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DTSTART:20260526T210000Z
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SUMMARY:2026 Community Outlook - Climate Action for Businesses
DESCRIPTION:The London Chamber of Commerce\, in partnership with the City of London as Principal Sponsor\, is proud to present Climate Action for Business\, an event designed to help businesses understand\, prepare for\, and lead in a changing climate.\n\nThis timely event will bring together business leaders\, policy makers\, and sustainability experts to explore practical strategies for climate adaptation\, resilience\, and long-term growth. We are grateful to Enbridge\, our Gold Sponsor\, for their continued support in advancing meaningful climate conversations within the business community.\n\nThe morning will open with a special duo musical performance by Eleanor Gebrou\, setting an inspiring tone for the discussion ahead.\n\nOur keynote address will be delivered by Blair Feltmate\, Head of the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation\, who will share critical insights on climate risk\, adaptation strategies\, and what businesses need to do now to remain competitive and resilient.\n\nFollowing the keynote\, a dynamic panel discussion will feature:\n\n- Shawna Chambers\, City of London \n\n- Rainer Voigt\, Goodwill Industries\n\n- David Sills\, Western University.\n\n- Allan Van Damme\, London Hydro\n\n- Ilona Kovats\, BlueStone Properties Inc.\n\nThe panel will be expertly facilitated by Katie Wilhelm\, guiding a conversation focused on real-world applications\, local leadership\, and actionable takeaways for businesses of all sizes.\n\nJoin us for an engaging and informative event that highlights how climate action is not only an environmental responsibility\, but a strategic business opportunity.\n\nFlood Risk on the Rise: Helping Homeowners Help Themselves\n\nThe costliest impact of climate change affecting Canadians is residential basement flooding. Currently\, 10 percent of households (1.5 million homes) are uninsurable for flood risk -- with the average cost of basement flooding being $54\,000\, many homeowners are challenged. This session will focus on practical and cost-effective steps that homeowners can take often over a long-weekend to meaningfully lower their chance (and costs) of basement flooding.\n\n\n\nAbout the Facilitator \n\n\n\nKatie Wilhelm \n \n\nKatie Wilhelm\, RGD (she/her) is an award-winning Indigenous designer and consultant based in London\, Ontario. Katie is a proud Indigenous woman from the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation at Neyaashiinigmiing. Prior to founding her own design practice\, Katie spent more than ten years specializing in corporate communications\, specifically in local economic development. Katie is a leader in the local arts and culture community\, having worked in London's creative industry since 2009.\n\n \n\nA champion for the Indigenous community\, she continuously looks to inspire others to create a colourful future for Turtle Island. Learn more at www.katiewilhelm.design.\n\n\n\n\n\nKey Note\n\nBlair Feltmate\n\n"Dr. Blair Feltmate: Blair is the Head of the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation\, University of Waterloo. Previous positions he has held include Vice President\, Sustainable Development\, Bank of Montreal\; Director\, Sustainable Development\, Ontario Power Generation\; Partner\, Sustainable Investment Group/YMG Capital Management. Blair has written textbooks on Sustainable Banking and Aquatic Ecology.\n \n\nHe is on the Advisory Table\, National Adaptation Strategy\, Canada. He is Sustainable Finance Council member\, Global Risk Institute\, and he is a member of Climate Proof Canada (Insurance Bureau of Canada). Blair is Expert Member\, International ISO Strategic Advisory Group\, ESG\, and he is on the Science\, Innovation and Policy Board of Canada's Forest Trust. He is on the Climate Advisory Board\, Minister of Environment (Ontario). Blair was Chair\, Federal Government of Canada Expert Panel on Climate Adaptation.\n \n\nBlair was an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow (University of Waterloo). He holds a Ph.D in Theoretical and Applied Ecology (University of Toronto)\, Master's in Sustainable Development (Wilfrid Laurier University)\, Master's in Zoology (University of Toronto)\, and Hon. Bachelor's Biology (University of Toronto). He is generally interviewed by the media 100 times per year on climate change/ESG related issues.\n\n \n\n \n\nAbout the Panelist: \n \n\nRainer Voigt \n\nVice President\, Operations and Sustainability at Goodwill Industries\, Ontario Great Lakes\, where he leads initiatives that advance the organization's commitment to environmental stewardship and the circular economy. Rainer holds an MBA and a Master of Environmental Studies\, and serves on several Goodwill International steering committees\, contributing to global sustainability strategies. With three decades of experience spanning textile manufacturing and nonprofit operations\, Rainer brings deep expertise in production processes\,\n\nsupply chain management\, and sustainable business practices. His leadership has driven innovative upcycling and circularity programs\, transforming donated goods into new economic\n\nopportunities while reducing environmental impact.