teamwork makes green work

The goal is to go green.

Rob has built green spaces big and small for decades. Having managed green installations in institutional and commercial buildings makes him well equipped to know what clients are looking for before they are asking for it. His insight and discipline come from years in the Canadian Armed Forces with postings domestically and abroad.

He’s a passionate globetrotter who’s newest found joy is time spent with his grandkids.

A roof with a view is what Napier sees daily.

He first joined GINKGO, as a co-op student studying the science of plant biology. He quickly realized he preferred being hands on vs being lab based. As a supervisor, he delivers on the promise of returning neglected or damaged green roofs back to their nourished natural state. The result contributes to cityscape changes, healthy plants, and happy people.

On the ground, Napier rollerblades or cycles to craft breweries around Toronto. He also tries out new cookie recipes on his colleagues, which we all appreciate.

A film changed Fai’s professional path.

“An Inconvenient Truth” propelled him to build rooftop farms and provide something tangible to communities domestically and abroad. An advocate and educator for sustainability and its multiple benefits he has attained RHS Level 2 Horticulture, IFOAM Organic Inspectors and BC IPM Pesticide Applicator certifications. His green toolbox has been put to good use on iconic buildings in British Columbia.

He appreciates that transitions can be challenging which is why he volunteers teaching conversational English to immigrants.

Rain or shine Alfonso is on the job.

He thrives being in the highly specialized construction of green roofs. After nine years with GINKGO he says no project is the same, it’s one green roof at a time and we can’t build them fast enough. Safety first is the daily discipline and communication is the key to keeping projects moving forward.

Off the roof he hears the call of the wild and enjoys hiking and fishing. Closer to home he tinkers in the garage, working with his hands building stuff while whispering to himself in multiple languages.

Doug gets a kick out of numbers.

Forecasting financial health and managing ledgers is what Doug does, but it’s his attention to details that we count on. A lifelong learner who is currently working on his CPA he is not just transactionally driven; his goal is maximizing potential, both personally and professionally. As a new dad he values being part of the positive change he wants to see in the world.

He is nostalgic about Star Trek and takes the “live long and prosper” line to heart, which is why he also gets a kick out of boxing.

Bailey is partial to a good before and after photo.

She has been maintaining greenspaces for 13 years. First as the owner of her own landscaping company where she perfected the particulars of plant biology and how they interact in different environments. With GINKGO for eight years, she provides clients with comprehensive on-site technical support that delivers green roofs that last.

Unplugged, she paints, surfs, and shares her joy of the beach with her boys. An ear for language and a longing to travel are perhaps remnants from her time as a flight attendant.

Vincent knows what to look for.

He worked with general contractors in the construction industry and knows how to navigate the logistics of building green. He has an eye for shop drawings and adhering to project timelines and budgets to mitigate risk and protect client investments. It all makes sense to him because what he does makes room for biodiversity and better communities.

On the job he’s never bored. Off the job, he enjoys a different kind of board. He’s an avid snow and skateboarder.

Meet our natural born planner.

Joey knew from a young age that her career path had to positively impact the environment. She approaches all her green roof projects with a back-up plan, followed by another back-up plan and delivers it all in the spirit of collaboration and with a sense of humour. She admits that there is not just one way to do things, but being well-prepared is the only way.

Any conserved energy is spent making bakery worthy cakes, travelling as much as time allows, and enjoying her small entourage of animals. She could easily have been a vet.

Holly likes to get her hands dirty.

Our resident Landscape Architect has spent two decades, designing, installing, and maintaining green roofs and gardens. Her commitment to homeowners is built on responsibility from inception to completion. She daydreams about urban rooftop farming to curb food insecurity, is policy informed and proud to design roofs that make a difference.

An avid cyclist, she rides along multiple trails in the city and is happiest outdoors. Her healthy competitive nature means that game night in, is usually a win.

The growing season is Caitlin’s favourite.

Having spent 15 years in the commercial landscape and property maintenance space she knows the importance of achieving the right water, light, and nutrient balance, so plants stay healthy. Healthy plants elevate the functionality, longevity, and aesthetics of the installation which is what Caitlin wants. She also wants to see greener urban centres and is optimistic that more cities will introduce by-laws to make it happen.

She finds bodies of water soothing and travels to absorb cultures and their landscapes. Closer to home you can find her cottaging and hiking, her rescue dog from one of her favourite countries, in tow.

Camaraderie makes the on-site team work.

Patrick is a planner who enjoys seeing it all come together on green roof installations. His goal is always client satisfaction and projects that run smoothly, but we deal with living products, so he’s good on his feet and adaptable to onsite changes.

His free time is spent with his young family enjoying the outdoors and one of their favourite shared pastimes, snorkeling, or as he calls it swimming in nature’s aquarium.

She is partial to the geometry of things.

