Past Executive Teams
2023 – 2024
Xiaoyu (Christina) Yan, President – FT MBA 2023 Cohort
Email: christina_yan@sfu.ca
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/xy-yan
Bio:
I completed my degree in Environmental Studies. Post-graduation, I worked as an Operations Manager at a global biotech company and was fortunate enough to visualize the business and ecosystems in various countries. I gained a thorough understanding of how political systems, business models, and economic development could affect the degree of sustainability in society.
There’s nothing more exhilarating to me than leading and collaborating with individuals who are passionate about sustainability. As a member of Net Impact, my goal is to inspire more people to join our mission by enhancing students’ experiences through enjoyable and purposeful events while also helping them explore potential career opportunities. The time has come for us to truly make an impact on our world!
Email: zhen_gong@sfu.ca
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chris-gong
Bio:
To me, sustainability goes beyond mere resource conservation; it’s about savoring and nurturing our resources. My non-profit working experience in contributing to a more socially responsible and mindful community also invovled addressing environmental concerns.
The Net Impact club offers students a valuable platform to articulate their ideas, tackle real-world challenges, collaborate with industry experts, and connect with students from universities worldwide. I champion the “learning by doing” philosophy and consider case competitions as one of the most effective methods for students to apply their acquired skills and knowledge in a real-world setting. As I take on the leadership role for the Case Competition, I intend to leverage my expertise in business development, marketing strategy, and customer relationship management to provide SFU students with an engaging learning platform. This platform will focus on the crucial topics of sustainability, which play integral roles in shaping today’s leaders.
Danqi (Emma) Tan, Director, Operations – FT MBA 2023 Cohort
Email: danqi_tan@sfu.ca
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danqitan
Bio:
I am from the finance background and worked as a securities affairs manager in both listed and pre-IPO companies. In this role, I was responsible for raising funds in the capital market, drafting ESG reports, and overseeing company governance. My experience has highlighted the increasing awareness of the importance of environmental protection among investors and regulatory bodies in recent years.
Profound changes have occurred recently, including global warming, erratic weather patterns, the European energy crisis, and marine pollution, posing significant threats to enterprises worldwide. Consequently, “environmental protection and resource management” have transitioned from being mere forms of corporate responsibility to fundamental necessities for a company’s survival. Thus, effective ESG management not only aligns with public expectations and enhances reputation but also ensures a company’s continued existence. It aids in reducing governance and management costs while facilitating capital market fund-raising. As a professional in the ESG management and investment field, I am passionate about developing ESG indicators that best serve investors’ needs and raising management’s awareness of ESG issues.
As Director of Operations, I will dedicated on running the annual case competition successfully, and make a positive impact on society with other team members collectively.
Amaan Faisal, Director, Finance – MSc Finance 2023 Cohort
Email: amaan_faisal@sfu.ca
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amaan-faisal
Bio:
I am a highly motivated MSc Finance student at Simon Fraser University, with a deep-rooted commitment to sustainability and conservation. My journey is guided by a profound belief in the transformative power of finance and data analysis to drive positive change in the world. As a dedicated Net Impact member, I am steadfast in my mission to combine financial expertise with sustainability practices for a more equitable and environmentally responsible future. My educational journey includes a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) degree from Jamia Millia Islamia University, where I excelled academically. This foundation equipped me with the essential financial knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of the financial sector through a sustainability lens.My skill set includes financial analysis, database management, equity research, report writing, accounts reconciliation, and creating streamlined processes for sustainability-focused payments. I’m also proficient in MS Office applications.
I am excited to continue my journey, making sustainability and conservation central to my mission. Together, with Net Impact, we can lead the way towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.
Shashank Arora, Director, Events & Engagement – FT MBA 2023 Cohort
Email: saa208@sfu.ca
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shashank-arora-9119a464
Bio:
With 3 years of hands-on experience in the chemical engineering industry under my belt, I’ve had the privilege of diving into diverse projects that aim to make our world a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable place. Whether it’s crafting innovative solutions to reduce carbon emissions or engineering systems to recycle wastewater, I’ve always been at the forefront of driving change through science and technology. But I’m not just an engineer in a Nomax suit; I’m also a dynamic leader. During my stint with a Start-up as a Customer Success lead, I’ve helmed a crew of 12, guiding them to success in delivering projects on time and in style. Collaboration and synergy are my guiding principles in achieving success. Beyond my professional life, my heart beats for the future of the world—its children. I’ve been a passionate advocate for child education and have continuously worked to provide opportunities for bright young minds. I’ve also taken up the cause of protecting children from sexual abuse, raising awareness and resources to create a safer environment for our future generations. During my free time, I can often be found at the seaside or atop mountain cliffs, seeking solace while seated by riverbanks or standing on bridges overlooking the flowing waters, all in appreciation of the serene beauty and tranquility of Nature.
