Chief Sustainability Officer

Emterra Group 

Paulina Leung is the Chief Sustainability Officer of Emterra Group, a leader in the circular recovery of materials throughout Canada and the state of Michigan.  Paulina brings a wealth of business acumen and experience as she oversees strategic initiatives, human resources, information technology, communications, and business development efforts.

As Emterra Group enters its fifth decade, it is evolving to create customized circular economy and waste management services to brand owners, manufacturers and various levels of government. Paulina’s focus and passion is in developing circular business models that are responsive to rapidly changing consumer, business and government demands.

A graduate of the Ivey School of Business, Paulina believes in giving back to the industry, serving on various boards, including the Waste To Resource Ontario, and actively participates in cross-jurisdictional organizations, including the Canada Plastics Pact, the W2RO Women to Waste Subcommittee, and the Packaging Association of Canada Diversity and Inclusion Committee, that promote an accessible circular economy.

President
Quantum Lifecycle Partners LP

Mr. Diamond is the president of Quantum Lifecycle Partners LP., which today is the largest recycler of electronics under the Ontario Electronic Stewardship Program. Gary brings value to W2RO with his solid understanding of how the existing marketplace operates and how a competitive, functioning, open marketplace can best drive waste diversion efforts in the future. Gary also has a license to practice law under the Law Society of Ontario, and formerly practiced corporate commercial law at one of the largest law firms in Canada.

President
Bluewater Recycling Association

Francis Veilleux is the President of Bluewater Recycling Association, Huron Park, ON. Francis had been an executive with the Association for over 20 years. Francis is responsible for managing the Association’s solid waste management system which includes curbside waste and recycling programs, a material recovery facility, e-waste collection, and environmental education programs. Through their integrated waste management system, the Association has diverted as much as 80% of the waste it manages to beneficial use.

Under Francis’ direction, the Association has reached the Platinum award category presented by the Recycling Council of Ontario for exceeding Provincial diversion targets, making the Association the first organization in the province to achieve this organizational designation.

Francis is an active member of W2RO, MWA, and SWANA in the field of solid waste. He has been an W2RO director for the past two years and has been the chair of the Safety and Transportation committee for the last three.

Francis is also a previous director with RCO. With an annual operating budget exceeding $10 million and assets in excess of $10 million, the Association’s system managed over 30,000 tonnes of waste in 2011. The Association’s waste system includes a fleet of 42 vehicles, a 50,000 per year material recovery facility, and a permanent e-waste facility. 

President
Miller Waste Systems Inc.

Professional Experience

Denis has worked in the waste management industry for over 25 years.  His experience includes staff roles in mergers/acquisitions and strategic planning and general management of multiple operations throughout Canada. His current role entails the management of all business entities within Miller Waste Systems Inc. These include waste collection and transfer, organics processing, landfill and material recycling facilities.

Industry Associations

Denis has participated as a member of the Board of Directors of the Waste To Resource Ontario (W2RO) for over 10 years, representing several companies, and is currently on the Executive of the Board.

President 

Pnewko Brothers Ltd.

Bob Martin is the President of Pnewko Brothers Ltd., which he founded in 2009. Pnewko Bros. is a CSA accredited plastics recycler located in Aurora, servicing the province of Ontario. Pnewko Bros. also has an accredited facility in Alberta, servicing Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

Pnewko Bros. is heavily engaged in the circular economy through the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs. Bob is involved in sculpting the regulatory ground work of the new Individual Producer Responsibility (IPR) programs that are currently replacing the EPR programs.

Bob’s extensive work history and knowledge of the automotive industry led him to become instrumental in the design, implementation, and enhancement of stewardship programs. Bob has sat on a variety of committees including the Hazardous Waste caucus, the Recycling caucus, and has been a director of the W2RO since 2016.

President
Brendar Environmental Inc.

Brent Bolger is the founder and President of Brendar Environmental Inc. and Brendar Environmental Recycling Inc. Brendar Environmental Inc. began in 1994 in the Kingston area. The company has grown to include its Kingston office as well as two facilities in Muskoka – one for transfer/processing hazardous waste and another for the recycling of identified streams such as E-waste, batteries, paint and plastics.

Brent has spent all of his career life in the hazardous waste management sector.

After graduating from University of Waterloo in 1979 he began working with the former CIL Industries in the fertilizer industry – first in Nova Scotia and then in southwestern Ontario. From there he commenced working with a number of waste industry leaders including Tricil Sarnia Ltd. and Walker Industries – Woodington Systems and Kub Coatings Paint Recycling. He then started Brendar Environmental Inc. where he has worked with the support of some great staff that has collectively grown the company to its current business size and status.

