Team

Executive Director, London Environmental Network

Skylar Franke

Skylar Franke is a community mobilizer and engagement specialist. Skylar is happiest when talking to new people and eating good food with friends and family. Skylar is passionate about building community, environmental advocacy, local food systems, great wine and ethical coffee.

She has over 6 years of experience in advancing action in the environmental sector by running a variety of environmental programs in London while working at ReForest London and the London Environmental Network. She graduated in 2013 from King’s University College at Western University with an honours B.A. in Social Justice and Peace Studies and French Studies. Skylar was awarded the Top 20 in their 20’s in 2018 by Business London and the Leading Women, Leading Girls Award from the Province of Ontario.

Skylar is responsible for overseeing the development of new programs and initiatives including Green Economy London, as well as all other aspects of running the London Environmental Network.

skylar@londonenvironment.net

Green Economy London Hub Manager

Marianne Griffith

Marianne Griffith is a committed environmentalist and an advocate for local, sustainable food systems and renewable energy. She’s worked with London based organizations to promote sustainability and community driven carbon and waste reduction, including Growing Chefs, The Root Cellar and Building Better. She’s worked on social justice and sustainable development projects in Indigenous communities in many countries and she works closely with First Nations communities in Ontario to increase access to clean water, clean energy sources and sustainable, affordable housing.

She is a Certified Energy Auditor, a member of the Association of Energy Engineers, a LEED Green Associate, and has extensive building science training including Energy Star and CHBA Net Zero Builder.  She is currently the Green Economy London Hub Manager where she is committed to help London businesses set and achieve sustainability targets.

She believes that changing our behaviour to reduce emissions is our responsibility to ensure our children have a decent quality of life.

greeneconomy@londonenvironment.net

Sustainability Coordinator

Natalie Merchant

Natalie is a passionate advocate for sustainability and environmental stewardship. Growing up in Thunder Bay surrounded by vast forests and lakes, she is constantly reminded of nature’s astounding beauty, value, and the use we can make of it. She believes healthy environments are essential for healthy communities, and wants to help build and promote sustainable practices to ensure healthy environments for future generations.

Natalie recently completed her Masters at Western University in Environment and Sustainability (MES) and has a degree in biology specializing in conservation and biodiversity. She recently completed a project with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, researching new methods for calculating carbon sequestration and urban forest management best practices.

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Kaitlin Creighton

Kaitlin is currently completing her Masters of Environment and Sustainability at Western University. In 2019, she graduated from the University of Guelph with a B.A. in Environmental Governance. Her education and work experiences so far have instilled a strong passion for environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, specifically in the agricultural sector.

In Kaitlin’s spare time you can find her enjoying a good cup of coffee, learning about natural remedies or spending time at the beach in Port Stanley. She is looking forward to contributing to the collaboration between communities and businesses through Green Economy London in support of long term sustainability.