Meet the judges

FCM's Sustainable Communities Awards

Alison Gu

Alison Gu

Councillor, Burnaby City, British Columbia, and Green Municipal Fund Council member

Alison Gu is a Chinese settler born to first-generation immigrants and currently serves as a second-term Burnaby City Councillor. Alison's priorities include building decarbonization, community energy, affordable housing, active transportation, anti-racism, and climate resiliency. Alison's recognitions include being a Queen's Platinum Jubilee Award recipient in 2022, 25 under 25 leader in 2020, and as a Greville Smith Scholar from McGill University. Alongside municipal experience, Alison has also worked for provincial and federal elected officials.

Cécile Lecoq

Cécile Lecoq

Senior Transportation Planner, National Capital Commission

As a Senior Transportation Planner at the National Capital Commission (NCC), Cécile provides policy and strategic advice in the field of transportation planning with a focus on active mobility and public transit.

Prior to joining the NCC, she was Transportation Lead for the FCM’s Green Municipal Fund, where she played a key role in the redesign of the GMF funding offer. Cécile’s career also includes a 10-year stint at the Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO), where she held progressive roles culminating as Lead, Strategic Watch and Innovation. A passionate advocate for sustainable mobility, Cécile has happily embraced car-free living, having replaced the family car with an electric cargo bike.

David Mitchell

David Mitchell

Mayor of the Town of Bridgewater, Nova Scotia

Elected to Bridgewater Town Council in 2004 and 2008. Elected as Bridgewater’s 26th Mayor in 2016, re-elected in 2020 and again in 2024.

Over the course of his 18-year tenure in municipal governance, David has been at the forefront of many key initiatives that have helped drive Bridgewater to become the strong centre of economic, social, and sustainable leadership that it is today. As mayor, David championed the introduction of public transit to Bridgewater and fostered new relationships to take Bridgewater to a globally recognized level.

In his second term, David brought Bridgewater to the forefront of many international discussions on sustainability, transit and energy poverty reduction. David also worked with Michelin and other orders of government to deliver a historic expansion to the factory as well as record infrastructure funding investments in the community. David is currently the President of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities and a bord member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Donna Chiarelli

Donna Chiarelli

Director of Programs and Capacity Building, Natural Assets Initiative

Donna currently serves as the director of programs and capacity building for the Natural Assets Initiative (Natural Assets Initiative – NAI), where she leads the development of training, tools and other initiatives to support communities across Canada to better account for nature’s services in infrastructure management and service delivery. She is also an associate of the Climate Risk Institute, where she co-delivers a course on asset management and climate resiliency.

Before joining NAI full-time in 2024, Donna supported multiple projects related to asset management, environmental sustainability and climate action through her consulting business, Planet A Consulting. From 2003-2018, Donna managed and contributed to the dynamic teams of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ international and domestic programs. Her roles included being a senior advisor and manager of capacity building programming for FCM’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF).

Gabrielle Blatz

Gabrielle Blatz

Provincial Women's Representative of the Otipemisiwak Metis Government

Gabrielle Blatz is currently serving in her first term as Provincial Women's Representative of the Otipemisiwak Metis Government. She is a former municipal leader and senior political advisor with experience in local governance, sustainability and reconciliation.

Previously, she served two terms on Wetaskiwin City Council. Gabrielle was also the Vice-Chair of the Green Municipal Fund Council for three years, supporting communities across Canada in advancing innovative, climate-forward projects. Gabrielle is the creator of the Ma Matow Sakow Healing Forest, a community-led initiative rooted in healing, reconciliation, and connection to land. She also recently served as Interim Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Edmonton, Andrew Knack, in the transition office. There, she provided strategic leadership for teams overseeing policy, intergovernmental relations, community outreach, communications and more for one of Canada's largest municipal offices.

Imrana Volcy

Imrana Volcy

Equity & Inclusion Advisor, Reconciliation + AREI, Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)

Imrana has been with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) since 2009, bringing extensive organizational knowledge and a strong commitment to advancing equity and inclusion. Imrana contributed to the early development of FCM’s anti-racism, equity, and inclusion (AREI) work, helping shape and advance this critical function across the organization. In her current role, she supports the integration of equitable practices across FCM’s programs, policies and operations.

Imrana has a long-standing passion for anti-racism, rooted in her undergraduate studies at Concordia University. She is particularly passionate about adult learning and is recognized for creating inclusive environments that foster meaningful dialogue, reflection and capacity building.

