Mike Borrelli has been with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization since 2007 and is currently in the role of Section Manager, Site Selection. With an academic background in sociology and psychology, Mike has contributed to the NWMO’s mandate as a researcher and engagement professional over the course of his career. After being involved in the development and launch of the NWMO’s site selection process between 2008-2010, he now directly supports the implementation of the process as it reaches its conclusion. A firm believer in the importance of public consultation and engagement, Mike earned a Master of Arts in Sociology from McMaster University in Hamilton, where he lives with his family and contributes to civic life through volunteer work with the Hamilton Community Land Trust.

With a passion for protecting nature, an understanding of the challenges the natural world faces, and a spirit of ruthless optimism, Dolf DeJong has enjoyed an incredible career in the conservation, wildlife protection, and education field.    

Dolf began as the Chief Executive Officer of your Toronto Zoo in September 2018. His focus revolves around a commitment to raising the Zoo’s community connections to ensure we are working together to deliver on the Zoo’s new Strategic and Master Plan. These plans focus on being an inclusive space where everyone belongs, advocating for wildlife, creating ‘wow’ for good, and ensuring we bring science and traditional knowledge together to protect and save species for generations to come.

Dolf received his Masters of Environmental Studies from Wilfred Laurier University, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto, and an Honours Bachelor of Science from Brock University.

James Nowlan is the Executive Director of Environment & Climate at the City of Toronto, where he oversees the team responsible for the development of corporate environment and climate policies, such as TransformTO the City’s strategy to be net-zero by 2040, the Net-Zero Existing Buildings Strategy, the Electric Vehicle Strategy, a renewed approach to climate resiliency and work on a Circular Economy Roadmap, working with many of the City’s Divisions, agencies, and external partners in the community. The Division also works on several innovative projects that support achieving City environment and climate goals and oversees a number of funding programs such as SolarTO and the Home Energy Loan Program.

James joined the City in January of 2022 after more than 17 years in Ontario’s Public Service, where he held progressively more responsible policy/program, management, and Executive leadership positions in several Ontario ministries. In his last position with the Province, James was the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Agency Oversight and Partnerships Division at the Ministry of Transportation, where he worked closely with ministries, agencies, and other levels of government to support investments in public transit. 

Prior to this, James has had the opportunity to work on many high-profile environmental and resource management initiatives in the Ontario Public Service including the establishment of the Greenbelt, renewable energy policy, Great Lakes protection, air quality, climate change and transportation and transit policies, programs and delivery. Under his leadership these teams developed and delivered significant legislation, regulations, programs, policies, and infrastructure investments.

Related to his current role, James has held a number of positions focused on environment, climate and energy matters, including the Director of Climate Change Policy with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. While with the Ministry, he led the development and implementation of an all of government Climate Change Action Plan that involved actions to be implemented by 16 provincial Ministries. Delivering on this outcome for the Province included significant efforts to work across Ministry silos, create relationships and partnerships, and establish processes to resolve disputes

Emel Tabaku (she/her) is an Albanian-Canadian, first-generation immigrant settler, multidisciplinary artist, and community builder based in Ottawa, Canada. She holds a Master of Public Policy from the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto. Emel’s career spans impactful roles across the public sector, international development work with UN organizations, and leadership in the non-profit sector as the Founder of RCAD Initiative—a community arts nonprofit dedicated to addressing pressing social and environmental issues through art and design.

A network weaver, storyteller, and policymaker, Emel’s work bridges social justice, sustainability, and systems transformation. She has co-developed and published the #DigitalArt4Climate Environmental Advocacy Toolkitas Youth Climate Lab Artist-in-Residence, supporting youth-driven environmental advocacy. Emel has also represented the Canadian Youth Delegation at prominent global forums, including the 2023 World Trade Organization Public Forum, the 2023 FAO World Food Forum, and the 2022 ChangemakersXChange Gender & Climate Action Summit. As a Transformation Storytelling Fellow with Community Foundations of Canada, she continues to explore community-led responses to climate change, amplifying the power of local action to build resilience and inspire transformative change.

Emel’s contributions embody the conference’s Riders on the Storm theme, as she brings insight into the role of creative community engagement in addressing the intersections of environmental policy, social justice, and climate resilience.