The London Environmental Network (LEN) is supported by a team of diverse staff and volunteers, as well as a Board of Directors.
To get in touch with our team, please visit our Contact Us page. If you are looking to volunteer with LEN or any of our network member organizations, please visit our Volunteer Opportunities page for active listings or sign up for our Volunteer Bank.
Amanda Acosta | Executive Director
Amanda Acosta brings almost two decades working in conservation, with most of her career focused within the NGO sector in Belize. Her expertise is in protected areas management, management effectiveness and strategic leadership. Amanda has served on the executive committees of several conservation networks in Belize, as well as general civil society networks. She is a member of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) and has served on several Expert Appraisal groups for Green Listing (EAGL) in the Central American region. Amanda’s academic background is in science, with a Bachelor of Science from the College of Charleston, South Carolina and a Master of Science from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. She loves the outdoors, reading and travelling. As a recent resident to London, she seeks to contribute in a meaningful way to the community with her passion being a positive impact for people and nature.
Leah Derikx | Director of Human Resources and Finance
Leah Derikx (she/her) is passionate about creating internal operations that contribute to an efficient and thriving organization. In 2018, she graduated from Western University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, specializing in ecosystem health and sustainability. Her interest in ecology and climate change led to her involvement with local environmental groups. Leah first became involved with the London Environmental Network as a summer student, and has supported the organization's events, communications, volunteer management, human resources, bookkeeping, and internal operations since then. She holds a certificate in Professional Leadership from Western Continuing Studies. Leah recently served as the Interim Executive Director of the London Environmental Network from August 2023-2024 and from April-September 2025.
Joanna MacLeod | Sustainability Manager (on maternity leave)
Joanna is passionate about nature, living sustainably, and building a regenerative future. As the Sustainability Manager, Joanna manages our Thriving Communities program which builds green infrastructure projects throughout our city. Joanna has experience creating organic urban edible landscapes, building low impact development projects such as rain gardens and bioswales, and thinking outside the box to help build a greener future for all life forms. Joanna loves to work in an organization with environmental conscious goals, while helping the London community at large increase our natural green spaces. Learn more about our Thriving Communities programing here.
Margarita Jaramillo | Sustainable Building Coordinator
Originally from Colombia, Margarita is passionate about creating a healthy and sustainable environment for all. She has a degree in Environmental Engineering from her country, a Master of Science in Sustainable Energy from Brunel University in UK, and a postgraduate degree in Environmental Law (COL). She’s been in the sustainability field for about 10 years, working mainly with universities in their environmental sustainability strategies and the construction sector. Her main objective is to prevent and minimize environmental impacts. This is why she has extensive experience in implementing environmental projects in energy, water, and waste management. She is enthusiastic and excited about helping Londoners reduce their environmental impact at home.
Andrew Price | Green Economy London Manager
Andrew (he/him) is passionate about sustainability, energy efficiency and nature. He brings knowledge and experience of running two successful local businesses to the Green Economy London (GEL) team. As the GEL Manager, Andrew is excited to work with local businesses to reach their environmental goals with impactful tools offered by various GEL programs. Andrew holds a Bachelor's of Environmental Studies degree from the University of Waterloo with a specialization in Earth Systems Science. His studies were focused on hazards, natural disasters, risk management and home efficiency principles. During his 3rd term at UW, Andrew attended the University of Iceland’s Earth Science exchange program where he studied glaciology, volcanology, hydrogeomorphology and climatology. Andrew is committed to creating a greener London, one business at a time!
Mackenzie McKim | Membership & Engagement Coordinator
Growing up in London, Mackenzie has always felt a strong passion for the environment and living sustainably. While completing her Honours Specialization in Social Justice and Peace Studies at King's University College, she studied a number of different global issues but was always drawn back to environmental issues, specifically water security and waste reduction. She became involved with local environmental groups which further fueled her desire to see London become an even stronger hub for green leadership. She is committed to living more sustainably and is excited to connect with the many groups and individuals that LEN supports.
