Seeds For Change
Seeds For Change; Intersectional Sustainability Summit is a full-day event on March 8, 2025, dedicated to exploring the intersectionality of environmental issues with social justice. Hosted by HNP, this summit will bring together youth leaders, experts, and non-profits to discuss how environmental crises shape and are shaped by broader societal challenges. Attendees will engage with keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. If you're passionate about environmental and social change, register now to be part of the conversation!
Event Details
Mission
The Summit aims to bridge the gap between environmental and social justice issues, emphasizing how environmental crises affect various aspects of society and environmental intersectionality. By bringing together youth leaders, activists, and experts, we aim to foster discussion, inspire action, and create meaningful connections. We hope to discuss the various ivtersectionalities of other issues (for example, education, healthcare, food systems, technology and innovation, etc.) with environmentalism.
Highlights
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Engage with experts: Hear from keynote speakers and panelists on pressing environmental and social justice issues.
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Network with impact-driven organizations; meet non-profits working at the forefront of environmental advocacy.
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Explore diverse topics—From health and education to technology and policy, gain insights into how sustainability intersects with other fields.
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Exclusive perks—Attendees will receive resources, volunteer opportunities, and access to future HNP initiatives. Attendees also receive 8 volunteer hours for attendance,
Logistics
Date: March 8, 2025
Location: Mimico Library
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Food: Lunch & refreshments will be provided
Transit: A two-way TTC presto re-inbursment ticket will also be provided
Our Speakers:
Jennifer Corrierio
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF TakingITGlobal
Jennifer Corriero is a social innovator who has been mobilizing resources through technology to improve K-12 education and youth engagement since she co-founded TakingITGlobal 25 years ago. In her role as Executive Director of TakingITGlobal, she has helped to develop the skills for young people to lead community-based projects through the development of learning resources and micro-grants programs. She authored the book Journey of a Social Innovator: A Guided Journal she curated and co-edited Flourish: A Workbook for Social Innovators, with 50 contributing authors. Jennifer holds a Masters in Environmental Studies and serves the Faculty of Health at York University as a Community Fellow with the Wellness Impact Lab (WIL), Dahdaleh Institute.
Briann Dorin
PhD at York University
Briann Dorin’s current research focuses on pollinator conservation in agricultural systems and investigating how farm management practises influence wild bees. She has completed an MSc in Plant Sciences and a BSc in Wildlife Biology and Conservation. She has previously worked on projects ranging from lichen conservation in urban parks, to the use of drones in sustainable agriculture, and planting bee-friendly gardens on residential properties.
Dr. Justin Podur
Professor At York University
Dr. Justin Podur is a professor at York Unvirestiy’s Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change. and is currently teaching the Foundations of Sustainable Environmental Management. He has written a number of books on various topics, runs a podcast on world history with around 5000 downloads per episode, and currently teaches at York University.
Dr. Caroline Barakat
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF TakingITGlobal
Dr. Caroline Barakat is an associate professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ontario Tech University and a health geographer specializing in environmental health. Her research focuses on child and adolescent health, population health, environmental epidemiology, health inequities, and health sustainability. Dr. Barakat has secured over $4M in research funding, with nearly $3M as principal or co-investigator. She has been awarded 12 Tri-Council grants, including seven as principal investigator, and currently holds five ongoing Tri-Council grants, reflecting a strong and sustained research program in child and adolescent environmental health and health sustainability. With more than 60 publications, her work informs policy on environmental health and sustainability issues, including air quality, food safety, and public health interventions that promote resilient and health-sustaining environments.
Dr. Romila Verma
Professor At University Of Toronto
An innovative teacher, researcher, speaker, and award winning documentary film maker, Dr. Verma lectures on water and environmental issues in the School of the Environment and Department of Geography at the University of Toronto. She is the founder of Water Speaks, an initiative that strives to translate the voice of water through research, education and action. She is also a Founding Director of Trans Africa Pipeline, a project committed to bring desalinated water in the Sahel region of Africa. She is also spearheading educational workshops for elementary and middle school students through the concept of "Let the STEAM Rise!" (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). This innovative learning program strives to develop the children’s education and curiosity through the lens of four Es- Exploration, Experimentation, Expression and Enterprise.