Bharathan Raghupathy, Director, Communication & Marketing – FT MBA 2023 Cohort
Email: bra49@sfu.ca
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bharathanraghupathy
Bio:
A firm believer in sustainability as a neccessity in all walks of life including business for ensuring a better future. Having worked in the spheres of sustainability from both an Research and Development Perspective and a Corporate Social Responsibility Perspective, I have experienced numerous challenges in pushing this agenda forward. I hope with my role as the Director of Communication, Net Impact Beedie Chapter to bring awareness to the challenges faced in Sustainability and for solutions to these challenges. In the end, we are all a part of this earth and we need to work together, share ideas to make this dream come true.
Making a social impact starts from us and I hope to do a small part in this humongous challenge in front of us.
2022 – 2023
Nazia Tabassum, President – MSc Finance 2022 Cohort
Email: nazia_tabassum@sfu.ca
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nt67
Bio: I am a corporate and FI credit analyst/risk manager by profession with 12 years of experience. In my formative years in the 90s, Captain Planet was one of my favorite cartoons. It was an edutainment which taught me that pollution was bad and Earth needed to be saved. As I continued my journey into adulthood, I saw that we started to care about plastic waste and we started using jute/cloth bags instead. Then at work, I found that both the multinational banks that I worked for had Sustainability as a top agenda. It is becoming an all-encompassing priority for everyone to act urgently and collectively to tackle climate risk. Now I am pursuing an MSc in Finance to pivot to a global career experience. SFU is very engaged with sustainable initiatives starting from sustainable campus building at Surrey to sustainable recycling/trash management in every campus and every student residence.
As the President of Net Impact SFU, I want to encourage more open dialogue and engagement from my fellow cohorts in different business programs. I want to give you access to every tool that SFU has in its disposal to work on what you want to be your sustainability contribution and learn more on the topics that interests you. It is the time for us to act in a unified manner and do our part.
Deepthi Muralidhara, Vice President, Case Competition – FT MBA 2022 Cohort
Email: deepthi_muralidhara@sfu.ca
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/deepthimuralidhara
Bio: Sustainability to me is not about conserving resources; it is rather to savor and nurture them. I have focused mainly on environmental issues in my past work experience in Supply Chain Management. I am now keen on learning and creating awareness in regard to social issues affecting businesses and communities.
The Net Impact club gives students a platform to voice their ideas, solve real-world challenges, collaborate with industry professionals and students from Universities across the globe. In leading the efforts for the Case Competition, I will strive to facilitate this learning process to help students better understand the issues, share their insights and perspectives, and present their solutions to the organizations to be more sustainable. I will be an advocate for SFU’s Vision of “Engagement with Purpose”, collaborate with local and global communities to help interested individuals be socially and environmentally responsible business leaders.
Christy Qiang, Director, Events & Engagement – FT MBA 2022 Cohort
Email: christy_qiang@sfu.ca
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christyqiang/
Bio: As human beings, we need a sense of belonging which connects us to communities and relationships we develop in life. One of my greatest passions is to bring people together through organizing events and activities, offering a platform for communication, learning and improvement. The pandemic has got me into thinking about many different topics on sustainability. In this MBA program, I hope I can contribute my part to shape future business leaders by raising awareness of social responsibility in business and learning ESG strategies across sectors.
I have extensive experience managing events and partnerships in both B2B and B2C environments all over Europe. My goal is to build a nurturing Net Impact community for Beedie graduate students and connect them with influential industrial leaders who have the best ESG practice. I am driven to create educational and meaningful event experiences that will lead to positive changes for our society. I welcome you all to join our events and let us build a better tomorrow together!
