Who We Are

The Sustainability Office at UTM is responsible for promoting and maintaining a broad range of sustainability initiatives through the engagement of the UTM community. Whether your particular interests fall under the broad categories of transportation, academics & curriculum, research, energy and climate change, waste and recycling, biodiversity and conservation, or community engagement, there are plenty of ways to get involved in sustainability initiatives on campus. 

Ahmed Azhari, Managing Director - Operations, Sustainability and Asset Management

Ahmed is an accomplished and goal-driven facilities operations leader with over 15 years of experience in effectively managing facilities, critical plant operations, project management, and sustainability in both public and private sectors. Ahmed leads operations, sustainability and asset management teams at the department of Facilities Management & Planning at the University of Toronto Mississauga, where he manages and oversees critical infrastructure and support services to advance the university’s academic and research mission. As a leader, Ahmed strives to foster a harmonious workplace culture to deliver high quality and professional services by instilling shared values and embracing equity, diversity and inclusion. He holds an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering and currently registered with Professional Engineers Ontario as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.), with Canada Green Building Council as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP), and with Association of Energy Engineers as a Certified Energy Manager (CEM). 

Beverley Ayeni, Associate Director, Sustainability and Energy Management 

Beverley is responsible for promoting and maintaining a broad range of sustainability initiatives through the engagement of the UTM community. More specifically, Beverley is passionate about embedding sustainability into UTM’s academic programming & curriculum, research, energy and the built environment, waste and recycling programs, while also promoting community engagement on campus. More recently, Beverley was instrumental in the creation of UTM’s first-ever Sustainability Strategic Plan. Beverley holds a degree in chemical and biochemical engineering from the University of Western Ontario, and a Master’s in Business Administration from York University’s Schulich School of Business. 

Samantha DiIorio, Sustainability Coordinator 

Samantha is responsible for coordinating the Sustainability Office’s programs and initiatives, supporting the implementation of UTM’s Sustainability Strategic Plan, and reporting to the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS). She brings valuable experience from her roles at the City of Mississauga, developing and implementing the City’s Climate Change Action Plan, and Urban Agriculture Strategy. Additionally, she sits on the Board of Directors for a Hamilton not-for-profit, Green Venture. Samantha is a graduate of UTM’s Master of Science in Sustainability Management (MScSM) program and holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from McMaster University. Samantha deeply cares about the planet and strongly believes we all have a responsibility to take care of it.  

Arash Ghorayshi, Sr. Energy Engineer

Arash is responsible for energy management and energy savings initiatives on the Mississauga campus. With over 20 years of industry experience in sustainability, measurement and verification and facility operations he brings the expertise required to deliver climate positive energy solutions to the campus. Arash started his career in Winnipeg collaborating on demand side management plans for the likes of Manitoba Hydro, SaskPower and BC Hydro. Prior to joining UTM, Arash obtained diverse experience working as a sustainability consultant, energy audit engineer and a measurement and verification specialist for more than a decade. Arash also brings experience from his previous role as a Senior Operations Manager with CF. He holds an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering and is currently registered with Professional Engineers Ontario as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) and with the Association of Energy Engineers as a Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP). 

Vacant, Energy Management Coordinator 

Kate is a Master of Environment and Sustainability (MES) candidate at Western University, interested in sustainability frameworks, organizational sustainability, and greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting. She is enthusiastic about how sustainability is implemented in practice through strategy, reporting, and decision-making within organizations. Her time in the MES program has given her the opportunity to build on her Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree from Dalhousie University where she double majored in Sustainability and International Development. 

Kate’s background in conservation and communications has provided her with experience in research, stakeholder engagement, and program coordination. At UTM, she is excited to support campus sustainability initiatives that connect people, ideas, and actions, and is especially interested in solutions that make sustainability more accessible, inclusive, and impactful across the university community. She will contribute to the AASHE STARS 3.0 2027 submission, and support of the five-year update of UTM’s Sustainability Strategic Plan as well as various campus initiatives. 

