Rita Steele

Rita Steele holds a decade of experience in the sustainability and climate change sector. As Simon Fraser University’s manager of sustainable operations, Rita guides, strategizes and co-designs SFU’s operational response to the climate crisis—leading the development of a net zero roadmap, setting science-based targets for the institution, and implementing university-wide initiatives related to climate mitigation and adaptation planning. Her work includes climate change consulting across university units and supporting departmental staff education and upskilling in preparation for the transition to net zero.

Rita also works as an independent consultant who supports companies and organizations in tackling sustainability and climate action challenges.

Her extensive community work includes championing youth climate policy engagement with the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers, contributing to the creation of Vancouver’s Climate Justice Charter, and recently launching an online network for BIPOC sustainability professionals. She also sits on numerous advisory committees with the City of Vancouver, the Burnaby Board of Trade, the Community Energy Association, the Canadian Collaboration for Sustainable Procurement, and the Vancouver Economic Commission on various aspects of climate action planning and increasing diversity in the sector.

She grew up on the ancestral and stolen lands of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations and has a deep connection to the land and communities here. Rita loves spending summer days outside hiking and camping through local trails and forests.