Board of Directors
The RSI management board consists of highly successful and dedicated leaders, entrepreneurs and experts who actively embed sustainability and innovation to advance the ability of business and society to thrive in new realities.
Their experience and expertise make them one of the most formidable cross-sector and intergenerational brain trusts in the country. The power of their combined networks in Canada and around the globe enables them to engage key decision-makers and market leaders to collaboratively discover and deploy solutions to system-level challenges impacting our world.
A knowledgeable and trusted resource, the RSI management board is capable of affecting dramatic and positive changes in the way sustainability is defined and deployed today and in years to come.
Darla Campbell is a professional engineer with experience in infrastructure development from environmental assessment through design, construction and operation. Darla has demonstrated leadership from the trenches of a construction site to the boardrooms of corporations. Darla is the Sustainability and Asset Management lead with Dillon Consulting Limited. She draws from her previous role with the Ontario Clean Water Agency on operational efficiencies and capital planning. She has led workshops with municipal clients on levels of service and risk considering climate change vulnerability, as well as delivered asset management training to over 200 participants from nearly 90 municipalities. She holds the certificate in asset management from the Institute of Asset Management and she is a certified sustainability (CSR) practitioner from the Chartered Management Institute.
She has served on boards, both corporate and not-for-profit, including experience with national and international organizations. Darla served as the executive director of the Ontario Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure (OCSI). She was the chair of the Strategy, Policy and Innovation committee for the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) Association and serves on the boards of the Canadian Network of Asset Management (CNAM) and Rethink Sustainability Initiatives (RSI). Darla is chair of Waterlution, a youth focused organization that inspires pattern-making and pattern-breaking change towards a healthy and sustainable relationship with water.
A speaker at various conferences on climate change and municipal infrastructure, Darla is adamant that strategic thinking and public engagement are essential in solving the infrastructure deficit and bridging the gap to sustainable living.
Aidan has a long history in stakeholder management, Indigenous community engagement, public education and policy development. He works with clients across all sectors to find creative solutions for their projects and sets the strategic direction for their organization. Clients quickly come to rely on Aidan’s candour, empathy, foresight, and ability to identify opportunities when charting new strategies, developing trust among their audiences, and overcoming stubborn challenges.
Graeme is a Professional Engineer and commercial real estate leader with 15 years of experience in operations management, technical team leadership, strategic decarbonization planning, and engineering design for high-performance facilities. Throughout his career, he has developed a well-rounded experience in various roles, including consultant, general contractor, and owner, working on diverse development projects and operational assets.
In his current role as Senior Manager, Operations at Cadillac Fairview's TD Centre, Graeme leads a team responsible for delivering exceptional facility performance, customer satisfaction, and business results at Canada's largest commercial office complex. His expertise in project management and mechanical design engineering allows him to oversee multi-million dollar capital projects from concept to close-out.
With a strong focus on sustainability, Graeme is experienced in identifying and implementing decarbonization strategies. He possesses a solid understanding of energy retrofit strategies and has a track record of driving building energy performance.
In his current role as Senior Manager, Operations at Cadillac Fairview's TD Centre, Graeme leads a team responsible for delivering exceptional facility performance, customer satisfaction, and business results at Canada's largest commercial office complex. His expertise in project management and mechanical design engineering allows him to oversee multi-million dollar capital projects from concept to close-out.
With a strong focus on sustainability, Graeme is experienced in identifying and implementing decarbonization strategies. He possesses a solid understanding of energy retrofit strategies and has a track record of driving building energy performance.
Matt is a systems thinker, who relishes working at the nexus of nature, technology and society. He is Chief Technology Officer and Biologist at HiGarden, where he leads the innovation of sustainable urban agriculture tech.
His overarching focus is on how biodiversity and ecosystem principles can pave the way for a more resilient future - whether in an urban farm or an ecosystem. As a post-doctoral fellow at McMaster University, he led a research program on the purposeful design of ecosystems to produce food and other valuable services like education. At the same time, he collaborated with the French National Centre for Scientific Research to develop methods for uncovering how biodiversity keeps natural ecosystems stable. He has helped secure numerous research grants, including a top-finalist in the prestigious NSERC Discovery Frontiers competition.
