GUY DÉZIEL
Director

Graduated from the University of Montreal in organic chemistry. After 35 years in the private sector, specializing in management and optimization of operations, I have been working in the community sector for 10 years. More specifically at the helm of VertCité since June 2011, I have been transferring knowledge and expertise within a direction focused on transparency, the search for efficiency and teamwork.

ELIZABETH ROBINSON
Project coordinator – Pierrefonds-Roxboro

I’ve always been inspired by the vibrant ecosystems, flora and fauna of our planet. Today, I channel this passion into coordinating ecological projects in Pierrefonds-Roxboro. My work is driven not only by my love for the environment but also by a commitment to social justice, ensuring our efforts benefit the entire community. I believe in the power of collective action and strive to empower citizens to make impactful, eco-friendly choices. Through collaborative initiatives, I aim to foster a deeper appreciation for the environment and inspire sustainable change.

ALEXIS LEGARÉ-HAMEL
Project coordinator – Saint-Laurent

Interested for many years in the socio-cultural and ecological issues facing contemporary societies, I attach great importance to the impact of environmental issues on the quality of life in urban areas.
I am therefore pleased to be involved in the realization of projects that promote eco-responsible practices and the collective well-being of all residents of the Saint-Laurent borough, where I grew up and to which I remain deeply attached.

CLÉMENCE BALLET
Project coordinator – Urban agriculture and food security

As a great lover of plants and nature, joining the wonderful world of urban agriculture seemed obvious to me after a 10-year career in marketing.
My main focus: accessibility to fresh and local products, make the cities greener and create social ties.

JENNAH LANDGRAF
Food security project manager

My interest in working in food systems started during the pandemic while helping run a food bank in the plateau. Meanwhile, while studying Environmental Science and Arts in University, I focused my papers and projects on systems thinking, especially related to food security and social justice surrounding food issues. I hope to further establish a solid food security network in Ville Saint-Laurent while prioritising community engagement support and initiatives. Throughout all of my work, I seek to uphold values of support and encourage active listening to best understand the realities of the people we engage with every day.

EVAN KUEHNERT
Environmental education project manager

While I’ve always had a strong interest in the outdoors and the environment, I became passionate about urban environmental issues – active transportation, environmental justice and public health – during my studies in Environment and Development. I am excited to learn more about these issues at VertCité. In my work, I hope to help people create stronger and more resilient communities that improve the quality of their lives and that of the environment.

JAMES DAO
Urban agriculture project manager

Since my childhood, I have had a spontaneous curiosity towards nature and I feel connected to it. In order to be more in harmony with my values of preserving the environment, I had to make different changes in my life. I started out as a medical laboratory technologist and then changed my career path to become an environmentalist. In 2022, I joined the VertCité team where I feel I can work on what I care about. I am convinced that taking better care of ourselves is intimately linked to taking care of our environment.

PAULINE LANAU
Environmental information agent

After several years in marketing, I became aware of the critical challenges posed by climate change. This realization touched me deeply and led me to seek a more concrete way of making a positive contribution.
I’m delighted to be able to help citizens in their everyday actions at VertCité.
My aim is to share knowledge and motivate each and every one of us to take action to preserve our environment.

ROUSSA ALEXANDRAKIS
Environmental information agent

With a strong interest in the field of urban agriculture, I’ve been building a successful microgreens business since 2020. In my personal life, I have a deep love for the outdoors, herbalism, environmental preservation and  nature. Joining VertCité gives me the chance to align my passions with my work, and to engage with the community in realizing our shared mission.

MATHIEU ROY-CAISSY
Chairman

Mathieu has served as a director at VertCité since 2019. He graduated from HEC Montreal in business intelligence, and from the University of Montreal in mathematics. He worked for four years in marketing before transitioning to data science in order to follow his interest in artificial intelligence.
Mathieu believes that the change towards healthier living practices must happen at the local level: urban agriculture, clean-up chores, solidarity market, etc. This is what drives him to want to contribute to the success of VertCité.

TONY LAM
Vice-chairman

An accountant by training, Tony wanted to combine his professional skills with his personal interest in sustainability when he joined the VertCité Board of Directors as Treasurer in 2016. Tony has had a passion for sustainable development since his university education where he was successively project manager, secretary general and board member of HumaniTERRE, a student organization dedicated to raising awareness of sustainable development issues at HEC Montreal.
Tony is currently working as an audit engagement manager at KPMG. He holds a BAA and a DESS in Professional Accounting from HEC Montreal. He is in the process of obtaining his CPA Auditor designation.

JEAN-PIERRE MEKHAEL
Treasurer

After several years of experience in financial audit assignments and various specialized roles in investment and credit portfolio management, Jean-Pierre Mekhael became a senior advisor in the Montreal office’s Forensic Accounting team when he joined KPMG in 2022. He became a CPA in July 2023. Jean-Pierre holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a graduate diploma in accounting and auditing. His areas of expertise include litigation, quantification of damages and forensic accounting investigations. Jean-Pierre has always nurtured a desire for the collective improvement of society and quality of life on a global scale, and is deeply convinced that this begins with sustainable development and environmental protection. It was with this in mind that Jean-Pierre joined VertCité.

SOPHIE COURVILLE
Director and Secretary

Sophie has served as a director and secretary of the VertCité Board of Directors since 2021. She strongly believes in VertCité’s mission to facilitate environmental projects in community settings.
Sophie is a lawyer practicing in litigation and dispute resolution with Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt in Montreal. She is very interested in the issue of climate change. As part of her studies, she wrote a master’s thesis on environmental litigation in Canada aimed at forcing the government to respect its commitments to reduce greenhouse gases.
Sophie completed a Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Sherbrooke, a graduate program in common law at Queen’s University and a Master of Laws degree at Queen Mary of London University.

ISABELLE COUTURIER
Director

Isabelle has served as a director on the VertCité Board of Directors since 2022. With a bachelor’s degree in psychology (Université de Montréal) and a master’s degree in organizational development/human resources (HEC Montréal), she wanted to put her professional skills and knowledge to work for an organization like VertCité, and to participate in the realization of its mission and the communities it serves.

She believes strongly in VertCité’s mission, which includes teaching and raising awareness. Although environmental issues are not only played out at the individual and community level, she believes that these are important levers for mobilization.

CHRISTOPHER DUBÉ
Director

An architect by training, Christopher was looking to get more involved in the community on projects focused on sustainable development. While studying architecture at the University of Montreal, Christopher became interested in urban and ecological issues, and the role that citizens have to play in the fight against climate change. He believes that the quality of the built environment can only be guaranteed by decentralized citizen involvement.