Alumni Career Panel: Gryphons Impacting the Environment

Hear the personal journeys of Guelph grads who are impacting the environment in interesting ways. Learn what they wish they had known in their undergrad and current insights about employer needs. 

Date: Monday, March 21, 2022
Time: 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. 
Location: This session will take place on MS Teams. Registration closes on Monday, March 21 at 8:30 a.m. All registrants will receive an email with the link to join.

Registration Link: https://experienceguelph.ca/events.htm?evtId=4052 [1]

Panelists:

Ben Verzijlenberg, Acting Invasive Species Program Coordinator at the Nature Conservancy of Canada

Ben graduated from the University of Guelph Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences program (Co-op) in spring 2018. During the program and since graduating he has worked in a variety of primarily field-based roles in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta for federal government and public science organizations; marketing himself as a general biologist/field technician with specialties in botany and entomology. During his free time, he is a craftsman of different types, lives off-grid, and is known for his pies.

Brittany Bright, BA, Communications Strategist, Next Hydrogen Corp.

Brittany is a 2014 University of Guelph graduate of European Studies with European Business area of emphasis, and a German Studies minor. With an academic background in sustainability (and previously in business and languages), Brittany likes seeing the impactful achievements we can make in our work through collaboration - whether that collaboration is with our neighbours in our own communities or across borders. Over several years, she has built her experience in community and stakeholder engagement, communications, and research on a range of subjects in sustainable energy and transportation spanning across hydrogen, micro-mobility, light rail transit, bioenergy, energy efficiency, and wind power.

While she didn't start off studying the environment or sustainability, she found interest for these areas part-way through her undergrad when she went to Germany for two summer internships, both which happened to be in energy. After that, she specifically pursued opportunities to learn more about renewable energy and other areas of sustainability through a URA project on wind farms at U of G, working with cleantech markets at the Canadian German Chamber of Commerce, starting a Masters in Sustainability Management at University of Waterloo, and it goes on from there.

Currently, Brittany works in communications at the Hydrogen Business Council, an industry association, and at Next Hydrogen, a manufacturer of emission-free hydrogen production equipment, both based in Ontario. She will also be defending her thesis this semester. Outside of her professional and academic work, she has volunteered for several years in the non-profit Women in Renewable Energy (WiRE) and on the board of directors of the LIFE (Local Initiative for Future Energy) Co-operative.

Mary Mullen, BScEnv, Environmental Technician, Englobe

Mary graduated from the University of Guelph in 2021 after completing her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences degree with a major in Environment and Resource Management. She is currently working full-time as an Environmental Technician with Englobe. Mary is interested in opportunities to gain more experience with project management throughout her career. She also holds a Diploma in Biotechnology from Conestoga College and has previously worked Sample Reception and Laboratory Technician roles in environmental laboratories.

Natalie Vasilivetsky, BA, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator, Department of Sustainability, University of Guelph

Natalie is the Environmental Sustainability Coordinator at the University of Guelph Sustainability Office. Natalie graduated from the University of Guelph in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Philosophy. She has a wealth of experience related to campus composting programs and institutional waste reduction. Natalie enjoys consulting on various sustainability projects, and currently is leading the development of the University of Guelph's Waste Reduction Master Plan. Outside of her work on campus, you'll often find Natalie exploring nearby greenspaces using her various plant ID apps.

Samantha Cava, BSc, Organizer - Conservation, Nature Canada 

Samantha grew up in the Region of Peel, on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. She is a 2014 graduate of the University of Guelph's Wildlife Biology and Conservation program as well as Seneca College's Environmental Project Management program. Throughout her professional career, she has worked for various government, non-government and academic institutions. Her passion lies in current and emerging environmental initiatives in Canada as it relates to protected areas establishment and Indigenous-led conservation. In her spare time, she loves to hike with her dog, read biographies and watch movies.