He has also worked on the wicked problems – and solutions – of conservation. He served as a Wildlife Ecotoxicologist at Environment and Climate Change Canada, tracking the impacts of industrial pollution on the Great Lakes. He was also a consultant for the Bermuda Government and Bermuda Zoological Society, supporting the mapping and protection strategies of critical coral reef habitats. As a doctoral researcher, he innovated statistical tools for better biodiversity accounting and predicting ecosystem change. He continues to contribute to the science and conservation of biodiversity through publishing, conferences, advising and mentoring.
Matt’s conviction is that understanding, protecting and emulating nature is a key to transforming our planet for the better. He holds a PhD in Biology from McMaster University, and an MSc in Marine Science from the University of Otago, New Zealand.
His overarching focus is on how biodiversity and ecosystem principles can pave the way for a more resilient future - whether in an urban farm or an ecosystem. As a post-doctoral fellow at McMaster University, he led a research program on the purposeful design of ecosystems to produce food and other valuable services like education. At the same time, he collaborated with the French National Centre for Scientific Research to develop methods for uncovering how biodiversity keeps natural ecosystems stable. He has helped secure numerous research grants, including a top-finalist in the prestigious NSERC Discovery Frontiers competition.
He has also worked on the wicked problems – and solutions – of conservation. He served as a Wildlife Ecotoxicologist at Environment and Climate Change Canada, tracking the impacts of industrial pollution on the Great Lakes. He was also a consultant for the Bermuda Government and Bermuda Zoological Society, supporting the mapping and protection strategies of critical coral reef habitats. As a doctoral researcher, he innovated statistical tools for better biodiversity accounting and predicting ecosystem change. He continues to contribute to the science and conservation of biodiversity through publishing, conferences, advising and mentoring.
Matt’s conviction is that understanding, protecting and emulating nature is a key to transforming our planet for the better. He holds a PhD in Biology from McMaster University, and an MSc in Marine Science from the University of Otago, New Zealand.
The interconnectedness between people and the natural world is the driving force that informs many of Patrick’s strategic decisions in business and life.
Driven by social and environmental purpose, he launched a series of enterprises centred on alternative energy and impact investment opportunities acting as an ‘on the ground” force for good.
Most recently, he co-founded Good Energy Partners (GEP), with a focus on raising the profile of businesses creating a positive impact on the world, and accelerating capital flows toward a carbon neutral economy. This is perfectly positioned to help companies fast-track the growth of resilient and innovative approaches to impact investing and ‘Building Back Better.’
Previously, he co-founded and led Weave Energy, which offered energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions to help overcome the energy crisis in South Africa. It was there that he learned the concept of Ubuntu that spreads an ethic of shared humanity. This is a principal Patrick has looked to apply in all facets of his life.
Patrick completed his M.B.A. at the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business and an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies from Queens University. He has considerable consulting, business development and fundraising experience in the fields of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and impact investing.
Nigel is an experienced executive and consultant in international and multi-sector assignments. His advisory work focuses on incorporating principles of sustainability, innovation, risk mitigation and continuous improvement in strategic, operational, and technical engagements. He has worked on four continents serving clients in a wide range of industries including aerospace, banking, capital markets, oil and gas, mining, pulp and paper, power systems and renewable energy. More recently he has specified, designed, and/or built geo-solar systems for near net-zero green (multi-) residential home and commercial offices.
As an executive and/or co-founder he has launched three start-ups – E-Trade Canada, Potentia Solar, and Isla Power – which collectively have raised over $130 M in investor capital, and two of which have seen successful exits for the founders. Nigel has served as chair and independent board member of Efficiency Capital Corp, a spin-off of The Atmospheric Fund, and the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA/CanREA) where he was the President’s Award winner in 2013.
His mission is to co-create and/or accelerate the execution of business strategies with triple bottom line benefits – economic, environmental, and social – serving client enterprises from start-ups to multi-nationals.
As an executive and/or co-founder he has launched three start-ups – E-Trade Canada, Potentia Solar, and Isla Power – which collectively have raised over $130 M in investor capital, and two of which have seen successful exits for the founders. Nigel has served as chair and independent board member of Efficiency Capital Corp, a spin-off of The Atmospheric Fund, and the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA/CanREA) where he was the President’s Award winner in 2013.
