Cassandra Polyzou

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT CASSANDRA POLYZOU

I work to co-create tangible spaces grounded in social justice, decolonization, and anti-oppression approaches that ultimately disrupt systems of exclusion. I have over 20 years experience working in social justice and environmental sustainability, and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). As a queer cis-gender woman and a first generation Canadian with Greek and East Indian roots who works to translate marginalized experiences to a dominant audience, I understand the challenges of advocating for social justice, and of doing it well. Previously, I was the Manager for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at Engineers Canada, the national association of engineering regulators. I lead national programs to raise awareness of EDI issues with the goal of disrupting the culture of exclusion in the engineering profession using intersectional feminist and decolonial approaches. I developed a collective impact framework for the national 30 by 30 initiative, lead research on gender equity and Indigenous inclusion in engineering, as well as developing through consultation national EDI strategies. I previously coordinated the national campaign to ban Bisphenol A (BPA) in my role as the Toxic Nation Coordinator with Environmental Defence, which gave me valuable experience in engaging both policy makers and a broad public audience in order to affect the regulation of chemicals in consumer products. https://environmentaldefence.ca/report/report-toxic-baby-bottles-in-canada/ In my Master’s Degree in Cultural Analysis and Social Theory I focused on the intersections of identity and effective community organizing in translational Muslim feminist movements. I have experience in policy development, report writing, research design, and data analysis. I am an experienced facilitator, public speaker, and passionate advocate for collective, relational, and community based solutions to socio-economic and environmental challenges. I am looking to connect with like-minded change agents who are working to create new, non-transactional pathways to social justice and sustainability! Feel free to reach out and connect.