Sarah Cook | Sustainability Specialist
Sarah is a summer student with Green Economy London and a Master of Environment and Sustainability candidate at Western University. She holds an undergraduate degree in biology with minors in chemistry and geography, and brings experience in community engagement, environmental education, and fieldwork. Her passion for sustainability is rooted in waste management, having consulted on a regional waste reduction and diversion plan for several municipalities surrounding London, Ontario. She is excited to support local businesses in adopting greener practices and contributing to a more sustainable community. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, especially playing sports such as beach volleyball and softball with friends.
Alex Goertzen | Environmental Outreach Coordinator
Alex joins the London Environmental Network as the Environmental Outreach Coordinator, overseeing Antler River Rally (ARR) and LEN outreach activities. Alex brings a diverse educational background that includes specialized credentials in fundraising and non-profit management from Fanshawe College and Western University.
Alex is deeply interested in the intersections between environmental stewardship, social service challenges, and the built urban environment. Beyond LEN, Alex is an active community member, involved with community theatre and other local community building activities. Alex loves connecting with new people and helping them find ways to contribute to their community that bring them joy.
Miranda Cole | Environmental Program Coordinator, Thriving Communities
Miranda has a diploma in horticulture, six seasons of work experience in the industry, and is thrilled to be bringing her knowledge and enthusiasm to the Thriving Communities program. She was raised by outdoor enthusiasts on the beautiful shores of Georgian bay, where her fascination with plants and the natural world developed at a young age. Miranda came to London for college, and stayed for community- though Southern Ontario’s biodiversity and longer growing season were also major draws!
Miranda is passionate about sustainable landscaping, urban environmental systems, and using horticulture as a tool for social development. She spends the fall and winter studying at Wilfred Laurier university; and when she has free time during the warmer months, she hopes you’ll find her at the beach.
Myles Swift - Chair | Engineer (Centric Engineering)
Myles is a licensed professional engineer and holds the position of Principal and Manager of Engineering at Centric Engineering. Joining the firm in 2014 shortly after it opened its doors, Myles has made meaningful contributions to the firm’s development as a leader in both the technical and business management aspects of the firm. He completed his Engineering Science (Civil/Structural) degree at Western University and also holds a Masters of Business Administration from the DeGroote School of Business (McMaster University).
Myles has a passion for the built environment and has helped position his firm as a leader in timber design and the design for zero philosophy. He has been a guest lecturer at Western University and industry conferences, and served on multiple government task forces, working to highlight the benefits of timber as a building material and promoting its use in the industry. Outside of his professional life Myles can be found browsing through record stores, on the water either boating or paddling, travelling and backcountry camping, and spending time with his family and friends.
Sarah Beyea - Vice-Chair | CSR Specialist
As CSR Specialist at Atlantic Central & League Savings and Mortgage, Sarah (she/her) has a passion for helping organizations improve and communicate their social, environmental and economic impact. She graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a B.A. (Hons) in Anthropology, and a B.Sc. in Biology prior to earning her Master of Environment and Sustainability from the University of Western Ontario. With over sixteen years of experience in project management and program implementation, Sarah is a firm believer that the best change happens through collaboration and knowledge sharing. Over the course of her career, Sarah has worked on projects in multiple industries in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors, including sustainability reporting, materiality assessment and gap analysis, environmental compliance, training development, and sustainability implementation. In her spare time she likes to travel and spend time with her family, friends and pets.
Bianca Rocha - Secretary (on leave) | Climate Change Specialist (Libro Credit Union)
Bianca is a Climate Change Specialist at Libro Credit Union. She has a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Environment & Business and a Masters of Climate Change from the University of Waterloo. Having spent about seven years in the public sector in environmental assessments to now working in the finance sector in climate change, she is passionate about the financing of a just transition, local climate action and conscious consumerism. In her free time, you can find her enjoying nature, reading or getting into a new DIY or craft project.
Kevin Kaisar - Interim Secretary | Academic Planner
Kevin (they/them) is a proud immigrant and cat dad. Kevin is passionate about the intersectionality between climate justice, racial justice, and anti-capitalism, and how that can translate to environmentally-conscious and human-rights-conscious consumption. They are especially interested in community mobilization and organizing to build capacity for collective education, awareness, and action. With a business management and event planning background, Kevin brings their administrative and organizational skills to the most fun workplaces they can find - going from a climbing gym to a swimming pool, and now a culinary school. When not working, Kevin enjoys cooking with friends, secondhand shopping, trying out new board games, and drinking lots and lots of iced coffee.
