About us
The Women’s Environmental Sustainability Network of Ottawa (WESNO) was created to address the recognized need to increase the representation and leadership of women in environmental sustainability in Ottawa to help accelerate our transition to a sustainable and low-carbon economy.
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WESNO is open to all women including cis-women and trans-women. We are also open to Two-Spirit, non-binary and gender non-conforming people who are comfortable in a space that centers the experiences of professional women. We are always striving to make the network a safe space, if there is something more we can do, and you are comfortable helping us do that, get in touch anytime.
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Our Ottawa-centered network is located on the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation, whose presence here reaches back to time immemorial. We take this time to show our gratitude and respect to them, and to the land for all that it provides us.
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WESNO condemns the historical and current oppression of lands, cultures and the original Peoples in what we now know as Canada, and strives towards meaningful allyship and empowerment in its commitment towards sustainability.
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Objectives:
WESNO promotes the success and leadership of women environmental sustainability professionals in Ottawa through:
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Networks: developing and maintaining an informal network to share resources, knowledge, advice and to break down silos across industries
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Information: acting as a central resource for relevant references, news, events and career opportunities to grow and diversify understanding of in-depth sustainability topics
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Support: creating mentoring and career development opportunities for beginning or advancing a career in environmental sustainability
Meet the WESNO Team
Monica Harvey (Any pronouns)
Executive Director
​Monica has over 12 years of experience in environmental policy, focusing on a wide range of issues, including GHG accounting and reporting, corporate sustainability plans, sustainable finance, electric vehicles, clean technology, contaminated sites, ocean pollution, and climate change. With a strong background in environmental chemistry and environmental engineering, Monica is passionate about advancing policies and initiatives that support a low-carbon, sustainable future. She is excited to be working for WESNO to help more women join and advance their careers in Ottawa, contributing to meaningful progress on these critical challenges.
Anne Biason-Hart (she/her)
Events Management Officer
Anne is currently working as a Programs Assistant for the Green Municipal Fund at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Anne graduated from the BGInS: Migration and Transnational program at Carleton University, where she focused largely on sustainability- and municipality-based topics. She spent a summer interning with the sustainability research team at the Rediscovery Centre in Dublin, Ireland, and she developed her passion for the circular economy. As the Events Management Officer for WESNO, Anne has enjoyed meeting the WESNO team, connecting with folks at our events, and getting to flex her event coordination skills in new ways! She is passionate about getting involved with municipal goings-on, such as Ecology Ottawa’s Council Watch, and is eager to build her network in the nonprofit sector both in Ottawa and abroad.
Jenna Phillips (she/her)
Communications & Engagement Officer
Jenna is a climate communicator who is dedicated to promoting sustainability literacy. She is the founder and host of Clear the Air, an online learning platform that teaches sustainability, dispels climate myths, and empowers young people to take climate action. She holds a master’s degree in global governance from the University of Waterloo, where she researched gender-equitable climate policy. She recently interned on the Gender and Action for Climate Empowerment Teams at UN Climate Change. Jenna now works as a policy analyst for sustainable forest management in Ottawa, where she continues to advocate for policies and initiatives that align with her dedication to a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future.
Dakota Livingston (she/her)
Social Media Officer
Dakota is a recent graduate of Carleton’s Bachelor of Global and International Studies Program with interests in climate migration, and international climate action. She is currently a Program Specialist with Ocean Wise, a global conservation organization working to protect the world’s oceans through sustainable seafood and small-scale fisheries, whale health monitoring, seaforestation, youth engagement and plastic pollution mitigation strategies. Dakota is eager to connect with other women working in the sustainability and environmental fields to build and strengthen our community.
Jade Monaghan (she/her)
Director of Operations (on hiatus)