Learn about the experiences of Sustainability Ambassadors, what's important to them, what they hope to achieve, and the valuable skills and they've gained from the program.
Sustainability Leads
Olivia Moore (she/her): Climate Outreach Cohort Lead
Olivia recently completed her first year in the Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs program at the University of British Columbia, where she previously studied International Relations. Growing up in North Vancouver on the unceded territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) Nation, she developed a strong connection to nature and a commitment to sustainability. Her academic interests include climate justice, social vulnerability, and community resilience, with a focus on understanding the unequal impacts of climate change. Olivia’s work at the Hub has greatly shaped her career interests, with a desire to work on local climate policy solutions, specifically adaptation.
Navreen Sekhon (she/her): Climate Wellbeing Lead
Navreen recently completed her fourth year at the University of British Columbia, majoring in Biology and minoring in Psychology. Her academic interests include planetary health, health psychology, sustainable science, and harm reduction. Her time in the sustainability ambassadors' program has pushed her to think deeply about climate justice, action, and intersectionality. As a sustainability ambassador, she participated in the planning and facilitation of a climate justice and leadership camp and interviewed UBC students to gather their perspectives on how climate change education can be better integrated into their learning. In her free-time, Navreen enjoys art, reading, and exploring new trails/hikes.
Naomi Maya Leung (they/she): Youth Climate Action Project (YCAP) Lead
Naomi is a climate justice education facilitator, photographer, and mixed-media artist with familial connections to Hong Kong and Malaysia. Their artistic practice is informed by movements for queer ecology, ecofeminism, international solidarities, and community archival practices. Naomi is an incoming MSc student in occupational and environmental health and a previous undergrad student in Global Resource Systems. In undergrad, Naomi integrated climate change studies with global health, the study of climate emotions, and the Asian diaspora. Naomi desires to create spaces centering youth and queer communities to co-create possibilities and programming for hope and healing.
Climate Wellbeing Cohort
Climate Wellbeing Cohort Bios
Sara Andrade
Sara is a fourth-year Forestry student majoring in Global Perspectives of Natural Resource Conservation. Growing up camping in the backwoods of Southern Ontario, she developed a strong passion for ecology and wildlife conservation (her favourite animal has always been the black bear). Through her studies, she has become particularly interested in community conservation, environmental justice, and wildlife management. As a Sustainability Ambassador, Sara is passionate about expanding access to climate education for students and faculty from all backgrounds while creating opportunities to connect with and learn from her peers. Outside of her studies, she enjoys hiking, reading, discovering new music, and planning her next getaway.
Finnegan Brown
Raised in London, UK and on Vancouver Island in the unceded territory of the T’Sou-ke Nation, Finnegan developed an early connection to the natural world through Robert Bateman’s Nature Sketch program. He is majoring in Economics and minoring in First Nations and Endangered Languages, with interests in connections among people, place, culture, and stewardship. Finnegan chairs the Youth Climate Cabinet, leading the National Youth Climate Activism Award peer review panel. As a Residence Sustainability Ambassador, he facilitates outreach helping students to advance UBC’s 2030 Zero Waste Action Plan. Finnegan is an avid swimmer and trains with UBC’s AMS Swim Club.
Gabriela Chavez
Gabriela is a fourth-year Psychology student at the University of British Columbia. Her academic interests span urban sustainability, environmental policy and law, and the social and environmental implications of energy use. Inspired by her academic experience in a Copenhagen based field school on urban sustainability she looks forward to bringing those insights into the sustainability ambassador program. She hopes to encourage conversations about renewable energy and sustainable consumption within the UBC community and beyond. In her free time, she enjoys exploring low-consumption ways of living, reading fantasy fiction, and practicing yoga.
Aida Ghapanchizadeh
Aida is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia, majoring in Urban Studies, minoring in International Relations, and completing the Bachelor + Master of Management program. Her academic interests include sustainable cities, public awareness, and how communities can become more engaged with sustainability initiatives. She is particularly interested in how sustainability education and public awareness can support climate well-being and contribute to more inclusive and sustainable communities. As a Sustainability Ambassador, Aida hopes to support climate education and create opportunities for students to learn about and engage with sustainability in their everyday lives. She is especially interested in creating spaces where people can learn, share perspectives, and feel empowered to take part in sustainability efforts. In her free time, she enjoys performing arts, hiking, and yoga.