Chrissy Fan, Director, Communications & Media – FT MBA 2022 Cohort
Email: qiyu_fan@sfu.ca
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chrissyfan/
Bio: Before, I had no opportunity to participate in sustainability outside of myself. I thought about improvements to upgrade our factory’s manufacturing processing in China and tried to facilitate inclusion in my company but when I researched sustainability clubs and tried to find a chapter to join, there is no location in China. I‘m very glad that I’ve been one part of the journey. Being a business development manager in the e-commerce industry, I have worked with small business start-ups globally providing and supporting silver jewelry product research and development. I am passionate about content creation, and communication. My working experience, strength, and skills are all related to interacting with others, brand building on social media, and problem-solving and thus I hope to utilize my strength to make a positive impact on the Net Impact community I’m involved with.
Paritosh Gupta, Director, Finance – MSc Finance 2022 Cohort
Email: paritosh_gupta@sfu.ca
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paritoshgupta04/
Bio: As an individual, I have always been interested in learning innovative ways on how we can incorporate a sustainability focused outlook for the long-term success of businesses. With more and more businesses shifting their focus on sustainable economic growth, the time is now to expand our knowledge on impactful and responsible investments in the business world and in the process connect with like-minded people.
I aim to implement the same with many more propositions to help the organization expand its reach, while supporting it against forecasted downfalls through an in-depth analysis of the indicators and prevent extreme opportunity costs.
2021-2022
President, Jasmin Bains
Once I decided to enhance my career by pursuing an MBA, I knew I wanted to apply to an institution that shared in my values. In that regard, Beedie’s commitment to sustainability echoes my own. Beedie’s certification as a Net Impact Chapter and demonstrated leadership in the Net Impact Sustainability Challenge deeply aligned with my own interests and immediately motivated me to apply and participate. As the President of Net Impact SFU, I am driven to strengthen the conversation between industry professionals and future leaders and aspire to build a strong, sustainable network of mutually inspired individuals who are as engaged on the topic of sustainability as I am. My aim for this year’s Net Impact is to mobilise the next generation of leaders, fostering a sense of urgency and responsibility. Through a multitude of networking events, discussion panels, and informal meetups, I hope to evoke a sense of civic engagement and garner support for utilising business resources and skills in support of environmental causes.
VP Case Competition, Lucia Jaramillo Gaviria
Sustainability has been a very important aspect of my life. Since it’s a broad topic that includes environment, social and economic development, it allows people from different backgrounds and interests to be passionate about it and provide their own insights. As students and leaders in our communities, it is crucial that we start viewing sustainability in our day-to-day activities from these different perspectives.My goal for the year is to create more awareness of environmental and social issues and provide a forum for individuals to discuss actions that can really contribute to change. In light of this, I believe leading the case competition is an excellent opportunity to discuss and create more awareness of the environmental, economic, and social issues, and allow students the opportunity to think of business solutions that can translate into real-world change. I truly believe these events are a game-changer for students as it’s an excellent opportunity for students to discuss their ideas with people from different backgrounds and diverse life experiences.
Director of Finance, Jose Noriega
I am 36 years old, married, and a father of a 2-and-a-half-year-old beautiful daughter and 2 dogs. My family and I are originally from Lima, Perù. I was inspired to join Net Impact while attending the Full-Time MBA as I believe we have a strong commitment with future generations on how we manage the world we live in today and we must contribute in any way we can. I also believe there are many things we can do to make a difference. For instance, I always carry a mug with me – that way I can refill it with water and reduce the amount of plastic used. Ultimately, we can all give our little grain of sand for change to happen.
Director, Events & Engagement: Jacintha Kurniawan
I am passionate about sustainability, and I am here to create a positive social impact. I believe there are urgent problems to solve, and we can collectively take part to solve this issue together. As a Full-Time MBA student, I want to leverage the lessons I’ve learned in class and implement them to this executive role at Net Impact; a society contributing to a positive social cause, creating a better world for all of us to live in, one event at a time. I was previously the Head of Events at the Indonesian Society (PPIA) in Australia, so I do have previous event management experience. My goal is to create events that genuinely interest people, and have attendees leave feeling empowered in taking actionable changes in their life. I am excited to join this social movement and be a part of something larger than myself, solving one sustainable issue at a time.
Director, Communications & Media, Maitree Lonare
Associated as I have been intensive brand communication in the advertising sector, I am privy to the impact of socially relevant campaigns on business. Through the knowledge acquired by the FT MBA courses and Net Impact events, I intend to achieve my long-term vision of marrying business and humanity in the business world.I aspire to transform the business world by infusing the essence of sustainability and social responsibility. Eventually, I envision nurturing a breed of conscious leaders and brands that are sensitized towards the needs of our community and habitat. As Director of Communications and Media, I intend to connect with like-minded people and influence others to further the cause of sustainable practices in business.
