Rain It In provides a unique experiential learning opportunity for students where they can take the knowledge and skills they are developing through their education and apply it to a real-world problem affecting our communities.
Through our mentorship program, students can network with industry professionals and learn about different career paths in the water space.
In supporting students with the transition from ideas to entrepreneurship and product commercialization, we are creating new career opportunities and ultimately implementing solutions that will positively impact our communities and the environment.
Rain It In welcomes new supporting organizations. The more assistance and resources available, the more we can promote and support the development and implementation of real solutions to problems in our communities. By providing students with the resources and guidance necessary for success, we believe we can make a strong impact!
Please contact inquiries@rainitinsc.com with any questions or to discuss individualized support opportunities.
![Mentorship [Tobin]](https://rainitinsc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/rainitin-_0005_tobin.jpg)
![Mentorship [GTG]](https://rainitinsc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/rainitin-_0004_gtg.jpg)
![Mentorship [Planet Healers]](https://rainitinsc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/rainitin-_0003_planethealers.jpg)
![Mentorship [Veolia]](https://rainitinsc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/rainitin-_0002_veolia.jpg)
![Mentorship [Arcadis]](https://rainitinsc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/rainitin-_0001_arcadis.jpg)
![Mentorship [Northbridge]](https://rainitinsc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/rainitin-_0000_northbridge.jpg)
Katherine works with business leaders to achieve cleaner water, cleaner air, improved biodiversity and climate resiliency with ALUS Canada. ALUS Canada is a national charitable organization that supports farmers and ranchers to use their land in an alternative way to produce natural capital.
Prior to joining ALUS, Katherine led a national multimedia trade publication, Water Canada and the program of the Canadian Water Summit and Water’s Next awards. She has held leadership roles at Canadian Water Network, Grand River Conservation Authority and the former National Roundtable on the Environment and Economy. She holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies from York University, a Bachelor of Journalism from Ryerson University and a certificate in Water Management and Wetland Restoration from the University of Guelph.
Paul is a partner at the accelerator and incubator Metaii AI, which focuses on advanced artificial intelligence and SaaS-based start-ups. He has been a serial entrepreneur and active in the Toronto start-up scene for the past decade. His current position oversees day-to-day operations for Metaii including developing strategic, operational, sales and revenue plans. Most recently he worked with OYO Rooms, a top 25 worldwide startup by valuation, expanding and developing sales strategy into Canada.
He has successfully assisted dozens of companies to launch, investment and sustainability over the last ten years. He brings his experience in partnership generation and internal processes to Rain It In to connect their mission to as many companies, governments and individuals as possible.
At Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA), Numair is responsible for facilitating all plant optimization, major maintenance, civil and operational projects for Lorne Park Water Treatment Plant (LPWTP). At the Ontario Association of Sewage Industry Services (OASIS) he manages the operations, financial outlook and strategic business objectives of the Association and acts as a liason between various government agencies and OASIS members to ensure all industry specialists are in compliance with various regulatory requirements.
Numair holds an Honors Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry and a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering. He has held progressive roles in South Peel Transmission, Compliance/Optimization and Operations. Previously, Numair was the Project Manager for the Water Research and Innovation Network (WRAIN) project with the City of Kawartha Lakes, where he successfully implemented a number of pilot projects for water, wastewater and recreational water optimization and commercialization with new Ontario water companies.
Eric Meliton is the Manager of the Sustainability Office at Wilfrid Laurier University. Eric is a thought leader and industry conduit with over 15 years of strategic experience, which includes analyzing cleantech trends, execution of corporate social responsibility objectives, and strengthening of stakeholder and governmental relationships. Eric’s role is to provide sustainability leadership in a collaborative, multi-campus environment in Waterloo, Brantford, Kitchener, Toronto, and Milton. The Sustainability Office supports the exceptional students, employees, researchers, and educators to maintain Laurier’s reputation as a sustainability leader and a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact.
Founder and Director
Ellen is a Senior Operator/Mechanic with the Ontario Clean Water Agency and the Marketing Manager at the Ontario Association of Sewage Industry Services. She has been an active volunteer in the water space since 2017, volunteering with the Canadian Water Network, Waterlution, and the Water Environment Association of Ontario. Through Waterlution, she participated in Water Innovation Labs in Canada and Australia and completed their H2O Global Leadership Training. She is a graduate of the Water Environment Federation’s 2019 Water Leadership Institute and is currently a member of the Walkerton Clean Water Centre’s Board of Directors. She is the recipient of Durham College’s 2020 Alumni of Distinction Award and two OCWAmarine awards for Citizenship (2016) and Leadership (2019).
Student Coordinator
Amy is a Water/ Wastewater Engineer in Training at AECOM, based in Kitchener, Ontario. She is passionate about global and local water issues such as access to clean drinking water, sanitary systems, climate change resiliency, and it’s projected impacts on vulnerable communities. Amy completed her Undergraduate degree in Environmental Engineering (Water Resources option) and a Master's degree in Civil Engineering (Collaborative Water Program) at the University of Waterloo, where she focused on source water protection. Specifically, her research focused on fine sediment contributions to cyanobacterial (blue green algae) blooms in drinking water reservoirs. Amy brings a unique perspective with her diverse experiences in the water sector from research in an academic and start-up setting to working with international organizations. Amy also has participated in volunteer initiatives related to water conservation, and similarly to Ellen, attended the Water Innovation Lab in Australia. Amy is a strong proponent of innovative, transdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary solutions for complex water problems.