Joanne Sawatzky LEED® AP BD+C (2002), Built Green HD Verifier, CPHC

Joanne leads the Light House regenerative team, providing regenerative visioning and technical expertise on Light House projects.  She draws from her 20+ years of experience in the green building industry, finding ways to elevate built environments to nurture both human and ecological health. With a background in architecture, building science and energy-efficient buildings, Joanne is especially familiar with the construction of building systems, materials and assemblies. Although she enjoys getting into the details, Joanne identifies success when teams work together to unlock big underlying sustainability goals.  Joanne holds a Bachelor of Technology, Architectural Science, Building Science (Ryerson University, 1999) and a Master of Science in Energy Efficient Building (Oxford Brookes UK, 2002).

Gil Yaron, LLM, LLB, BA.Sc

Gil brings a strategic and holistic lens to designing innovative solutions to challenges facing clients related to sustainable building policy and practice. His work spans more than 30 years in green building, waste management, extended producer responsibility, product development, communications and governance; assisting government and industry clients in maximizing project outcomes, whether educational, financial or environmental. Gil holds a Bachelor of Laws (1996) and Master of Laws (2000).

Shijie Wang BSc, MEng, LEED® AP BD+C, CEM®, WELL™ AP

Shijie Wang has worked in the sustainability industry for over eight years, gaining experience in green building rating systems, health and wellness, embodied carbon, and energy efficiency. A seasoned project manager, Shijie is passionate about advancing regenerative design and circular economy. Shijie holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics (Jilin University, 2007) and a Master’s degree in Building Engineering (Concordia University, 2019).

Ava Campbell, BA

Ava is results-driven sustainability practitioner who has built a career focused on strategy development, storytelling, and executing ESG goals. She is passionate about businesses advocating for circular innovation and sustainability in the built environment. Her work involves developing projects at the cutting edge of the circular economy; collaborating and connecting with stakeholders within the circular ecosystem. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Toronto Metropolitan University (2018) and a Sustainable Business Leadership Advanced Diploma from BCIT (2023). 

Mariya Chugay, B Com

As a Project Manager, Mariya’s role revolves around the successful planning, implementation, and delivery of Light House programming. With a background in local circular economic development, Mariya has a proven track record of managing circular economy initiatives and collaborating with organizations to action on sustainability opportunities. Skilled in transforming complex, entangled challenges into impact-driven outcomes, Mariya holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a Minor in Sustainability Studies from Concordia University (2019).

Oluwasina (Sina) Agunbiade, LEED® AP BD+C, WELL AP

Sina is dedicated to sustainable development and regenerative thinking. Leveraging his background as an architectural designer with experience in construction projects and property development, he serves as a Junior Project Coordinator on our regenerative team. He has a knowledge of energy modelling, building systems, life cycle assessment, green building standards, and passive design. At Light House, he enjoys working with other professionals trying to push the needle towards a more sustainable future. Sina holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Architecture (Covenant University), and a Master of Engineering Leadership – High Performance Buildings from the University of British Columbia. In his spare time, Sina enjoys photography, soccer, golf and watching documentaries about history.

Molly Coulter, BLA

Molly has a breadth of experience working in the built environment sector across Canada and Australia. With a background in landscape architecture, their projects have included urban design reports, creek restorations, green star targeted developments, parks, cemeteries, First Nations memorials and a range of cultural green infrastructure projects. Recipient of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Future Leader Award 2022, her skills lie in leadership, communication, and creative thinking. Molly brings a passion for circular economy and new ways of prioritizing cultural and environmental resilience to the way they work. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architectural Design (2019).

Maria Luna, B.U.F.

Maria is a sustainability researcher and climate data analyst with experience in carbon emissions assessment, circular economy research, and sustainable building policy. With a background in urban forestry and climate policy, she brings a systems-thinking approach to decarbonization, emissions tracking, and circular design strategies. Maria is passionate about translating data into actionable insights that support climate resilience and equity in the built environment. She holds a Bachelor of Urban Forestry with a minor in Landscape and Recreation Planning from the University of British Columbia, where she was named to the 2024 Dean’s List.

Gauri Oak, BA, M.Sc

Gauri is driven to support purpose-based and innovative startups to become investable, profitable and sustainable businesses. As the Venture Program Specialist at Light House’s Circular Construction Accelerator, she helps ventures navigate the program, align with growth objectives, and tap into expert and ecosystem support. Gauri has a decade of experience in communications and operations; her early days were rooted in environmental geopolitics and public policy before she pivoted to venture capital and startups. Gauri holds a Master’s Degree in Economics from the University of Hong Kong and runs a local community of early-stage entrepreneurs, called Vancouver Startups.

