WHO WE ARE
Meet the Team
Meet the people who deliver ORCCA’s work and impact.
Ewa Jackson
ORCCA Director
Ewa Jackson is a strategist, storyteller, and systems thinker working at the intersection of climate resilience, community wellbeing, and local governance. Serving as ICLEI Canada’s Managing Director, over the last 24 years Ewa has led many projects of national and regional significance. With deep experience supporting municipalities across Canada, she brings a unique ability to translate complex climate challenges into actionable solutions that are equitable, collaborative, and rooted in place. Ewa has led national adaptation initiatives, designed tools and workshops that empower local leaders, and facilitated cross-sector partnerships that drive impact. Her work is defined by a passion for building connections—between people, policies, and possibilities—to create thriving, climate-ready communities.
Aynsley Klassen
Project Manager
Aynsley Klassen is an experienced climate adaptation leader overseeing applied resilience initiatives across Ontario. As Project Manager for ORCCA, she guides capacity-building programs, develops practical tools and training, and supports the translation of climate knowledge into actionable strategies that advance implementation. Her work brings a strong public health perspective to climate adaptation, emphasizing equity, social–ecological systems, and the connections between climate resilience and community well-being. Based in Northwestern Ontario, Aynsley understands the governance and capacity realities facing small, rural, and northern communities and is known for her collaborative, relationship-based approach to advancing resilient and equitable climate action.
Curniss McGoldrick
Communications Director
Curniss McGoldrick is a communications strategist and accomplished project manager with a background in behaviour-based marketing, public engagement, and local climate action. As Senior Communications Manager for ORCCA, she supports communications across projects, programs, and resources, applying a communication and behavioural science lens to advance climate solutions. She is also the lead author of the Climate Communications Toolkit and frequently delivers workshops and trainings to help local practitioners use communications to support their work. Curniss began her career in climate research and led the development of the City of Thunder Bay’s award-winning Climate Adaptation Strategy.
Rena Viehbeck
Natural Assets Manager
Rena Viehbeck is a Natural Assets Manager and experienced facilitator with more than 16 years of experience supporting municipalities in advancing practical, nature-based, locally-engaged climate solutions. Rena’s background spans climate change adaptation, climate change mitigation, urban forestry, and environmental education. She has worked extensively across Canada, developing municipal adaptation plans, facilitating multi-stakeholder workshops, and delivering capacity-building programs for local government staff and elected officials. Her work bridges science, policy, and community engagement, supporting cities in understanding climate risks and implementing actions that build long-term and equitable resilience and sustainability.
Josh Padolsky
Project Coordinator
As a Coordinator with ORCCA, Josh provides technical assistance on actionable policies, data-informed plans, and cross-sector initiatives that strengthen long-term climate resilience. He brings over 10 years of experience managing, developing and delivering environmental programs and projects with several of Canada’s leading environmental non-profits. His research and personal interests include earth system sciences, capacity and resilience building, risk and vulnerability assessment and local food systems. Josh holds a Master’s of Science in Environmental Practice and a Graduate Certificate in the Science and Policy of Climate Change from Royal Roads University; a Bachelor’s of Education from York University; and a Bachelor’s of Science in Physical Geography from Trent University.
Niloofar Mohtat
Project Coordinator
As Project Coordinator with ORCCA, Niloofar provides technical guidance and support across a wide range of climate change adaptation projects. Drawing on her expertise in urban planning policy, climate adaptation, climate equity, and qualitative research, she works with project partners to update policies and integrate climate resilience, environmental protection, and equity into plans, guidelines, and standards. Niloofar holds a PhD in Planning and has led research on equity in climate adaptation, focusing on green infrastructure, affordable housing, and urban design in academic and non-profit settings. She has experience in spatial climate risk analysis, including flood mapping, and has worked with the federal government to develop wildfire and flood maps at both federal and provincial scales.
Nooran Nour
Project Coordinator
As a Climate Change Project Coordinator, Nouran supports a range of climate adaptation initiatives through ORCCA, developing technical guidance, climate resources, and capacity-building materials for local governments. Prior to this role, Nouran worked with the Canadian Centre for Climate Services, contributing to climate data products on ClimateData.ca and supporting practitioners in applying climate information to planning and decision-making. Her career also spans the non-profit and academic sectors, collaborating with municipalities, government agencies, and community partners on climate resilience initiatives. She holds a Master of Climate Change and a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo, and is passionate about making climate information more usable and accessible for diverse audiences.
Shihan Mohammed
Project Assistant
Shihan is a project assistant with ORCCA, supporting program delivery through research, analysis, and project management. He draws on experience in climate adaptation research, impact measurement and management, environmental consulting, and work at the intersection of policy, equity, and sustainability. Shihan recently completed his Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Public Policy and Environmental Science at the University of Toronto. He previously worked with organizations including Lift360, where he designed and led a Climate Resilience Fellowship coordinating curriculum development, partner placements, and community adaptation projects. He has also contributed to data-driven research on urban and social challenges through the Reach Alliance, New Market Fund, and the University of Toronto's School of Cities.
Nikita Popli
Senior Project Assistant
As Project Assistant at ORCCA, Nikita supports the development and delivery of applied climate adaptation initiatives across Ontario. She provides support for communications, webinars, and stakeholder engagement, while contributing to projects through research, implementation, and facilitation. With experience across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors, Nikita has worked on initiatives including public engagement for the City of Fredericton and electric vehicle policy and school bus electrification across Atlantic Canada. She has a Master’s in Environmental Management from the University of New Brunswick, and brings evidence-based expertise to translating complex climate challenges into practical solutions.
Kylie-Anne Grube
Project Assistant
As Climate Change Project Assistant, Kylie-Anne supports adaptation projects and programs that strengthen local climate resilience. Her background includes work with the County of Dufferin, where she contributed to climate planning and implementation, co-authored the Dufferin Climate Action Plan and Adaptation Strategy, and co-chaired the Adaptation Working Group, developing tools and training programs to build municipal climate capacity, alongside experience in community engagement and public-facing campaigns. Kylie-Anne holds a Master of Climate Change from the University of Waterloo and a Master of English and Cultural Studies from McMaster University, as well as a Certificate in Public Participation (IAP2).
Who Is Behind ORCCA
ORCCA is led by ICLEI Canada and with financial support from the Government of Canada through Environment and Climate Change Canada. During the pilot phase, additional support was provided by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP).
ORCCA is part of a growing network of climate service organizations across Canada including the Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium, Ouranos, ClimateWest, and CLIMAtlantic. Each organization provides regionally specific climate adaptation expertise to meet the needs of communities and users across the country.
Working together, ICLEI Canada and the ORCCA Steering Committee will foster regional collaboration, respond to the climate adaptation needs of communities in the Great Lakes basin and Ontario in general. Meet the team of adaptation experts and support staff who deliver ORCCA’s work and impact.