Women In Tech Committee Presents - Innovating for Impact: The Intersection of Technology, Climate, and Law

Join us for a dynamic discussion on how technology is transforming the fight against climate change. This session will examine how innovative technology solutions are addressing climate challenges, the regulatory frameworks shaping their adoptions, and the vital contributions of women in driving these advancements.

Our expert panel will delve into the legal implications of cutting-edge technologies designed to address climate change, the unique opportunities for women’s contributions in this field, and the global trends driving the future of sustainable technology solutions. Don’t miss this chance to learn about the intersection of law, technology, and climate action, and what the future holds for innovation in this area.

Featuring:

Melissa Fifield, Head, BMO Climate Institute

Melissa Fifield leads the BMO Climate Institute, a center of expertise accelerating climate solutions by bridging science, policy, finance and economics. She is a global sustainability leader with more than 20 years of experience leading US and international programs across social and environmental impact areas. In 2024, she was named by Environmental Finance as Sustainability Thought Leader of the Year, Americas.

Prior to BMO, Melissa led Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability for Bank of the West, where she was responsible for driving strategic partnerships, policies, and programs that created and advanced positive impact.

For more than 14 years, Melissa led environmental sustainability across product development, manufacturing, and operations for the global specialty retailer Gap Inc. based in San Francisco.  In her time with Gap Inc., Melissa helped spearhead the USAID + Gap Inc. Women + Water Alliance, a five-year public-private partnership focused on improving and sustaining the health and well-being of women and communities touched by the apparel industry.

Melissa currently serves as Chair of the Apparel Impact Institute Board of Directors and is a founding member and former Board member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition.

Gabrielle Paris, VP Legal, Deep Sky

Gabrielle is a lawyer with a proven track record in the VC industry. Her legal and business counsel spans the lifecycle of companies, from inception to liquidity. At Fasken, she worked closely with startups at various stages, particularly during VC financing rounds. She then led the legal function at RenoRun, a startup operating in Canada and the US, where she honed her skills in developing strategies to support business objectives.

As the VP Legal at Deep Sky, a pioneering carbon capture and storage project developer, Gabrielle leverages her startup and legal experience in an innovative industry. She focuses on the financing, development, and operations of Deep Sky's projects, as well as the sale of carbon offsets, underscoring her commitment to sustainable practices and innovative solutions in the fight against climate change.

Claudette van Zyl, Specialist - ESG, Impact, & Legal Affairs, Fondaction Gestion d’Actifs

Claudette van Zyl has degrees in Political Science, Economics, and Classical Studies as well as in Law at McGill University. After completing a legal internship at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Claudette practiced law at Norton Rose Fulbright for seven years and is now at Fondaction Asset Management, an investment manager with hundreds of millions of dollars under management in sustainable development initiatives - including decarbonization projects, energy efficiency, and the circular economy. She has published, taught, and practiced in various matters respecting international arbitration and sustainable development, including projects with the International Sustainable Development Law Organization, the McGill Journal of Sustainable Development Law and Policy, and the Center for Intellectual Property Policy.  She has contributed to the editing of a book on sustainable development principles in the decisions of international courts and tribunals and is co-author of a Jurisclasseur fascicule on collective marks which addresses geographical indications and certain aspects of the law respecting alcohol and approaches to regional development. While she was in private practice, Claudette pled the first case in Québec that issued an alcohol permit to an entirely virtual grocery store.

Organized by the WIT Committee: Natalie LaMarche, Sophie Fu and  Sharan Johal

CPD Pending

Registration:

• Members: Free
• Non-members: $25 plus HST

There are no refunds.