Webinar: Why Multifamily Recycling Fails

Lisa Kowalchuk – University of Guelph
LinkedIn: Lisa Kowalchuk

Lisa received her B.A. in Sociology at McMaster University, her M.A. in Sociology from McGill University, and her Ph.D. in Sociology from York University. She has been teaching at the University of Guelph since 2004. Her most recent research is a public sociology project on high-rise renters and household waste in the community of St. James Town, Toronto, with an environmental justice lens. This was conducted in collaboration with the St. James Town Community Corner. Her past projects have focused on the labour conditions of nurses in El Salvador and Nicaragua, and social movements in El Salvador related to land reform and neoliberal health-care restructuring. Issues of gender justice in the global south, are another area of interest, and have been a theme of several courses she has taught.

Bobby Bell – Boston Housing Authority


As Boston Housing Authority’s (BHA) Green Infrastructure Deployment Manager, Bobby Bell thrives on connecting with people, our environment, and our shared “human mission” – to make the world a bit better – each day. He has two decades of experience implementing sustainability programs and projects relating to energy, water and waste management, in both the public and private sector, domestically and abroad.

With a Master’s in Water Resource Management and combined experience in LEED certification, decarbonization, circular economy, and climate resilience, Bobby provides integrated resource management solutions across multiple industries. He is thrilled to be back in Boston, working toward a brighter future with BHA residents and beyond.

Mason Giem – City of SeaTac
LinkedIn: Mason Giem, MPA

Mason James Giem is a Public Works Programs Coordinator for the City of SeaTac, Washington, specializing in public administration, contract management, and resource conservation programs, including solid waste and recycling. With a Master of Public Administration from Seattle University, Mason has extensive experience planning, coordinating, and administering departmental programs, managing complex solid waste contracts with vendors like Recology, and overseeing professional consultant services.

Mason is skilled in budget development, grant application preparation, community outreach and education, and project management. Prior roles include serving as a Waste Zero Specialist at Recology CleanScapes, where they developed and delivered public education programs and acted as a primary contact for municipal staff, and as a Compost Outreach Program Manager for Washington State University. Mason leverages a background focused on social justice and environmental change to execute robust strategies for achieving business outcomes and targets.