Kelsey Leonard, Professor at University of Waterloo, Ontario

Dr. Kelsey Leonard is a water scientist, legal scholar, policy expert, and enrolled citizen of the Shinnecock Nation. She is an Assistant Professor in School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability at the University of Waterloo and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Waters, Climate and Sustainability. Her work focuses on Indigenous water justice and its climatic, territorial, and governance underpinnings for our shared sustainable future. Dr. Leonard represents the Shinnecock Nation on the Mid-Atlantic Committee on the Ocean, which is charged with protecting America's ocean ecosystems and coastlines. She also serves as a member of the Great Lakes Water Quality Board of the International Joint Commission. Dr. Leonard has been instrumental in safeguarding the interests of Indigenous Nations for environmental planning, and builds Indigenous science and knowledge into new solutions for sustainable water and ocean governance.