia River Treaty Local Government Committee, and the Central Kootenay Food Policy Council. The natural world and how we interact with it has always been a priority for Ramona believing that our reverence for nature mirrors our regard for one another. She has hope that her four grandchildren can enjoy a bright future.

Sheilagh O’Leary (she/her), born and raised in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, is an award-winning photographer, creative producer, and passionate environmental advocate of Irish and Indigenous heritage. Holding a Master of Fine Arts from Grenfell College, Memorial University, Sheilagh brings a diverse background in visual media, radio broadcasting, education, and the not-for-profit sector. Her work emphasizes environmental stewardship, cultural diversity, and community engagement. A dedicated volunteer for over three decades, Sheilagh’s leadership has driven significant strides in sustainability. Elected to represent St. John’s since 2009, she haschampioned causes like banning single-use plastic bags and cosmetic pesticides. She helped reinstate the city’s Environmental Advisory Committee and introduced a tree development policy. She also supports cleaning up local natural sites such as the former American dump site on White Hills. Currently serving as Deputy Mayor and as Council Sustainability lead, Sheilagh continues to foster resilience, stewardship, and environmental advocacy within her community.

Spencer is the Mayor of Princeton, BC. He is a proud member of the Upper Similkameen Indian Band and was born and raised in his traditional territory. Spencer spent most of his life hunting, fishing, and traditional food harvesting in the Upper Similkameen watershed with his family. Spencer tries to balance the need for economics with environmental stewardship being from a resource-based community. He believes strongly that we are only here as caretakers of the land for future generations.

Dr. Teale Phelps Bondaroff is Councillor in the District of Saanich, on Vancouver Island, and he is a researcher and community organizer. He works as the Director of Research for OceansAsia, which tackles marine wildlife crime, and he is the world-leading expert on sea cucumber fisheries crime. He is the Chair and Co-founder of the AccessBC Campaign, which successfully advocated for free prescription contraception in BC. He also works as the Research Coordinator for the BC Humanist Association, which supports the separation of religion and government in BC and across Canada. His academic research examines the strategic use of international law by non-state actors and the strategies of marine conservation organizations. He is passionate about placemaking and in particular little free libraries, and enjoys playing hockey, board games, and kayaking. You can learn more about Dr. Phelps Bondaroff at his website: www.teale.ca

Will has been actively involved with Climate Caucus from the outset, as a member of the Steering Committee, as well as serving as Vice-Chair and now Chair of the Board of Directors. He is also leading our successful Help Cities Lead campaign. Will is a graduate of Queen’s University, Dalhousie Law School and UBC, with a background in law and small business. Will was appointed as the CVRD’s representative on the Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities Climate Leadership Plan Steering Committee. During time off he enjoys skiing and cycling with his family. Will performs stand-up comedy from time to time and is still trying to find the humour in climate change.