His mission is to co-create and/or accelerate the execution of business strategies with triple bottom line benefits – economic, environmental, and social – serving client enterprises from start-ups to multi-nationals.
Director of Sustainable Buildings Consulting, Founder & CEO of Affecting Change Inc.
Sandra is an accomplished and seasoned sustainable design strategist and organizational development specialist. Based in Toronto, she is the Founder of Affecting Change Inc.; and is a Part-time Professor at the Humber Advanced Institute of Technology. She was formerly Visiting Professor and Adjunct at the University of Manitoba. Sandra is a sought-after guest speaker, facilitator and expert advisor.
She has the rare capacity of being both a building science expert as well as a strategist. Her projects cost-effectively achieve exceptionally high levels of sustainable design performance.
Previously: Sandra worked at HOK Architects as the Sustainable Design Area Leader on projects across Canada and the Middle East. She worked as a design professional for over 25 years on two continents; and did pioneering energy modelling work on off-grid building projects in the early 90’s.
Other qualifications include: Certified Passive House Designer; LEED-accredited Professional (with a Specialty in Building Design and Construction); Certified Sustainable Building Advisor; member of the Steering Committee for the Sustainable Transportation Hub and CMO for the City of Toronto; and Founder of the Cleantech Innovation Centre.
Sandra Leigh Lester has been a RSI Senior Advisor since 2022.
Sandra is an accomplished and seasoned sustainable design strategist and organizational development specialist. Based in Toronto, she is the Founder of Affecting Change Inc.; and is a Part-time Professor at the Humber Advanced Institute of Technology. She was formerly Visiting Professor and Adjunct at the University of Manitoba. Sandra is a sought-after guest speaker, facilitator and expert advisor.
She has the rare capacity of being both a building science expert as well as a strategist. Her projects cost-effectively achieve exceptionally high levels of sustainable design performance.
Previously: Sandra worked at HOK Architects as the Sustainable Design Area Leader on projects across Canada and the Middle East. She worked as a design professional for over 25 years on two continents; and did pioneering energy modelling work on off-grid building projects in the early 90’s.
Other qualifications include: Certified Passive House Designer; LEED-accredited Professional (with a Specialty in Building Design and Construction); Certified Sustainable Building Advisor; member of the Steering Committee for the Sustainable Transportation Hub and CMO for the City of Toronto; and Founder of the Cleantech Innovation Centre.
Sandra Leigh Lester has been a RSI Senior Advisor since 2022.
Yasmin is a recognized future and innovation strategist and implementation advisor for leaders, boards, business and government organizations in the Americas, Europe and the Caribbean. She heads up CTR Inc., a change management and communication practice, and YasminGlanville.ca and is a sought-after keynote speaker on future ready leadership and innovation in a world of converging disruptions.
Previously: she was a principal and solution accelerator at E&Y/CGEY; a senior marketing and business transformation leader for IBM and Nortel; contributed to the development and launch of President’s Choice Financial. Throughout her career, Yasmin has also supported several charities as a board director/advisor — e.g., March of Dimes, Habitat for Humanity, King Bay Kids and Seeds of Hope — focused on improving the life and wellbeing of people experiencing poverty, work and health challenges, and homelessness.
To pay it forward, in 2011 she conceived and founded RSI as a ‘Think and Do’ hub, to connect leaders to rethink and shape a better future for organizations and society. In 2021-2022, she led RSI’s Community Climate Change in SJT project with a world-class team of futurists, scientists, engineers, digital communicators, infrastructure experts, developers, economists and educators - funded in part by Environment and Climate Change Canada.
A skilled facilitator, she’s led over 300 collaborative action-biased strategy and solution design initiatives, focused on building market leadership, sustainability, resiliency and future readiness. She is also the recipient of numerous awards for strategic foresight, innovation and leadership, including Global Trailblazer Leadership Award by Sir Martin Sorrell, MIT Social Architecture Award for Windward Cooperative Housing, and Inter-Gen Mentorship Awards.
