Kalpna Solanski
Kalpna Solanki has been President and CEO of the Environmental Operators Certification Program (EOCP) since 2016. She holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science from Simon Fraser University, as well as a Diploma in Environmental Health from the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
At the EOCP, Kalpna has been involved in a number of projects to increase the organization’s capacity and better meet the needs of its stakeholders. The EOCP now has the largest repository of information related to water and wastewater in BC and YK – in terms of training information, facility classification, and Operator certification; has launched a new certification; has been instrumental in the development of a new Operator program in the Lower Mainland.
William Fernandes
William is the Director of Water Treatment and Supply with the City of Toronto. He is responsible for the 4 water treatment plants, many reservoirs, pumping stations, elevated tanks, and all the water supply mains between them.
He has over 40 years of experience in Operations and Capital in both water and wastewater treatment.
Terry Rees
Terry has been the executive director of the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations (FOCA) since 2004. FOCA is the largest waterfront landowner organization in Canada, representing 50,000 member families in 525 community associations. Terry has BA in Economics from Western University, and a Certificate in Environmental Management from Ryerson University. Terry is a member of many regional and provincial committees focussed on biodiversity, water and water management, rural economic development and more. Terry is FOCA’s lead on Ontario’s Lake Partner Program, the largest volunteer water quality monitoring program in Canada.
Melissa Dick
Melissa Dick has 10 years of experience in environmental and sustainability program management, integrating technical research and analysis, strategic development, and multi-stakeholder engagement. Previously, Melissa was the lead for business development programs by the non-profit organization AquaAction, accelerating the deployment of innovative water technology pilot projects within the municipal sector. Melissa also gained direct government experience as a program coordinator with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and as a field technician with Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Melissa holds a BSc in Geography and an MSc in Biology from Carleton University. Melissa currently serves as a member of the Water Canada Advisory Board.
Michele Grenier
Michele Grenier is the Executive Director of the Ontario Water Works Association (OWWA). Michele is a Chemical Engineer who graduated from the University of Ottawa and worked previously for the federal government, XCG Consultants, and Associated Engineering before taking over the helm of the OWWA in 2016. Her area of expertise is in the planning, operation, optimization and maintenance of municipal drinking water systems, with projects completed at over 100 water and wastewater facilities in the province. Michele is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Water and Wastewater
Association, the Ontario Environment Industry Association, and the TMU Urban Water Board of Advisors. She is also the Chair of the Ontario Drinking Water Advisory Council.
Eric Meliton
Eric is the Manager of the Sustainability Office at Wilfrid Laurier University. Eric is a thought leader and industry conduit with over 20 years of strategic experience, which includes analyzing cleantech trends, execution of sustainability-themed objectives, and strengthening of stakeholder and governmental relationships. Eric’s role is to provide sustainability leadership in a collaborative, multi-campus environment in Brantford, Kitchener, Milton, and  Waterloo. The Sustainability Office supports the exceptional employees, students, researchers, and educators to maintain Laurier’s reputation as a sustainability leader and a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact.