2020-2021
President, Carlos López Sandoval
The role of business in building a better world is indisputable. As leaders we can harness its power to advocate and promote sustainable business practices. My passion for social impact and community development goes way back to my involvement in volunteering activities as a high school student where I developed a sense of commitment to helping people and communities realize their potential to transform their reality. I am excited to use my experience with like-minded individuals as Net Impact’s President to bring sustainability at the forefront of business conversations, lead the team, leverage club relationships, and help us become sustainability advocates. I am committed to creating innovative experiences, both virtual and in person, to help all cohorts become responsible business leaders that bring awareness of the importance of embedding sustainable practices to build better societies.
VP Case Competition, Yash Mehta
Sustainability to me is more than just climate change; It includes everything from investments in health and education systems to strengthening social frameworks and improving the standard of living. What excites me the most is designing innovative solutions by collaborating with like-minded individuals who share the same passion for sustainability and social development, and the Net Impact Case Competition provides a platform for just that. Given the transition to a more virtual world this year, I hope that we can invite participation from students across the globe to facilitate exchange of different perspectives and ideas on how we can bring to the forefront the importance each of the four pillars of sustainability. I truly believe that there needs to be a paradigm shift in how private and public organisations collaborate and operate in contributing to building a better working world.
Director of Finance, Mitchell Bertram
Sustainability has been an important part of my entire life and I want to be a part of the changes towards a sustainable future. My goal for the year is to use Net Impact to engage with as many SFU Beedie students on the topic of sustainability. Hopefully, will be able to share with others some of the things I have learned being a part of Net Impact, and also hear from them how they are practicing and engaging in sustainability. I aim to learn how to combine two of my biggest passions: business and sustainability. The Net Impact Sustainability Challenge is an opportunity to bring the next generation of Business Leaders together to let them find out for themselves how much of a change is possible in the world with Business being the leaders in sustainability.
Director, Events & Engagement: Aarushi Goyal
I believe academics and extra-curriculars are equally important, so I wanted to dive into something new, interesting, and valuable alongside my graduation program. Net Impact is a perfect opportunity, not to mention the extent of knowledge and exposure one can get out of it, especially in the field of Sustainability. I am super excited for the coming months when we will be hosting some really fun and interesting events! I hope to be a part of an executive team which works to create a body of work by commitment, dedication and wonderful teamwork.
Director, Communications & Media, Ravijot Kaur
‘The Air Is The Teacher, Water Is The Father and The Earth Is The Mother’ these are the words the First Guru of Sikhism, Guru Nanak said, and these are the words I live by. This philosophy is my driving force, which shapes my thoughts, actions, lifestyle and habits, no matter how small or big. The Earth is the only home we know of, and it is being killed fast, by us. This reality keeps me on my toes to work towards making it better. We live in the world as it is today, but how we want it for the next generation is how we should leave it. And as it is evident today, we are not leaving a world worth living for them. We need to change ourselves, and do it fast to turn things for the better from the brink of a catastrophe. I believe in Margaret Mead’s words when she said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
2019-2020
Co-President, Shikhank Sharma
I am unreservedly passionate about climate action and social innovation. I have worked with social enterprises, international NGOs, non-profits, universities, and community-based groups on projects that create a social and environmental impact using strategies grounded in evidence and innovative practices. Since 2015, I have been engaged in the impact investing space with the INGO Impact Investing Network on the Amplify Impact Investing initiative.
I hope that this year, through Net Impact, we can create experiences through which we can learn more about this city and be able to contribute to a positive impact in the community locally and internationally.
Co-President, Mohammed Pasha
This is Mohammed Pasha from FT MBA. I am a Mechanical Engineer with six sigma certification specializing in product and process improvement. I was in the white good industry for the last 12 years. I have been organizing and conducting training for last 3 years for engineers, which has made me confident in dealing with groups of large size and managing events. Last 2 years of my experience were in marketing and have tried hands in creating marketing stories to connect products with consumers.
I bring to the table, structured and critical thinking while we approach any open issue and able to steer the conversation in the right direction or provide multiple perspectives to evaluate and take the best path ahead. I am skilled in problem-solving and have been playing the role of mentor for engineers to review their work and critique their thought process.
