IRES Seminar - How can research help inform policy priorities? Perspectives from local water, housing, and food sectors

Jimmy Zammar, Director of Urban Watersheds, Sewers and Drainage for the City of Vancouver

Jimmy is the Director of Urban Watersheds, Sewers and Drainage for the City of Vancouver. He oversees the city’s rainwater and sanitary systems—the largest asset group in the City. He has led the City’s “One Water” approach, and champions the implementation of green infrastructure, water-sensitive urban planning, and embedding equity, Reconciliation and climate adaptation. As an interdisciplinary leader, Jimmy operates at the confluence of imperatives that impact the community, the environment, and the organizations that are accountable for delivery. He holds a bachelor and masters degree in Architecture, and masters degrees in project management and sustainable development.

Jessica Woolliams, Senior Strategic Advisor, Sustainability & Resiliency · BC Housing

Jessica has been leading efforts to mainstream and support sustainable buildings and resilient communities through policy, education, programs and training for over three decades. She championed and led the development of: UBC’s Residential Environmental Assessment Program (REAP) program, Green Buildings BC; Harvard University’s Green Campus Initiative (Medical Campus); Light House Sustainable Building Centre; and Cascadia Green Building Council’s BC office.  She has worked with the BC Government, BC Hydro and BC Housing to develop programs and establish strategic direction for large building portfolios to become more sustainable and climate resilient. She has written numerous articles and taught at Harvard University, SFU, BCIT and UBC. Her background is building technology and urban planning.

Jason Hsieh, Social Planner on the municipal food systems portfolio

Jason was born and raised on the unceded lands of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-waututh, currently working as a Social Planner on the municipal food systems portfolio. The position serves to coordinate cross-departmental delivery of the Vancouver Food Strategy as well as food system related actions in the City’s more recent citywide and area plans. Jason aims to bring a community development approach to this work, looking to ground the City’s food system ambitions by building on the knowledge and assets that communities already have.