Previously: she was a principal and solution accelerator at E&Y/CGEY; a senior marketing and business transformation leader for IBM and Nortel; contributed to the development and launch of President’s Choice Financial. Throughout her career, Yasmin has also supported several charities as a board director/advisor — e.g., March of Dimes, Habitat for Humanity, King Bay Kids and Seeds of Hope — focused on improving the life and wellbeing of people experiencing poverty, work and health challenges, and homelessness.
To pay it forward, in 2011 she conceived and founded RSI as a ‘Think and Do’ hub, to connect leaders to rethink and shape a better future for organizations and society. In 2021-2022, she led RSI’s Community Climate Change in SJT project with a world-class team of futurists, scientists, engineers, digital communicators, infrastructure experts, developers, economists and educators - funded in part by Environment and Climate Change Canada.
A skilled facilitator, she’s led over 300 collaborative action-biased strategy and solution design initiatives, focused on building market leadership, sustainability, resiliency and future readiness. She is also the recipient of numerous awards for strategic foresight, innovation and leadership, including Global Trailblazer Leadership Award by Sir Martin Sorrell, MIT Social Architecture Award for Windward Cooperative Housing, and Inter-Gen Mentorship Awards.
Troy Wright is a results-driven business executive with excellent leadership skills and a proven track record of turning around weak or underperforming businesses. Industry experience includes a proven 30-year track record in the technology and financial services industries, including several senior officer positions at Scotiabank, both in Canada and internationally. Having also founded several FinTech companies, Troy has developed a very clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by business leaders.
Troy’s impressive background in financial services spans decades. During Troy’s career at Scotiabank, he held many notable roles including President and CEO of the Scotiabank Group Mexico, the largest subsidiary of Scotiabank outside of Canada, and Executive Vice President of Canadian Retail Branches and Channels at Scotiabank Canada.
Previous to these roles, Troy was President and CEO of Scotiabank Puerto Rico, where he led the turnaround of a mid-size full-service bank through the toughest US banking downturn since the great depression and completed an FDIC assisted bank acquisition. Troy addressed and repaired FDIC compliance orders and managed the relationship with the New York office of the Fed and FDIC.
Troy also served as Head of Scotiabank’s International Corporate Development at Scotiabank where he identified international acquisition targets linking opportunities to the global strategy, oversaw due diligence, obtained internal approvals, and led negotiations to purchase targets – completing acquisitions totaling $1.3 billion.
Troy has co-founded three successful FinTech companies in the lending space including Lendified, an SME digital online lending company which he took public on the TSXv; Judi.ai, a SaaS platform using AI and machine learning to process loans for financial institutions; and Elevate Export Finance, a finance company providing loans globally to foreign companies to allow the purchase of Canadian manufactured goods.
Troy is a graduate of the Harvard Business School, Advanced Management Program; Western University with a BA; and the Harvard Business School YPO Presidents’ Program.
Troy’s impressive background in financial services spans decades. During Troy’s career at Scotiabank, he held many notable roles including President and CEO of the Scotiabank Group Mexico, the largest subsidiary of Scotiabank outside of Canada, and Executive Vice President of Canadian Retail Branches and Channels at Scotiabank Canada.
Previous to these roles, Troy was President and CEO of Scotiabank Puerto Rico, where he led the turnaround of a mid-size full-service bank through the toughest US banking downturn since the great depression and completed an FDIC assisted bank acquisition. Troy addressed and repaired FDIC compliance orders and managed the relationship with the New York office of the Fed and FDIC.
Troy also served as Head of Scotiabank’s International Corporate Development at Scotiabank where he identified international acquisition targets linking opportunities to the global strategy, oversaw due diligence, obtained internal approvals, and led negotiations to purchase targets – completing acquisitions totaling $1.3 billion.
Troy has co-founded three successful FinTech companies in the lending space including Lendified, an SME digital online lending company which he took public on the TSXv; Judi.ai, a SaaS platform using AI and machine learning to process loans for financial institutions; and Elevate Export Finance, a finance company providing loans globally to foreign companies to allow the purchase of Canadian manufactured goods.
Troy is a graduate of the Harvard Business School, Advanced Management Program; Western University with a BA; and the Harvard Business School YPO Presidents’ Program.