Tyler Hamilton is Senior Director of Climate at MaRS and guides all climate-related activities for ventures, corporate partners and investors, including the flagship Mission from MaRS program. He is also on the board of the Ontario Clean Technology Industry Association (OCTIA) and a member of the XPRIZE Brain Trust. Previous to joining MaRS, Tyler spent two decades as a journalist and wrote extensively about Canada’s clean technology sector and global cleantech trends. Most recently he was editor-in-chief of business and sustainability magazine Corporate Knights. He also spent 13 years at the Toronto Star, where he reported on Canada’s energy sector and wrote a popular weekly column on clean energy technologies and trends. In 2011, Tyler authored Mad Like Tesla, a book that examines the various barriers to clean energy innovation and surveys the landscape of some potentially world-changing clean technologies. A recipient of the Cleantech Group’s “Pioneer” award for his early writings on the sector, Tyler was also recognized in 2016 on Canada’s “Clean50” list for his thought leadership on clean energy and climate issues.

Ria is the Climate Programs Associate at MaRS, where she works on Mission from MaRS projects and communications. She has spent several years working on environmental and policy issues in the built environment, and is driven by the need to create a more sustainable future. Ria earned an M.Sc. in Environmental Sustainability from the University of Ottawa in 2023, and previously graduated with high distinction from the University of Toronto with a B.A. in Architecture.

Niyat is the Coordinator, Cleantech at MaRS Discovery District where she supports climate program activities for ventures, corporate partners, and investors. Driven by the need to create a more just and inclusive transition towards a sustainable future, she has previously worked on environmental policy management and community engagement. She has a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Cognitive Science.

With twenty years of experience in data analytics, evaluation, research, design, development, and innovation, Sue is an expert in the end to end innovation process. While at MaRS, Sue has been the lead designer and project manager on complex projects and programs in the areas of social and municipal procurement innovation, systemic design, experiential futures, and social innovation. She is currently leading the design, strategy, and product development of an innovation ecosystem impact accelerator, and supporting the public procurement – net zero mission. Sue is also the Co-Founder and Director of Operations for Creative Reuse Toronto.

Ana is the Senior Manager, Climate and Cities at MaRS, where she leads the implementation of CAANZero, a pilot program seeking to unlock finance and increase capacity for small and medium municipalities advancing climate solutions. Prior to her role, she led an Innovation Fund across six countries through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Partnership for Municipal Innovation in Local Economic Development. Ana also worked closely with local-level actors through the Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program, supporting over 340 local governments in their efforts to act on climate across Canada. In 2017, Ana co-founded Youth Climate Lab, where she oversaw the operations, programs, and co-led the vision and strategy of the organization. She is the Vice-Chair of the Tamarack Institute’s Board of Directors, and served as an advisor to Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy. Ana holds an MSc Sustainability, Enterprise and the Environment as a Linbury Trust Scholar from the University of Oxford.

Leah is the Senior Manager, Cleantech at MaRS Discovery District where she works closely with the MaRS cleantech portfolio through all stages of growth, primarily when they are raising capital. Managing MaRS’ Climate investor relationships and leading the MaRS Cleantech VC Syndicate, Leah supports in the preparation of venture investment rounds and connects the MaRS Cleantech portfolio to the capital they require to grow. Leah also leads the RBC Women in Cleantech Accelerator, a two-year cohort program at MaRS aimed to accelerate women-led cleantech ventures. Prior to MaRS, Leah worked at Export Development Canada (EDC), where she spent nearly seven years helping SMEs along their growth journey, including several years on EDC’s Cleantech Team. Leah holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, York University, is a Certified International Trade Professional (CITP), and was recognized as one of Corporate Knights' Top 30 under 30 Sustainability Leaders in Canada.

Ian McCarter is the Director, Corporate Innovation, focused on creating meaningful, economic relationships between Canadian ventures and globally significant early adopters of innovation. In particular, Ian has been helping energy, transportation, real estate, mining, construction, and heavy industry partners inject Canadian innovation into their net-zero journey. Prior to joining MaRS, Ian worked for 7 years as a technology consultant at Deloitte, working on large-scale, technology implementation projects in both the public and private sectors, acting as the Google translator between business objectives/outcomes and technical solutions. Ian holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from the University of Ottawa and an MBA from the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University.

