Founders

Our founders who’ve been here since day one.

MIKE BAKER

SOLE/ReCORK
he/him

Co-Founder and Vice President of Brands for Better Foundation, and Founder/CEO of SOLE/ReCORK. Awarded top 22 Conscious Business Leaders of 2019 by Conscious Company Media.

KARLA PECKETT

SOLE/ReCORK
she/her

Founder and Executive Director of Brands for Better Foundation and Co-Visionary of BFB’s Brand Battle for Good, The Comeback and The Springboard Program. Creative lead, strategic thinker, community builder, planet-first designer. VP Brand at SOLE/ReCORK. Previously Creative Manager at LUSH Handmade Cosmetics.

SCOT SUSTAD

Inbox Booths & Digital Hot Sauce
He/Him

Co-Founder and Community Director of Brands for Better Foundation. Co-Visionary of BFB’s Brand Battle for Good. 5x start-up entrepreneur, community builder, growth marketer. Co-Founder and President of Inbox Booths. Co-Founder, Visionary, and Marketing Strategist at Digital Hot Sauce Inc.

Executive Team

ANAS NAFIE

Chief Financial Officer at Bluefield Net Ltd.

Finance Director of Brands for Better Foundation.

Anas is a seasoned influential finance leader, director, and lead lecturer in a large sovereign financial institution with 25+ years of experience. Anas brings extensive expertise in implementing advanced financial strategies and managing multiple-scale corporate initiatives. He has a proven track record to establish and sustain strategic financial alliances between non-profits and businesses, and is skilled in enhancing financial performance to drive positive organizational outcomes. Anas is also a CFA charterholder and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

MONIKA MARCOVOCI

Consulting on Purpose

Partnerships Director of Brands for Better Foundation.

Monika currently inspires and guides business to become a force for good, uncovering and maximizing their potential for positive environmental and social impact.

Her corporate career began in Europe with high tech giants, until she transitioned to Vancouver BC, where she focused on Digital Media. Always an innovator, in 1994 she founded a production company that focused on interactive corporate communications that created online communications strategies and websites for clients such as the BC Yellow Pages and ICBC. Monika realized that her work needed to better reflect her values in environmental and social sustainability, so she brought her experience in business and of best business practices within a sustainable framework together to found Greenworx Inc., specializing in the development of sustainability strategy and action plans.  She is also the co-Founder and was Executive Director of the Board of Change, a Vancouver business network with the mission to foster an economic model that values the pursuit of social and environmental sustainability equally with the pursuit of profit – a network close to 1,000 businesses strong.  Born in Vienna, Austria, Monika is fluent in French, German and English, is learning a few more, holds a degree in Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo, is a certified Yoga instructor and avid world traveller.

KARLA PECKETT

SOLE/ReCORK
she/her

Founder and Executive Director of Brands for Better Foundation and Co-Visionary of BFB’s Brand Battle for Good, The Comeback and The Springboard Program. Creative lead, strategic thinker, community builder, planet-first designer. VP Brand at SOLE/ReCORK. Previously Creative Manager at LUSH Handmade Cosmetics.

SCOT SUSTAD

Inbox Booths & Digital Hot Sauce
He/Him

Co-Founder and Community Director of Brands for Better Foundation. Co-Visionary of BFB’s Brand Battle for Good. 5x start-up entrepreneur, community builder, growth marketer. Co-Founder and President of Inbox Booths. Co-Founder, Visionary, and Marketing Strategist at Digital Hot Sauce Inc.

THERESA ROWSELL

Founder and Principal at Rowsell Inc.
She/Her

Founding Brand Partner and COO of Brands for Better Foundation and Brand Battle for Good. Strategic advisor, business coach, community connector and impact investor.  Previously with Lululemon, Target, Kit and Ace, and O2E Brands.  Founder and Principal at Rowsell Inc.

Key Advisors

Our key advisors who help plan and guide everything we do.

MARK BUSSE

Creative Mornings Vancouver

Organizational leader, strategic advisor, storyteller, engagement specialist, community builder, certified leadership coach and celebrant.