Jeremy Han
Jeremy is a settler learning, living and working between the ancestral, traditional and unceded territories of the Musqueam people. He is double majoring in sociology and political science. He is passionate about community, governance, leadership and creating spaces where people feel heard and represented. He brings diverse leadership experiences in roles across organizations. From administration, advocacy, communications, compliance, governance, marketing, project management, policy, operations, and strategy among other areas. Outside of school, Jeremy enjoys music in every capacity and being involved with the nonprofit sector. He is thrilled to be a part of Ambassadors and is also looking forward to working alongside the other members of the team!
Ruby Loewengart
Ruby is a second year student from Boulder, Colorado studying Chemistry at the University of British Columbia. As a sustainability ambassador she aims to help motivate climate education on campus and in the Vancouver community. Her academic interests include environmental and atmospheric chemistry as well as oceanography and atmospheric sciences. For fun, Ruby loves any adventure, namely hiking, snowboarding, painting, and spending time with her friends and family.
Caroline Marter
Caroline Marter is a fifth-year undergraduate student at UBC, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Environment and Sustainability. Her academic interests include environmental and international law, international relations, peacekeeping, intersectional climate crisis relief, and political geography. As a member of the UBC community, Caroline hopes to make a positive impact by raising awareness about climate wellness and the resources available to students, while fostering a supportive and collaborative environment for learning and discussion. Outside of academics, she enjoys reading (mostly rom-coms), solo travelling, camping, thrifting, yoga, Facebook Marketplace, and listening to music outdoors. Her artists on repeat include Tiffany Day, Ethel Cain, Cocteau Twins, Phoebe Bridgers and Amerie.
Danika Oreskovic
Danika is a final-year Environmental Engineering undergraduate at the University of British Columbia. Born and raised in British Columbia, she was immersed in the natural environment from a young age, growing a deep appreciation for nature and wildlife. Danika strives for a career focused on sustainability-driven solutions and meaningful public engagement. As a Sustainability Ambassador, she is excited to apply her environmental knowledge and passion towards projects and education within her community. In her free time, Danika enjoys baking, yoga, hiking, and spending time with her loved ones.
Mira Roddy
Mira is a fifth-year undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia where she is studying Physics and Astronomy. She is passionate about exploring the ways we can find a balance between scientific advancement and sustainability. In particular, her research focuses on the preservation of our night skies and the sustainable usage of outer space. As a Sustainability Ambassador, she is excited to branch out from her background in science and learn more about the ways climate change affects individuals. In her free time, Mira loves finding any way possible to get outdoors.
Lucas Winsemann
Lucas is a third-year human geography student with interests in urban planning and sustainable development. He spent his first year at Douglas College, where he learned about urban sustainability through a study abroad experience in Oslo and Copenhagen. Since transferring to UBC, he’s remained active in his community, volunteering with the New West Farmers Market and Douglas College student life. Outside of school, Lucas is a sports enthusiast. He loves playing roller hockey and attending sports games in his free time, where he’s a longtime fan of the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Blue Jays and West Ham United.
Rameen Alam
Rameen is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia studying Environment and Sustainability. With a background in research, outreach, and policy, she is passionate about environmental advocacy, conservation, and climate justice. Born and raised in the Global South, her experiences witnessing the impacts of the climate crisis have shaped her commitment to advancing equitable and sustainable solutions. As a Sustainability Ambassador in the Climate Wellbeing cohort, she hopes to connect climate education, research and community engagement to support meaningful environmental action at UBC and beyond. In her free time, Rameen enjoys visiting museums, running, and reading.
Annette Mak
Annette is a second year undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia, majoring in Environment and Sustainability and minoring in Geographic Information Science. Her academic interests include urban health, specifically examining how rapid urbanization impacts both the environment and human wellbeing, alongside how colonial frameworks continue to shape modern society, and examining how a circular economy can be effectively promoted across diverse communities. As a sustainability ambassador, she is looking forward to participating in the planning and facilitation of the Climate Justice & Leadership camp. In her free time, Annette enjoys cooking, watching movies, and biking.
Community Conversations Cohort
Community Conversations Cohort Bios
Marisa Green (she/her)
Marisa Green is a second-year geography student majoring in Environment and Sustainability where she explores the intersections between societies and the climate crisis. Passionate about preserving natural ecosystems, advocating for climate justice, and learning more about environmental policy, she is thrilled to take part in the Sustainability Ambassadors program. In her free time, Marisa enjoys spending time outdoors, painting, or playing with her dogs when she is back home in Texas.
