“Nicole is someone who has purpose and impact encoded in her DNA. In the three years we've worked together at Carbon Counts, Nicole has not only been critical in leading our impact efforts, but she is also beloved by everyone who works with her for her kindness, generosity of spirit, caring for others, and commitment to make a difference. Nicole was the first to join the founders and was instrumental in getting Carbon Counts (and thus EverForest) off the ground. Her network of amazing talent (and great people) is vast and well-earned. She played a key role in setting up our Canadian operations, bringing the first teammates on board, and helping us establish the original business model and strategic direction of the company. Thanks to Nicole -- and the amazing partners in Africa that she found and expertly vetted -- we have already planted just under 2M trees and have the operational capacity scale our efforts to the many millions. She and I spent 10 days in east Africa and her ability to build relationships and connect deeply with anyone, anywhere is a function of her overall talents, her integrity, and her deep humanity. Relationships are sometimes under-appreciated and yet are absolutely critical in the business world -- and Nicole is world-class at building and nurturing them. Carbon Counts is now a Certified B Corp and Nicole led that process from beginning to end. This meant not only managing the highly rigorous approval process, but ensuring that we had all the necessary pieces in place organizationally to merit the honor. I am deeply grateful to Nicole for everything she has done for Carbon Counts and look forward to a lifelong friendship with someone I deeply respect and admire.”
About
Compassionate, Inspirational Leader | Bringing strategic plans to drive triple-bottom-line growth and scale purpose-driven enterprises sustainably. Expertise and experience in new tech and tech-driven business building. Driven to bring together talented, cross-functional, high achieving teams to meet and exceed goals. A servant leader who brings inspiration, rallying teams around strategic vision and direction, fostering an inclusive, action-oriented, purpose-driven team culture.
ESG (environment, social & governance) and Sustainability Expert | Developing and executing strategic, multi-faceted, award-winning, impact-first sustainability and business strategies, programs and campaigns; converting company philanthropic programs, ESG, net zero and sustainability aspirations into actionable plans that deliver impact while building profit.
Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement | Experienced at forging new and strengthening existing strategic partnerships and alliances with all levels of governments, indigenous peoples, community stakeholders, businesses and NGOs to drive collective impact. Assesses needs and builds B2B relationships to support purpose-driven businesses, ESG and sustainability initiatives.
Launching and Scaling | High-energy and action-oriented, known for taking organizations and signature programs from inception to scale, ensuring long-term success and massive impact.
Activity
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How can research, policy, and local communities collaborate to restore ecosystems and revive our planet? Hear from field experts Sangita Sharma from…
How can research, policy, and local communities collaborate to restore ecosystems and revive our planet? Hear from field experts Sangita Sharma from…
Liked by Nicole Rustad
Experience
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Education
Licenses & Certifications
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Certificate in Corporate Community Involvement Management
Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship
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Volunteer Experience
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Director
Accelerate Okanagan
- Present 6 years 1 month
Science and Technology
Accelerate Okanagan’s (AO) is a technology and innovation hub for entrepreneurs throughout the Central Okanagan. AO supports tech and innovation entrepreneurship by delivering unique programming for all stages of growth. Each stage of the entrepreneurial process demands a different set of tools and AO is constantly iterating in an effort to meet these needs. Regardless of stage or company development, AO mentors and programs help navigate the entrepreneurial journey.
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Business Mentor
Accelerate Okanagan
- 1 year
Science and Technology
Advising tech entrepreneurs on strategies to integrate market-based approaches for solving global environmental and social problems, the opportunity for tech to solve social and environmental challenges, sustainability, creating a purpose-first social enterprise, NGOs, corporate social responsibility, strategic philanthropy, and cause marketing.
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Past-President & Co-Founder
Mamawapowin Technology Society
- 3 years 8 months
Science and Technology
Mamawapowin Technology Society brings accessible online connectivity and technology opportunities to marginalized indigenous communities. Our goal goes far beyond traditional online connectivity. Our end game is to provide sustainable connectivity and access to technology education and economic opportunities to rural and First Nations communities across Canada. Ultimately, to help empower all communities to uncover the power found in innovation and technology.
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Guest Lecturer / Keynote
Okanagan College
- 8 years 4 months
Education
Guest lecturer to business students on using market-based approaches to solving environmental and social problems, the intersection of tech and social change, sustainability, social enterprise, NGOs, corporate social responsibility, strategic philanthropy, and cause marketing.
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Guest Lecturer
Kinship Conservation Fellows
- 3 years
Environment
Guest lecturer to global conservation leaders on the implementation of market-based approaches to solving environmental problems.
