This past fall, the Sustainable Capacity Foundation distributed a total of $30,000 in grant funding to three organizations—Embark Sustainability, Youth Climate Lab, and the Climate Justice Organising HUB—for their support of Black Indigenous Person of Colour (BIPOC) Fellows. Nelly Leo, Jacqueline Lee-Tam, and Jasveen Brar each hold the position of Executive Director at their respective organizations, which are all focused on supporting the development of a sustainable future.

Nelly Leo

At Embark Sustainability, Nelly has been a driving force in creating diverse, welcoming spaces and nurturing the sustainability journeys of university-aged students. Growing up in Indonesia, Nelly was instilled with a deep-rooted understanding of the intricate relationship between people and the environment. She witnessed traditional practices, and was taught the importance of both gratitude and resourcefulness when it comes to living sustainably. This upbringing guided Nelly’s career decisions, motivating her to turn passion into actionable change.

Nelly is an advocate for resource management, climate justice, and sustainable policy reform, but despite the seriousness of these challenges, she approaches her work with unwavering humility and joy. Her respect for the wisdom of elders underscores the principle that environmental management is inherently intertwined with justice. Looking towards future generations, she draws inspiration from the energy and dedication of young individuals, seeing in them the architects of a more sustainable future. When asked what advice she would give to future BIPOC interested in the field, Nelly says, “Know that it’s not all on you. The work we do is about community, not individuals, so take the time to find spaces that are supportive.”

Nelly’s educational journey has taken her around the world, allowing her to gain a broad understanding of what it means to be an environmentalist. Her academic accolades include a Bachelor's degree with honours from the Global Resources Systems program at the University of British Columbia and a Master's degree in Biodiversity Conservation and Management at Oxford University. Nelly also spent two years in India, witnessing firsthand the gaping urban-rural divide in climate awareness and action.

Her goals going forward focus mainly on bridging community engagement and policy influence. She envisions a future where the wealth of knowledge spanning generations is integrated into our federal, provincial, and municipal structures. By fostering trust and collaboration between community mobilizers, organizers, and institutions, Nelly is working to create a world where sustainability flourishes at every level.

Currently, Nelly is overseeing a number of youth engagement initiatives at Embark. Their highly successful Food Rescue Program, where volunteers collect healthy yet imperfect produce that cannot be sold by supermarket chains and redistribute it to Simon Fraser University Students, runs for two months at the beginning of the school year. Embark also operates four university-based learning gardens across SFU’s Burnaby and Surrey campuses, providing communities with a natural space to grow, eat, and share nutritious food.

“I come from a culture where waste, specifically surrounding food, is treated very differently than it is in North America. Where I grew up in Indonesia, you knew where your food came from, and you were able to stop and give thanks to the Earth for providing you with it. It’s been humbling and meaningful to contribute to a program here that can spark the same feeling.”

While these projects are important Nelly, she feels her most impactful work at Embark has been on the structure of the organization itself. “I think the equity strides made since my arrival—the increase in diversity across all levels—is what I’m most proud of.” Nelly is inspired by the BIPOC Fellowship Program, and is striving to build safe spaces for BIPOC at Embark Sustainability and beyond: “The BIPOC Fellowship has enabled me to candidly share challenges and triumphs amongst a community of like-minded advocates. I’m grateful to be a part of it.”

Jacqueline Lee-Tam

At the Climate Justice Organising HUB, Jacqueline Lee-Tam has spent the past year serving a network of 5,000 activists across the country with capacity-building workshops, events, and coaching. Jacqueline was raised in Vancouver, on the unceded Coast Salish territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. The vast beauty of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding temperate rainforest was the backdrop to her childhood. “I grew up with a deep love for the natural world and have fond memories of going on hikes and camping with my school on outdoor education trips. I think everyone is connected to nature in a profound way, but sometimes that awareness gets lost as we grow up.” Her educational journey in sustainability started young, as she always knew it was the discipline she wanted to be involved in.