VP Case Competition, Pallavi S Rao
We all now live in a world where immediate action on climate change is the need of the hour and not an option. Every effort counts and having always been passionate about social change and sustainability, I want to further this cause, by working at an individual and organizational level to create more awareness and change.
The Net Impact club gives students a platform to become the problem solvers of the real-world scenario we all face, irrespective of our backgrounds, and collaborate with other schools and organizations to realize that dream. As VP for Case Competition, I will strive to be part of this learning process and help facilitate discussions to help students better understand the root causes of these issues, and approach it from different perspectives, and thus arrive at the best solutions for their organizations to be more sustainable and impactful.
Co-Director, Communications & Media: Elisa Rivero
Before my MBA, I studied finances and my entire career consisted of caring about profit. After Mexico´s latest pollution issue and the damage caused by the earthquakes led me to think that there are other important things besides money. Then it came to my mind sustainability and environment, this became an important key to choose Beedie School of Business to study my MBA. Net Impact is the perfect opportunity to keep learning sustainable ways of making business and the perfect environment to explore new ways to help the community. I am passionate about drawing so I think that I could help Net Impact team to communicate our message in a creative way.
Co-Director, Communications & Media, Varundeep Chahal
I am a Chartered Accountant and have over five years of work experience in financial services namely Audit and Equity research functions. I believe that caring for the environment doesn’t require you to become an environmental activist. It is all about being sensitive to the pressing concerns which are impacting the environment and being conscious about our daily actions. Net impact is an amazing platform that supports in developing our mindset of being socially responsible global citizens.
It was in fact in one of my work projects around an ESG report that I got the opportunity to learn more about sustainability and how the corporates are appreciating that being sustainable is more than an environmental gesture—it makes long-term economic sense. I want to leverage my prior experience and skillset and contribute to society as well as Beedie’s mission to develop innovative and socially responsible business leaders with a global perspective.
Co-Director, Events & Engagement, Ankita Singh
Even before I started my MBA course, I knew I wanted to be a part of Net Impact as it can provide me a platform to positively impact society by creating awareness for sustainable business practices. Although I am an engineer by profession, I have always been passionate about event management. My interest in organizing events for societal impacts stems from my internship with Wizcraft International Entertainment for organizing the Global Citizen Concert, 2016. I have also, always taken initiative to organize events, for colleagues at my workplace, designed in ways that keep them motivated and enhances better learning practices! In my free time, you might find me reading a book, doing yoga, acrylic painting(mostly abstract) or in a dance fitness class! I hope to benefit from my past experiences and learn a lot more while contributing to the club’s goal.
Co-Director, Events & Engagement, Mala Muniswamy
Doesn’t everybody love Fridays? Well at Ernst & Young, 4 of us created what we called the Fun Fridays. As part of this initiative, we planned sampling plantation in the heart of the city, plastic art competition at schools and waste collection campaigns at offices. I thought these were the Corporate Social Responsibility events where employees learned about the overlap of sustainability and business, but here at SFU Beedie School of Business, I realized sustainability is a whole new world with multiple layers. There is sustainability to consider in every aspect of business and industry. Finding this relevance and bridging the gap between innovation and sustainability is our mission as a Net Impact club. It’s an honor to be part of a team that makes a difference one chapter by chapter.
Director, Finance, Rodrigo Marufuji
I have always valued purpose in life more than working just for money. I want to make a positive impact in the world by harnessing my skills for social and environmental projects. And that’s where Net Impact comes in. I want to be part of a team and organization that helps students, people, and organizations to develop a mindset of social responsibility and sustainability while also building a sense of community.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Banking and Corporate Finance. I have been actively involved in donation campaigns in the past and in 2017 I joined an initiative in Brazil that helps, through design thinking and innovation approaches, startups focused on having a positive impact on communities. For two years, I was a staff member responsible for logistics and facilities for events.
I am a highly motivated finance professional with almost 10 years’ experience in multinational companies and knowledge and skills in Financial Planning, Treasury, Investment, Corporate Finance, Structured Finance, and most recently in Compliance.
The Director of Finance position at Net Impact is the perfect opportunity to bridge my experience in Finance with an impactful mission. And I think that is the right time and a perfect place to do that.
2018-2019
Jeff Mathers
President
Approximately one year ago, like many of you, I started researching where I wanted to do my MBA. Things like location, price, and values were all a factor. I had recently became a vegetarian (yes, typical, I know – couldn’t make it more than three sentences without bringing it up) after learning that it was the most significant change I could make for sustainability and the environment. So when I found out that Beedie truly valued sustainability and had managed to incorporate it into their culture, I knew I had found my fit.