Irfaan Hasham

Irfaan Hasham

Principal (Founder), Simply Sustainable Energy Solutions

As the founding Principal at Simply Sustainable Energy Solutions, Irfaan has developed a great deal of experience in both the consulting and utility worlds. He is a professional engineer and holds a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng) in electrical engineering from Toronto Metropolitan University. With several years of experience working with or for government entities, he has a solid understanding of the current market and political landscape with respect to electricity, GHG emissions and asset management. He is an Energy Coach at the Cooperative Housing Federation of Canada, where he is helping co-ops get started on improving energy efficiency. Irfaan has been involved in delivering complex multi-million-dollar conservation/asset management plans and projects for several utilities and clients across the province.

Joanna Eyquem

Joanna Eyquem

Vice President, Climate Risk Institute

Joanna Eyquem is an internationally recognized leader in climate adaptation and nature-based solutions, with 25 years' experience in North America, Europe, and Western Africa.

Her work at the Climate Risk Institute focuses on managing climate risk, including flooding, erosion and extreme heat, in particular working with nature and the financial sector. As part of this work, Joanna leads the development of national guidance and tools for climate resilience and nature-based solutions, including disclosures of natural assets and the ecosystem services they provide in financial statements and sustainability reporting. In addition, Joanna serves on over 30 boards and committees, including the Canadian Infrastructure Council, the Canadian Sustainable Finance Network, Canada’s TNFD Working Group, the National Research Council of Canada, CSA Group, the Coastal Adaptation Advisory Network, the Government of Quebec’s Expert Group on Adaptation, and as Chair of the Board for the Natural Assets Initiative.

Kara Westerlund

Kara Westerlund

Division 4 Councillor, Brazeau County, Alberta, and President of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta

Kara Westerlund is a respected municipal leader from Brazeau County, Alberta, serving as the Division 4 Councillor since 2010 and currently as President of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta—the first woman to hold this position in the organization’s 116-year history. Known for her steady leadership, collaborative approach, and commitment to strengthening rural Alberta, she works closely with all levels of government to advance priorities in infrastructure, economic development, and community wellbeing.

Raised in Rural Alberta and now raising her three children there, Kara brings more than 30 years of volunteer experience and deep roots in her region. Her professional background in broadcasting, combined with governance training from the University of Alberta, supports her strong communication skills and strategic approach to public service. She continues to serve on multiple boards and committees, championing initiatives that enhance rural communities and support the industries that drive them.

Louise Wallace Richmond

Louise Wallace Richmond

Councillor, City of Salmon Arm, British Columbia

Elected in 2014, Louise is serving her 3rd term as a City of Salmon Arm Councillor. With training in economics and publishing, she is a small business owner and a retired Okanagan College School of Business professor. In her time on council, she has served as the Chair of the Social Impact Advisory Committee, Regional Airport Committees, and the local arts district council. First elected to the FCM Board in 2023, Louise Wallace Richmond is the vice chair of the Standing Committee on Environmental Issues and Sustainable Development Committee and the BC Caucus. She also sits on the Municipal Finance, Infrastructure and Transportation, the Rural Forum, the Reseau Francophone and the Election Readiness Working Group. In addition, she is the President of BC's Southern Interior Local Government Association and a member of the Union of BC Municipalities Board of Directors.

Rachel Mitchell

Rachel Mitchell

Director of Community Climate Initiatives, Clean Foundation

Rachel oversees community-based climate programming, including the Community Climate Capacity Program. With a strong background in regional and municipal climate planning, Rachel has experience working with local governments on climate change mitigation, adaptation, policy development and asset management. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from St. Francis Xavier University and a Masters in Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo. She is also a Certified Asset Management Professional.

Stéphanie Côté

Stéphanie Côté

Environmental Advisor, Municipal Sector, RECYC-QUÉBEC

Stéphanie Côté has been an environmental advisor for the municipal sector at RECYC-QUÉBEC since 2025. Her main role is to analyze the compliance of proposed regional waste management plans and to assist municipal waste management agencies. Stéphanie has a bachelor’s degree in biology and worked for more than 15 years in environmental conservation with the public and municipal officials at a non-profit organization. With a keen interest in the vast topic of waste, she then switched to project management with a focus on the design, optimization and management of ecocentre operations and the establishment of organic waste collections. She has further deepened her knowledge through additional university courses, notably on the circular economy and the environmental issues facing northern Québec.

It is not surprising that she quickly volunteered to support her colleagues at RECYC-QUÉBEC in their work related to northern communities, organic matter, ecocentres, and the management of construction, renovation and demolition (and deconstruction!) waste.