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 research and knowledge mobilization efforts at the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, integrating applied science, risk assessment, and policy to advance practical climate adaptation strategies. She leads the Centre’s wildfire-related work and co-leads initiatives on flooding, while also overseeing cross-disciplinary projects on extreme heat. Her work ensures that research findings are translated into practical, meaningful, and cost-effective tools and guidance for municipalities, residents, and industry partners.
In her dual role as Managing Director, Operations, Dr. Bonada also oversees the Centre’s internal operations, including budgeting, human resources, institutional coordination, and program delivery. She works closely with the Head of the Centre aligning operational systems with strategic priorities and multi-year funding agreements, supporting the Centre’s mandate through both scientific and administrative leadership.
Dr. Bonada plays an active role in training municipal staff, co-op students, and early-career professionals, and has developed nationally distributed educational materials—including flood and wildfire protection guides adopted by major financial institutions and utilities.
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. Dr. Bonada serves on the National Research Council’s Resilient Residential Retrofit Advisory Committee, is Vice Chair of the Canadian Association of Professionals in Climate Change and is a member of the Task Group on Wildland Urban Interface for the 2030 National Model Codes.
Dr. Bonada is a frequent media spokesperson on climate science and adaptation.
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
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
Elizabeth Schutte, Oakville Home Flood Education and Protection Program Coordinator
Elizabeth is in her fourth year at the University of Waterloo where she is completing her undergraduate degree in Honours Environment, Resources and Sustainability while minoring in International Studies. Her previous work experience varies from Information processing at the MECP (Ministry of Environment, Resources and Sustainability), Compliance Promotion at ECCC (Environment, Climate Change Canada) to managing the Provincial Secondary Land Use Program at Infrastructure Ontario. Elizabeth loves to travel and has an interest in the different climate resilient strategies that are taking place around the world and their effectiveness in managing environmental changes.
Email: intactcentre.co-op@uwaterloo.ca