Brent is originally from North Bay Ontario and can be found working either in Kingston or Bracebridge with his wife Darlene. They have three adult children living in the Ottawa and Kingston area. 

President
U-Pak Group of Companies

Brian O'Connor is President of U-Pak Group of Companies, a family owned and controlled business in the waste management industry founded in 1972.

In 1988, Brian formally began his career at U-Pak in the operations sector of the business. After years spent fostering growth in operations, sales, administrations and acquisitions, he became President in 2010.

Over the years Brian has guided U-Pak to develop into a fully integrated waste management firm. These services include collection and transfer, MRF's, organics processing and energy from waste.

Brian's extensive knowledge in the industry continue to propel him towards further grow and advancement, while maintaining his commitment to core values and professionalism.

Director of Waste Management Services
Regional Municipality of Niagara

Catherine Habermebl is the Director of Waste Management Services for the Regional Municipality of Niagara.  Since 1996, Catherine has held various positions at the Region, including a recent tenure as Acting Commissioner of Public Works. As Director, she works with a highly professional team to design, implement and administer all waste management programs and services, as well as, build and maintain required infrastructure for a population of over 450,000.   She holds a combined major in Geography and Urban Environmental Studies. Catherine has been involved in several industry associations over the years and has been a member of OWMA since 2009.  She is looking forward to contributing to the W2RO Board as the industry navigates significant legislative changes. Catherine lives in St. Catharines with her husband, son and fur baby.  

Executive Vice-President 

GFL Environmental 

Dave entered the solid waste industry in 1989 as co-owner of a recycling operation (collection, processing and marketing) located in Oakville, Ontario. The company serviced institutional, commercial and industrial customers between Hamilton and Toronto and is still in business today. For twenty years, starting in 1994, Dave held senior sales and operations management roles with Waste Management Inc. in Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal, conducting business in five of eastern Canada’s six provinces. In 2014, Dave became President of Matrec Inc., a solid waste management company with operations in eastern Ontario and Quebec. GFL acquired Matrec in 2016. Dave is a founding member of the Conseil des entreprises en technologies environnementales du Quebec, Quebec’s industry association for waste, compost and recycling operators. Dave holds an MBA from the University of Western Ontario’s Ivey Business School.

President
Joseph Group

Meet Geoffrey Joseph, W2RO new Co-Chair of Membership Value & Services Committee!

Geoff is a member of the W2RO Board of Directors and President & CEO of Joseph Group., which over a decade, has grown to a fleet of over 200 units operating 24 hours a day, every day from its three locations.

Despite its remarkable growth and success, the company has steadfastly remained a family culture business which translates into a personal commitment to quality and professionalism.

Partner, Environmental Law
Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP
 

Jessica Boily is an environmental lawyer in Gowling WLG's Toronto office. Her practice focuses on environmental litigation and providing proactive and strategic advice on environmental compliance and approvals.
 

Jessica works with municipalities and private sector clients in the waste and resource recovery, brownfield redevelopment, water and wastewater, environmental consulting, energy, chemical and manufacturing sectors. She has expertise representing clients in matters involving approvals and permits, air quality, noise, odour and nuisance, contaminated sites, consultant liability, director and officer liability, natural heritage and endangered species, pest control products, export and import of environmentally regulated substances and products, transportation of dangerous goods, reporting and emergency response. She defends clients involved in federal, provincial and municipal enforcement matters and guides clients through potentially contentious environmental assessment and approval hearings and appeals.
 

Jessica is currently the Vice Chair of the Ontario Bar Association Environmental Law Section Executive and a member of the Ontario Environmental Industry Association. She enjoys mentoring students and junior lawyers and has lectured for the Environmental Law course at Osgoode Hall Law School in the past.

Manager, Waste Management, Environmental Services
York Region

Lindsay Milne is the Manager of Waste Management for York Region, managing both policy and operations. Lindsay oversees the implementation and update of the SM4RT Living Integrated Waste Management Master Plan, public waste depot operations, and long-term processing contracts for blue box, green bin and residual waste.

Lindsay is responsible for leading the Region’s Circular Economy roadmap to promote circular economy in the Region. She also oversees advocacy strategy on producer responsibility regulations. She is an active member of the Municipal 3Rs Collaborative and the RPWCO waste subcommittee.  

Lindsay has a Bachelor of Environmental Studies and Masters in Applied Science. She has completed a Masters Certificate in Municipal Leadership from York University.