KRISTY O’LEARY

DECADE IMPACT STRATEGY
She/Her

Kristy is the co-founder of Decade Impact, a consulting firm focused on helping firms define, measure, manage, and communicate their social and environmental impact. An expert in B Corp certification and SDG alignment, Brianna supports her clients to translate impact into sustained business success.

JOEL HARRISON

Joel M Harrison Marketing
He/Him

Branding & Messaging Consultant | Creating Clear Messaging to Drive Social Impact + Sustainability | Podcaster | Musician

MITCHELL BALLENTINE

BALLENTINE
he/him

Mitch is the Managing Director at Ballentine, a branding studio and collective. He’s spent the last decade leading strategic and creative teams in projects alongside clients of every size, from clean energy startups, to local non-profits, to global tech giants, and everything in between.

Marketing Team

NASTARAN SHAHSAVAN

Graphic Designer

A seasoned graphic and visual designer, dedicated to blending creativity and strategy to craft meaningful visuals. The focus is on developing brand identities and digital designs that resonate with audiences, with experience across in-house and advertising environments.

KEVIN HAYES

Head of Growth at Soulpepper
He/Him

Marketing/Community Team Marketing Manager at Brands for Better Foundation.

Kevin is a senior-level marketer with deep experience in branding and marketing. Outside of his professional work, he has also built several community impact groups, like Data for Good SK and EPIC YYC, and is dedicated to giving back to the community through business and volunteering.

MATT FREEMAN

Freelance Conversion Copywriter
He/Him

Lead Copywriter at Brands for Better Foundation.

Matt is a freelance copywriter who creates work to help grow companies that want to make our complicated world more livable, including B Corps, progressive agencies, nonprofits, and climate startups. His past clients include everything from tremendously progressive organizations like the Ending Violence Association of BC and the West Coast Climate Action Network to B2B financial giants like the TSX and Sprott US Holdings. Outside of work, he’s a drummer, horror writer, and board game obsessive.

STEVE TOTH

Senior marketing executive & community builder
He/Him

Partnerships Marketing Manager at Brands for Better Foundation.

A senior marketing executive with over 25 years of experience in marketing communications, digital marketing, and health marketing. Director and Senior Marketing Strategist at Lampyon Health Communications and co-founder of Unclassic Agency. A passionate community builder, Steve is also a co-founder of Vancouver Marketing Hub and Toronto Marketing Hub and a board member at the Ontario Pharmaceutical Marketing Association. A hardcore night owl, he loves to connect with people, enjoys the outdoors, live music, open mic and art events, and has a passion for flying planes.

maryam-headshot

MARYAM SHEIKHOLESLAMI

Marketing Manager / Consultant
She/Her

Digital Marketing Manager at Brands for Better Foundation.

Experienced marketing manager with a proven track record of driving business growth and enhancing brand visibility across diverse industries, possessing a Master of Arts in Entrepreneurship and a solid background in business management.

CAROL MAC

Artist and Designer
She/Her

Lead Graphic Designer at Brands for Better Foundation.

Carol is an artist and designer dedicated to driving positive change through her creative practice. She believes in the transformative power of art and design to foster compassion and community. Currently, she is an artist at The New Foundry Studios in East Vancouver and a freelance designer in the health communications industry.

Community Team

PATRICIA EDEM, PHD

Scientist and Biotech Developer
She/Her

Community Team Coordinator at Brands for Better Foundation.

Inspired by initiatives that foster community, collaboration, and the advancement of science and technology for the betterment of society.

MIKA SLAVA

Experience Explorer, CEO & Co-Founder of Pine&Water Co.
She/Her

Community Team Member at Brands for Better Foundation.

Co-producer and host of Pockets in the Universe, A Cup of Tea Podcast and Start By Saying Hi. Psychologist turned entrepreneur looking to understand and share the human experience.

MAJO DE LA GUARDIA

Get-Sh*it-Done-r, Co-Founder and CEO of Pine&Water Co.
She/Her

Community Collider Coordinator at Brands for Better Foundation.

Problem-solver leading creative storytelling. Producer and host of Start By Saying Hi and A Cup of Tea Podcast, Communications Consultant, Photographer.