Julie Forrester - Treasurer | Social Impact Consultant
Julie (she/her) is a social sector coach and consultant experienced in applying business principles to nonprofits and social enterprises. She founded a social enterprise incubator, trained 35+ business coaches across Ontario and managed a six-figure social purpose consulting business. She provides consulting services designed to amplify social impact through strong community engagement, strategic planning, data-driven decision making and actionable financial planning.
Julie is an avid traveller and outdoorswoman. This summer Julie reached her goal of a week-long hike through the Alps, embracing natural environments all across the world.
Tyler Bradburn (on leave) | Energy Management and Sustainability
Tyler Bradburn works in Energy Management and Sustainability. He holds a Political Science degree from the University of Windsor as well as an Advanced Diploma in Electrical Engineering Technology from Fanshawe College. He is a Certified Energy Auditor, Certified Energy Manager, Certified Engineering Technologist (Electrical), and a member of the Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers. When not working on improving the built environment, Tyler enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching baseball (Go London Majors), and enjoying the local walking paths and trails.
Ilona Kovats | Sustainability & Tenant Retention Manager
Ilona moved to Canada in 2010 and has been an advocate for sustainability in both her professional and personal life. From 2018-2019, she has mentored Western University’s MES students, helping them shape policies, energy efficiency initiatives, and CSR reports. At BlueStone Properties, she leads ESG initiatives and plays a key role in developing company programs, including accessibility and diversity programs. Recognized as a subject-matter expert, Ilona has shared her knowledge as a panelist at EarthFest and the London Chamber for Climate Action Businesses.
Sadaf Taimur | Sustainability Scientist & Strategic Partnerships Director
Dr. Sadaf Taimur is a Sustainability Scientist and the Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Center for Building Sustainable Value (BSV), Ivey Business School, Western University. Formerly the Director of Sustainability & Circularity at Goodwill Industries, Ontario, she developed and implemented transformative policies and programs to reduce organizational environmental impacts. She advises B-Lab’s Standards Advisory Committee (US & Canada) and has served as an expert reviewer for UNEP’s GEO-7 report. Her experience includes consulting on AI and ESG research at the University of Montreal, serving as Senior ESG Specialist at Mondetta, and holding postdoctoral researcher positions at McGill University and the University of Tokyo. Holding a doctorate in Sustainability Science from the University of Tokyo, she specializes in enabling individual and organizational transformations for sustainable development. She has been recognized for her contributions with multiple accolades, including the GESS Outstanding Contribution in Education Award (2016), the Green Talents Award (2020) from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research for her outstanding research in sustainability science, and the Global 50 Women in Sustainability Award (2024) for her pioneering efforts and transformative leadership in sustainability.
Annie Merritt | Sr. Specialist, Community and Government Relations
Annie brings over a decade of experience working at the intersection of community engagement, Indigenous relations, and sustainable development. She currently works in community and government relations within the renewable energy sector, where she focuses on building strong, respectful partnerships with Indigenous communities, stakeholders, and public sector leaders. She is passionate about fostering collaboration, advancing environmental stewardship, and creating space for meaningful dialogue between communities, organizations, and decision-makers. Annie enjoys reconnecting to the meaning of this work by getting outside -- whether jogging the Thames Valley Parkway trails, camping with her family, or swimming in the cold waters of Georgian Bay at the family cottage.
Annie Legate-Wolfe | Governance Committee Member
Annie is a class actions and Indigenous law lawyer. A native Londoner, Annie returned to the City for her legal education at Western University after obtaining a degree in International Development (Sustainable Development) from the University of Guelph. Annie is driven to provide access to justice in her career, and a sustainable future for global citizens outside of it. If you don't find Annie in her flower, vegetable, or indoor gardens, she's likely in her canoe, on her bike, or on her skis. Annie also lends her skills to some of LEN's member organizations, including London Cycle Link and the Pollinator Pathways Project.
Jenni Hayman | Governance Committee Member
Dr. Jenni Hayman is an Ontario college administrator, professor, and consultant with a focus on open education and the use of open educational resources (OER). She supports the creation of learning experiences related to climate risk assessment, climate adaptation, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). You can find out more about Jenni on LinkedIn.