\n\n\nDavid Sills\n\n\nServed as a Severe Weather Scientist at Environment Canada for more than 20 years before becoming the Director of the Northern Tornadoes Project with Western Engineering in 2019. Dr. Sills leads a team that aims to detect\, assess\, and document all tornadoes in Canada\, as well as other thunderstorm-related wind events. The resulting data sets are used to develop climatologies and risk analyses\, verify warnings\, make building code recommendations\, and better understand the influence of climate change. \n\n\nShawna Chambers\n\nDirector of Climate Change\, Environment and Waste Management at the City of London. Ms. Chambers holds a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Waterloo (Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Options) and a Master's degree in Public Administration from Western University. Shawna spent most of her 18-year career at the City in the Stormwater Engineering Division\, managing surface flooding\, channel naturalization\, and climate adaptation projects. As Director of Climate and Waste Management\, she focuses on delivering practical and effective municipal programs to benefit both the environment and the greater community. Ms. Chambers is committed to sustainability\, innovation\, and challenging the way "it's always been done."\n\n \n\nAllan Van Damme\n\nVice President of Engineering and Construction at London Hydro where his responsibilities include the oversight of: the engineering design team\, the overhead line and forestry crews\, the underground cable crews\, the civil construction crews\, the health and safety department\, involvement in smart grid projects\, emergency response and development of corporate policy.\n\nAllan has actively contributed within the electric distribution utility sector for the past 31 years and is a senior member of IEEE's Power Engineering society. Along with the design and operation of London Hydro's grid\, Allan has overseen the installation of smart grid devices\, electric vehicle chargers and photovoltaic energy systems which are owned by London Hydro.\n\n \nIlona Kovats\n\nIlona Kovats is the Sustainability & Tenant Retention Manager at BlueStone Properties in London\, Ontario. She leads the company's sustainability and ESG strategy\, integrating climate action into property management and real estate development across BlueStone's portfolio. Ilona focuses on practical\, business-driven climate solutions advancing energy efficiency\, emissions reduction\, performance tracking\, and tenant engagement initiatives that align environmental responsibility with financial performance. She works closely with leadership\, operations teams\, and tenants to embed sustainability into everyday decision-making. In addition to her role at BlueStone\, Ilona serves as a board member of the London Environmental Network\, where she supports collaboration between businesses\, nonprofits\, and the broader community to accelerate local climate solutions. Ilona holds a Real Property Administrator (RPA ) designation from BOMI International\, a LEED Green Associate credential from the US Green Building Council\, and she is currently completing a Certificate in Climate Change Policy and Practice through the University of Toronto. She played a key role in BlueStone achieving the first ENERGY STAR Certification for an office building in London\, and has been recognized by Natural Resources Canada for her contributions to the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager benchmarking program.\n\n \n\n\nAbout the Performer:\n\n\n\nEleanor Gebrou\n\nEleanor is a singer-songwriter with an R&B leaning sound\, coloured in hues of soul and indie music. She takes a narrative approach to songwriting\, leaning on experiences of grief and overcoming to shape stories that are robust and deeply felt. "I make music because it would be harder not to\, it's a very natural extension of my personhood\," the artist says of herself. Eleanor's music has been covered widely by publications such as Earmilk\, ColorsxStudios\, and Exclaim Magazine. Wonderland Magazine has dubbed her music "a peaceful effort that matter of factly confronts life's most difficult intricacies as they dissipate into a chorus of soul-laden beats." Eleanor has recently contributed her vocals to the published music of artists such as Emanuel\, Chad Price\, and Jon Vinyl. Her music has also been featured prominently on radio and television\, and her debut E.P. "A Late Bloom" was released in October 2023 and has received 300\,000 streams worldwide.\n\n\n\n \n\nClosing Remarks: \n\nMegan Shannon\n\n \n\nMegan Shannon is a Senior Advisor with Municipal and Stakeholder Engagement for Enbridge Gas. Previously\, Megan held positions in Legislated and Legal Services\, including Municipal Clerk at the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands and Deputy Clerk at Loyalist Township. Megan is a graduate from Western University's Masters of Public Administration in Local Government Program. Megan is also a graduate of the University of Guelph where she obtained a Bachelor of Commerce in Leadership and Organizational Management.
X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:The London Chamber of Commerce\, in partnership with the City of London as Principal Sponsor\, is proud to present Climate Action for Business\, an event designed to help businesses understand\, prepare for\, and lead in a changing climate.