Erika brings 15+ years’ experience in landscape maintenance. She likes that GINKGO is one of the few green organizations that handles maintenance because it’s a specialized skill. She trains our maintenance crews, enforces safety, and never misses a beat. Site assessments, scheduled visits and follow-up reports round out her full days.

She has a fondness for the less appreciated animals that inhabit our city and volunteers at the Toronto Wildlife Centre. When she’s not tending to the needs of green roofs and sassy urban animals, she’s prepping tasting menus for friends and family.

Jordan stays connected to his green roof builds.

While completing undergraduate studies in engineering he pursued his early interest in green infrastructure. Previously a Research Associate with Environment Canada he modeled the effects of vegetated roofs and walls on the thermal performance of buildings. With a focus on the benefits of sustainable builds, he is driven to deliver smooth installs with stellar technical support.

An outdoorsy explorer he is energized by camping, canoe trips and sharing these experiences with his family.

Sean first began working in Technology as a Market Researcher for a Search Engine start-up in 2001. Since then, he has built a unique multi-track career spanning the Arts, Applied Sciences, Education, and Strategic Management.

A talented communicator and gifted problem solver, Sean strives to be a rising tide that lifts all ships. He is a capable leader with experience managing diverse groups in multiple disciplines, building and motivating teams that are resilient, responsive, and self-reliant.

Sandy creates spaces where plants flourish.

She grew up on a sustainable farm and was always passionate about merging nature and design. Her approach to possibility, and a background in fashion translates to an aesthetic in the living walls she creates. With extensive knowledge of the complex workings of several wall systems she is well-equipped to recommend those that best align with a client’s vision and environment. Navigating the specific needs of plant varieties, their propagation, irrigation, and maintenance protocols are essential elements to delivering walls that look beautiful, do good and last.

Currently looking for her free time bliss, she has her hands in a lot of pots.

Bill leans in from a place of partnership.

As an active member on several industry associations, he enthusiastically supports policy change and the implementation of sustainable business practices. He has strong working relationships with all the key green roof system manufacturers and roofing contractors in Ontario, providing a full-service perspective to clients. With an eye to the future, he understood the benefits of building green decades back and is happy to work in an industry that contributes in a small way to the greener good.

He hikes, kayaks, plays hockey, and plants trees.

Art imitates life.

From a young age Camilla was encouraged to plant gardens. Her family runs tropical plant nurseries in her native Bolivia, it was here that she first began to study plant biology, propagation, and their fertilization needs. She likes the creative possibilities that preserved moss provides and is intent on seeing more of nature’s canvases hanging in business complexes and residential homes. An early environmentalist she sees a future where eco-tourism is the new normal.

Her love of plants cannot be contained. She recently started taking pottery classes to make pots to hold her substantial collection of house plants.

A blank slate is an opportunity to make something beautiful.

Michael has been with GINKGO for close to a decade. He takes great pride in overseeing project sites and making sure they are equipped with all the tools and safety measures necessary. His favourite moments are when it’s done, the clients’ expectations have been exceeded and he can drive by and feel good that he did that.

Off the clock, and in season, he fishes, plays tennis and snowboards. He also golfs a pretty good par.

Monique wants to pass along the botanical baton.

She leads by doing and is actively involved in the design and diagnostic of living walls. Her expertise in the unique intricacies of growing plants vertically at elevated heights, and the mechanisms necessary to keep them growing make her an invaluable asset. She proactively digs deep to unearth optimal solutions for maintenance. As she readily shares her knowledge, she also celebrates the calibre of the team.

When she’s not maintaining our clients’ vertical gardens she’s managing her small agricultural farm, running with her dogs, and still finding time to garden.

Nature speaks to Asma.

In turn she continues the conversation by educating corporate partners on biophilic design solutions that connect employees to their workspaces. Doing this leads to better overall health, increased productivity, and environmental sustainability. Nature-inspired design strategies are the baseline of her international research and with 14+ years dedicated to biomimicry practices she creates designs that reflect our interconnectedness.

As a nod to her creative nature, she plays the violin, paints, sculpts and works with stained glass.

Kymm roots for plants.

She likes the natural challenge of propagation and is completely smitten with watching the green houses grow at our Research and Development Centre. Working with geneticists and botanists to explore optimal growth requirements and control pathogens keeps her up at night. Years spent in nurseries awakened her interest in sowing the seeds.

When she’s not talking to plants, she putters in her garden. She can also do the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle in pen.

Conservation is the thread that connects us.

As a botanist, Sasha curates urban green projects across Canada. With more than a decade of expertise to offer GINKGO clients she creates residential roofs and living walls. She is deeply committed to the environment and empowering youth to embrace biophilic design.

Her natural spark is further ignited by exploring the city on her bike or walking the family dog. She refers to nature as our biggest gym and we need to be in it to stay connected to its powerful benefits.