Natalie is a Master of Environment and Sustainability (MES) candidate at Western University, with a keen interest in green energy, greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting, community engagement, and Corporate Social Responsibility. She holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo, with a major in Environment and Business and a minor in Human Resources Management. Drawing on her academic background and experience in both the public and private sectors, Natalie has developed a diverse range of knowledge and skills in environmental research and data analysis, sustainability reporting, stakeholder engagement, and climate change mitigation and resilience planning. She is particularly interested in using data-driven insights to support effective and practical sustainability strategies. Natalie is excited to join the UTM Sustainability Office, where she will contribute to energy efficiency analysis and planning, support updates to the university’s waste management and Sustainability Strategic Plans, and assist with the AASHE STARS 3.0 2027 submission. She is driven by a commitment to advancing sustainable solutions that strengthen decision-making and create meaningful, real-world impact.

TBD, Waste and Material Recovery Coordinator  

TBD, Social Media and Marketing Coordinator 

Joe Cho, Sustainability Intern  (Spring-Summer 2025)

Joe is currently pursuing a Master of Environment and Sustainability (MES) at Western University, building on a Bachelor of Science from Boston University with a concentration in Finance and Sustainable Energy. His academic focus includes key areas such as greenhouse gas (GHG) analysis, environmental data analysis, and sustainability frameworks.

He is excited to join the UTM Sustainability Office, where he will analyze utility data to identify opportunities for improved efficiency and contribute to a range of sustainability initiatives across campus. Joe’s background in the financial services sector has equipped him with strong critical thinking and data analysis skills, which he now applies to drive sustainable change. With a data-informed and adaptable approach, he is committed to advancing efficiency and sustainable practices.

Salvatore Quartarone, Sustainability Intern  (Spring-Summer 2025)

Salvatore is currently pursuing his Master of Environment and Sustainability (MES) at Western University. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto in Environmental Studies, Environmental Biology, and Human Geography with a focus in Planning. His education and professional experience has provided him with a strong and diverse understanding of pressing environmental issues, climate change mitigation and adaptation planning, and policies supporting the energy transition. Additionally, he completed a Certificate in Sustainability from the University of Toronto, which introduced practical skills necessary in developing actionable solutions promoting decarbonization, sustainable urban design, and clean energy generation. Salvatore will be working on advancing all aspects of sustainability on campus, including initiatives supporting decarbonization, waste reduction, energy and building efficiency, biodiversity, and community engagement. Salvatore will also support a five-year update of UTM’s Sustainability Strategic Plan to align with stronger standards outlined in the AASHE STARS 3.0 framework.

Danielle Murphy, Sustainability Intern  (Spring-Summer 2024)

Currently pursuing a Master of Environment and Sustainability (MES) at Western University, Danielle’s academic focus encompasses critical areas in sustainability, such as renewable energy, waste management, and sustainability frameworks. She is excited to join the UTM Sustainability Office and work on developing an action plan for AASHE STARS 3.0 and other sustainability projects across campus. Previous work in the social services sector has allowed her to build upon critical thinking skills that she uses to navigate complex challenges and contribute to sustainable change. Embracing a holistic approach, she works to connect community members while prioritizing sustainable practices.

Manal Muhammad, Sustainability Intern (Spring-Summer 2024)

Manal recently finished her academic terms at the Master of Environment and Sustainability (MES) program at Western University and is excited to continue her sustainability journey at the University of Toronto Mississauga as a summer intern in their Sustainability Office. While working at the Sustainability Office, Manal will be involved in differing projects, including supporting events across campus with a focus on sustainability and creating an action plan for AASHE STARS 3.0 alongside the Sustainability Office. Before beginning the MES program, Manal attended the University of Waterloo for a bachelor's in Public Health. It was during her undergraduate degree, when she started learning about the intersectionality between public health and environmental sustainability, that Manal knew she wanted to delve further into the sustainability space. 

Minali Giani, Sustainability Intern (Spring-Summer 2023)

Diljot Badesha, BikeShare and Recycling Coordinator (Spring-Summer 2023)

Kaitlyn D'Lima, Sustainability Intern (Spring-Summer 2022)

Kaitlyn is in her second year of the Master of Science in Sustainability Management (MScSM) program at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) and is a sustainability enthusiast at heart. She supports the Sustainability Office as the summer intern, working on projects that empower the UTM community to get involved in sustainable initiatives. Some of the projects include supporting the implementation of UTM’s Sustainability Strategic Plan, bringing the Sustainable Change program to life, and creating a communications plan to increase student, staff, and faculty engagement on campus. Prior to joining the MScSM program, Kaitlyn spent the past four years working in the telecommunications sector as a project manager. With an ever-growing interest in the sustainability field, Kaitlyn is excited to bring her two worlds of business and sustainability together to change the narrative around climate change for current and future generations.