Play Forward Workshop
BMO Auditorium Room 1100 (3:30pm-5:00pm)
Ottawa’s first B-corp, Rocket Owl wants you to clean up trash in the eco-social game GreenSpace. Winners get real trees. Founder and COO, Jas Obhi leads a live case that explains how social gaming can change our world. Jas had been heavily involved in alternative energy sector, especially solar energy, and now sees nothing but sunshine in the next generation of environmentally-minded mobile gaming apps.
Who said social innovation can’t be fun? Certainly not the guy behind The Natural Step Canada’s IMPACT! Sustainability Champions Training program. Expert facilitator, youth social entrepreneur launcher, and fun-enthusiast Josh Snider will engage delegates in a series of laugh-inducing, mind-bending, and network-building activities to help break down barriers and build up social innovation capacities. Trained in the Art of Hosting, Josh will share his passion for the power of play and show how learning can be achieved more effectively with a dash of creativity and a splash of smiles. (Shh… don’t tell your profs.)
Jasvinder Obhi
Chief Operating Officer, RocketOwl
Dr. Obhi is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of combined R&D and senior management experience. His contributions have had a high impact in a variety of industries, including the telecommunications, biometric-based security, and sustainable development sectors. Dr. Obhi formerly held the positions of CEO for BlueBear Networks, Inc. and CTO at IMC Security, Inc. After leaving JDS Uniphase in 2004, Jasvinder formed Strategian Inc., primarily focused on sustainable technology. Dr. Obhi previously held the position of Chief Strategy Officer at Sunlogics, an innovative company that designs solar energy systems in the Alternative Energy Industry. Before joining Sunlogics, he was also Vice President of Project Development at Plasco Energy Group. As a Chartered Physicist with the Institute of Physics and member of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), Dr. Obhi holds a PhD in Physics from University of London, UK and has over 50 publications along with several patents in the telecom field.
Josh Snider
The Natural Step Canada
After leading communications and fundraising for the organization since 2010, he jumped into the driver seat of the IMPACT! Sustainability Champions Training program in 2012. This inspiring program is a high-impact initiative that builds the capacity of young leaders to act strategically to address the environmental, social, and economic challenges facing their communities. Participants deepen their sustainability understanding, enhance their confidence as leaders, and are empowered to develop or advance meaningful sustainability projects and social enterprises.
Josh now leads unique collaborative programming for students across Canada who are passionate about sustainability and want to make a tangible difference in their communities. He has also been invited to deliver stimulating guest workshops, lectures, and keynote presentations on youth sustainability leadership at a growing number of universities, including McGill University, Carleton University, University of Ottawa, University of Toronto, Queen's University, and University of Waterloo.
In addition, Josh is helping to manage The Natural Step Canada’s 2nd annual Accelerate: Collaborating for Sustainability Conference, and continues to support the organization through communications, fund development, and strategic partnerships.
Josh studied political science, global studies, and business at Wilfrid Laurier University, and has a diverse set of experiences working in the non-profit, government, and corporate sectors. As a volunteer, he is actively involved in grassroots environmental, youth, and health campaigns. When he’s not trying to save the planet, Josh leads an active lifestyle, including a healthy dose of sports, paddling, camping, skiing, and hiking. He also enjoys travelling, live music, and reading (especially in his hammock).