v2024 Climate Action for Businesses Launch

Description

We are excited to declare November as Climate Action Month for Businesses! In partnership with the City of London, we will provide valuable insights on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and environmental sustainability to our members. How can businesses contribute to the City of London’s ambitious Climate Emergency Action Plan? What steps are other businesses already taking? How can you make an impact? Connect with leaders from across the climate action landscape and learn about the goals behind our collaboration with the City.

Jay Stanford, Director of Climate Change, Environment, and Waste Management for the City of London, along with Kristen Duever, COO of the London Chamber, will present the details of the City’s two-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Chamber. They will also outline the upcoming events for November and discuss future plans, including the Climate Emergency Action Plan. Local businesses will share their experiences in this initiative.

Ward 11 Councillor Skylar Franke will moderate a panel discussion with local business leaders, showcasing the practical steps they've taken to combat climate change. The discussion will highlight that sustainability is not just an "add-on" to business practices—it’s essential. It benefits the environment while reducing costs, improving employee well-being, enhancing customer loyalty, and strengthening community reputation.

Panelists:

• Cleveland Brownlee - The Better Bin Company
• Kaitlin Creighton - London Environmental Network
• Bev Kolbe - Goodwill Industries Ontario Great Lakes
• Ilona Kovats - BlueStone Properties

ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS

Jay Stanford is the Director of Climate Change, Environment, and Waste Management for the City of London. In this role, he oversees initiatives and programs related to environmental sustainability, climate action, waste management, and community engagement. His work  focuses on making London more resilient and environmentally conscious.
 
He joined the City in 1995 and has been a Director in the Environment & Infrastructure Service Area since 2012. Prior to joining the City, Jay worked for 8 years for an environmental and engineering consulting firm in Toronto, Ontario.

Skylar Franke is currently serving her first term as Councillor for Ward 11. Prior to becoming a City Councillor, she worked in London’s environmental sector for over eight years and supported a wide variety of environmental projects in the city. She was previously the Executive Director at the London Environmental Network and worked for ReForest London. 

She graduated in 2013 from King’s University College at Western University with an honours B.A. in Social Justice and Peace Studies and French Studies.

 
Cleveland Brownlee, originally from Atlanta, Georgia, has called London, Ontario home since 2013. As General Operations Manager for Southwestern Ontario at The Better Bin Company, he oversees the collection of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of recyclable materials, diverting them from landfills. Under his leadership, the company expanded from 1 truck and 2 employees in 2012 to 6 trucks and 10 employees. The company was recognized with the 2020 Supplier of the Year award by the London Home Builders Association. Cleveland has received numerous accolades, including the President’s Award from the London Home Builders Association and being named a Top 20 Under 40 by London Business Inc. He is also a celebrated IBL baseball player and is deeply involved in community service. His ultimate goal is to be the best father and community leader he can be.

Kaitlin Creighton is passionate about taking collaborative approaches to co-create positive environmental change. In 2020 she graduated from Western University with a Masters of Environment and Sustainability (MES) and has a degree specializing in Environmental Governance from the University of Guelph. As the Director of Sustainability Kaitlin oversees the development of events and program communications and engages with community partners for special project collaborations that expand the reach of London Environmental Network programming. She is excited about empowering and supporting London groups, businesses, and organizations to make sustainable change!

Bev Kobe is a people-first leader with a strong commitment to protecting our planet, transforming Goodwill’s post-consumer retail supply chain, and helping companies reduce their environmental impact by offering B2B solutions for end-of-lifecycle products.  As CEO of Goodwill Industries Ontario Great Lakes, an organization with extensive networks across Canada and North America, Bev focuses on strengthening environmental stewardship through collaboration and designing innovative circular solutions locally, regionally, and nationally.

Sustainability is a key pillar of Goodwill’s strategic plan, evidenced by the diversion of over 55 million pounds of waste from landfills last year, keeping goods in use through reuse and recycling.  Bev champions circularity innovations, such as plastics granulating and advanced textile sorting for new recycling solutions, magnifying environmental outcomes. 

By investing in advanced recycling technology, and building a circular economy ecosystem with community partners, Bev intends to ensure Goodwill continues to lead in this critically important work.
Bev is currently a member of Goodwill Industries International Sustainability and Circularity Committees.

Ilona Kovats is a seasoned commercial property manager with a wealth of experience in property management and facility operations. For the past 11 years, she has worked in the commercial office division at BlueStone, where she focuses on improving standards and implementing energy-saving initiatives. She is passionate about corporate sustainability and operational excellence, and leads sustainability initiatives that track and report across the company, working closely with Green Economy London. Ilona collaborated with Western University as a mentor to Masters of Environment and Sustainability Co-op students, helping to prepare them for success in their future careers. She holds a Real Property Administrator (RPA®) designation from BOMI International and a LEED Green Associate credential from the US Green Building Council. Ilona was the first in London to achieve ENERGY STAR® Certification for an office building, and has been recognized by Natural Resources Canada for her contributions to the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager benchmarking program.

Photography and Video Disclaimer: The London Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to photograph, record, and live stream this event.  These photos and videos may be used in publications, posters and/or graphics. By registering for this event, you understand and acknowledge that your photograph and videos with you in them may be taken and used, per the discretion of the London Chamber of Commerce.