ABOUT US

We’re a not-for-profit, charitable organization dedicated to educating and inspiring the next generation of climate leaders. In support of the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework, we leverage the power of sport to drive climate awareness and action. Developed in partnership with the University of Waterloo, our presentations are free and delivered by world-class athlete ambassadors.

OUR GOAL

To educate students nationwide about the effects we are facing with climate change and actions they can take to help and become tomorrow's environmental leaders.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS & STAFF

MIKE DOUGLAS

Chair

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Mike Douglas has been called one of the 10 most influential freeskiers of all time. He, along with the members of the New Canadian Air Force, pioneered modern freestyle skiing and developed the first high-performance twin tip ski with Salomon back in 1997. Since then he’s won dozens of awards for his skiing, and has more recently added award-winning filmmaker to his resume. His company, Switchback Entertainment, produces documentary adventure films and the web series Salomon TV.

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M-J Legault

Vice Chair

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As one of mountain sport industry’s leading marketing strategists and co-owner of Origin Design & Communications, M-J Legault is the driving force behind several mountain sports and destination marketing campaigns. Legault holds a degree in Marketing from Concordia University and has worked in ad agencies based in B-C, Colorado and Vermont, never straying far from the mountains that inspire her. Legault has worked with brands such as Salomon, TNF, Jay Peak Resort, Taos Ski Valley, Lululemon and Whistler Blackcomb. After a stint at Origin’s Whistler office, Legault saw the potential for expanding the Origin brand and, in 2002, she piloted her motorcycle east and opened an office in Montreal, where she now lives. MJ is a frequent speaker at conferences for The National Ski Areas Association, Mountain Travel Symposium, The National Parks and Recreation Association and the Outdoor Industry Association.

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MARIE-FRANCE ROY

Secretary

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Growing up at the foot of Mount Éboulements in Quebec, Marie was always surrounded by snow. Like most kids, Marie started on skis, but at the age of 11 she switched to snowboarding after seeing her older brothers ripping down the mountains. Since then, Marie has made appearances in X-Games and the Abominable Snowjam, while still filming video parts. She has been awarded TransWorld SNOWboarding’s Woman Rider of the Year, Women’s Reader’s Choice, and the Women’s Video Part of the Year. Marie has also worked on a non-profit snowboard documentary called ‘The Little Things.’ Being known for her sustainable lifestyle, she focused the movie on balancing life with the environment

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Daniel Scott

Treasurer

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Dr. Daniel Scott is a Professor and University Research Chair in Climate and Society as well as the Executive Director of the Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change at the University of Waterloo (Canada). He has worked extensively in the areas of climate change and the global tourism sector, including collaborations with the United Nations World Tourism Organization, United Nations Environment Programme, the World Meteorological Organization. Dr. Scott has been a contributing author and expert reviewer for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Third, Fourth, and Fifth Assessment Reports.

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Sven Sandahl

At large

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International Outdoor-Ski and Action Sport industry veteran – Serial entrepreneur – Philanthropist – Global network Passionate about Planet/Climate + Water + Poverty + Food/Health + Education + Indigenous peoples/Elderly + Life. You’ll most likely find him in Whistler / Hanalei Bay / Fjällnäs / Malibu / Patagonia...

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IZZY LYNCH

Program Director

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Izzy holds a degree in Communications from the University of Calgary, but says the mountains have always been her biggest teacher. Her passion for untouched wilderness as well as the birth of her son in 2017 has sparked a growing concern about the threat of climate change on our environment for future generations. From professional big mountain skier to film producer, co-founder of an adaptive adventure non profit; Live It! Love It! Foundation, Studio Manager for video editing service ChopShop Co, Izzy brings multi-faceted array of event and project management experience in the outdoor industry to POW Canada. She is excited to share and grow POWs influence through the Hot Planet Cool Athletes program and other regional events.

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JOHN MEISNER

Marketing Coordinator

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Digital Marketer and Professional Outdoors Photographer. Originally growing up as a ski racer and sprint canoeist in Ontario, John moved West with his camera after graduating University to pursue the mountain lifestyle. John’s portfolio consists of clients across 4 continents including names such as Subaru, Laos Tourism, and the International Conservation Fund of Canada. John has worked on other conservation and climate projects such as the Kayapo Project with the Kayapo Tribe in the Brazilian Amazon. He is now based in Whistler, BC.

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DAVID ERB

Executive Director

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Dave is a father, husband and outdoor enthusiast with experience in the business and charitable sectors in Canada. He’s passionate about skiing, environmental stewardship and seeing POW Canada grow to have significant impact on climate policy in Canada.

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NAT KNOWLES

Research Coordinator

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Nat is a climate scientist, wilderness conservationist, and outdoor athlete. Her research focuses on mitigating climate change, managing its inevitable impacts, and using outdoor recreation and tourism for sustainable socio-economic development. She completed a Master of Science on these topics at the University of Oxford and is now a PhD candidate at the University of Waterloo. While currently an avid backcountry adventurer, as a former alpine ski racer she won two NCAA National Championships with the University of Denver, and represented Canada at the World Junior Championships and the World University Games.

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