But that doesn’t mean sustainability is Jacqueline’s only interest, and while studying at McGill University, she worked to bring other perspectives into her degree. “During my undergrad, I combined social and environmental learning by completing a double major in Gender, Sexuality, Feminist and Social Justice Studies and Environmental Studies. I also completed a minor in Economics.”

In a world burdened with many environmental crises, Jacqueline believes that energy and creativity are keys to unlocking solutions. She envisions a world free from the systemic oppressions causing environmental degradation. When asked to give advice to BIPOC getting started in the field, Jacqueline says, “Don’t underestimate yourself. You have an important place at the table, even if it’s hard to see yourself represented in the sector.” And BIPOC voices often represent those most susceptible to sustainability challenges. “The climate crisis is a multiplier of all issues, so those who are the most marginalized in society are bearing the brunt of the crisis. Low income tenants are experiencing unbearably hot temperatures during heatwaves, unhoused people have few places to seek refuge during cold snaps, and workers are experiencing harsher, more dangerous working conditions as a result. The stakes are high, and it’s happening now.”

Jacqueline is overseeing the launch of several new workshops on topics ranging from communications and campaigning to recruitment and retention. These workshops draw on the knowledge of trusted movement practitioners and organizers to share lessons from the field that activists can then bring into their own communities. The HUB is growing, with a particular uptick in grassroots momentum since the conclusion of the pandemic. The BIPOC Fellowship Program gives Jacqueline the support she needs to pursue her goals of shifting politics and economics away from their historically destructive roots. “It means a lot to have this access and support. I’d like to give thanks to everyone who made this fellowship happen, specifically for providing a space where BIPOC fellows can commiserate and learn from one another.”

Jasveen Brar

At the Youth Climate Lab, Jasveen Brar’s work centers on reshaping what the climate movement looks like for youth. Jasveen grew up in Medicine Hat, Alberta, a small city known for its sprawling natural gas fields—certainly not what many think of when picturing the hometown of an environmentalist. However, she was exposed to influential movies with sustainable themes, such as Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth, and decided to pursue an education in microbiology at Dalhousie University. Though undertones of sustainability were present in her coursework, she never considered the possibility of working directly in the field until witnessing a real-world example of an environmental crisis. While studying microorganisms on expedition in Antarctica, Jasveen saw a plastic water bottle floating in the midst of a penguin colony, and was struck by the heartbreaking reach of environmental degradation.

“It was just so shocking to see that, even in one of the most remote regions of the world, humans are still having a negative impact.” Upon her return to Nova Scotia, she adjusted her degree and graduated with a double-major in biology and sustainability.

Jasveen has been guiding the Youth Climate Lab along the path set forth by the co-founders. The program is global, and focuses on creating and supporting spaces for youth to come together and better understand environmental challenges. “It is very hard work, but at my core I feel a sense of responsibility, both on a personal level and also for the greater world. These unique challenges we’re facing demand unique solutions.”

She is particularly proud of the award-winning Research Activate Deepen (RAD) Program, which supports young environmental leaders in implementing change in their communities. The Youth Climate Lab also offers virtual wellness spaces which allow like-minded individuals to share their stories. “This field can be really hard on your mental health. It’s important for young environmentalists to prioritize their wellbeing by seeking out spaces that are supportive.”

Looking ahead in her career, Jasveen is interested in the intersection of policy, equality, and sustainability. She is committed to ensuring the sustainable transitions being made involve BIPOC voices and can be felt by those feeling the brunt of climate impacts. The BIPOC Fellowship Program has allowed Jasveen to share challenges and ideas with an audience that can relate to her unique background. “In my career so far, there’s been a lot of fighting just to stay in the field. I’m grateful to be surrounded by people in the Fellowship who I can trust are here to provide support.”

Jacob McFaull is a former intern with the Sustainable Capacity Foundation.