Volunteers & Advisors

Our extended team of superstars who keep Brands For Better moving forward.

SHREYA GIRISH

TTT Studios
She/Her

With a passion for compelling storytelling, Shreya is the Marketing Manager at TTT Studios. Her entrepreneurial attitude empowered her to drive business growth in the tech and entertainment industries. She holds an MBA from the UBC. She is driven by challenges, curious about people’s journeys, and enjoys exploring the outdoors.

SARAH MOUNGOUNGA-NKOMBO

Freelance Designer
She/Her

Sarah Moungounga-Nkombo is a Graphic Designer based in Vancouver. She is specialized in the field of advertising, packaging design, branding and brand identity. Sarah believes in the power of Art to convey a message.

SAMANTHA LEE

Realize Strategies
she/her

Samantha is the Marketing and Communications Manager at Realize Strategies. With experience in a variety of sectors including non-profit, government, and tech, Samantha is a storyteller passionate about engaging with and amplifying diverse voices and experiences.

JILL ROBINSON

UBC
she/hers

Jill wears a few hats as a Project Manager at UBC, an EcoMeter co-lead, and a team member with Brands for Better. When she’s not connecting teams and tasks, you can find her adventuring in the mountains, thrifting for nonfiction, running the seawall, or spending time with her community.

MEL MOK

Director of Marketing at Debrand
she/her

Mel is a social impact advocate with over a decade of brand and marketing experience, balancing creativity and strategic thinking to uncover meaningful values-oriented solutions. She currently leads as Director of Marketing at Debrand.

KHAYLA ALMONTE-DAVILA

TAKING IT GLOBAL
She/Her

Khayla is a social innovator with an expertise in equity-centered design. She designs and advises on non-profit programs and business strategies with social justice and the needs of the community at the core.

MAXINE BULLOCH

Maxine Bulloch Photography
She/her

I’m a Vancouver-based photographer who empowers small to medium-sized, heart-centered businesses to authentically express themselves with confidence through vibrant and values-aligned images, infused with genuine joy and rich personality.

MANDY BHULLAR

LULULEMON
she/hers

Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity leader. Passionate about environmental & social justice and inclusive product innovation. Partners with organizations by infusing DEI as a central part of their business and operating strategies. Holds degrees in Psychology, Human Resources and Intercultural studies. She has achieved an award in Diversity and Inclusion and is CPHR certified.

LUPITA WIDYASANTI

Reeve Consulting
She/Her

Lupita is the Sustainable Procurement Specialist at Reeve Consulting. With a background ranging from soil health to circular economy, Lupita uses an interdisciplinary approach to effect change and foster connections in her work and community.

LUCILA DIAZ

HARMONY SENSE INTERIORS LTD
She/Her

Founder and Creative Director of Harmony Sense Interiors, an award-wining interior design firm specializing in turnkey services for New Builds and Renovations. Passionate about creating spaces that allow people to uncover their potential. Mother of 2 teenagers and Nature lover.

LAURA ZUBICK

Hootsuite
she/her/hers

Social Impact & Partnerships Manager at Hootsuite. Purpose-driven communicator, strategic thinker, relationship-builder, and passionate driver of corporate citizenship.

JOEL HANSEN

SKIDMORE GROUP

Whether it’s helicoptering in speakers to Western Canada’s largest marketing conference or taking the TEDx stage, Joel has a heart for bringing people together for accelerated impact. Voted Vancouver’s Top 30 Tech Influencers to follow by Daily Hive.

ROBERT FISHER

SCALE COLLABORATIVE
he/him

Hailing from London, UK Rob has fifteen years of experience managing, developing and delivering programs for federal and provincial governments and he has worked in the fields of immigration, public safety and business engagement in the UK, US and Canada. Rob currently works at Scale Collaborative where he administers a number of programs and initiatives working with local businesses, nonprofits, social enterprises and government organizations to help build the resiliency and capacity required to address the challenges facing our communities. In 2019, Rob founded the BC Impact and Sustainability Collective to connect like-minded impact leaders. He actively volunteers his time, coaching and mentoring for a number of organizations including Brands for Better, Futurpreneur, CityHIve and Spring Activator.

