Dr. David Suzuki, Keynote Speaker
Award Winning Scientist, Environmentalist, Broadcaster
Dr. David Suzuki is a grandfather, broadcaster, scientist, and activist. He has made it his life's work to help humanity understand, appreciate, respect and protect nature. He is familiar to television audiences as host of the CBC science and natural history television series The Nature of Things. David was the recipient of The Canadian Academy of Cinema and Television 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award. He has been recognized by BC Achievement in partnership with the Lieutenant Governor of BC for his extraordinary work as a recipient of the 2021 BC Reconciliation Award. Dr. Suzuki is a Companion to the Order of Canada and a recipient of UNESCO Kalinga Prize for science, the 2009 Right Livelihood Award, and UNEP’s Global 500. He is a Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and holds 31 honorary degrees from universities in Canada, United States and Australia. His written work includes more than 50 books, 19 of them for children.
Stephanie Cadieux
Chief Accessibility Officer, Government of Canada
Stephanie Cadieux is a change leader, an advocate for diversity, accessibility, disability inclusion and an entrepreneur with more than 15 years of experience in planning and leadership roles.
Her four-year appointment as the Government of Canada’s Chief Accessibility Officer began on 2 May 2022.
Before her appointment, Ms. Cadieux was a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 2009 to 2022. She was the Minister of Children and Family Development from 2012 to 2017, and between 2010 and 2012, held various positions, including Minister of Social Development; Minister of Labour, Citizens’ Services and Open Government; and Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. Prior to her engagement in provincial politics, Ms. Cadieux was the director of marketing and public relations for the BC Paraplegic Association from 2004 until 2009. She was also the provincial peer coordinator for this organization from 2001 until 2004.
Ms. Cadieux is a member of the disability community, using a wheelchair since the age of 18. Her lived experience allows her to have a deep understanding of accessibility issues faced by people with disabilities.
Ms. Cadieux is a member of the disability community, using a wheelchair since the age of 18. Her lived experience allows her to have a deep understanding of accessibility issues faced by people with disabilities.
Pamela Zevit
Biodiversity Conservation Planner, City of Surrey, BC
Pamela is a Registered Professional Biologist with a career focus on species at risk, biodiversity conservation, environmental literacy and landscape ecology. Her work has been centered on the South Coast of BC and broader provincial conservation issues since 1995, first as a Conservation Planner for the Province of BC and after leaving the Province in 2004, as an independent adviser, researcher and consultant. Starting in 2010, Pamela took on the role as Program Coordinator for the South Coast Conservation Program until she began a new phase of her career in 2019 as the Biodiversity Conservation Planner for the City of Surrey.
Al Jubitz
Rotary Peace Action Group Co-Founder
A native Oregonian, Al graduated from Yale University (BS) in 1966 and received his MBA from the University of Oregon, School of Business two years later. His business career spanned numerous assignments with Jubitz Corporation in Portland, Oregon, including growing the DAT Services division over 20 years prior to its sale in 2001 when he established his foundation.
As President and Founder of the Jubitz Family Foundation, Al oversees its grantmaking and partnerships with organizations that foster peacebuilding and environmental stewardship. The Foundation’s main program, the War Prevention Initiative, is active in the academic research of peace science and is challenged by Al’s goal to prevent all war by the year 2030. In support of that goal Al co-founded the Rotary Action Group for Peace in 2012 and continues to work through Rotary on various peacebuilding initiatives.
A third generation Rotarian, he is Past President and remains an active member of the Rotary Club of Portland (Oregon, USA). Al joined Rotary in 1977 and is a member of the Arch Klumph Society.
Additional presenters include Drew Kessler, Rotary International Director; Chistiana Flessnor, Chair of the Canadian Wheelchair Foundation; Hillary Franz, Commissioner of Public Lands for the State of Washington; Keith Carlson, PhD., Indigenous & Community Engaged History Director, University of Fraser Valley; Lisa Townsend, City of Surrey, BC; and, David Brown, Environmental Consultant & Immediate Past President, Rotary Club of North Delta.
In addition to the fantastic speakers, there will be a variety of musical talents from around the world. And we can tell you there will be an opportunity for the audience to participate in Zumba lessons!