Areej Riaz
Director, Climate Programs
As a little kid, through her love for animals and a tendency to be curious, Areej Riaz became quite attracted to studying nature and environment. She went on to study the subject to learn how to address climate change and embed in development planning.
Her career of over 12 years ,as a climate and environment professional, has spanned working with not-for-profits, governments, consultancies and corporations, providing tailored support on climate compatible development and related policy making and planning. She developed the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN)’s program in Bangladesh, and coordinated climate projects across Asia in Nepal, India, Indonesia and Pakistan. Areej is a contributing author to three provincial climate change policies in Pakistan, has implemented sustainability initiatives in 90 business and industries in Scotland, and developed the environment awareness program for the non-profit, Hum Pakistan from scratch. As a steering committee member of Asia Low Emission Development Strategies Partnership (ALP), she has been involved in designing, organizing and facilitating capacity strengthening activities for Asian and African policy makers on climate compatible development planning.
Areej has authored and co-authored numerous publications, including whitepapers, policy briefs, newspaper articles, and most recently a chapter on gender-driven environmental action in a multi-author book on sustainability being published in UK. She is currently a member of the climate finance working group, renewable energy and the energy efficiency communities of practices of Low Emission Development Strategies (LEDS) Global Partnership. She also serves as an advisor on program development to Hum Pakistan and sits on the board of Upper Canada Fibershed.
Her educational background includes a MSc. in Applied Carbon Management from University of Glasgow in UK and a MSc. in Environmental Sciences from Kinnaird College in Pakistan. Outside of work, Areej loves to bake, read books, watch movies and brush up on language skills by learning French with her husband, in that order! She’s also exploring Canada, and loves to visit the geese at the river that flows near her house.
Khadija Amir
As a kid Khadija was fascinated by the Captain Planet – an environmental superhero – a cartoon show that championed saving the environment and mitigating pollution. She followed up on environmental causes through her early years eventually completed a degree in environmental sciences and later in Sustainable Development from University of Exeter, UK.
Khadija is an environmental specialist with core expertise and qualification in environmental sustainability. She has worked in areas of environmental and social impact assessment processes, environmental laws and policies including international best practice and environmental safeguards such as the World Bank, International Finance Corporation and Asian Development Bank. Khadija has contributed to multi-themed development projects through technical support, research and development, project management, and capacity building by means of trainings, workshops, conferences, mentorship programmes and stakeholder engagement.
Khadija has also worked in higher education and is passionate about helping students unlock their potential and take steps towards career and education goals. As a community builder with a commitment to make connections, Khadija effectively guides, advise and support a diverse population of students and young professionals.
In her free time, Khadija loves to read and bake. She runs a book club and a bookstagram account where she shares her love of reading and Chai! She is known for the best birthday chocolate cakes, brownies and banana bread!
Nadia Mohammed
Nadia attained her MBA from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Guelph where she majored in Geography, GIS and Environmental Studies.
She entered the environmental industry to explore her passion for engaging key stakeholders and fostering effective partnerships on their sustainability initiatives (waste and engagement).
Her places of work include coral reefs, swamps and forests in the Caribbean as well as office buildings in the GTA, Canada.
Nadia has more than 5 years experience of environmental project coordination and program development working at the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, Wasteco and most recently York Region.
She currently works at York Region where she is responsible for developing, implementing and evaluating waste reduction and diversion programs across the Region.
She enjoys being outdoors, practicing yoga and travelling.
Saba Khan
Director, Community Outreach
As a first-generation Canadian, Saba grew up with the desire to pursue a career in life sciences – sustainability and environmental stewardship were not familiar to her. It wasn’t until her last years of highschool – and the encouragement and inspiration of one of her teachers – that she realized the importance environmental sustainability played to the health and well-being of everyone around the world.
Saba is a graduate of the University of Waterloo’s Environment and Business program. After completing her undergrad, she went on to pursue a certificate in Project Management at the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies. More recently, she has completed courses related to community-based social marketing, a diploma in corporate social responsibility, and training to engage with communities around climate action.
Saba is currently employed with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, where she works with businesses on their engagement and communications initiatives related to their sustainability efforts. She has diverse experience in the not-for-profit sector, having worked as a project coordinator in a range of areas including sustainable fashion, finance, healthcare, and energy conservation programming.
As a Co-Founder of EnviroMuslims, Saba strongly believes that the Muslim community should be leading climate action initiatives. This is especially true considering the magnified impacts of climate change on people of color and vulnerable communities. Sustainability to her goes beyond caring for the natural environment: it is an issue of social justice, equality and inclusion.