Canada | Future Earth

Damon Matthews

Interim Director, Sustainability in the Digital Age

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Damon Matthews is a professor in the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment at Concordia University, holds a PhD in climate science from the University of Victoria from 2004, and is a member of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists of the Royal Society of Canada. He has published more than 130 research papers on topics ranging from quantifying the remaining carbon budget to assessing equitable approaches to allocate emission allowances to individual countries and the effectiveness of nature-based climate solutions. He is internationally recognized for his work in policy-relevant climate science, as well as for initiatives such as the Climate Clock that use digital visualization and web-based technologies to motivate and accelerate climate action. Damon is the scientific co-director of Sustainability in the Digital Age, interim director of the Future Earth Canada Hub, and directs the NSERC CREATE in Leadership in Environmental and Digital Innovation for Sustainability (LEADS) program, which aims to train graduate student researchers at the intersection of sustainability science and digital innovation.

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Andréa Ventimiglia

Advancements Manager, Sustainability in the Digital Age, Canada Hub

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Andréa currently employs her wide complement of skills in research, analysis, editing and evaluation as Science Editor and Advancement Officer for both Future Earth and Sustainability in the Digital Age. Her approach to writing and fundraising is rooted in her diverse professional experience spanning program evaluation, international development, freelance science writing, and laboratory research. Prior to joining Future Earth, Ms. Ventimiglia worked as a science program evaluator helping to measure and valorize the societal impact of research and research funding. She holds a B.Sc. in Biology from the University of Waterloo, and a Masters in Journalism from Carleton University.

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Rachelle Fox

Digital Communications Officer, Canada Hub

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We are all one good story away from experiencing a different world. Stories shape the world, our worlds. The narratives we believe become the reality we live. So if we want to change our realities, we need to change our narratives. This is what drives Rachelle in her work as the Digital Communications Officer for Sustainability in the Digital Age and the Canada Hub of Future Earth. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, we need global participation and collaboration. We need a multiplicity of voices and narratives woven together, crafted together. Visual stories, written stories, audio stories, multimedia stories, oral stories. Stories of failure, stories of success, stories of resilience. Stories that inspire action. Stories that cultivate compassion. Stories that allow us to learn and to grow and to bloom. What is your story? Rachelle holds a B.A. in Journalism and Études françaises and an M.A. in Littératures francophones et résonances médiatiques from Concordia University. Her master’s research-creation project explored the intersection of theatre and social media with a specific focus on the ways people communicate and behave in digital spaces. She’s passionate about technology, sustainability, and… storytelling. Rachelle is also an artist and avid snowshoer

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Nilushi Kumarasinghe

Project Manager, Sustainability in the Digital Age initiative, Canada

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Nilushi joins Future Earth as a Project Manager for the Reimagining Climate Governance Project under the Sustainability in the Digital Age Initiative. She holds a BSc in Environmental Sciences from the University of Southampton (United Kingdom) and a MSc in Environment and Resource Management from VU University Amsterdam (The Netherlands). Nilushi has predominantly worked in the INGO sector with organizations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Wetlands International and different entities within the United Nations system. She has experience coordinating projects, conducting research and disseminating knowledge in the fields of climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainable development and conservation. Prior to this, Nilushi worked as a Sustainability Strategy Consultant developing tools to help strengthen the role of the private sector in sustainable development.

Nilufar Sabet-Kassouf

Strategic Program Manager, Sustainability in the Digital Age, Canada

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Nilufar Sabet-Kassouf (Nilu) has a varied background, having followed a path driven by curiosity and passion. She has conducted research in cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, and neurophysiology at the intersection of music and meditation. For the past 5 years, Nilu has focused broadly on environmental sustainability through her work at Future Earth and Sustainability in the Digital Age at Concordia University. In this capacity, she has been reflecting on the relationship between local realities and global priorities established through international science policy processes, and the role that technology plays in shaping these realities. More recently, Nilu has been leading the design and facilitation of training workshops for early career researchers to explore ideas and practices of collective leadership and meaningful community engagement.

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Wendy Kuo

Finance and Human Resources Manager, Canada Hub and Sustainability in the Digital Age

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Wendy Kuo joined Future Earth Canada Global Hub and Sustainability in the Digital Age in 2021 as Project Manager in charge of the National Dialogue Series, successfully delivering seven virtual cross-nation events in collaboration with the Canadian Science Policy Centre with the goal of identifying the role of digital innovations to accelerate Canada’s progress in sustainable development toward the United Nations 2030 Agenda. In the spring of 2022, Wendy was assigned to her current role, responsible for the management of finance and human resources in both organizations. Wendy possesses a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Nutrition from McGill University and over ten years of experience in office management and administration.

Odille Joblin

Program Coordinator (LEADS)

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I am the program coordinator of LEADS. My role here is to make sure the program runs smoothly. I’m always happy to answer questions students may have and to contribute to designing amazing workshops and events for the program. I myself graduated not so long ago, from a Double Master’s of science in Public Policy and Human Development from both Maastricht University and the United Nations University. I’ve always been a thinker and a rethinker. I like to re-imagine the world and to provide solutions to make it more sustainable and equitable. This is why I am really invested in this role of coordinating a university program in sustainability. Aside from that, I advise companies on how they can optimize their positive social and environmental impact. In my free time I enjoy working out and travelling. I also volunteer for McGill track as a coach or video-maker. Before moving to Montreal, I was working for the European Innovation Council, in Brussels, my hometown. The quest for renewal and personal growth led me to undertake this new journey here. So far I’m really loving my experience in Canada and can’t wait for what is coming next!

Camilo Alejo

Postdoctoral Fellow, Canada Hub

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Camilo is interested in understanding the current and potential nature-based solutions emerging from Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities across the American continent. Using spatial analysis and participatory methods, he has worked on issues related to livelihoods, cultural values, forest conservation, and climate change mitigation in Indigenous Lands and Protected Areas. Currently, Camilo is developing a framework to monitor carbon stocks, water, and biodiversity in Canada that leverages diverse knowledge systems and technology. Camilo holds a B.Sc. in Biology from Universidad de Los Andes (Colombia), M.Sc. in Biodiversity Conservation and Use from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Colombia), and a Ph.D. (c) in Biology from McGill University (Canada).

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Canada Hub Staff

Damon Matthews

Interim Director, Sustainability in the Digital Age

Full profile

Andréa Ventimiglia

Advancements Manager, Sustainability in the Digital Age, Canada Hub

Full profile

Rachelle Fox

Digital Communications Officer, Canada Hub

Full profile

Nilushi Kumarasinghe

Project Manager, Sustainability in the Digital Age initiative, Canada

Full profile

Nilufar Sabet-Kassouf

Strategic Program Manager, Sustainability in the Digital Age, Canada

Full profile

Wendy Kuo

Finance and Human Resources Manager, Canada Hub and Sustainability in the Digital Age

Full profile

Odille Joblin

Program Coordinator (LEADS)

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Camilo Alejo

Postdoctoral Fellow, Canada Hub

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