G.R.E.E.N. Conference

conference speakers

Keynote Speaker
   » Julie Angus [Click for biography]

Julie Angus is the first and only woman to row across the Atlantic Ocean from mainland to mainland. During the worst hurricane season in history, she spent 5 months rowing unsupported across 10,000 km of unforgiving seas. Throughout this challenge, she and her partner rowed through 4 cyclones, encountered great white sharks, and fished for survival.

Julie is a molecular biologist, adventurer, writer, filmmaker, and motivational speaker. She has two undergraduate degrees with honours from McMaster University (Biology and Psychology) and a graduate degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Victoria. She spent over a decade studying and developing treatments for heart disease, cancer and genetic ailments.

She has been lauded for her work on environmental awareness and has written for publications including The Globe & Mail, National Post and enRoute. Her photography has appeared in Outside Magazine, Explore Magazine, Reader's Digest, National Geographic Adventure and The Guardian, among others. Julie's book Rowboat in a Hurricane, which details her Atlantic row and the changing state of our oceans, is a national bestseller and her newest book Rowed Trip will be available in September 2009.

Session Speakers
   » Dave Pearce [Click for biography]
Dave has been CPAWS Wildlands League’s Forest Conservation Analyst since 2003. As part of Wildlands League’s outreach he gives talks on Ontario’s boreal forest, caribou and most recently, Polar Bears. He also works to improve forest management and supports the Wildlands League with natural history information. Dave is researcher and co-author of a number of Wildlands League publications including, Caribou- Holding the Line in Northeastern Ontario. Dave worked for a number of years as a naturalist and outdoor educator. He studied Biology at Trent University and graduated with a Masters in Forest Conservation from the University of Toronto.

   » Amy Ouchterlony [Click for biography]

Although Amy grew up in downtown Toronto, she has always been drawn to the natural world and to rural life. During the growing season of 2009, Amy moved to an organic farm near Orangeville, Ontario where she learned about and grew vegetables for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. She will share her experiences of being a new farmer, explain the CSA farm model and provide tools for participants to get involved with local and sustainable food systems.
   » Julia Grieve [Click for biography]

Julia Grieve is the founder of Preloved, a company that makes clothing from reclaimed vintage fabrics. She is an entrepreneur, a trendsetter, a local celebrity, an eco-design leader, and a wife and mother. Julia’s former career as an international model developed her keen sense of style, a passion for fit and design, and a knack for eyeing the latest hot trends. She invested her energy and fashion sense into Preloved.

Making her mark in the media world, Julia has also worked as Fashion Editor of Impact Magazine and as a commentator for the fashion section of The National Post. In addition to her many guest spots and weekly appearances on shows such as Canadian Living, Modern Manners and Canadian House and Home, Julia was the host of 42 episodes of Global Television's Diva on a Dime. Currently you can catch Julia as a guest mentor on Project Runway Canada, Season 2, and as guest expert on How to Look Good Naked Canada.

   » Christopher Doyle [Click for biography]

Chris is the manager of Turtle Island Recycling's Environmental Initiatives Department. He is a graduate of Trent University and Niagara College’s Environmental Management programs. He has worked in the Environmental Consulting and Waste Management field for about five years.

With Turtle Island Recycling, Chris has worked on projects such as waste audits, education plans and recycling programs for clients such as major shopping malls, hotels and office towers.
   » Al Cormier and Steve Dallas [Click for biography]

Al Cormier is the founding Executive Director of Electric Mobility Canada – Mobilité Electrique Canada a new Canadian organization dedicated to the promotion of electric mobility in Canada. In the mid 90’s, Al has also founded The Centre for Sustainable Transportation, a nationally chartered not for profit organization dedicated to the achievement of sustainable transportation in Canada. Individuals and organizations worldwide respect the Centre’s publications and research products. The Centre is now established as an institute within the University of Winnipeg.

During his long career in transportation, Mr. Cormier has been the President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Association for 18 years. He also worked in the Ontario Ministry of Transportation as a Manager of urban transit programs. He has extensive contacts across Canada and internationally and has advocated for sustainable transportation programs for many years.

Steve Dallas has 7 years experience in electric car design. Starting in 2003, he converted a Toyota Tercel to an all electric design. In 2004 he imported 2 examples of a Chinese design called the Heibao and reverse engineered the AC design. He also spent the next 2 years studying an electric boat and reverse engineering an all electric scooter. In these 2 years he purchased and installed the first Lithium battery design in the scooter. As well, Steve started the design of the Option 1. Steve has spent the past 5 years designing and building the Option 1.