2022 PAC & UTAGA Award Recipients

Irena Frances Creed

Irena F. Creed (pronouns she/her) is a Canada Research Chair laureate, a professor and vice-principal research & innovation at the University of Toronto.

She has been producing field-leading water research for over two decades, and she is among the world’s most-cited female water scientists. Her interdisciplinary research combining hydrology, biogeochemistry, and ecology has led to scientific advances that underpin much of the water field today. She currently focuses on the effects of global changes, including climate warming and atmospheric pollution, on ecosystem function and services.

Irena has used her field-leading science to inform policy and management. For instance, she had a high-profile role as co-chair of the International Union of Forest Research Organization’s Global Forest Expert Panel on Forests and Water, a global initiative that produced a comprehensive assessment of scientific knowledge about the interactions between forests and water worldwide. Here, she advocated for the need to manage forests for both downstream and downwind water, particularly as nations use forestation strategies for mitigating the effects of climate change. Further, she has contributed to the Global Diplomacy Lab on Water Diplomacy 4.0, an initiative that brought together scientists and diplomats to better understand the obstacles and opportunities for creating a more just and equitable society.

Irena’s original research discoveries, documented in her over 200 peer-reviewed publications, have also resulted in invitations to give over 100 distinguished, keynote, or invited presentations in the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America.

Irena is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union, the recipient of an honorary doctorate, two international professorships, numerous awards and honors, and a true leader in our field. One award that stands out is the prestigious Bancroft Award from the Royal Society of Canada for her research and teaching in the Earth sciences that have contributed to public understanding and appreciation (this award was received first by Tuzo Wilson, with only one other female recipient out of 22 since its 1968 inception).

Matti Siemiatycki

Matti Siemiatycki is Director of the Infrastructure Institute and Professor of Geography and Planning at the University of Toronto. His work focuses on delivering large-scale infrastructure projects, evidence based infrastructure investment decisions, and the effective integration of infrastructure into the fabric of cities.

Amina Menkad

Amina Menkad is a long-range policy planner with the City of Mississauga. Her career spans the education and planning fields. Amina is a graduate of the Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design and holds a Masters degree in Planning from the University of Toronto. Amina’s areas of work include land use planning, equity, sustainable design and climate resilience. Amina enjoys working with students as a volunteer and as a mentor. She also supports graduating planning students as an external research, especially working on topics related to policy planning, equity and disability rights.

Sean Lee

Sean is part of the Development group with RioCan, where he directly manages mixed-use and master-planned communities within the City of Toronto, the GTA, and Alberta. He also oversees staff responsible for commercial site development; supports Asset Management and Operations teams as required across the portfolio; and supports industry advocacy efforts. Sean is a Registered Professional Planner with over 12 years in the land development industry who previously worked at several Toronto planning firms, in the municipal sector in Alberta, and with an NGO in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Sean holds a Master's degree in planning from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta.