Below find information about the team members who make up the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation.
Kathryn Bakos, Managing Director, Finance and Resilience
As Managing Director, Finance and Resilience, Kathryn’s work is driving novel insights at the intersection of climate change and finance. Kathryn’s work includes pioneering research to quantify the impact of flooding on Canada’s residential real estate sector and mortgage markets and developing innovative frameworks to mitigate risk and embed climate preparedness into decision-making for investors. Kathryn’s work has had national and international influence, informing all levels of government, regulators, supervisors, investors, financial institutions, communities, and homeowners on how to adapt more effectively to a changing climate. Kathryn’s international efforts focus on regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America.
Kathryn holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto and Master of Environment and Business degree from the University of Waterloo. Kathryn also holds the Canadian Securities Course certification. In her previous role with an affiliate of Raymond James Financial, Kathryn integrated Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) factors into investment portfolios, led business analysis, and developed advisory and client platforms across Canada and the United States.
Kathryn is a Ted Talk speaker, and a recipient of Clean50’s Emerging Leader 2023 award. She also serves on various committees and councils, such as the Canadian General Standards Board, CAN 9700-700 Technical Committee Managing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Criteria, ISO 331 Biodiversity Mirror Committee, Ontario Biodiversity Council, Canadian Association of Farm Advisors, and others.
Recognized as a subject matter expert on climate adaptation, Kathryn is frequently sought after by the media for her insights: Globe and Mail, Financial Post, iPolitics, TVO: The Agenda with Steve Paikin, CTV News, Global News, and more.
Email: kbakos@uwaterloo.ca
Phone: 519-572-1463
Dr. Anabela Bonada, Managing Director, Climate Science & Managing Director, Operations
Dr. Anabela Bonada leads applied research and translates science into action at the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, advancing practical climate adaptation strategies through risk assessment, policy integration and implementation tools. She leads the Centre’s wildfire-related work and co-leads initiatives on flooding, ensuring research is translated into cost-effective tools and guidance for municipalities, residents and industry partners.
She developed Canada’s first standardized community wildfire risk assessment framework, which underpins the development of national wildfire preparedness scorecards. Her work strengthens wildfire and flood resilience across Canadian communities and informs climate adaptation policy, national standards and government risk reduction strategies.
In her role as Managing Director, Operations, Dr. Bonada oversees budgeting, human resources, institutional coordination and program delivery, aligning operational systems with strategic priorities and multi-year funding agreements.
Dr. Bonada specializes in translating complex climate science into practical tools, training programs and nationally distributed guidance adopted by municipalities, financial institutions and utilities. She regularly trains municipal staff and professionals and is a frequent media spokesperson on climate science and adaptation.
She holds a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Guelph, where she studied forest–climate interactions, a B.Sc. in Environmental Science from the University of Waterloo, and a Diploma in Ecosystem Management from Fleming College. She serves on the National Research Council’s Resilient Residential Retrofit Advisory Committee and is a member of the Task Group on Wildland Urban Interface for the 2030 National Model Codes and participates in other advisory committees.
Email: abonada@uwaterloo.ca
Phone: 519-574-3631
Dr. Blair Feltmate, Head
Dr. Feltmate is the Head of the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, University of Waterloo. Previous positions he has held include Vice President, Sustainable Development, Bank of Montreal; Director, Sustainable Development, Ontario Power Generation; Partner, Sustainable Investment Group/YMG Capital Management. He has written textbooks on Sustainable Banking and Aquatic Ecology.
Dr. Feltmate was on the Advisory Table, National Adaptation Strategy, Canada. He is Sustainable Finance Council member, Global Risk Institute, and he is a member of Climate Proof Canada (Insurance Bureau of Canada). Dr. Feltmate is on the Science, Innovation and Policy Board of Canada’s Forest Trust. He was Chair, Federal Government of Canada Expert Panel on Climate Adaptation and Resilience.
Dr. Feltmate was a NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow (University of Waterloo). He holds a Ph.D. in Theoretical and Applied Ecology (University of Toronto), Master’s in Sustainable Development (Wilfrid Laurier University), Master’s in Zoology (University of Toronto), and Hon. Bachelor’s Biology (University of Toronto). He is generally interviewed by the media 100 times per year.
Dr. Feltmate received the King Charles III Coronation Medal (2025), Clean 16 Award for Education & Thought Leadership (2018), and Clean 50 Award (2013).