\n\nThis timely event will bring together business leaders\, policy makers\, and sustainability experts to explore practical strategies for climate adaptation\, resilience\, and long-term growth. We are grateful to Enbridge\, our Gold Sponsor\, for their continued support in advancing meaningful climate conversations within the business community.
\n\nThe morning will open with a special duo musical performance by Eleanor Gebrou\, setting an inspiring tone for the discussion ahead.
\n\nOur keynote address will be delivered by Blair Feltmate\, Head of the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation\, who will share critical insights on climate risk\, adaptation strategies\, and what businesses need to do now to remain competitive and resilient.
\n\nFollowing the keynote\, a dynamic panel discussion will feature:
\n\n- Shawna Chambers\, City of London\;
\n- Rainer Voigt\, Goodwill Industries
\n- David Sills\, Western University.
\n- Allan Van Damme\, London Hydro
\n- Ilona Kovats\, BlueStone Properties Inc.
\n\nThe panel will be expertly facilitated by Katie Wilhelm\, guiding a conversation focused on real-world applications\, local leadership\, and actionable takeaways for businesses of all sizes.
\n\nJoin us for an engaging and informative event that highlights how climate action is not only an environmental responsibility\, but a strategic business opportunity.
\n\nFlood Risk on the Rise: Helping Homeowners Help Themselves
\n\nThe costliest impact of climate change affecting Canadians is residential basement flooding. \; Currently\, 10 percent of households (1.5 million homes) are uninsurable for flood risk -- with the average cost of basement flooding being $54\,000\, many homeowners are challenged. \; This session will focus on practical and cost-effective steps that homeowners can take &mdash\; often over a long-weekend &mdash\; to meaningfully lower their chance (and costs) of basement flooding.
\n
\nAbout the Facilitator \;
\n
\nKatie Wilhelm
\n \;\n\nKatie Wilhelm\, RGD (she/her) is an award-winning Indigenous designer and consultant based in London\, Ontario. Katie is a proud Indigenous woman from the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation at Neyaashiinigmiing. Prior to founding her own design practice\, Katie spent more than ten years specializing in corporate communications\, specifically in local economic development. Katie is a leader in the local arts and culture community\, having worked in London&rsquo\;s creative industry since 2009.
\n \;
\n\nA champion for the Indigenous community\, she continuously looks to inspire others to create a colourful future for Turtle Island. Learn more at www.katiewilhelm.design.
\n\n
\n
\nKey Note
\nBlair Feltmate
\n&ldquo\;Dr. Blair Feltmate: Blair is the Head of the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation\, University of Waterloo. Previous positions he has held include Vice President\, Sustainable Development\, Bank of Montreal\; Director\, Sustainable Development\, Ontario Power Generation\; Partner\, Sustainable Investment Group/YMG Capital Management. Blair has written textbooks on Sustainable Banking and Aquatic Ecology.
\n \;\n\nHe is on the Advisory Table\, National Adaptation Strategy\, Canada. He is Sustainable Finance Council member\, Global Risk Institute\, and he is a member of Climate Proof Canada (Insurance Bureau of Canada). Blair is Expert Member\, International ISO Strategic Advisory Group\, ESG\, and he is on the Science\, Innovation and Policy Board of Canada&rsquo\;s Forest Trust. He is on the Climate Advisory Board\, Minister of Environment (Ontario). Blair was Chair\, Federal Government of Canada Expert Panel on Climate Adaptation.
\n \;\n\nBlair was an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow (University of Waterloo). He holds a Ph.D in Theoretical and Applied Ecology (University of Toronto)\, Master&rsquo\;s in Sustainable Development (Wilfrid Laurier University)\, Master&rsquo\;s in Zoology (University of Toronto)\, and Hon. Bachelor&rsquo\;s Biology (University of Toronto). He is generally interviewed by the media 100 times per year on climate change/ESG related issues.
\n\n \;
\n\n \;
\n\nAbout the Panelist: \;
\n \;\n\nRainer Voigt \;
\n\nVice President\, Operations and Sustainability at Goodwill Industries\, Ontario Great Lakes\, where he leads initiatives that advance the organization&rsquo\;s commitment to environmental stewardship and the circular economy. Rainer holds an MBA and a Master of Environmental Studies\, and serves on several Goodwill International steering committees\, contributing to global sustainability strategies. With three decades of experience spanning textile manufacturing and nonprofit operations\, Rainer brings deep expertise in production processes\,
\n\nsupply chain management\, and sustainable business practices. His leadership has driven innovative upcycling and circularity programs\, transforming donated goods into new economic
\n\nopportunities while reducing environmental impact.
