Along with special guest Rob Baker, the Faculty of Graduate Studies has invited several graduate studies alumni of York to serve on this year's panel.
Judges
Rob Baker
Rob Baker is best known as the guitarist for the rock band The Tragically Hip. A graduate of Queen's University (BFA'86), he has put his visual arts studies to use designing many of the band's T-shirts and album art. He is also currently working on his third album with his band Stripper's Union. Rob was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2005 and this past November Rob was made a Companion of the Order of Canada.
Rob has always been a big supporter of his community, giving his time, money, and profile to local and national charities with a focus on medical, musical, and environmental causes. This is Rob's sixth time judging the provincial 3MT.
Christopher Hilkene
(MES ’96)
Christopher Hilkene is an environment and sustainable development professional who has provided public policy and communications advice to public, private and not-for-profit sector clients over 20 years. In addition to his interim role as CEO of Pollution Probe, Canada's oldest environmental charity, Chris is President of the Clean Water Foundation, a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to engaging individuals in actions that preserve, protect and improve our water. Periodically, he teaches courses on water policy and sustainable development at York University's Faculty of Environmental Studies. During his public service career, Chris worked in the federal and Ontario governments in numerous political and departmental functions, including: Special Assistant to the federal Minister of the Environment; and, Communications Advisor in the Ontario Ministry of the Environment.
He is an active volunteer and has served on boards and advisory bodies for numerous organizations including Ryerson University, Pollution Probe, Carleton University's Global Water Institute, the City of Toronto's Task Force to Bring Back the Don, Green Living Enterprises and the George and Helen Vari Foundation.
Karen Kraft Sloan
(MES '90)
With forty years in government and the private sector, Karen Kraft Sloan served Canada as the Canadian Ambassador for the Environment and as a federal member of parliament. During her three terms in the House of Commons, Karen was appointed twice to the position of Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment, and she was also elected Vice-Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainability by her peers.
After leaving public life, she founded EcoNexus, a private consultancy, which helped organizations and individuals achieve environmental and sustainability aspirations. Karen was cross-appointed to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) and the Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT) as a full-time member. Upon completion of her full-time appointment, she was reappointed to the ERT as a part-time member.
Natasha Ramsahai
(MSc '01)
Natasha Ramsahai is a Meteorologist at 680 All News Radio, CityNews and Breakfast Television. Prior to 680/CityNews/Breakfast Television, Natasha was a Senior Meteorologist at the CBC and key to the creation of the CBC National Weather Centre. Natasha was the 1st Meteorologist on CBC Radio One's Metro Morning. In between CBC radio and television, Natasha leapt to Toronto1 as the Meteorologist for its morning show, Toronto Today.
Natasha was born and raised in Scarborough. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science at University of Toronto, and her master's degree in Earth and Space Science and Meteorology from York University.
Natasha is an accredited weathercaster of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society in television and radio. She volunteers her time for organizations such as Providence Healthcare and Easter Seals Ontario.
