Climate Positive Energy is partnering with Leading Change to develop multidisciplinary programs for CPE students. As part of this collaboration, CPE is pleased to offer a handful of exceptional sustainability students the opportunity to attend two of Canada’s Top Sustainability Events: Leading Change Summit and GLOBExCHANGE 2025.
The Leading Change Summit (Feb 10) is a dynamic gathering of 120+ young professionals and sustainability leaders, focusing on collaboration, innovation, and climate action. GLOBExCHANGE (Feb 11–13) is Canada’s premier sustainability conference, featuring global thought leaders, policy-makers, and change agents tackling climate challenges. Student tickets are valued at $700+.
CPE opened a call for applications earlier this week to accept applications from U of T students interested in attending the events, with complimentary admission provided by CPE. We are now pleased to reveal the names of the seven U of T students who will represent CPE at Leading Change Summit and GLOBExCHANGE 2025. We look forward to supporting these students as they advance their careers in climate change and sustainability.

Deep Parekh
Graduate Student, Institute of Management and Innovation – Master of Science in Sustainability Management
“As a graduate student in sustainability with a focus on energy transition and decarbonization, I have realized that scaling climate solutions is one of the biggest hurdles to achieving meaningful progress. Attending the Leading Change Summit and GLOBExCHANGE will provide valuable insights into overcoming these challenges through collaboration and innovation.”

Devni Jayasekera
Graduate Student, Electrical Engineering
“Addressing climate change requires collaboration across a wide range of industries and disciplines beyond my own. I believe, attending these events will provide valuable insights into how sustainability leaders drive meaningful change in a global and local scale.“

Lara Wulandari
Graduate Student, Department of Economics
“I am a development economist researching the impact of waste disposal behaviors—littering, burning, or discarding in rivers—and exploring ways to incentivize climate-friendly practices. This opportunity will deepen my understanding of innovative climate solutions and how they can be adapted to these contexts, ensuring development efforts align with sustainability goals.”

Miriam Castillo Orozco
Graduate Student, Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences
“Developing local synergies is key for climate change action based in social justice and equity. My research is focused on the participation of Indigenous Peoples in climate policy-making and I’m trying to find professionals aligned with this purpose.”

Rui Mao
Graduate Student, Department of Geography and Planning
“I am a PhD student focusing research on innovation and urban sustainability. My current research is as empirical study on policy implementation set in PlaNYC 2030, a long-term sustainability plan adopted by New York City in 2007; this study investigates best practices on innovation to advance the city’s urban sustainability agenda and to mitigate climate change from 2007 to 2013 by the Bloomberg administration.”

Sohail Chagani
Graduate Student, Rotman School of Management
“For last many years, I have been part of financing grid scale renewable projects in Middle East and now in Canada. This opportunity has helped me to get a 360 degree view and understand the challenges faced by all stakeholders. These climate events will provide a gateway to meet stakeholders and likeminded climate enthusiasts and learn, discuss, and collaborate on solutions and opportunities in this space.”