Niharika Bandaru
Amhertsburg
Summary
Accomplished environmental professional with a strong background in climate policy development, sustainability planning, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy. Driven to promote social equity, ensure environmental protection, and drive systemic change through innovative climate solutions. Currently pursuing P.Eng and PMP licensure to enhance expertise and contribute to impactful projects in the field.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
SUSTAINABILITY CATALYST
Town of Innisfil
01.2021 - 01.2024
- Company Overview: Lead the development and implementation of the Integrated Sustainability Master Plan focusing on climate mitigation, adaptation, and operational sustainability strategies
- Managed cross-functional teams and department inputs to integrate sustainability priorities into municipal infrastructure, transportation, and development projects
- Provided strategic support to senior management embedding sustainability-focused initiatives into existing policies (e.g
- Official Plan, Community Strategic Plan, Community Planning Permit System, Engineering Standards) and created frameworks for new initiatives (e.g
- Green Development Standards, Community Energy Plan)
- Steered feasibility analyses for District Energy Systems in upcoming Transit-Oriented Developments
- Integrated circular economy and food security initiatives to enhance operational sustainability and community resilience
- Introduced annual Earth Day celebrations and supported the development of the Innisfil Sustainability Advisory Committee
- Lead the development and implementation of the Integrated Sustainability Master Plan focusing on climate mitigation, adaptation, and operational sustainability strategies
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FOUNDER
Windsor of Change
01.2017 - Current
- Company Overview: Lead a community-based climate change education nonprofit/NGO to engage Windsor-Essex region residents, businesses, and stakeholders on regional climate change and environmental issues
- Develop and manage partnerships with organizations and sponsors to support sustainability projects and events
- Oversee board meetings, guest speaker engagements, and climate-related educational programs
- Lead a community-based climate change education nonprofit/NGO to engage Windsor-Essex region residents, businesses, and stakeholders on regional climate change and environmental issues
CANADIAN CO-CHAIR, CCAWG
Great Lakes Water Quality Board
02.2021 - Current
- Facilitate binational collaboration between Canadian and U.S. water experts to address climate challenges in Great Lakes watersheds as volunteer Canadian Co-Chair of the Climate Change Adaptation Working Group (CCAWG)
- Contribute to research, development, and practitioner engagement to the "Climate Change Adaptation Guide & Toolkit," providing actionable strategies for Great Lakes communities bi-nationally
- As a member of the International Joint Commission’s GLWQB, continuously provide input on policy development, GLWQB mandates and water management issues
CLIMATE CHANGE ANALYST
Town of Essex
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Company Overview: Developed a Community and Corporate Climate Change Adaptation Plan, through key milestones progressing from baseline climate analyses through strategy and KPI creation
- Lead collaborations, consultations and training workshops with regional stakeholders (International Joint Commission, Essex Region Conservation Authority, County of Essex, Enbridge Gas, etc.), public, and Town staff
- Served as a Community Task Force member advising the creation of a county-wide Regional Energy Plan
- Chaired and coordinated the Essex Climate Adaptation Team to obtain community stakeholder insights
- Developed a Community and Corporate Climate Change Adaptation Plan, through key milestones progressing from baseline climate analyses through strategy and KPI creation
TECHNICAL SPECIALIST - REGULATORY ANALYSIS
TRQSS Inc.
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Company Overview: Conducted and published research on the usability of various automotive safety related technologies
- Developed action plans and executed benchmarking activity on competitor seatbelt products and technologies
- Tracked and reported regulations on active and passive automotive safety from various industry groups
- Trained staff on US, European, and Global safety rating procedures and their relevant applications to their daily work
- Conducted and published research on the usability of various automotive safety related technologies
Education
Certificate - Project Management
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
03.2025
Master of Science - Environmental Science & Policy
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
12-2020
Bachelor of Applied Sciences [Honours] - Environmental Engineering
UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR
10-2013
Skills
- Qualified ENVISION Specialist
- Data Management Expertise
- Comprehensive Research Skills
- Analytical Data Skills
- Performance Monitoring
- Effective Science Communication
- Community Outreach Education and Engagement
Speaking Engagements
- News Guest - Climate group Windsor of Change reacts to election results, CBC Windsor Morning, 01/01/25
- Panelist - Careers in Environmental Policy, Johns Hopkins University, 01/01/24
- Panelist - Sustainability Leadership Roots: Growing Climate Solutions, Johns Hopkins University, 01/01/24
- Guest Lecturer - Communicating Climate Change, Johns Hopkins University, 01/01/24
- Radio Guest - How is climate change showing itself in our region?, Windsor Morning, CBC Radio, 01/01/24
- Radio Guest - What these heat waves say about La Nina, Windsor Morning, CBC Radio, 01/01/24
- Guest Lecturer - Climate Change: Road to 2050, Johns Hopkins University, 01/01/23
- Guest Lecturer and Subject Matter Expert - Sustainability - From What to How, Johns Hopkins University, 01/01/23
- Presenter - Climate Change in Windsor-Essex, Rotary Club of Windsor 1918, 01/01/23
- Panelist - Careers in Sustainability, UWill Discover Sustainable Futures Conference, University of Windsor, 01/01/23
- Presenter - Climate Change, Housing and Municipal Action, 3rd Collingwood World Summit, 01/01/22
- Presenter - A Usability Study of Seatbelt Compatibility with Elderly Occupants, 26th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles Proceedings, 01/01/19
- Presenter - A Usability Study of Seatbelt Compatibility with Booster Seats, 25th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles Proceedings, 01/01/17
Publications
- Sustainable Innisfil: Integrated Sustainability Master Plan for the Town of Innisfil, Town of Innisfil, 10/01/24
- Climate Ready: A Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Town of Essex, Town of Essex, 02/01/21
- A Usability Study of Seatbelt Compatibility with Elderly Occupants, Bandaru, N., Sarros, C., & Latour, A., 26th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles Proceedings, Eindhoven, Netherlands, 06/01/19
- A Usability Study of Seatbelts in Conjunction with Booster Seats, Bandaru, N., Sarros, C., & Latour, A., 25th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles Proceedings, Detroit, Michigan, USA, 06/01/17
Timeline
CANADIAN CO-CHAIR, CCAWG
Great Lakes Water Quality Board
02.2021 - Current
SUSTAINABILITY CATALYST
Town of Innisfil
01.2021 - 01.2024
CLIMATE CHANGE ANALYST
Town of Essex
01.2019 - 01.2021
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FOUNDER
Windsor of Change
01.2017 - Current
TECHNICAL SPECIALIST - REGULATORY ANALYSIS
TRQSS Inc.
01.2015 - 01.2019
Certificate - Project Management
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Master of Science - Environmental Science & Policy
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Applied Sciences [Honours] - Environmental Engineering
UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR
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