Lindsay has devoted almost 20 years to public service, with a focus on advocacy, program and policy design, and leadership within waste management.

General Manager of Solid Waste Management Services
City of Toronto 

Mr. Keliher currently serves the City of Toronto as General Manager of Solid Waste Management Services. Matt Keliher previously served as the Manager of Solid Waste at the Halifax Regional Municipality. While in that position he achieved several accomplishments including transitioning households to the use of clear garbage bags, reducing garbage by 20% and driving up recycling by 15%.

Mr. Keliher succeeded in renegotiating facility and landfill operation contracts thereby saving Halifax tens of millions of dollars over the life of the agreements and ensuring long-term disposal security for waste. Matt was also responsible for the overall management of Halifax's Solid Waste system and its owned and contracted assets.

Matt Keliher has achieved significant leadership experience and business expertise across the waste management sector, and adds to the Board’s skillset with his background in accounting, budgeting and planning. Mr. Keliher’s academic record includes a Master of Business of Administration (MBA), a designation as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), and as a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR).

Matt’s proficiency in the fields of waste management and finance make him uniquely qualified to tackle the challenges facing the waste management sector, and contribute to W2RO’s vision to be the thought leader and voice of Ontario’s waste and resource management sector.

Vice President 

GHD Limited

Michael Cant is a Principal and Vice-President at GHD. His main focus has been assisting municipalities and private industry with the planning, approvals and design of waste management facilities. Over his 25 year career, he has successfully completed approvals for landfills, transfer stations, composting facilities, recycling facilities and EFW facilities. He has also conducted a number of feasibility studies on waste technologies including business planning analysis. He has been an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto lecturing on waste management planning and approvals. Michael currently sits on the W2RO Approvals Reform Committee. Michael has been on the Board for 6 years. He has been a member of the Recycling Council of British Columbia, Recycling Council of Alberta, Compost Council of Canada. 

Environmental Services Vice President
Tomlinson Environmental Services Ltd.

Mr. Clement currently is the Environmental Services Vice President for R.W. Tomlinson and Lystek International Inc., part of the Tomlinson Group of Companies.  He is responsible for the portfolio of environmental businesses, consisting of several hauling divisions, recycling plants, transfer stations, hazardous and non-hazardous waste facilities, an organics processing facility, a sewage division and landfill management contracts with the City of Peterborough, Town of Arnprior and City of Ottawa.  Michael also oversees Lystek International Inc., a company that specializes in bio-solids processing and organics management.   

Mr. Clement is part of Tomlinson’s Senior Leadership Team.  Michael has over 16 years’ experience in the waste and recycling industry. 

Michael Leopold - Chief Executive Officer

Michael joined Convertus Group (formerly Renewi Canada) in June 2017 as the Chief Executive Officer. As CEO, Michael oversees the strategic direction of the business enabling Convertus to be a market leader in organic waste treatment technologies. With his operational expertise and high-performance team management experience, Michael leads the Canadian teams and drives performance at four operational organic waste processing facilities in Ottawa and London, Ontario and Surrey and Nanaimo, British Columbia. Michael has a proven global executive management track record, earning various senior management roles leading global organizations such as Lafarge and Siemens. In these positions Michael used his passion for building teams and facilitating change to achieve transformational results.

Sam Glofcheskie is the Canada Region Vice-President, Operations for Safety-Kleen, a Clean Harbors company. He is responsible for the business’ collection of used oil and the delivery and supply of that oil back as high-quality lubricants into the market. Sam has worked in all provinces of Canada, managing hazardous and non-hazardous wastes, in roles both in facility management and sales leadership. Throughout his 16 years in the environmental business, Sam has been integral in strategy and policy development for Safety-Kleen, providing guidance for their Producer Responsibility requirements, equally as a product producer and as a waste collector and recycler. This experience led to his membership and co-chairing of industry committees in Alberta and British Columbia stewardship associations. A graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University and Niagara College, Sam spends his time playing golf and enjoying the outdoors of the Ottawa Valley and now makes his home with his family in the Niagara Region

Area Vice President for Canada
Waste Management of Canada Corporation

Tracy Black is the General Manager for WM and leads the company’s collection, landfill, transfer, and recycling operations across Canada.  Tracy is a seasoned executive with over 15 years of financial and operational leadership experience with large multi-national companies.  Prior to joining WM in 2011, Tracy spent 6 years in the audit and assurance practice of Ernst & Young and 3 years as a finance leader for Agrium Advanced Technologies.  Tracy is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University.  

Tracy currently resides in the Kitchener-Waterloo area with her husband and daughter.