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Strategic Advisor and Community Mobilizer
Free The Children
- 8 years 9 months
Children
Advisor to founders and team.
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Guest Lecturer
The University of British Columbia
- 2 years 1 month
Health
Guest lecturer to Nursing students regarding Public Health in developing countries and impoverished rural communities.
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Organizer & Community Mobilizer
Global Citizen Week Kelowna
- 4 years
Poverty Alleviation
Annually chaired the keynote event of the week engaging the community to come out, be inspired and take action to make a difference. Led public relations efforts and communications by securing online, radio and television support. Also assisted with organizing a Global School House experience for Grade 6 students in the community and helped with overall planning of the week. http://www.globalcitizenkelowna.org/
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Advisor
Nawalakw Healing Society
- 3 years 9 months
Economic Empowerment
Advised founder, K’odi Nelson and his team on the sustainable development and strategic plan of the Nawalakw Healing Society.
Projects
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Club Penguin | Earth Month Initiative with DisneyNature
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See projectIn collaboration with the Disneynature team, Disney's Conservation Fund, and non-profit conservation partners, we incorporated Earth Month actions to trigger donations to conservation through an initiative we implemented in Disney Club Penguin and Disney Club Penguin Island. This program has inspired millions of kids globally to take action both online and in their own community globally. Over $1M+ to conservation…
In collaboration with the Disneynature team, Disney's Conservation Fund, and non-profit conservation partners, we incorporated Earth Month actions to trigger donations to conservation through an initiative we implemented in Disney Club Penguin and Disney Club Penguin Island. This program has inspired millions of kids globally to take action both online and in their own community globally. Over $1M+ to conservation programs.
https://www.clubpenguinisland.com/2017/04/celebrate-earth-month-club-penguin-island/ -
Hour of Code
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See projectManaging leader and co-Executive Producer of the Disney Hour of Code effort working with Code.org, multiple non-profit organizations, companies, and Disney teams globally to connect millions of people around the world to computer science.
Drove collaboration and program of multi-disciplinary teams across Disney from tech, production, public relations, marketing, synergy, finance, community outreach internally. Worked with multiple community partners, non-profits (NGO), and corporate…Managing leader and co-Executive Producer of the Disney Hour of Code effort working with Code.org, multiple non-profit organizations, companies, and Disney teams globally to connect millions of people around the world to computer science.
Drove collaboration and program of multi-disciplinary teams across Disney from tech, production, public relations, marketing, synergy, finance, community outreach internally. Worked with multiple community partners, non-profits (NGO), and corporate alliance partners to further computer science education.
Led the creation of computer science programs and digital tutorials, Hour of Code and STEM/STEAM events. Oversaw grants to non-profit organizations in STEM including a grant to Code.org for piloting after-school computer science education reaching thousands of youth across the United States.
Led simultaneous events in major cities globally across Disney network and with corporate alliance partners. Created with team skills-based volunteer programs for employees and worked with digital teams internally to implement social media and digital/web platform support to increase participation globally.
40M+ have tried a Disney Hour of Code tutorial to date. -
Coins For Change
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See projectExecutive Producer of this 10-year, annual campaign engaging kids 8-12 in the virtual world of Club Penguin. Worked with multi-disciplinary teams globally to engage millions of kids in 196 countries to help make a difference. The first real DAO!
Vetted charitable projects that spanned the globe in the areas of conservation, health and education. Since inception, over $15 million given to charitable projects in over 40 countries globally helping 200K+ children annually and 15 endangered…Executive Producer of this 10-year, annual campaign engaging kids 8-12 in the virtual world of Club Penguin. Worked with multi-disciplinary teams globally to engage millions of kids in 196 countries to help make a difference. The first real DAO!
Vetted charitable projects that spanned the globe in the areas of conservation, health and education. Since inception, over $15 million given to charitable projects in over 40 countries globally helping 200K+ children annually and 15 endangered species.
Honors & Awards
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BDC Woman of the Year - Finalist
Kelowna Women in Business (KWIB)
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Gold Halo Award - Best Education Program
Engage For Good
Gold Halo Award for Best Education Campaign: Focused on an educational issue such as supporting teachers with materials for the classroom or supplementing under-funded programs like art or music while providing a strategic advantage to the involved business.
Working with Code.org, a non-profit dedicated to teaching children to code, since 2014, we created one-hour tutorials that have helped 45+ million students globally try coding. In 2016, the Hour of Code tutorial featured "Moana".…Gold Halo Award for Best Education Campaign: Focused on an educational issue such as supporting teachers with materials for the classroom or supplementing under-funded programs like art or music while providing a strategic advantage to the involved business.