SFU is currently one of over 380 chapters that belong to Net Impact and every year they choose a graduate chapter of the year. Last year, UCLA Anderson, took home the prize with over 200 members and a passionate, energetic and inspiring leadership team. My goal, for us, is to represent Canada in sustainability by inspiring students to join, meeting with the various cohorts, building relationships with peers and other groups, and by being the face of social and sustainable business practices.
Teja Vajha
Vice-President
In modern times, I have come to realize that the topic of sustainability has been at the forefront of each conversation at every organization ranging from small to large, whether it be in terms of environmental, business, or operations, etc. And dissecting these discussions to their depths through various lenses of an industry opens up the possibility of approaching a problem from a different mindset, which eventually facilitates a solution that delivers on sustainable growth plans for businesses. So, as a VP for Case Competitions I will continuously strive to uphold the values of this chapter and deliver on the mission statement through the responsibilities that the role entails. Over the course of next year, I hope to have a “Net Positive Impact” on both the Beedie and local communities through active collaboration and organization of relevant events.
Tamara Aaron
Director of Student Events
Over the past year and half with Dageraad, I have created programs to increase recycling, limit the use of single use plastics and source reusable packaging for both the brewery and tasting room. I have also held multiple fundraisers for organizations such as Burnaby Community Services. While working for BrewDog I successfully organized events for 400+ attendees and I hope to bring this event planning experience to the Beedie Net Impact chapter. I am interested in Net Impact because I want to make a difference. I have focused mainly on environmental issues in my past business experiences, but I am also very interested in learning more about and creating awareness for the growing social issues faced by businesses and society.
Eeshan Sethee
Director of Finance
It’s 2018 and not much has happed for homo-sapiens except that life happened, and then somehow ‘we’ happened. Suffice to say, the expansion from the Big Bang has been rather rewarding to the sentient earthlings. So what has expansion to do with us? According to science, expansion is synonymous to evolution. Referring to Wikipedia’s definition of the Big Bang – The Big Bang theory is the prevailing cosmological model for the universe from the earliest known periods through its subsequent large-scale evolution.
So what’s Evolution? Firstly, thank you oxford dictionary for making random sounds make sense. Secondly, oxford dictionary defines evolution as ‘the gradual development of something’. Now, substitute ‘something’ in the above definition with ‘us’. Ergo! We can define evolution as ‘the gradual development of us’. The ‘How’ to this development should now concerns the John Does’ and Jane Does’ lending my application their precious time. The answer is NET IMPACT.
Mehul Manjeshwar
Director of Communications
I had the chance to travel to various different countries and came to the realization that education and knowledge is essential to transitioning to a sustainable environment to live in. Net Impact really helps spread the word to those wanting to learn more and bring likeminded professionals together under one roof. I participated in various beach clean-ups and have made many personal changes towards a sustainable lifestyle. I would like to use my Communications and Marketing skills acquired during my undergraduate degree and my sales position at a start-up company, Bananatag, to help Net Impact raise awareness of Sustainability while also helping my own development within this industry.
2017-2018
Rob Fernandes
President
In all my pursuits, the common thread is clear – it’s always about the people. I am a people-driven person. I am passionate about leadership, sustainability, coaching, personal development and community building. My music career and my many years working with youth has shown me the value of people, and that when given the chance they will make an incredible impact on the world. When I find myself with some free time I enjoy reading, cooking and exploring restaurants and cafes with my wife, Brooke.
Jeroen Rijken
Vice-President
I’ve always had an interest in sustainability, coming from a small progressive country it’s been great to see Canada move towards a future that reduces our social, economic and environmental footprint both locally and abroad. Outside of my involvement on campus you can find me racing road bikes. climbing a mountain or two and travelling whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Brett Trainor
Director of Student Events
A Vancouver Islander at heart, I feel most fulfilled when in nature, whether I’m skiing, surfing, or mountain biking in this wonderful province we call home. Although becoming a full-time student has meant less time in the wilderness, I stay sane by cycle commuting, binging CBC podcasts, and exploring new bars with friends. I’m passionate about community investment and social entrepreneurship, and am excited about creating events that show the business relevance of sustainability initiatives.
