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Background

The Young Environmental Professionals of the National Capital Region (YEP NCR) was launched in January 2001. YEP NCR is the chapter for YEP members in the Ottawa-Gatineau area. The NCR chapter is a registered, mission-focused, not-for-profit that holds regular speaker-related events to accommodate a growing local membership of approximately 300 young environmental and sustainable development professionals.

Our Mission

YEP NCR will deliver events and others services that focus on education, engagement and employment within the context of the environment and sustainable development.

• Education is offered through informal learning opportunities such as the YEP web site, and YEP workshops and speaker sessions, as well as special events at Globe, Energy and Environment Conference (EECO) and Americana conferences, as well as special seminars such as those with the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development

• Engagement is provided through mentoring and support at YEP monthly events, and by facilitating member participation in community activities and projects.

• Employment is supported through distribution of job postings and by bringing potential employers and employees together at monthly events.

YEP NCR is building and sustaining a strong base of local members, partners and volunteers, while providing leadership within YEP’s national network of chapters.

Our Achievements

Building on YEP Canada’s ten year track record, YEP NCR is delivering results for its members.  Speaker events have included respected leaders of our time and special events have provided networking opportunities for members.

2008/09 Speaker and Special Events

• John Stone, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

• Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Nuclear Waste Management Organization and Former Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme

• Annual YEP NCR Holiday Party

• Donald Lemmen, Natural Resources Canada

• Lilian Hayward, Indian and Northern Affairs

• Mike Nickerson, The Sustainability Project

• Vicki Sharp, President and CEO of Sustainable Development Technology Canada

• Looking Towards Copenhagen: A Discussion on Climate Change with the British High Commissioner to Canada and the Danish Ambassador to Canada

• Annual YEP Scavenger Hunt

Other Past Speaker Events:

• Jonathan Westeinde, Windmill Developments

• Ian Campbell, Policy Research Initiatives

• The Honorable Charles Caccia, Institute of the Environment

• Rick Findlay, Pollution Probe

• Glen Toner, CarletonUniversity

• Scott Findlay, Institute of the Environment

• Katherine Sierra, Vice President, Sustainable Development Network, World Bank

• Stuart Hickox, One Change, Project Porch light

• Maureen O’Neil, President of the International Development Research Centre

• Karl-Henrik Robèrt, Founder, The Natural Step

• Kevin Brady, Director Five Winds International

• Johanne Gélinas, former Canada’s Commissioner for the Environment and Sustainable Development

• Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada; former Executive Director, Sierra Club of Canada

• David McGuinty, former Chair of the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy

• In addition, YEP NCR hosted a number of speakers at the June 2007 Forum for Emerging Environmental Leaders at EECO, including among others, Mike Gerbis, President and CEO, The Delphi Group, The Honorable John Godfrey, MP, Don Valley West, andPeter Love, Chief Energy Conservation Officer of the Ontario Power Authority

Our Leadership

All members of the leadership group are volunteers, and they contribute to the efficient operation of YEP NCR and the national network of YEP chapters.

YEP NCR has a Board of Directors that sets the strategic priorities and develops partnerships.

• Chair: David Morley, UK Chevening Fellow
• Director: Neil Maxwell, Assistant Auditor General, Office of the Auditor General of Canada
• Director: Johanne Gélinas, Partner, Deloitte
• Director: Melissa Creede, Sapis Insight Founder
• Director: Carolyn Pharand, Auditor, Office of the Auditor General of Canada 
• Director: Teresa Hanna, Live Architecture
• Director: Joseph Odhiambo, Senior Policy Analyst, Environment Canada
• Director: Sandy Hanna, Policy Advisor, Transport Canada