Item - 2019.CA8.3

Appointees' biographies:

Laurel Atkinson

Laurel's first career was as an outdoor educator where she was fortunate to have experienced many remote and unique Canadian rivers and landscapes. She has managed programs for small, community-based environmental non-profits in Toronto and Peterborough. As Program Director at The W. Garfield Weston Foundation, she currently provides strategic grants management to the Foundation's northern-focused grants.

Deepak Ramachandran

Deepak is a start-up entrepreneur, investor and advisor with a focus on next-generation technology and business models. He is the co-founder and CTO of FundThrough, past Board Chair at Miovision, and past member of the TAF investment committee. He has experience at McKinsey and Bridgewater Associates, as well as broad-based start-up and corporate experience, including finance, software, electronics, and professional services across North America, Europe and Asia.

Parminder Sandhu

Parminder Sandhu is a seasoned executive focused on delivering results for customers through engaged employees and thoughtful consideration of all stakeholders. He has been involved in over $2B of energy efficiency or climate change programming across North America. He founded and grew Willis Energy Services (ON) to become Canada’s largest program delivery firm which was sold to Clearesult. He is now focused on direct investments primarily on solutions to climate change and sustainability.

The Civic Appointments Committee recommends that:  

1.  City Council appoint the following candidates to the Toronto Atmospheric Fund Board, including one as Chair, at pleasure of Council, for a term office ending July 16, 2023, and until successors are appointed:

Laurel Atkinson

Deepak Ramachandran

Parminder Sandhu, as Chair

2. City Council direct that the balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (June 24, 2019) from the City Clerk remain confidential as it relates to personal information about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to the Toronto Atmospheric Fund Board.

Candidates' biographies:

Laurel Atkinson

Laurel's first career was as an outdoor educator where she was fortunate to have experienced many remote and unique Canadian rivers and landscapes. She has managed programs for small, community-based environmental non-profits in Toronto and Peterborough. As Program Director at The W. Garfield Weston Foundation, she currently provides strategic grants management to the Foundation's northern-focused grants.

Deepak Ramachandran

Deepak is a start-up entrepreneur, investor and advisor with a focus on next-generation technology and business models. He is the co-founder and CTO of FundThrough, past Board Chair at Miovision, and past member of the TAF investment committee. He has experience at McKinsey and Bridgewater Associates, as well as broad-based start-up and corporate experience, including finance, software, electronics, and professional services across North America, Europe and Asia.

Parminder Sandhu

Parminder Sandhu is a seasoned executive focused on delivering results for customers through engaged employees and thoughtful consideration of all stakeholders. He has been involved in over $2B of energy efficiency or climate change programming across North America. He founded and grew Willis Energy Services (ON) to become Canada’s largest program delivery firm which was sold to Clearesult. He is now focused on direct investments primarily on solutions to climate change and sustainability.

At its meeting on December 4, 5, and 13, 2018, City Council amended the Public Appointments process by authorizing the City Clerk to shortlist, interview and recommend candidates to the Civic Appointments Committee for appointment to the Toronto Atmospheric Fund Board by City Council.

This report recommends the appointment of three public members to the Toronto Atmospheric Fund (TAF) Board for a four-year term of office, at pleasure of Council ending July 16, 2023, and until successors are appointed.