\n\n\n
David Sills
\n\n
\n
Served as a Severe Weather Scientist at Environment Canada for more than 20 years before becoming the Director of the Northern Tornadoes Project with Western Engineering in 2019. Dr. Sills leads a team that aims to detect\, assess\, and \; document all tornadoes in Canada\, as well as other thunderstorm-related wind events. The resulting data sets are used to develop \; climatologies and risk analyses\, verify warnings\, make building code recommendations\, and better understand the influence of climate change.
\n\n
\n
Shawna Chambers
\nDirector of Climate Change\, Environment and Waste Management at the City of London. Ms. Chambers holds a bachelor&rsquo\;s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Waterloo (Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Options) and a Master&rsquo\;s degree in Public Administration from Western University. Shawna spent most of her 18-year career at the City in the Stormwater Engineering Division\, managing surface flooding\, channel naturalization\, and climate adaptation projects. As Director of Climate and Waste Management\, she focuses on delivering practical and effective municipal programs to benefit both the environment and the greater community. Ms. Chambers is committed to sustainability\, innovation\, and challenging the way &ldquo\;it&rsquo\;s always been done.&rdquo\;
\n\n
\;\n\n
Allan Van Damme
\nVice President of Engineering and Construction at London Hydro where his responsibilities include the oversight of: the engineering design team\, the overhead line and forestry crews\, the underground cable crews\, the civil construction crews\, the health and safety department\, involvement in smart grid projects\, emergency response and development of corporate policy.
\n\n
Allan has actively contributed within the electric distribution utility sector for the past 31 years and is a senior member of IEEE'\;s Power Engineering society. \; Along with the design and operation of London Hydro&rsquo\;s grid\, Allan has overseen the installation of smart grid devices\, electric vehicle chargers and photovoltaic energy systems which are owned by London Hydro.
\n\n
\;\n
Ilona Kovats
\nIlona Kovats is the Sustainability &\; Tenant Retention Manager at BlueStone Properties in London\, Ontario. She leads the company&rsquo\;s sustainability and ESG strategy\, integrating climate action into property management and real estate development across BlueStone&rsquo\;s portfolio. Ilona focuses on practical\, business-driven climate solutions &mdash\; advancing energy efficiency\, emissions reduction\, performance tracking\, and tenant engagement initiatives that align environmental responsibility with financial performance. She works closely with leadership\, operations teams\, and tenants to embed sustainability into everyday decision-making. In addition to her role at BlueStone\, Ilona serves as a board member of the London Environmental Network\, where she supports collaboration between businesses\, nonprofits\, and the broader community to accelerate local climate solutions. Ilona holds a Real Property Administrator (RPA®\;) designation from BOMI International\, a LEED Green Associate credential from the US Green Building Council\, and she is currently completing a Certificate in Climate Change Policy and Practice through the University of Toronto. She played a key role in BlueStone achieving the first ENERGY STAR®\; Certification for an office building in London\, and has been recognized by Natural Resources Canada for her contributions to the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager benchmarking program.
\n\n
\;
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\n\n
About the Performer:
\n
\nEleanor Gebrou
\nEleanor is a singer-songwriter with an R&\;B leaning sound\, coloured in hues of soul and indie music. She takes a narrative approach to songwriting\, leaning on experiences of grief and overcoming to shape stories that are robust and deeply felt. &ldquo\;I make music because it would be harder not to\, it'\;s a very natural extension of my personhood\,&rdquo\; the artist says of herself. Eleanor&rsquo\;s music has been covered widely by publications such as Earmilk\, ColorsxStudios\, and Exclaim Magazine. Wonderland Magazine has dubbed her music &ldquo\;a peaceful effort that matter of factly confronts life&rsquo\;s most difficult intricacies as they dissipate into a chorus of soul-laden beats.&rdquo\; \; Eleanor has recently contributed her vocals to the published music of artists such as Emanuel\, Chad Price\, and Jon Vinyl. Her music has also been featured prominently on radio and television\, and her debut E.P. "\;A Late Bloom"\; was released in \; October 2023 and has received 300\,000 streams worldwide.
\n
\n \;
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Closing Remarks: \;
\n\n
Megan Shannon
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Megan Shannon is a Senior Advisor with Municipal and Stakeholder Engagement for Enbridge Gas. Previously\, Megan held positions in Legislated and Legal Services\, including Municipal Clerk at the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands and Deputy Clerk at Loyalist Township. Megan is a graduate from Western University&rsquo\;s Masters of Public Administration in Local Government Program. Megan is also a graduate of the University of Guelph where she obtained a Bachelor of Commerce in Leadership and Organizational Management.
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