Event

Chelsea M. Rochman

Head of Operations and Program Lead of Scientific Programming and Application, U of T Trash Team, and Assistant Professor in Ecology at University of Toronto

Chelsea Rochman is an Assistant Professor in Ecology at University of Toronto and co-founder of the U of T Trash Team. Chelsea has been researching the sources, sinks and ecological implications of plastic debris for more than a decade. In addition to research, Chelsea works to translate science beyond academia. For example, she presented her work to the United Nations General Assembly and at the US State Department. Moreover, she has regularly served as an expert for both the Canadian and United States government.

José Tello

Water Director, Centro de Estudios e Investigación en Asuntos Públicos

José Tello Carrasco holds a BA in Political Science from the Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico (ITAM) and has also completed postgraduate studies in the Netherlands and Australia. His PhD in Natural Resources Use and Conservation is from the Biological Research Center of the Northwest (CIBNOR). He worked in Mexico’s Federal Government for over 10 years and has been a consultant for organizations such as Nat Geo, GIZ, WWF and the CEC. Currently, he is Director of Water at the Centro consulting firm. In collaboration with the Dutch Embassy in Mexico and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he organized Mexico’s participation at the UN Water Conference in March 2023. He sits on the Scientific Committee of Ecomondo México, a leading environmental technology trade fair.

Jennifer Wendt

Plastic Waste Reduction Campaign Manager, Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI)

Jennifer Wendt is the Plastic Waste Reduction Manager for the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI) working with the United Nations Environment Programme, EPA, local government, agencies, institutions, businesses, and citizens to reduce plastic waste along the Mississippi River corridor and watershed. Ms. Wendt also works at BFA Engineering, a firm with over 50 years of expertise in stormwater and floodplain management, and engineering related to anything outside of building walls.

Jennifer began her career with a degree in chemistry working in environmental laboratories analyzing soil, water, and wastewater for contamination. From there Ms. Wendt worked in local government - public works and solid waste management with a focus on resource conservation. Jennifer has devoted her professional career to environmental stewardship.