Who Are We?

Michèle has been leading strategic, school-wide climate and nature action focused on a thriving, regenerative future since 2018. In 2020 she co-founded DoorNumberOne.org and launched the Climate Action Accelerator Program (CAAP), now in its 5th year.  Prior to DoorNumberOne.org, Michèle spent 18 years in independent schools including as a senior administrator, a Head of School (10 years), Board Member and Board Chair. She has a Bachelor of Commerce from Queen’s University and a Masters in Education from OISE/University of Toronto. Since 2018 she has been studying and practicing regenerative leadership and action through professional learning and accreditation with Living Future, the Regenesis Institute and Thoughtbox Education, three innovative global organizations working in K12 and other sectors to build new pathways to a thriving future for all.

In her leisure time she is an avid gardener, canner and knitter, and loves to sing in her local community choir.

Danielle is the director of Paedagogia Inc., a company offering consulting services in the expanding sustainability/climate education sector. Over the last three decades, her work has spanned a wide range of services including planning and facilitation of professional development, development and implementation of whole-school sustainability programs and student leadership programs, creation of pedagogical guides for documentaries and global education programs, as well as teaching, coaching and mentoring in the field of sustainability education.

Stephanie Foster, President of Fostering Sustainability, works with independent schools and Colleges to help them understand how they can contribute to addressing climate change and global environmental challenges by integrating the principles of sustainable development into their facilities and operations, academics and community. Stephanie has over 25 years experience in strategic planning for environmental sustainability and climate action, policy development and project management, in academic, non-governmental, private and public sectors. 

Liz has 35+ years experience in independent school teaching and sustainability work, including 18 years as the Director of Sustainability at Princeton Day School in New Jersey. Founder of OASIS NJ Schools. Artist, speaker and passionate advocate for climate action in schools.

Liz Cutler began the whole school sustainability initiative at Princeton Day School in 2005 and, together with faculty, staff, administration, student, and parent partners, built a thriving program integrating facilities, institutional behavior, and curriculum: PDS Sustainability  In her time at PDS, the school achieved the following milestones: U.S. Dept. of Education Green Ribbon School, Eco-Schools Green Flag Award, Gold-Level River-Friendly School Certification, 4-Star Certification from the Green Restaurant Association, School Garden of the Year, Kiwi Magazine Crusaders Award for Excellence in School Meals, Winner National Green Cup Challenge. She retired in 2022 after 37 years at Princeton Day School.

In 2008, Liz founded OASIS (Organizing Action on Sustainability In Schools), which has grown to be a 50- school non-profit consortium working to improve sustainability in all NJ schools with chapters in central and northern NJ. OASIS Schools

Liz has worked on the Boards of Friends of Princeton Open Space, Sustainable Princeton, and on the planning committee for the Princeton Environmental Film Festival. She has presented at NJAIS, NAIS, Green Schools Summit, consulted with school sustainability programs all over the country, and served as the Master Teacher at The Island School.

​Liz’s work has been recognized nationally, including: Sustainable Princeton Leadership Award, National Garden Club of America Elizabeth Abernathy Hull Award, Richard Rotter Award for Excellence in Environmental Education. 

Deb has a career in media & communications and has worked with Global Television News, and Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University). As a Communications Consultant Deb works with environmental and cultural organizations, Indigenous groups, sustainable travel companies and magazines. Deb earned the (GSTC) Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism, and holds a Masters of Art in Media Studies from York University. Deb works to support the environment through her role as a volunteer Director with the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network.

Ellen is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at Lakehead University. Her research interests are in policy and practice of climate change education in the Canadian K-12 system. She teaches Environmental Education (B.Ed) and Climate Change Education (M.Ed) in the Faculty of Education, and has engaged hundreds of in-service teachers in professional development workshops. Ellen is an Associate Editor of the Canadian Journal of Environmental Education and co-chair of the Canadian Regional Hub of Monitoring and Evaluation of Climate Change Education (MECCE).

Ellen has been recently contracted by UNESCO as an author of the Greening Education Guidelines, a policy framework for countries to follow when integrating climate change education into curriculum. Dr. Field is an experienced Tri-Council Agency grant holder; she is (or has been) principal investigator on the following grants: 1) a SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2020 – 2022) entitled, Educational Policy and Practice in an Age of Climate Uncertainty, 2) a SSHRC Connections grant (2021- 2022) entitled Responsive Education: youth-adult allyship and pedagogies for transformation,, 3) a SSHRC postdoc fellowship which resulted in a comprehensive and unprecedented dataset on climate change education in Canada.

Todd brings a lifetime of experience “opening doors” of possibility with his background in alternative education, environmental action and engagement of people of all ages. He is currently the Project Manager at the Maitland Tower site, coordinating all Living Building Challenge renovation and restoration projects, and sharing his passion and knowledge in deep green buildings.

Philip is a passionate conservationist, electrical engineer, clean tech entrepreneur and philanthropist. He leads with his actions; decades of leadership in environmental stewardship and clean tech at home, work and in his community, and always an early adopter and promoter of practices to make the world a better place. He is the owner of Maitland Tower, a registered Living Community Challenge project and demonstration of deep green building, land and water restoration.

Alan has an extensive background in strategic planning and governance and has served as a dedicated member on several not-for-profit Boards, including service as Chair of the Conference of Independent Schools of Ontario Board and as a Regional Adviser on the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools Board. In addition to being Board Secretary and a director of DoorNumberOne.org, he acts as an advisor to the CAAP program.

Currently semi-retired in Kingston after four decades of legal practice, he has shifted his focus to environmental causes and is a director on the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network Board and a member of SCAN! (Seniors for Climate Action Now). He also serves on the Board of the Kingston Yacht Club.