Dr. Brad Bass
Founder of COBWEB
Dr. Brad Bass received his PhD in Geography from Penn State University, in 1989. Since graduation, Dr. Bass has worked in a number of areas: the simulation of complex systems, modelling community energy systems, environmental economics and green infrastructure. In 1998, Dr. Bass began to work with students on the development of COBWEB (Complexity and Organized Behaviour Within Environmental Bounds), an agent-based simulation model. Dr. Bass used COBWEB to open the field of complexity to students. COBWEB is now being used by students around the world to develop original research ideas. Most recently, Dr. Bass’ research has been very multidisciplinary and very interdisciplinary, integrating the social and environmental sciences with publications ranging from the thermal properties of green roofs to the psychology of sick buildings to the costs of algal blooms. Closer to home, and closer to the ground, Dr. Bass likes to get his hands dirty with the establishment of naturalized landscapes. Dr. Bass welcomes students from a number of areas to work with COBWEB or to work on the establishment of urban meadows.
Judy Chau
Cambodian Chinese Canadian Social Work Student
Based in Tkaronto, Judy Chau recognizes the ongoing impacts of colonization and systemic oppression, shaping her responsibility to challenge power structures and work toward justice for all. As a School Social Work Student at the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and Executive Director of Starts With One (SWO), Judy works alongside marginalized, BIPOC, immigrant, refugee, and newcomer youth to navigate and dismantle systemic barriers in education, mental health, and community spaces. She is deeply committed to anti-oppressive, decolonial, and trauma-informed approaches that center youth voices, affirm identities, and create spaces of belonging and empowerment. Judy believes that justice is not an individual pursuit but a collective responsibility—one rooted in solidarity, empathy, and accountability. Her work focuses on challenging systems of privilege and oppression, moving beyond performative equity toward real systemic change. Through mentorship, peer support, and community action, she is dedicated to fostering a future where all communities thrive with dignity, justice, and liberation.
Our Panelists:
Simon Leonidis
YOUNG POLITICIANS OF CANADA
As the Senior Ontario Chair of the Young Politicians of Canada, Simon is dedicated towards increasing youth participation in provincial and municipal politics. Passionate about youth engagement, human rights, and international relations, Simon currently resides in Ottawa while pursuing his degree in International Studies and Modern Languages. Within the YPC, Simon has spearheaded several initiatives, including a 'Provincial Election Speaker Series' which allowed youth to directly engage with political candidates, alongside the establishment of municipal divisions across Ontario. A fun fact about him is that he's an avid traveller, and is aiming to reach 25 countries by the time he turns 25.
Mahrosh Zafar
MOVEMENT FOR CHANGE YOUTH COUNCIL
Mahrosh Zafar is the Executive Director of the Movement for Change Youth Council, a non-profit organization empowering and inspiring young changemakers to dismantle societal injustices. She is currently a second-year student at Rotman Commerce, University of Toronto, and is extremely passionate about social impact and making positive change through her work. At this summit, I am so excited to speak about the power of youth advocacy in driving environmental change and look forward to discussing how young leaders can champion sustainability through activism and community engagement. A fun fact about me is that I love to do henna art!!
Hanna Thompson
SCOOP FOR THE YOUTH
Hannah Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop for the Youth, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young people through creative and community-driven initiatives. She is passionate about creating spaces where youth voices can thrive and meaningful change can be achieved. Hannah’s interest in this summit lies in her commitment to addressing intersectionality and building connections that inspire action. A fun fact about Hannah is that she loves to read in her free time.
Catherine Li
PLATFORM FOR YOUTH CREATIVITY
Catherine is a co-chair of Platform for Youth Creativity who is passionate about the arts and bringing opportunities to youth artists. She is interested in how the arts may play a role in climate activism, and how artists can be environmentally conscious in their work. A fun fact about Catherine is that she loves Charli xcx.
Emily Ng
STARTS WITH ONE CANADA
Emily Ng is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto (UofT) pursuing a double major in Chemistry and Neuroscience with a focus in Green Chemistry. Her research explores the intersection of knowledge translation, equitable healthcare access, and effective policy implementation. She has served as a judge for the UofT Student Research Initiative case competition on sustainable urban development. Additionally, she has guest lectured on chemical applications in St Mary Catholic Academy, Northview Heights Secondary School, and Francis Libermann Catholic High School. Beyond academics, she is invested in the education equity sector as a Volunteer Coordinator at Starts With One, where she leads a team of volunteer tutors in providing accessible tutoring support to low-income families in the GTA. In her spare time, Emily enjoys reading novels and sharing fun facts—like how bees dance to communicate with each other.
Prit Galgut
STEAM INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Prit Galgut is the Co-Director of the STEAM Innovation Challenge (STEAM IC), a Canadian non-profit dedicated to providing youth the opportunity to tackle real-world problems in STEAM, gain hands-on experience, and connect with professionals in different occupations. She founded STEAM IC with the aim of fostering creativity and collaboration among young innovators. Growing up in an era where many environmental issues are brought to our attention, she works to promote sustainability by emphasizing this in STEAM IC's competitive criteria, which encourages participants to develop solutions that are both innovative and environmentally conscious.