Email: bfeltmate@uwaterloo.ca
Phone: 226-339-3506
Kate Ksiadz, Marketing and Communications Manager
Kate brings 20 years of experience in marketing, design, and communications across healthcare, manufacturing, and print industries. She has a strong track record in creating clear, compelling visual content, leading brand-aligned campaigns, and managing web and social media strategies.
She provides strategic leadership and outreach for the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation’s marketing and communications portfolio, advancing the Centre’s national profile, reputation, and influence across government, industry, academia, and the public.
Email: kksiadz@uwaterloo.ca
Phone: 519-835-7131
Caroline Metz, Managing Director, Climate Resilience and Health
As a managing director at the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, Caroline leads the extreme heat and health domains. She oversees development and mobilization of guidance that helps people, communities, and organizations reduce risks from climate warming and extreme weather events. She promotes solutions that support health and well-being. At a broader scale, Caroline has contributed to Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy. She is a member of the Public Affairs Advisory for Engineers Canada, Climate Proof Canada, and serves on various other provincial and national committees advancing climate resilience in the country. She regularly shares insights in presentations and media interviews.
Caroline has over 25 years of project leadership experience in Canada and the U.S., working with organizations in healthcare and environment arenas (private and public sector). Prior to her current position, Caroline held management and consulting roles, most notably at Sinai Health (Toronto), PwC (New York), Deloitte (Boston), and Environ Corporation (New Jersey).
Caroline holds a Master of Environment and Business degree (University of Waterloo), a Master of Science in Hydrogeology (University of Waterloo), and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (Princeton University).
Email: caroline.metz@uwaterloo.ca
Phone: 647-291-7400
Allison Reynaud, Managing Director, Climate Resilience, Québec
Allison Reynaud is Managing Director, Climate Resilience, Québec, at the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, University of Waterloo, where she leverages her strategic leadership and convening capacity to advance climate change adaptation in Québec. Guided by a deep understanding of systems and an ability to build lasting, trust-based relationships, she brings organizations together and mobilizes them around high-impact strategies. Her commitment and leadership were recognized in 2025 with the Clean50 Emerging Leader Award.
Throughout her career, she has worked at the intersection of research, public policy, philanthropy, and civil society. She notably co-led the Montreal Climate Partnership, where she helped build strategic alliances and mobilize business and institutional stakeholders around climate and adaptation issues.
Allison began her career in philanthropy, including at the David Suzuki Foundation. She holds a dual master’s degree in political science and sociology of culture, as well as a bachelor’s degree in history and geography, providing her with a broad and nuanced perspective on the issues she addresses. She is also the founder of a women’s health initiative and serves on the boards of cultural organizations.
Email: areynaud@uwaterloo.ca
Phone: 514-220-5554
Danijela Vukancic, Financial Officer
Danijela Vukancic is the Financial Officer at the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, where she oversees budgeting, financial reporting, procurement, expense processing, hiring administration, and research account management. With over 16 years of experience at the University of Waterloo—primarily in financial roles, including as Financial Coordinator in the Faculty of Engineering—Danijela brings extensive expertise and deep institutional knowledge to the Centre. She plays a key role in supporting the Intact Centre’s growth, ensuring strong financial systems and accountable program delivery as the Centre continues to expand its impact.
Email: dvukancic@uwaterloo.ca
External Collaborators
Kim Perrotta
Kim Perrotta has a Master’s degree in Health Science and over 40 years of experience researching and communicating the impacts of environmental exposures on human health, and analysing, developing and promoting public policies that can improve public health and health equity while protecting the environment.
Kim has worked for organizations such as Toronto Public Health, Halton Region, the Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA), and the Healthy Canada by Design CLASP Initiative. She was the Executive Director for the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) from 2015-2020 and has been the Executive Director for the Canadian Health Association for Sustainability and Equity (CHASE) since then.
Kim has authored or co-authored over 30 health-based background or policy reports including Climate Change, Population Health and Health Equity: Public health strategies and five climate solutions that produce health and health equity benefits, and Climate Change Toolkit for Health Professionals.
Kim has also prepared many case-study vignettes to promote innovative strategies being taken by public health agencies and municipalities that can improve health and reduce health inequities, while also mitigating climate change and/or increasing climate resiliency.