Rai Banerjee

Rai Banerjee was born in Southampton, England, and moved to Kolkata, India at the age of 14, where her family is from. Growing up between the UK and India gave her an appreciation for different cultures, perspectives, and ways of understanding the world. She later moved to Vancouver, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics at the University of British Columbia. 

During her undergraduate studies, Rai became interested in the intersections of sustainability, climate justice, and social equity. Her academic and professional experiences have focused on environmental education, community engagement, climate advocacy, and nonprofit management. She has worked with organizations including the Stanley Park Ecology Society, Vancouver Pride Society, and Research for the Front Lines, supporting projects related to sustainability, public engagement, youth programming, and environmental stewardship. Through these experiences, she developed a strong interest in how sustainability initiatives can be designed in ways that are both environmentally effective and socially equitable. 

Outside of school and work, Rai enjoys cooking, hiking, and biking. She recently started climbing and is excited to continue improving her skills. She also grew up dancing and remains an avid reader of fantasy literature. In her free time, she can often be found planning her next trip, exploring a new neighbourhood, or spending time outdoors.