NKIRU ANI

University of British Columbia (primary); Events by Ona (secondary)
She/her

Nkiru is a Communications Coordinator at UBC and is passionate about including diverse lens to educational programs and business practices. She is the founder of Events by Ona, an events design and coordination firm and enjoys travelling and interior designing.

SVEND ANDERSEN

GHG ACCOUNTING
He / His

Svend Andersen, MBA, MSc is a greenhouse gas (GHG) accountant, psychologist, and sustainability professional with 20 years of experience in the environmental management field. He has worked in executive positions in Canada, Hong Kong, Germany, and the USA with an international business portfolio. He founded GHG Accounting Services in 2009 with the mission of supporting clients in their sustainability pathways. Svend believes in the importance of sustainability education and is a regular speaker and guest lecturer on sustainable business practices, carbon financing, and municipal and corporate climate change strategies. At GHG Accounting services he works with a diverse, experienced team that values transparency, innovation, technology, and people-focused solutions, adding meaningful value to their projects. The team shares a view that we all are responsible for a world without discrimination. Our voices and actions protect a safe and respectful environment for all to work and live in equity.ghgaccounting.com

ROSEMARY COOPER

SHARE REUSE REPAIR INITIATIVE

For 20+ year, Rosemary’s been a sustainability planner, catalyst and educator bridging the gap between ideas and solutions. Project Director of Share Reuse Repair Initiative, Circular Economy teacher at BCIT School of Business and Senior Associate, One Earth.

SHANNON HOFER

SOLE/ReCORK

SWETA RAJAN

Inclusion Advantage Consulting

ALEX CRONJE

SOLE/ReCORK
he/him

Alex keeps himself busy as an Impact Marketing Specialist, volunteering with Brands For Better’s Cause & Impact team, and co-lead on the EcoMeter project. On the weekends, Alex is either in the water or on a mountain, probably with his dog Zini.

ALEX BRIGLIO

SWANY CANADA
he/him

Current VP of Swany Canada. Vancouver born and raised. Previously lead re-branding and marketing for RYU Apparel as VP of Marketing. Awards for Best New Retail Store (WGSN), Best Social Media Campaign (WR finalist) and Best Customer Experience (WR).

ANASTASIA KIKU

REUSABLES

BLYTH GILL

Tradle
he/him

Blyth Gill is the founder of Tradle.ca – a circular clothing service for parents with children who quickly outgrow their clothes from one size to the next. With a B.Sc in Environmental Science and a Masters in Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology, Blyth is hoping to combine his passion for zero waste and cradle-to-cradle design principles, by leveraging this delicate moment in time to help the world transition into a truly equitable and sustainable circular economy that models our very own natural environment systems.

DAN WALKER

ARC’TERYX

Dan leads Arc’teryx’s social impact efforts. He’s also a member of the Steering Committee for the Catalyst Business Coalition and a Founding Brand representative for Brands for Better. He sits on Brands for Better’s Brand Battle for Good Cause and Impact team.

DANIEL MARRETT

CIELE ATHLETICS
he/him

Dan has spent nearly half of his life working in sales & marketing for brands in the sports and culture space, currently overseeing sales and marketing for Ciele Athletics. A relatively new dad of two, he squeezes his love of sports, adventures, volunteering for Brands for Better, and co-leading EcoMeter into any open time slot that he can.

ERIKA MARRETT

Earth’s Own Food Company
She/Her

Erika is on the sales team at Earth’s Own, where they believe in the power of plants to change the world. She is passionate about the environment and has a background in marketing, events and production.

ERICA LOCATELLI

GHG ACCOUNTING
she/her

Community Engagement at GHG Accounting. Passionate about sustainable business projects that involve community groups, municipalities and organizations. Former museum educator and chemist.

JANE COX

CAUSE + AFFECT

“Canadian Catalyst” Award winner Jane Cox is a Brand Consultant, Design, Communications and Engagement Strategist at Cause + Affect. In the past, Jane has been an Advisory Board member of THNK, Board Director of Vancouver Design Week, and producer of Vancouver PechaKucha.

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