Phuong Huynh
Director of Finance
I love learning about new culture, political and social issues, one of which is sustainable economic development and how to raise awareness towards this cause. On the weekends, you may find me at the cinema, on some mountains or travelling off to different parts of the world. Being new to BC, I can’t wait to explore more of this beautiful province!
Keir Feehan
Director of Communications
Coming from Nova Scotia to the West Coast was a big move for me, but a welcome one. My interest in sustainability stems from my visit to the UN’s Global Climate Fund headquarters in Incheon, South Korea. Speaking with individuals there, it was clear to me that those who could affect the most change were those in leadership and management positions. Net Impact stood out to me even before starting at Beedie and is one of the main factors that drew me to the MBA program here. When I’m not in class I’m probably drinking a coffee near the ocean, although the Pacific doesn’t have anything on the Atlantic!
Suzanne Haitham
Co-Director of Diversity & Inclusion
Throughout my life I was lucky enough to travel to many places, and although transitioning from one place to another was hard sometimes, I value these experiences because they taught me a lot, especially in terms of learning about new cultures and interacting with people from diverse backgrounds. I was always aware of the immense potential that comes from overcoming cultural barriers and my MBA has reinforced how essential that notion is in how businesses operate today. This is where my love for diversity and inclusion stems from and it is why I am so excited to start this chapter with Net Impact. When I am not running around doing projects with my team or studying, I like to read, experience with new cooking recipes, and run.
Nadine Khoury
Co-Director of Diversity & Inclusion
Having lived in the Middle East and Montreal, I’m happy to call Vancouver my new home. Starting my MBA at Beedie has opened the door to a diverse network of supportive friends, colleagues, and professionals that best work together when sharing unique ideas and perspectives. I’m excited to create opportunities to grow this network by organizing events centered around diversity and inclusion. I also find a lot of value in supporting the community in other ways. In my spare time, I volunteer with Autism Speaks using music and interactive stories to promote learning with children on the autism spectrum. I also love hiking, diving and playing volleyball on the beach.
2016-2017
Jeffrey Aviss
President
My passion for environmental sustainability and protection comes from my love of nature and enthusiasm for the outdoors, which isn’t hard given our playground is beautiful British Columbia. From spring to fall you can usually find me hiking, camping, and kayaking, or once winter hits, you may catch me hitting the ski slopes once the powder is just right.
Robert Hamill
Vice-President
When I’m not working, volunteering, or learning something new, I delve into one of my many hobbies. These include playing sports of all kinds, exploring the outdoors, travelling the globe, cooking, photography, writing, and playing the guitar.
Dasha Taikh
Director of Communications
I spent my formative years in Calgary, Alberta. I found my interests and motivations in the non-profit sector. I have had the opportunity to work in arts and culture, volunteer management, and social services. I discovered my love for stand-up comedy. Though I do not chase a career in comedy, I enjoy writing and performing in my spare time.
Ibrahim Fatini
Director of Finance
Making the world a better place is all what life is about for me. I want to learn as much as I can about people and the world. I love living in different countries for long periods of time because I get to experience different cultures, meet new people, learn about new political and societal issues, and, most importantly, have fun in different parts of the world!
Emily Edlin
Director of Student Events
At my core, I’m a dog-lover and adventure-seeker. I spend all of my (very little) free time running, hiking, traveling, and cuddling with my rescue dog, Daisy. My bucket list items include: traveling to Antarctica, the bottom of the ocean, and Mars!
Mervyn Mabini
Co-Director of Social Innovation
An avid cyclist in and out of the city, I get to observe people, places and things in constant motion. What excites me is their interplay and seeing random joyful moments that tell me that culture and societies are working cohesively. As somebody new to B.C., I’m in awe of how beautiful the province is! And, I can’t wait to explore more of it.
Camilo Mendez
Co-Director of Social Innovation
I am a passion driven person who follows his heart. Purpose is important. I prefer to work on projects with purpose. I see a great future the combination of sustainability, social innovation and technology. This is my passion. I was born and raised in Colombia, where I got my education and work experience in the telecommunications industry. I am not a sporty person but I like swimming.
Erin Desautels
Net Impact Representative
My focus in work and life lies in fostering sustainability in many ways including community involvement, encouraging an environmental ethic, and getting people outside and into nature. If you want to talk about wine & food, farmers markets, grammar, or making the world a better place – I’m in! In my spare time, I enjoy wine tasting, traveling, and hiking.