Michelle Brown is an accomplished leader with an impressive tenure of over 23 years at BGO. In her role as Managing Director, Head of BGO Properties, she expertly oversees the property management and leasing of all BGO Properties asset types throughout Canada.  

Before BGO, Michelle built a solid foundation in property management gaining valuable experience with various firms such as TrizecHahn and Nexacor Realty Management. 

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Michelle is actively involved in various initiatives that demonstrate her commitment to community and professional growth. She is a key member of the EDI Executive Council, serves as the Global Lead for the BGO Women’s Network, and co-chairs Partners in Project Green—an internationally recognized coalition focused on driving environmental action and fostering economic prosperity in the Greater Toronto Area.

She graduated with distinction from the University of Toronto, earning an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree, and holds several professional designations, including LEED Green Associate, Certified Property Manager (REIC), and RPA (BOMI), further highlighting her dedication to excellence.

Chris is a passionate community builder and civic innovator known
for developing strong collaborations to solve complex
challenges, Chris has had diverse leadership roles in
economic development, arts and culture, stakeholder and
government relations, and environmental sustainability.
These distinct experiences have shaped his unique
perspective and approach to problem-solving. During the pandemic, Chris was recognized as one of Toronto Life’s Most Influential Torontonians for his work in saving and revitalizing Canada’s main streets, having
developed and delivered impactful programs such as Digital
Main Street and My Main Street.

Driven by a deep commitment to positively impacting the
places we live, work, and play, Chris’s passion for urban
planning, economic development, and community-building
has translated into contributions to creating thriving and
sustainable communities across Canada.

As the Executive Director of Stakeholder Relations and Communications at Toronto Pearson, he leads a dedicated team that fosters collaboration among partners and stakeholders to maximize
the economic and community benefits of being home to Canada’s largest and busiest airport.

Neil Ever Osborne’s interdisciplinary projects are a testament to the precarious relationship between people and the planet. More specifically, his work examines the converging social and environmental issues that narrate our times in a changing — and warming — world.

In this pursuit, he focuses on humanity’s enduring spirit and nature’s resiliency.

Osborne is an Explorer with the National Geographic Society, a Contributing Photographer with Smithsonian Magazine, and an Assistant Professor at the Trent University School of the Environment. He also holds long-standing Fellowships with the International League of Conservation Photographers, The Explorer’s Club, and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. He is also the Founder of the environmental communications agency Evermaven.

Combining academic expertise with extensive professional experience, Wesley leads Works Design’s sustainability practice. He provides guidance in stakeholder engagement, materiality, performance measurement and social purpose, as well as ESG/sustainability communications and reporting. Wesley contributed to the development of the GRI guidelines and served on sector working groups with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB). He lectures for the Sustainability Diploma and MScSM program at the University of Toronto. Before joining Works Design, Wesley was a senior sustainability consultant at Stantec and senior advisor at Canadian Business for Social Responsibility (CBSR). He holds a Master’s in Sustainable Business from the University of Leeds.

Yas Hassen is dedicated to fostering community engagement and ethical co-creation. With a Master’s in Adult Education and Community Development from OISE, they emphasize collaboration and reciprocity in their work, learning from the land. Yas drives meaningful systems change through innovative public space and place-based learning methods, creating environments where diverse voices are valued in decision-making. They believe in the power of collective leadership and strive to empower everyone to contribute. Certified in Transformative Mediation and Conflict Coaching Skills, Yas is committed to (un)learning, enhancing their ability to facilitate constructive dialogue in conflict situations. They promote empathy and open communication, developing dynamic learning experiences that inspire communities to navigate challenges together.

Jenn Harper is the award-winning founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics, a B Corp Certified brand known for its commitment to sustainability, inclusivity, and supporting Indigenous communities. Since its launch in 2015, Cheekbone Beauty has grown into a powerhouse, now featured in Sephora Canada and 550 JC Penney locations across the USA.

Jenn’s leadership has driven over $250,000 in philanthropic donations while setting new standards for ethical beauty. Her 2019 appearance on Canada’s Dragon’s Den showcased her resolve, leading to significant growth and partnerships with major retailers.

A sought-after speaker on social entrepreneurship, representation, and sustainability, Jenn has earned accolades such as Entrepreneur Magazine’s 100 Women of Influence (2022), an Honorary Doctorate from Brock University (2023), and recognition as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women (2024).

Jenn Harper, with Cheekbone Beauty, brings forth a narrative of passion, resilience, and authenticity. Her biography is not just about the ascent of a brand; it’s the story of a vision brought to life, of barriers broken, and of a future envisioned where commerce and charity coalesce seamlessly, all painted with the strokes of an eco-friendly brush.

Darryl Gray is the Director of Education and Training at TRCA leading a large and diverse team of highly skilled education, museum and sustainability professionals and practitioners working to build a vital, vibrant and sustainable Greater Toronto Area.

With over 25 years of experience, Darryl leads transformative multi-sectoral partnerships in the areas of education, cultural heritage and sustainability. These partnerships ensure that students and schools have equitable access to nature-based, out-of-classroom learning experiences; that industry professionals are equipped with the leading-edge research and training necessary to tackle complex challenges related to urban sustainability; and that a renewed vision for The Village at Black Creek is realized through community and institutional collaboration, including a modernized funding model.

Darryl provides senior leadership support to TRCA’s Natural Science and Education Committee and Partners in Project Green Executive Management Committee. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from McMaster University and a Diploma in Municipal Administration.

Jennifer has 15 years of experience working with broad stakeholder groups to achieve common goals. She brings her expertise in project management, governance, strategy development and communications to advance environmental sustainability and economic prosperity in the GTA. Jennifer enjoys anything that gets her out into the great outdoors, especially hiking, and diving into a good book.