2025 New World of Work Series Event: “Sustainability and Work”

All Artsci students AND alumni are invited to a New World of Work Series event: “Sustainability and Work” .
The New World of Work Series (NWWS) organizing team – Camille (Level 4), Emelia (Level 3), and Noor (Level 2) – is thrilled to share the next event in this year’s NWWS will be held on 10 February 2025, from 7-9PM.
Join us as we discuss how efforts to create a more sustainable future are impacting the world of work and how to contribute to positive environmental change within various careers and job sectors. The event will begin with a panel discussion featuring speakers working in a range of sustainability-related fields. Following the panel, students, alumni and other guests will have the chance to connect further in small-group roundtable discussions.
Alumni working in a diverse array of careers and fields will be attending the event and engaging with students in all levels of the Arts & Science program to discuss pertinent issues and topics in the field of sustainability. Panelists will share their unique experiences with sustainability in their field of work and kickstart small group discussions where alumni and students can connect, share, and learn from one another about sustainability in the contemporary world of work.
Date: Monday, February 10, 2025
Time: 7PM to 9PM
Location: McMaster University, The MSU Hub Loft (4th floor)
Format: Panel discussion, followed by small group discussions & networking reception.
Light refreshments will be served.
Arts & Science students and alumni are invited to this New World of Work event.
Schedule:
7:00 PM: Welcome Reception
7:30 PM: Sustainability & Work Panel Discussion
8:15 PM: Roundtable Breakout Discussions
9:00 PM: Event Concludes
Panelists:
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Katherine Charness (Artsci, 2017) Policy Analyst at Health Canada’s Climate Change and Health OfficeKatherine holds a Master of Public Health with a specialization in public health policy from the University of Toronto. Katherine’s work focuses on developing and implementing policies and programs to build health system resilience and protect the health of people in Canada from the impacts of climate change. |
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Zachary de Jong (Artsci, 2018) Manager, Climate Strategy at Sun Life FinancialZachary is an experienced sustainability professional committed to supporting the transition to a just and net zero world. After Arts & Science, he obtained his Masters in Environment and Sustainability from Western University before working in sustainability consulting for a variety of clients in tech, retail, and industry. As a sustainability strategy consultant, he supported the development and execution of business strategies that improve the sustainable performance of company operations, products, and employees. He now works for one of Canada’s largest asset managers, developing strategies and public reports on Sun Life’s journey to net zero in its investment and operations. |
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Rodrigo Narro Pérez Assistant Professor, Earth, Environment & Society at McMaster University Rodrigo Narro Pérez (he/him/él) is an Assistant Professor in the School of Earth, Environment and Society (SEES) in the Faculty of Science at McMaster University. Rodrigo was born in Lima Perú and is interdisciplinary scholar whose teaching and research spans the fields of Environmental Science, Climate Change Science, Latin American Geography, Latinx Geographies, Community-Engaged Education, Latin American Studies and Latinx Studies. Rodrigo did his PhD work in the Cordillera Blanca, Perú where he investigated the environments of glacial lakes to look at the risk of glacial lake outburst floods due to rapid deglaciation and climate change. He then did a Postdoctoral Fellowship at McMaster where he developed the Interdisciplinary Minor in Latin American and Latinx Studies at McMaster as well as anti-racist and inclusive pedagogies in the Faculty of Science. He has experience in community engaged research and teaching based on his anti-racist work within Hamilton, and in particular the Latin American community in Hamilton, and has also been an instructor in the Community Engagement program. He currently teaches a variety of courses in Earth and Environmental Sciences as well as in the Latin American/Latinx Studies program where he is deeply committed to inspiring a commitment to climate change knowledge and action in students and also empowering the Latin American/Latinx community at McMaster. |
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Emily Siskos (Artsci, 2018) Ecological Restoration Technician & Communications Consultant at Friends of the Rouge WatershedEmily is a McMaster University graduate (2018) from the Arts & Science Program with a minor in interdisciplinary sustainability. Her career began at Metrix Group in learning design, but as the youth climate protests gained momentum, Emily felt a strong pull toward climate activism and solutions. This led her to pursue a Master’s in Environment and Sustainability at Western University (2019-2020).In 2020, Emily was hired as a policy analyst and greenhouse gas emissions modeller at Environment and Climate Change Canada, where she quickly advanced to sector lead in the waste and agriculture division. Despite her success in developing Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections and shaping policy, Emily felt a stronger call to community-based environmental action. In 2023, Emily took a gap year to travel through Latin America, working and volunteering on organic farms and eco-projects, deepening her commitment to hands-on, nature-based solutions. Now back in Ontario, Emily has spent the past year merging her diverse skills in roles such as ecological restoration technician and communicator with Friends of the Rouge Watershed, as well as educator at Boundless Outdoor High School and Roots 2 Rise Outdoors—acting as a bridge between nature-based solutions and community engagement. |
This event is part of the New World of Work Series, which is supported through a generous gift made by
Arts & Science alumnus Bruce Miyashita.
Click here to register today!
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