Sadaf Taimur | Governance Committee Member
Dr. Sadaf Taimur is a Sustainability Scientist and the Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Center for Building Sustainable Value (BSV), Ivey Business School, Western University. Formerly the Director of Sustainability & Circularity at Goodwill Industries, Ontario, she developed and implemented transformative policies and programs to reduce organizational environmental impacts. She advises B-Lab’s Standards Advisory Committee (US & Canada) and has served as an expert reviewer for UNEP’s GEO-7 report. Her experience includes consulting on AI and ESG research at the University of Montreal, serving as Senior ESG Specialist at Mondetta, and holding postdoctoral researcher positions at McGill University and the University of Tokyo. Holding a doctorate in Sustainability Science from the University of Tokyo, she specializes in enabling individual and organizational transformations for sustainable development. She has been recognized for her contributions with multiple accolades, including the GESS Outstanding Contribution in Education Award (2016), the Green Talents Award (2020) from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research for her outstanding research in sustainability science, and the Global 50 Women in Sustainability Award (2024) for her pioneering efforts and transformative leadership in sustainability.
Olsion Lama | Governance Committee Member
Olsion Lama is a committed nature conservationist who has played a significant role in advancing environmental protection and community-based conservation in Albania. As Project Manager at the Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA), he hasled key initiatives that empower local communities and organizations to take part in preserving their natural heritage. Olsion played a central role in establishing Albania’s first Local Action Group for a Protected Area and was instrumental in the designation of the Balkan lynx reproduction area as a Nature Park under IUCN Category IV. His work also includes developing conservation policies, strategies, and coordinating research on endangered species. Outside of work, Olsion enjoys spending time outdoors with his family, sharing his love for nature through hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife photography.
Ilona Kovats | Governance Committee Member
Ilona moved to Canada in 2010 and has been an advocate for sustainability in both her professional and personal life. From 2018-2019, she has mentored Western University’s MES students, helping them shape policies, energy efficiency initiatives, and CSR reports. At BlueStone Properties, she leads ESG initiatives and plays a key role in developing company programs, including accessibility and diversity programs. Recognized as a subject-matter expert, Ilona has shared her knowledge as a panelist at EarthFest and the London Chamber for Climate Action Businesses.
Andrew Hunniford | Governance Committee Member
Andrew Hunniford is a community builder and sustainability advocate with 20 years of experience in business leadership and civic engagement. As former General Manager and Partner at the London Bicycle Café, he helped grow the business into an award-winning hub for active transportation and community connection. Andrew brings expertise in strategic planning, governance, and stakeholder engagement. He also serves on the board of the London Central Lions Club and is dedicated to creating a more sustainable and inclusive London.
Julie Forrester | Finance Committee Chair
Julie (she/her) is a social sector coach and consultant experienced in applying business principles to nonprofits and social enterprises. She founded a social enterprise incubator, trained 35+ business coaches across Ontario and managed a six-figure social purpose consulting business. She provides consulting services designed to amplify social impact through strong community engagement, strategic planning, data-driven decision making and actionable financial planning.
Julie is an avid traveller and outdoorswoman. This summer Julie reached her goal of a week-long hike through the Alps, embracing natural environments all across the world.
Miguel Belcina | Finance Committee Member
Miguel is a Tax Manager at KPMG LLP. He has a degree in Accounting (BSc) and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CA). While at KPMG, Miguel has been involved in working with not-for-profits, and coordinates community initiatives for the office, such as volunteer tax clinics and blood donation drives. Miguel has a passion for sustainability and the environment, and is excited to be a part of LEN.
Sarah Beyea | Finance Committee Member
As CSR Specialist at Atlantic Central & League Savings and Mortgage, Sarah (she/her) has a passion for helping organizations improve and communicate their social, environmental and economic impact. She graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a B.A. (Hons) in Anthropology, and a B.Sc. in Biology prior to earning her Master of Environment and Sustainability from the University of Western Ontario. With over sixteen years of experience in project management and program implementation, Sarah is a firm believer that the best change happens through collaboration and knowledge sharing. Over the course of her career, Sarah has worked on projects in multiple industries in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors, including sustainability reporting, materiality assessment and gap analysis, environmental compliance, training development, and sustainability implementation. In her spare time she likes to travel and spend time with her family, friends and pets.
