The CWMA Annual General Meeting will be held May 28, 2025 at 10:30 AM Pacific Time in conjunction with another great speaker event. Members wishing to register for the AGM only can also use the event registration page:
The Board will consist of: Eight directors with at least one from each of: (i) government; (ii) private sector; (iii) non-profit sector; and (iv) product stewardship agency sector.
Each director: will be elected to serve a two-year term of office; will serve until their successor is elected at the AGM held towards the end of that period; will continue to serve if no successor is elected; and may be elected to serve an unlimited number of consecutive terms.
Each year, four directors return for a second year in office and there are four positions open for nominations. Directors whose two-year term is expiring are eligible to submit their names for consideration for re-election. Three board members are standing for re-election and one other has been nominated to stand for election.
CWMA bylaws do not allow nominations from the floor, therefore those on this slate are uncontested, so with no contested positions, each nominee will be elected by acclamation, if there are no objections.
Tim Ames’ passion for reduction, reuse and recycling led him to the role of Manager of the First Nations Recycling Initiative ( FNRI) where he represents the SABC product stewardships to all First Nation communities in BC. Tim works together with First Nation communities on their recycling programs and community recycling events. To support his work, Tim works collaboratively with the Indigenous Zero Waste Technical Advisory Group (IZWTAG), Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), the Ministry of Environment and Parks, and all participating stewardship agencies, who all contribute to the success of this work. Before leading the FNRI, Tim worked at Recycle BC, Tim co-led the Radius Change Lab Series, taught sustainability, and innovation, and mentored entrepreneurial startups at SFU. He was also the European Managing Director of a leading technology company, focused on sustainability.
Sonam Bajwa is an experienced solid waste professional, with over 13 years of experience in waste management, policy development, and stakeholder engagement. As Superintendent of Solid Waste Planning at the Regional District of Nanaimo, she leads strategic initiatives including the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Plan, bylaw development and compliance and intergovernmental collaboration. She holds a BA in Environmental Geography, complemented by a certificate in Spatial Information Systems.
Tim Ames
What makes the CWMA mission meaningful to you?
Providing relevant information to the membership so they can make better informed business decisions. Promoting a hub for learning and education as well as advocacy and support and bringing the solid waste community together in seminars, workshops, and the annual conference to share ideas, trends, innovation and build stronger working relationships.
Describe why you felt motivated to stand for the Board of Directors of CWMA?
I believe that being on the board of CWMA is an opportunity to contribute to the solid waste community and to the evolution of CWMA as an organization. I work with First Nation communities all over BC and have been to almost every Regional District from these relationships and travels I think I can bring a unique perspective to the board of CWMA. I have taught innovation and sustainability as well as co-taught a change lab series at SFU, I hope to bring some of the ideas and learnings to the work we will do on the board.
What voice and perspective are you bringing that will benefit the Board and CWMA members?
I will bring a perspective of the learnings and observations from engaging with First Nation communities across BC. I will bring a voice that is grounded in inclusion, diversity, and equality. I will bring an open mind and a passion for learning, sharing, and continued growth as a person.
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Sonam Bajwa
What makes the CWMA mission meaningful to you?
CWMA’s mission is meaningful to me because its principles – collaboration, continuous learning, and environmental leadership – are the same principles that have guided me in my 14 years of working in Solid Waste. Since joining the CWMA board in 2019, I’ve seen firsthand how this organization has managed to create a space for open dialogue and practical knowledge-sharing across all sectors. CWMA is about building a community that is focused on advancing best practices and driving real progress.
Describe why you felt motivated to (re) stand for the Board of Directors of CWMA?
I’ve seen how important it is to have a forum where those working in solid waste can come together to share ideas, learn from one another, and collaborate on solutions and I want to be part of ensuring that continues.
What voice and perspective are you bringing that will benefit the Board and CWMA members?
Having worked in solid waste consulting, EPR and local government, I bring a voice grounded in operational experience and long term strategic planning. I understand the challenges and opportunities in waste management, and I’m committed to ensuring that CWMA continues to be a space where those perspectives are heard and valued in a collaborative environment.
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Peter Grant
What makes the CWMA mission meaningful to you?
I think the most obvious thing that has grown over the years is the excitement our members show at all CWMA events – whether it is the annual conference or the various working group ZOOM sessions. So it is not only a “Mission” -it gets “Accomplished”…..
Describe why you felt motivated to (re) stand for the Board of Directors of CWMA?
I have always enjoyed the time spent on the Board and the interaction with my fellow Board members so it did not take much arm twisting.
What voice and perspective are you bringing that will benefit the Board and CWMA members?
I get to be somewhat representative of the perspectives of two groups, the Non-Profit as well as the Islands/remote communities sectors.
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Michael Zarbl
What makes the CWMA mission meaningful to you?
The CWMA mission is important to me as I am a firm believer in promoting environmental stewardship in a forum that encourages discussion and different points of view where everyone is safe to express their opinions.
Describe why you felt motivated to (re) stand for the Board of Directors of CWMA?
I was motivated to stand once again as a director because I value the contributions that the CWMA is making in our community and it is an honour to be a part of the great work that we are doing.
What voice and perspective are you bringing that will benefit the Board and CWMA members?
The perspective that I bring to the table is that of the producer responsibility organizations. EPR is a big part of reducing waste and it is important that EPR Agencies have a voice at the table. I also bring many years of operations and executive experience to help guide the organization.
CWMA acknowledges that we work as visitors on the traditional territory of the WSÁNEĆ (Saanich), lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees), Wyomilth (Esquimalt) of the Coast Salish Nation.