Ben Clark, MA, BSc

Ben is a climate and sustainability professional with 20 years of experience across business, government, and non-profit organizations. Ben’s consulting experience includes dozens of projects to advance green and circular economic development, implement climate strategy, and guide policy and funding programs. Much of this experience has been focused on circularity and green building, including leading a nationwide study for ECCC on the economic impact of waste diversion in construction and demolition. He brings a varied and valuable skillset, including   applied research, participatory engagement methods, quantitative economic analysis, and local knowledge of Vancouver Island.  

Garron Dalby

Garron is the Founder and Principal Consultant of ReCap Materials Management Inc., overseeing waste management and sustainability strategies for commercial and multi-family construction projects while spearheading innovative product development. With over a decade of experience in the built environment sector, he combines on-site knowledge with practical, results-drive approaches to reducing waste and advancing circular practices. As an associate with Light House, he has served as a key implementation lead on the Construction Plastics Initiative, supporting industry partners in piloting new approaches to recycling and resource recovery. Garron holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a joint major in Sustainable Business from Simon Fraser University, bringing an entrepreneurial mindset and a passion for initiatives that support community and climate impact.

James Boothroyd

James Boothroyd (BA, M.Phil, MA) is Senior Policy Advisor for Metro Vancouver’s ground-breaking National Zero Waste Council, and as a consultant for, among others, the directors of a coalition of 14 major national environmental groups, including WWF, Greenpeace and Pembina. Previously, he managed David Suzuki Foundation’s Communications Department and provided strategic communications services to public health and environmental clients, including the World Health Organization, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the German Technical Cooperation, Canadian HIV Trials Network and Ecojustice.   James is the author of Project Green Bloc, a three-year project designed by Riley Park, Vancouver residents, which tests research and activities which address hyper-consumption and climate change. 

Perry Gorgounis

Perry specializes in occupier representation working with tenant groups, owner users and investors predominantly in commercial properties. Prior to being an owner and broker of commercial real estate, he owned and co-managed a then leading commercial interiors supply firm. Perry has served on boards that build and enrich the business community including Light House, as well as the community where he lives.

A baseball coach for 11 years, Perry believes the best way to make our city great is to simply start by giving back where you live and where you work.

John Holland (Board Chair)

John Holland (P.Eng., C.Eng., LEED® AP) joined the Light House board in 2008 and got to know the Light House team well using Light House’s services at Pinchin West on a number of occasions, including facilitating sustainability visioning sessions, developing a model for green leases (which promote shared tenant/landlord responsibility for reducing energy consumption), studying the financial impacts of the BOMA Go Green program and creating a green building toolkit for the RCMP. John sees Light House as a “coherent, ethical, and respected advocate for sustainability” and works hard to guide it toward success. John also serves on the UBC Faculty of Applied Science Technical Advisory Committee, and is a Fellow of Engineers Canada. He is the former Chair of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC (APEGBC) Environment Committee and has served on the Sustainability Committee.

Jennie Moore

Dr. Jennie Moore is Director, Institute of Sustainability at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. A planner by profession, Dr. Moore brings 30 years of experience to her role, and previously also served as an Associate Dean in the School of Construction and the Environment, Building Design and Construction Technology Portfolio. Dr. Moore is a contributor to the creation of the UN Global Urban Monitoring Framework, International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Urban Nature Index, and International Ecocity Standards.

Brenda Martens

Brenda Martens (O.B.C., B.Sc., CSBA, TRUE Advisor, LEED FELLOW) is a leading sustainability advocate and early adopter of green building practices and has worked on some of the most environmentally progressive and largest projects in B.C., such as the Athletes’ Villages. She was one of the reviewers of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Canada guides and founder of  the first company in BC dedicated to providing green building consulting. Martens’ contributions have been peer recognized by her election to the board of the Cascadia Green Building Council and chair of the LEED steering committee. She has developed and delivered several courses through BCIT, including a micro-credential on Applied Circular Economy: Zero Waste Buildings. She has been awarded the National Volunteer Leadership Award in 2013 by the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) and LEED Fellow in 2012, one of only 10 Canadians and 226 individuals in the world. She was appointed to the Order of British Columbia in 2018.

Alfred V. Waugh

Alfred Waugh (Architect AIBC, OAA, MRAIC, LEED® AP) is the president of Formline Architecture, an award-winning architecture firm. The studio specializes in working on environmentally responsible and culturally sensitive projects that reflect and reinforce the values and visions of the client, including the UBC Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre in 2017, the North Island College Aboriginal Gathering Place in 2021, and the Saskatoon Public Library (current). Alfred is Status Indian and part of Treaty 8. He was born and raised in Yellowknife, North West Territories, Canada, and was the first Aboriginal person to graduate with honours from UBC School of Architecture in 1993 and become LEED accredited and a registered architect.  Prior to his architecture degree, Alfred acquired a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Urban and Regional Analysis at the University of Lethbridge in 1989.  Alfred Waugh was selected by Maclean’s (2021) to be on ‘The Power List – 50 Canadians who are breaking ground, leading the debate and shaping how we think and live’.