Working with Code.org, a non-profit dedicated to teaching children to code, since 2014, we created one-hour tutorials that have helped 45+ million students globally try coding. In 2016, the Hour of Code tutorial featured "Moana". The 2017 tutorial featured Rey & BB8 from "The Force Awakens" and the inaugural Disney Hour of Code featured Anna & Elsa from "Frozen".
http://engageforgood.com/halo-award/moana/ -
Silver Halo Award
Engage For Good
Silver Halo Award for Best Digital Engagement: Focused on how effectively and comprehensively a campaign utilizes digital platforms to engage a community around a cause marketing campaign, including effectively using mobile technologies. For example, using Facebook to generate interest, awareness and donations for a cause and drive coupon redemption for the business involved.
Working with Code.org, a non-profit dedicated to teaching children to code, since 2014, we created one-hour…Silver Halo Award for Best Digital Engagement: Focused on how effectively and comprehensively a campaign utilizes digital platforms to engage a community around a cause marketing campaign, including effectively using mobile technologies. For example, using Facebook to generate interest, awareness and donations for a cause and drive coupon redemption for the business involved.
Working with Code.org, a non-profit dedicated to teaching children to code, since 2014, we created one-hour tutorials that have helped 45+ million students globally try coding. In 2016, the Hour of Code tutorial featured "Moana". The 2017 tutorial featured Rey & BB8 from "The Force Awakens" and the inaugural Disney Hour of Code featured Anna & Elsa from "Frozen".
http://engageforgood.com/halo-award/moana-digital-2/ -
Top 40 over 40
Kelowna Chamber of Commerce | Kelowna Daily Courier | BDO
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Cynopsis Social Good Award
Cynopsis Media
Kids Nonprofit/Corporate Partnership
Winner: Disney Interactive – Hour of Code
Disney and Code.org’s computer science tutorial featuring heroines Anna and Elsa the film Frozen kicked off the annual Hour of Code campaign to spark interest in computer science among children ages K-12, particularly girls who are highly underrepresented in the field. To reach a global audience, the tutorial was translated into 36 languages and was available in every country, free of…Kids Nonprofit/Corporate Partnership
Winner: Disney Interactive – Hour of Code
Disney and Code.org’s computer science tutorial featuring heroines Anna and Elsa the film Frozen kicked off the annual Hour of Code campaign to spark interest in computer science among children ages K-12, particularly girls who are highly underrepresented in the field. To reach a global audience, the tutorial was translated into 36 languages and was available in every country, free of cost.
http://www.cynopsis.com/event/2016-sga-results/ -
VoluntEAR Team of the Year for North America - Kelowna Studio
The Walt Disney Company
Awarded to The Walt Disney Studio with the most engaged and impactful team through their volunteer efforts in their local and global community.
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Volunteer Service Award
Corporation for National & Community Service
The President's Volunteer Service Award, presented by the Corporation for National and Community Service in recognition and appreciation for commitment to strengthening the Nation and for making a difference through volunteer service in the United States of America.
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Volunteer Service Award
Corporation for National & Community Service
The President's Volunteer Service Award, presented by the Corporation for National and Community Service in recognition and appreciation for commitment to strengthening the Nation and for making a difference through volunteer service in the United States of America.
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Woman of Distinction, Community Leadership - Finalist
YM-YMCA Okanagan
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Senatorship
Junior Chamber International (JCI)
https://www.jcicanada.com/senate
Languages
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English
Full professional proficiency
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French
Elementary proficiency
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Spanish
Elementary proficiency
Organizations
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ACCO (Association of Climate Change Professionals)
Member
- PresentThe Climate Change Community of Practice ACCO is the premier professional development organization and cross-sector community of practice for individuals addressing climate change in their organizations’ operations and mission. ACCO membership fosters collaboration with leading edge practitioners, policy makers, climate scientists and researchers to advance solutions and build capacity in addressing climate change.
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International Society of Sustainability Professionals
Member
- PresentThe International Society of Sustainability Professionals is the world’s leading network of sustainability professionals. We work together to provide the community, training, and tools needed to meet goals and create sustainable change.
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The Circular Economy Club
Member
- PresentThe Circular Economy Club (CEC) is the non-profit arm of its parent organization, the Circular Economy Institute (CEI). CEC is the international network of the circular economy field, including professionals and organizations with CEC local clubs around the world.
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