Community-Rooted Climate Leadership in Action

As part of a project to develop a climate equity strategy for a leading funder, we had the honour of speaking with 14 leaders from across Canada who are redefining what climate action looks like in their own contexts.

Their work spans Indigenous energy sovereignty, Black environmental justice, faith-based and newcomer sustainability, local economic resilience, and systems-change organizing. Together, their stories offer powerful insight into how philanthropy can better partner with communities to advance truly equitable climate solutions.

Please note: These profiles are intended to exemplify community-rooted climate action. Catalyst Philanthropy does not endorse or represent any specific organizations or leaders.

(Interviews were conducted in Spring 2025.)

Naolo Charles

Black Environmental Initiative

… is organizing locally by building community first.

Tyjana Connolly

Black Eco Bloom

… is strengthening connections between the Black community and the climate movement through fellowships and cultural work.

Jeff Cyr

RAVEN Outcomes Funds

… is building community-driven investments that address social and climate goals.

Eriel Deranger

Indigenous Climate Action

… is leading Indigenous Climate Action to expand its cliamte leadership trainings and support powerful work in frontline communities.

Stephen Ellis

Northern Programs, MakeWay

… is supporting Northern communities in building economic pathways that sustain people, land and water.

James Jenkins

Indigenous Clean Energy

… is building national policy and local capacity for Indigenous clean energy growth.

Sabaa Khan

David Suzuki Foundation

… is working at the forefront of climate, trade, and Indigenous rights.

Melina Laboucan-Massimo

Sacred Earth

… is building a powerhouse organization at the intersection of Indigenous energy sovereignty and cultural revitalization.

Dr. Carol Liao

UBC Centre for Climate Justice

… is connecting research with community mobilization to fight for climate justice solutions in B.C. and Canada.

Julius Lindsay

The Prismatic Project

… is building a digital game that allows users to weave Black and Indigenous cultural knowledge into creating different possible climate futures.

Muaz Nasir

Khaleafa

… brought environmental programming and green upgrades into mosques in Canada and around the world.

Amara Possian

350 Canada + Organizing Exchange

… is developing the next phase of organizing strategies for Canada’s climate movement.

Shauna Sylvester

Urban Climate Leadership

… is laser-focused on solving one wicked climate project: getting heat pumps into mid-sized, low-income apartment buildings in B.C.

Ingrid Waldron

The ENRICH Project + CCECJ

… is building community-level Black leadership for climate resilience.