Last week we celebrated National Volunteer Week!
ECO Canada would like to use this opportunity to highlight the amazing individuals who dedicate their time, effort, and expertise to the organization and the EP® Community.
This volunteer week, we would like to shine on a spotlight on two exceptional volunteers who provide continuous support to ECO Canada:
- Brian Poole, Senior Environmental Project Manager at Landtek Limited
- Devan Johnson, Project Coordinator at KBL Environmental
Brian Poole: Mentor, ECO Canada Mentorship Program
“I’m a senior environmental professional with over 12 years of experience conducting Phase One and Two ESAs for due diligence purposes and/or supporting the filing of RSCs. I’ve worked on unique and challenging projects all across Canada for both private, municipal, provincial and federal clients. I graduated from McMaster University in 2011 with a B.Sc. in Environmental Science and then completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management & Assessment from Niagara College in 2013. I current hold the designations of Environmental Professional (EP) in Site Assessment and Reclamation with ECO Canada and a Certified Technician (C.Tech) with OACETT and am pursuing a Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.) designation with OACETT and Professional Geologist of Ontario (PGO). Outside of work, I enjoy standup comedy, going to the gym, taking my dogs to the park and spending time with my son.
I’ve always been a strong advocate of mentorship for students, new graduates and young professionals. I’ve had incredible mentors ever since I started in this industry of whom I’m extremely grateful for. Becoming a mentor through ECO Canada allowed me to connect with more people that I could share my experiences and assist, however I can, with questions they may have.
Volunteering as a mentor helps to build a larger network of contacts from varying backgrounds and levels of experience across the environmental industry. The better of an idea that a new professional has about this industry can change their perception, excitement and understanding of environmental work. It strengthens the idea of what their career could look like and helps prepare them for any challenges they might face along the way.”
Devan Johnson: EP® Champion, Winnipeg Manitoba
“My name is Devan Johnson, and I am entering my fifth year of the Environmental Professional designation program. My focus is on environmental remediation and stewardship. This program inspired me to shift my career path, which led to my current role as a project coordinator- environmental services. I am now working towards my CAPM to achieve my ultimate goal of becoming a project manager.
As an EP® Champion, I actively advocate for the value of the EP® designation by engaging with both new and experienced professionals. I participate in mentoring opportunities, sharing my journey and the impact the EP® designation has had on my career. I also help organize events and activities that highlight the significance of this designation in our sector.
Volunteerism offers invaluable opportunities for growth. Personally, it allows me to develop new skills, gain diverse perspectives, and expand my leadership capabilities. Professionally, volunteering allows me to connect with other like-minded individuals and organizations, stay current with industry trends, and contribute to important initiatives that shape the future of our sector. By giving back, I also learn more about the challenges and solutions within the environmental field, which helps me make more informed decisions in my own work.“
ECO Canada extends its sincere thanks and gratitude to all volunteers. Your support and effort are instrumental to the success of ECO Canada.
Interested in volunteering with ECO Canada? Join our Research Community to help shape the future of environmental knowledge by sharing your views on environmental issues.
Join the ECO Canada Research Community today: https://eco.ca/educators/research-community/
