Mapping the Sustainability Stairway

Michael is a leading sustainable business expert, with over 20 years’ experience across North America, Europe and Asia. His work has most recently been focused on public and private sector ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance), climate action and circular economy projects, cross-sectoral initiatives and government relations advocacy as Vice President of Sustainability at Retail Council of Canada, Director of Sustainability at GFL, Director of Climate Change & Sustainability Services at Ernst & Young and as Vice President of Business Development & Strategy at Bee’ah, a leading UAE based integrated waste and recycling management company.

In Michael’s current role at Retail Council of Canada, he leads the sustainability practice, supporting retailers and quick service restaurants nationally with government relations, the development of knowledge sharing platforms and pre-competitive initiatives on key issues such as ESG and climate action, extended producer responsibility (EPR) and plastic waste reduction.

Roopa is a partner in KPMG’s Sustainability Services practice who works in a global setting helping clients to understand and respond to their changing environments effectively and profitably by helping to reduce risks, find opportunities and ultimately build more resilient and sustainable businesses. Roopa focuses on a range of sustainability-related services including measurement and reporting, strategy, assurance, ESG and climate risk identification, materiality and greenhouse gas emissions estimates and verifications with a focus in the energy and natural resource sectors.

With over 25 years of professional experience, Sebastian has worked for multiple companies in the luxury sector in regional and global executive roles based in Buenos Aires, London, Barcelona, Hong Kong, and Toronto. He has also served as non-executive director in South-East Asia and the Middle East. Prior to joining Holt Renfrew in 2020, Sebastian was Deputy President of Asia’s iconic luxury department store Lane Crawford and has held senior management positions at Burberry, Net-a-Porter, Alexander McQueen and Deloitte.

Originally from Argentina, Sebastian holds bachelor’s degrees in Public Accounting and in Business Administration. He also holds a Master’s degree in International Finance. Most recently, he attended Harvard Business School, where he successfully completed their Advanced Management Program. Sebastian currently resides in Toronto with his wife and children.

Ken began his career in the retail food industry more than 25 years ago, specialising in merchandising,
marketing, private label procurement and global sourcing. Having joined Calgary Co-op in 2014, he
provides overall leadership to the organization, developing and ensuring the implementation of
strategic direction and business plans for attaining corporate, financial and operational objectives.
He deeply values the culture at Co-op, which focuses on serving members and nurturing team
members, and how it is reflected in Co-op’s stores, where team members continuously demonstrate
their commitment to 3 core values – Service, Caring, and Excellence.
Ken also holds an ICD.D designation and has served on the ProAction Cops & Kids board, a not-forprofit
with the goal of providing an environment for cops and kids to socialize, making the police
less intimidating to youth in the community. When it comes to local products and his favourite Cal &
Gary’s products – “My favorite local products are the samosa chips sold in the Deli – I love their flavor
and texture. My favourite Cal & Gary’s products are the ice cream cookie sandwiches in any flavour!”