Ali Croke | Fundraising & Events Committee Chair
Ali is an Evaluation Analyst at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario and a Master of Arts from Carleton University. She utilizes her quantitative and qualitative psychological research skills to now specialize in program evaluation. Raised in London, Ali is passionate about learning and sharing knowledge of sustainable practices to build an eco-conscious community. Her interests include yoga, cats, reading, and loves a good cup of coffee/espresso or glass of red wine.
Kevin Kaisar | Fundraising & Events Committee Vice-Chair
Kevin (they/them) is a proud immigrant and cat dad. Kevin is passionate about the intersectionality between climate justice, racial justice, and anti-capitalism, and how that can translate to environmentally-conscious and human-rights-conscious consumption. They are especially interested in community mobilization and organizing to build capacity for collective education, awareness, and action. With a business management and event planning background, Kevin brings their administrative and organizational skills to the most fun workplaces they can find - going from a climbing gym to a swimming pool, and now a culinary school. When not working, Kevin enjoys cooking with friends, secondhand shopping, trying out new board games, and drinking lots and lots of iced coffee.
Myles Swift | Fundraising & Events Committee Member
Myles is a licensed professional engineer and holds the position of Principal and Manager of Engineering at Centric Engineering. Joining the firm in 2014 shortly after it opened its doors, Myles has made meaningful contributions to the firm’s development as a leader in both the technical and business management aspects of the firm. He completed his Engineering Science (Civil/Structural) degree at Western University and also holds a Masters of Business Administration from the DeGroote School of Business (McMaster University).
Myles has a passion for the built environment and has helped position his firm as a leader in timber design and the design for zero philosophy. He has been a guest lecturer at Western University and industry conferences, and served on multiple government task forces, working to highlight the benefits of timber as a building material and promoting its use in the industry. Outside of his professional life Myles can be found browsing through record stores, on the water either boating or paddling, travelling and backcountry camping, and spending time with his family and friends.
Bianca Rocha | Fundraising & Events Committee Member
Bianca is a Climate Change Specialist at Libro Credit Union. She has a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Environment & Business and a Masters of Climate Change from the University of Waterloo. Having spent about seven years in the public sector in environmental assessments to now working in the finance sector in climate change, she is passionate about the financing of a just transition, local climate action and conscious consumerism. In her free time, you can find her enjoying nature, reading or getting into a new DIY or craft project.
Sarah Beyea | Fundraising & Events Committee Member
As CSR Specialist at Atlantic Central & League Savings and Mortgage, Sarah (she/her) has a passion for helping organizations improve and communicate their social, environmental and economic impact. She graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a B.A. (Hons) in Anthropology, and a B.Sc. in Biology prior to earning her Master of Environment and Sustainability from the University of Western Ontario. With over sixteen years of experience in project management and program implementation, Sarah is a firm believer that the best change happens through collaboration and knowledge sharing. Over the course of her career, Sarah has worked on projects in multiple industries in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors, including sustainability reporting, materiality assessment and gap analysis, environmental compliance, training development, and sustainability implementation. In her spare time she likes to travel and spend time with her family, friends and pets.
Tyler Bradburn | Fundraising & Events Committee Member
Tyler Bradburn works in Energy Management and Sustainability. He holds a Political Science degree from the University of Windsor as well as an Advanced Diploma in Electrical Engineering Technology from Fanshawe College. He is a Certified Energy Auditor, Certified Energy Manager, Certified Engineering Technologist (Electrical), and a member of the Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers. When not working on improving the built environment, Tyler enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching baseball (Go London Majors), and enjoying the local walking paths and trails.
Ellen Liu | Fundraising & Events Committee Member
Ellen has a passion for education, food, and nature and environment sustainability. Having a background of English Language Studies, Food and Nutrition Management, and Italian Culinary Art, she had been working at various roles (including student counselor, senior IELTs instructor, Academic Program Director) as an educator at college for 20 plus years. Joining the amazing LEN team allows her the privilege to help educate, connect and inspire a larger audience with her expertise, to promote a greener city and the sustainability of our environment. Ellen also enjoys her time in making artisan sourdough breads, and all kinds of yummies, playing so-pitch, or on the trails leading a hike.