Dr. Sarah Haines
University Of Toronto
Dr. Sarah Haines is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Mineral Engineering and is the Director of the Indoor Microbiology and Environmental Exposures (IMEE) Lab. Dr. Haines’ interdisciplinary research integrates building science, engineering, and microbiology to analyze connections between the built environment and human health. Her work aids in understanding indoor exposures from microorganisms, particulate matter and chemicals providing for a cleaner and sustainable indoor environment particularly for our most vulnerable communities. She is Co-Director of the “From Harvest to House” initiative where the team is co-developing innovative solutions to improve Northern and First Nations on-reserve housing.
Dr. Helen Stopps
Toronto Metropolitan University
Dr. Helen Stopps’ research focuses on the intersection between the political, social, and
technical factors that determine building performance. Her work leverages methods from the social sciences (e.g., participatory research, aspects of critical systems theory, qualitative analysis methods) in combination with methods from the natural sciences and engineering (e.g., building performance simulation, remote sensing. data-driven analysis) to understand how well buildings perform and to identify barriers to the adoption of best practice. EDI is a central tenet of her research program which examines building performance through an equity lens - a principle that she also applies to her recruitment and mentoring approach. She is appointed to the Department of Architectural Science at Toronto Metropolitan University which has a wide range of graduate programs focused on architecture, building science, and project management.
Natalie Clyke
RockTree MgO
Natalie Clyke, a trailblazing leader, has dedicated her career to advocating for Indigenous communities across Canada since joining Service Canada in 2007. Witnessing firsthand the trauma endured by survivors of Residential Schools, she founded Rocktree MGO Construction Material Inc. in 2021 to address urgent housing challenges. Natalies outstanding contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors, including the Commemorative Medal for the Centennial of Saskatchewan in 2005, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022, and Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee Medallion from the Government of Canada in 2023. Beyond innovative housing solutions, Natalie is deeply committed to working with the most vulnerable and homeless, ensuring access to safe and sustainable housing options. With unwavering determination and compassionate leadership, Natalie inspires hope and creates lasting impact, ensuring that vulnerable and unhoused relatives have access to safe and sustainable housing.
Dr. Nicholas Spence
University of Toronto
Dr. Spence is a faculty member in Sociology and Health Society (UTSC) where he was appointed in 2018. Dr. Spence conducts innovative interdisciplinary research on diverse psychosocial determinants of health and well-being, inequality, and Indigenous Peoples. His current work focuses on a comparative systematic analysis of policy and regulations governing drinking water standards and quality for Indigenous communities throughout Canada, United States, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand to offer insight into existing limitations and potential solutions for water systems in Indigenous communities.
Dr. Penny Kinnear
University of Toronto
Dr. Penny Kinnear completed her PhD in Second Language Education and Comparative and International Development Education in 2004 at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Her doctoral research used narrative as a data collection method allowing her to develop a deeper understanding of the narrative impulses and practices we all share. She is the co-author of Sociocultural Theory in Second Language Education: An Introduction through Narratives. Since 2009 she has taught in the Engineering Communication Program with a focus on multilingual students and professional language development. In 2014 she collaborated with Annie Simpson and ILead to design and teach the course, The Power of Story: Discovering Your Leadership Narrative. Her current research interests include how students make meaning in team contexts, professional identity development and the impact of multilingualism and translingualism on the ecology of university classrooms. She is an expert in the use of narrative to build working relationships.