OUR COMMITMENT
The activities of CWMA are governed by an eight-member, volunteer Board of Directors. Board members serve a two-year term and are representative of the three sectors that define CWMA Membership. Day to day operations are managed by a contracted staff Executive Director. Our Board and Staff have made a commitment to our members and to the industry…
- We will foster connections with each other and our members.
- We will be leaders in building our community.
- We will listen actively and be open-minded in considering opinions and ideas.
- We will be a reflection of our stakeholders and ensure everyone feels welcomed and can participate.
- We will ensure members are given opportunities to acquire new knowledge and skills.
- We will ensure every member is treated with respect and courtesy.
OUR IMPACT
“The CWMA community is so diverse, and the potential to make change is really endless. I think the mission that CWMA holds is the simply the start of many great things to come. It holds a power to change, and an opportunity to further enhance the common goals we are all on. It excites me that one organization can be a catalyst for so many great things.” ~Brendan McShane
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“CWMA – the organization and the members – are some of the most cooperative, like-minded, and respectful people I’ve had the opportunity to work with. I think it’s the perfect place to explore zero waste and general waste challenges and advance sustainability in a professional and supportive environment” ~Sonam Bajwa
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“I love CWMA’s culture of open and respectful dialogue and focus on fostering environmental leadership, which I think is essential for discussing and developing best practices in the waste management sector.” ~Veronica Bartlett
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“CWMA is a platform that allows like-minded people to connect and continuously learn how to improve waste management practices. Environmental leadership and best management practices are tools necessary to achieve the goals associated with implementing new strategies and initiatives.” ~Andrea Panich
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“I believe CWMA provides an important forum to respectfully discuss the challenges and opportunities for advancing the sustainability of waste management throughout our region. CWMA has a reputation as a positive organization where board members build strong and lasting professional relationships” ~Rory Tooke
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“Coast Waste Management Association fosters environmental leadership and best practices by providing a forum for discussion, education, and networking: CWMA has been doing exactly that exceptionally well…it keeps members informed of all things happening in the industry and with the various working groups; everyone can participate meaningfully” ~Peter Grant
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“CWMA has helped me to gather perspective from industry members from across the province. The challenges of our geography, population density, and economics vary from region to region, and CWMA has helped me to gain a better understanding of this year after year. The organization brings together professionals that are passionate and knowledgeable about their roles and improving our waste management programs for our communities and professionals alike. ” ~Sean Kawakami
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“The CWMA mission is meaningful to me because the CWMA carries out its mission by hosting amazing conferences and events whereby participants can learn and share ideas on how to solve the challenges we face in an open, honest and forum. The networking opportunities with peers and stakeholders in the industry are second to none.” ~Michael Zarbl
MEET OUR CURRENT BOARD
2023-2024
So much thanks to all of our returning Board members. While oversight of the organization is a top priority, what makes the CWMA Board unique is the hands-on work they do for the organization on behalf of all members.
Presented Alphabetically…
Sonam Bajwa (vice-chair)
Sonam Bajwa is a Solid Waste Planner at the Regional District of Nanaimo with over 10 years of experience in the solid waste industry. She started her career working with Tetra Tech where she focused on waste audits and then moved over to a stewardship agency, working on province and nation-wide extended producer responsibility programs. Her focus now is the ongoing implementation of the Regional District of Nanaimo’s solid waste management plan. Sonam holds a B.A. major in Geography with a Specialty in Environmental Studies, complemented by a certificate in Spatial Information Systems
Veronica Bartlett
Veronica Bartlett is an environmental and waste management consultant with over 15 years’ experience. With a postgraduate degree in ecotoxicology from Uppsala University, Sweden; Veronica started her career developing “waste management and minimization plans” for municipalities across New Zealand. New professional challenges and the beautiful coast mountains attracted Veronica to North Vancouver where she joined Morrison Hershfield’s growing team in 2012. Over the last ten years, Veronica has worked on many projects: from the development of solid waste management plans to communication and engagement strategy development. Away from work, Veronica is an active Council member of her strata complex and enjoys having fun in the outdoors – trail running, mountain biking, hiking, and skiing.
Peter Grant (treasurer)
Recycling Depot Program Manager, Salt Spring Island Community Services. Born long long ago in a land far away…( Norway ) Grew up in Montreal – BA from McGill University – Majored in English. Moved to Calgary and spent 15 years there, working in the Oil and Gas industry as well as dabbling in the Hospitality trade. Moved to Salt Spring Island in 1984 and has been managing the Recycling Depot there since the early nineties…..One of each – Wife: Donna, Son: Jeff and Grandson: Kaleb.
Sean Kawakami
Sean is the Business Development Manager for Convertus Group who specialise in the design, construction, finance, and operation of organic waste processing facilities. Convertus operates four facilities in Canada, notably including the Nanaimo Circular Waste BC and Surrey Biofuel sites. Sean started in the industry working for Rehrig Pacific where he had the opportunity to supply containers for residential and commercial collection to municipalities and haulers across British Columbia and Alberta. From there he moved to Waste Connections for a year, before joining Convertus. His experience in supply, collection and processing affords him a unique perspective of the solid waste industry in our province.
Brendan McShane (chair)
Brendan is the Director, Collection with Recycle BC, and currently sits as Chair for CWMA. Brendan has worked with Recycle BC for nine years, overseeing partnerships and operations throughout the Province. During this time he has had the pleasure of working with the broad spectrum of waste management partners and is grateful for the strong relationships developed throughout the province. Brendan’s introduction to the waste management realm was in 2008, developing recycling programs in rural Costa Rica. In 2017, Brendan joined the Board of Directors with CWMA to further involve himself within the industry and provide a greater service to those partnerships he values. Brendan lives in Victoria with his young family, enjoying all things coastal BC has to offer.
Andrea Panich (secretary)
Andrea works at Hartland landfill, researching solid waste management and health & safety topics, developing risk assessments, preparing jobs safety analysis, exposure control plans, emergency preparedness and coordinating required safety training. As a joint occupational health and safety member, Andrea prepares minutes and agenda’s and presents health and safety material to the committee. She has experience in environmental monitoring, sampling and working in analytical laboratories, processing samples for analysis. Andrea has a B.Sc. in Environmental Science, a diploma in Environmental Technology and a certificate in Environmental and Occupational Health.
Rory Tooke
Rory is the Manager of Sustainability and Asset Management at the City of Victoria. He established and leads the solid waste engineering and planning function of the City with responsibilities for zero waste and circular economy policies and programs, planning and design of municipal solid waste services and corporate sustainability initiatives. Rory is the current Vice Chair of the Capital Region’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee. He was a founding member of the BC Energy Step Code Council that developed BC’s regulatory pathway to achieve net zero energy buildings and was a member of the project team that led the design of Surrey’s Clayton Community Centre – the largest Passive House facility of its kind. Rory holds a Masters and PhD in natural resources management from the University of British Columbia.
Michael Zarbl
Michael joined the Major Appliance Recycling Roundtable as the Executive Director in July 2017. Prior to that he was the Director of Operations at Recycle BC (formerly MMBC) the extended producer responsibility program for packaging and printed paper. Before joining Recycle BC, Michael was the Senior District Manager for Waste Management of Canada for four years, where he was responsible for the entire operation of the Vancouver Hauling District. Michael also has an extensive supply chain management background with direct experience in the key activities along the supply chain, culminating in direct waste management industry experience. Michael has a BA from Concordia University in Montreal and is fluent in both English and French.