The Team
Our story
Nets for Net Zero was founded in 2021 by three passionate, experienced, and motivated experts coming from different backgrounds working together to protect the ocean : Nina Lantinga, an experience as a multidisciplinary systems thinker; Emily Charry Tissier, with her experience working in coastal and arctic ecosystems; and Marcela Quintero Aguirre, with her consulting services specialized in helping impact-driven organizations amplify their reach.
In its early days, Nets for Net Zero was introduced to a unique regenerated nylon made in part with recycled ghost fishing gear. Research on repurposing recycled plastic from ghost fishing gear into circular functional goods outside textiles followed.
Today, Nets for Net Zero invests in research and innovative technologies to bridge the gaps in knowledge surrounding ghost fishing gear; connects ghost gear recycling solutions with buyers that can turn raw material into useful circular goods; and uses its platform to raise awareness about the ghost fishing gear problem, advocate for circular economies and assist companies in becoming more sustainable through supply chain consulting.
The Team
Hailing from very different backgrounds but with a similar goal, Nets for Net Zero was founded by three passionate, experienced, and motivated ocean lovers working to protect it.
Nina Lantinga
As president and co-founder of Nets for Net Zero, Nina designs circular systems to address abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear. With extensive experience in building circular systems, she ensures high standards of social and environmental performance. As Canada's delegate to the G20 Young Entrepreneur Alliance, she develops policy recommendations to support young entrepreneurs and advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Emily Charry Tissier
Emily is a biologist with 20 years of experience working in coastal and arctic ecosystems. Passionate about working with multidisciplinary teams and sustainable growth, she is the co-founder and CEO of Whale Seeker, Certified B Corporation® and Techstars Montréal AI 2020 company.
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Véronique Simoneau
Director of Operations and Communications
Véronique is an experienced and strategic-minded professional leading our efforts in research and communication within the plastics circular economy.
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Isabelle Bujold
Project Coordinator
As project coordinator, Isabelle plays a key role in supporting our research initiatives within the plastics circular economy.
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Purnank Shah
Technical Research Coordinator
Purnank is a motivated and detail-oriented Technical Research Coordinator, playing a pivotal role in our mission for a sustainable future.
Research Team
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Dr. Abdellah Ajji
Director, Department of Chemical Engineering
École Polytechnique de Montréal
Dr. Abdellah Ajji is a full-time professor and director of the department of chemical engineering at École Polytechnique de Montréal. His areas of expertise include rheology and processing, biomedical materials, and properties of polymers. His research interests involve the development of multilayer films for safe, smart and sustainable packaging.
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Shadi Khamani, Ing Jr - M.Sc.A
Research Associate, Department of Chemical Engineering
École Polytechnique de Montréal
Shadi holds a master's degree in Chemical Engineering from Polytechnique Montreal and specializes in the realm of polymers. Driven by a fervor for promoting sustainable solutions within the industry, Shadi possesses a strong foundation in polymer testing, analysis, and recycling.
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Amirhosein Moslehi, M.Sc.A
Research Intern, Nets for Net Zero
Recent Graduate, École Polytechnique de Montréal
Amirhosein Moslehi holds a master's degree from École Polytechnique de Montréal in chemical engineering. His thesis involved developing a recycling solution for the wind power industry’s composite waste in order for it to be considered as a clean and alternative to fossil fuels.