Ian Spence is a Senior Manager in Business Development at MaRS. His work ignites meaningful relationships between Canada’s brightest climate tech ventures and the greater, national, and international corporate ecosystem. He is passionate about unlocking the potential of Canadian innovation around the world. His approach to adoption collides industry narratives and re-focuses the power of technology to build better societies and businesses, wherever they may be. Prior to joining MaRS, Ian had a multidisciplinary background with organizations in energy, advanced AR/VR, IT, and consumer technology. Ian has 15 years of experience in sales and marketing and holds a BA Double Honours in Biology and Geography, Wilfrid Laurier University.

Christine currently leads government affairs for the MaRS Discovery District and is responsible for managing government relationships and driving public policy initiatives. Christine brings extensive experience managing complex public policy issues across the charitable, government and corporate sectors and is recognized for developing public policy responses to pressing environmental and social issues including food waste reduction, product and packaging stewardship, and food insecurity. Christine served as Director, Strategic Business Initiatives with Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organization. Her work there led to the release of The Avoidable Crisis of Food Waste, a ground-breaking report that identified the scope and scale of food waste in Canada. Christine was also Senior Director of Public Affairs with Walmart Canada, where she led government affairs and sustainability and community involvement activities. Her accomplishments in that role include identifying strategies to reduce food waste across the company’s supply chain. Christine’s record of public service includes serving as a founding director of the Board of Canadian Stewardship Services and recently served as a Director on the Resource Productivity Recovery Authority.

Grace Lee Reynolds is Head of Development and Programming at MaRS, where she oversees the strategies and activities essential to MaRS’ mission reach, growth and business sustainability. With nearly 30 years of experience in the public, private and philanthropic sectors, Grace is a visionary leader passionate about fostering economic enablement and social impact through innovative business models. Her diverse interests span the intersection of science and technology, arts and creativity and inclusive innovation, reflecting her belief that Canada needs robust infrastructure to drive economic well-being for future generations. Grace’s extensive background includes expertise in strategy, finance, fund and partnership development, commercial operations, and people leadership in both scaling enterprises and large complex organizations. Most recently, Grace served as CEO of Toronto Artscape, a social enterprise operating unique spaces and programs for creatives across Toronto, including affordable residential options, community cultural hubs and a creative entrepreneurship hub. Prior to this role, Grace was CFO of MaRS Discovery District and President of MaRS Discovery Enterprises, where she played a pivotal role in transforming MaRS into a globally recognized innovation hub. She contributed to the development and business of the 1.5 million square feet MaRS Centre, the strategic development and activation of MaRS’ social purpose business model, innovation programming and early-stage investment funds Before joining MaRS, Grace spent 15 years in finance leadership roles at prominent Canadian academic hospitals. At SickKids Foundation, she contributed to its growth from a small entrepreneurial entity to a leading fundraising organization, and at University Health Network, she worked in clinical operations, corporate services and the foundation. Grace began her career in the entrepreneurship services group at Ernst & Young. Grace holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Waterloo. Her extensive experience and relentless curiosity drive her commitment to advancing MaRS’ mission and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.

Michelle is the Senior Associate, Philanthropy at MaRS, supporting the growth of MaRS Climate programs, including Mission from MaRS. Originally from Guyana, Michelle brings a systems-based understanding of the need for socially and environmentally responsible innovation and business practices and is driven to creating a sustainable and equitable economy. Michelle has several years of experience working within the non-profit sector and holds a Masters in Environment and Business from the University of Waterloo.

Deveney is the Associate, Climate and Cities at MaRS, where she supports the implementation of CAANZero, a pilot program seeking to unlock finance and increase capacity for small and medium municipalities advancing climate solutions. Prior to joining MaRS, she worked as the director of international programs for a Canadian sustainable development charity. Deveney also holds an MPA from the Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose at University College London, where she completed research on community-driven and inclusive policy solutions for achieving net-zero.