Hasfariza Mohamed Hassan (she/her)
Hasfariza Mohamed Hassan is a fourth-year Political Science student from Malaysia. She is passionate about sustainability, particularly waste colonialism and the dynamics between the Global North and Global South. Through her studies, she has explored how environmental issues intersect with politics, inequality, and social justice, and how their impacts differ across communities. She joined the Sustainability Ambassadors program to connect with others passionate about sustainability and contribute to meaningful community-based climate action at UBC. She hopes to continue learning how individuals and communities can work together to create a more sustainable and equitable future. Outside her studies, she can often be found writing and going on random side quests.
Zara Shaikh (she/her)
Zara is in her fourth year in the Faculty of Science in the Pharmacology Specialization and is extremely grateful to be studying on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam People. She enjoys spending time outdoors, be it hiking in the summer or skiing in the winter and is eternally grateful to be able to experience this aspect of nature. After learning about the climate crisis through classes, Zara became passionate about raising awareness for incorporating sustainability into standard working environments and, as a result, is so excited do such as a Sustainability Ambassador this year. She especially looks forward to working with the Climate Conversations team to communicate with and empower individuals in Vancouver directly affected by the climate crisis.
Junfeng (Andy) Yue (he/him)
Andy comes from Beijing and is studying environmental design on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam People. Combining his background in environmental science and visual arts, he approaches architecture and landscape architecture with the aim to design accessible, delightful and sustainable spaces, particularly those that empowers the community. After having a meaningful experience as a sustainability ambassador in Sustainable Transportation Cohort last year, he looks forward to continuing his journey in community conversations. In his free time, you might find him exploring new cooking recipes or playing Quadball on MacInnes Field.
Chloe Son (she/her)
Chloe was raised in the traditional and ancestral land of the Yellowknife’s Dene First Nation, which has deeply shaped her past three years studying political science and human geography at UBC while aspiring to pursue environmental and human rights law. She currently serves as an executive member for the Student Environment Centre, previously as secretary and co-chair as well as involvement in UBC groups such as with the Food Hub, MTT Crew, the Bike Kitchen and PickUp UBC. She hopes to learn and contribute to tangible, holistic methods of strengthening climate wellbeing and community resilience. When not studying Chloe can be found appreciating the beauty of the ancestral xwməθkwəy̓ əm land through birding, photography, art, and cooking.
Laura Cepeda (she/her)
Laura is completing her last year of Civil Engineering at the University of British Columbia focusing on structural, environmental and municipal infrastructure. Passionate about the outdoors, she spends most of her time camping, hiking and interacting with nature which has developed her interest in strengthening human-nature relationships through the design of nature-based and community-based solutions. In the program, Laura aims to gain insight on how to bridge the social, environmental and infrastructure gap in the face of climate change by facilitating conversations with diverse community members. Inspired by nature and environmental justice, Laura also pursues visual arts and writing projects.
Madelyn Birmingham (she/he/they)
Madelyn is in their third year at the Sauder School of Business, studying Business Technology Management with a concentration in Sustainability and Social Impact and a minor in Art History. Growing up in Seattle, on the unceded, traditional, and ancestral land of the Muckleshoot, dxʷdəwʔabš (Duwamish), and dxʷsəq̓ʷəbš (Suquamish) Nations, he developed a love and deep appreciation for the Earth and its living residents. For over ten years, she has been part of multiple Green Teams, neighborhood cleanups, and environmental courses. Madelyn joined the program this year to make an impact in local communities and expand their knowledge on and experience with sustainability to be able to then apply it to their future career and communities.
Yohani Weheragama (she/her)
Yohani Weheragama is a Conservation student in the Natural Resource Management program at UBC, where she is developing a deeper understanding of the socioeconomic and ecological aspects of environmental stewardship. She is passionate about furthering sustainability at the intersection between humans and non-human nature. She's done work involving sustainable agriculture, sustainability education, environmental outreach, and social equity. In the Sustainability Ambassadors program, she looks forwards to connecting with likeminded peers and improving the resilience of local communities. In her spare time, she can be found staring at a cool tree, making art, or reading a book.
Ambassador Testimonials
