New board members share a passion for sustainable building
This month, Passive House Canada welcomes three new directors to the Board of Directors, as well as three returning directors, Andrea Crum-Ewing, Rebecca Sorbara, and Sarah Borde.
The directors, who officially begin their tenure on January 1, 2025, were elected and confirmed at the Passive House Canada Annual General Meeting held on November 28, 2024. The Board of Directors is an oversight body that guides Passive House Canada in fulfilling its mission.
The new directors hail from diverse career backgrounds and interests but are unified by a passion for sustainable development and a desire to get involved.
Meet Passive House Canada’s Newest Directors
Michael Faustini
Michael Faustini, P.Eng., M.B.A.
Michael Faustini has 15 years of experience with Pomerleau, one of the largest builders in Canada. In his role as Project Director, Michael oversees large and complex construction projects with a particular focus on sustainability, including Passive House, Zero Carbon, and LEED buildings. Michael brings a construction, trades, and supply-chain lense to the current issues of our time, including national housing shortages and climate change. Having worked in two of Canada’s largest markets (Toronto and Montreal) and with a Real Estate- focused Masters in Business Administration, Michael bridges the gap between public policy, private sector investments, and “boots-on-the ground” practical realities of the construction industry.
Katerina Larson
Katerina Larson, GSC, LEED AP BD+C
Katerina is a seasoned project manager with over 18 years of experience, specializing in sustainable construction practices and Passive House design. Currently at Bird Construction, she is leading the groundbreaking development of Canada’s first 14-storey volumetric-steel modular structure, where she applies innovative energy-efficient strategies within a pre-fabricated approach. Having grown up immersed in European principles of sustainable design, Katerina is excited at the opportunity to advance the PHCI goals. Holding a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Czech Technical University in Prague, her expertise is further enhanced by certifications including Gold Seal Certified (GSC), Passive House Tradesperson, and LEED AP BD+C, demonstrating her commitment to high-performance building standards. With a proven track record in managing multimillion-dollar projects focused on sustainability, she is a recognized leader in the construction industry, dedicated to creating environmentally responsible and resilient structures.
Nyasha Harper-Michon
Nyasha Harper-Michon
Nyasha Harper-Michon is an ‘Archtivist’ dedicated to raising awareness, empowering others, and uncovering actionable solutions to accelerate the transition towards equitable, just, low-carbon, and regenerative built environments. She’s the Director of Programs at CP Planning, a Toronto-based non-profit focused on affordable housing and inclusive planning economies for marginalized communities. Her expertise spans sustainable architecture, strategic development, relationship building, and thought leadership namely as a LinkedIn Top Voice Green. Nyasha’s career includes founding board membership with WomenMakeTheCity, advising on DEI for the City of Amsterdam, and roles at firms like UNStudio and RAU, focused on sustainability and circular economy. A speaker at events such as the World Congress of Architects Copenhagen and the upcoming Smart City Expo World Congress Barcelona, she’s also collaborating with UNESCO Green Citizens, and featured in UNESCO Courier, UN-Habitat and on the UN Forest Podcast. As a Black, queer, Francophone newcomer and ‘Archtivist’, Nyasha brings a valuable perspective to advancing inclusive sustainable building practices in Canada.
