Nola-Kate Seymoar, International Centre for Sustainable Cities
by CATHERINE TSE
Long before all the accolades—before the PhD, Queen’s Jubilee Medal, and, most recently, inspiring and supporting the 30th anniversary of the UN’s World Urban Forum—Dr. Nola-Kate Seymoar’s first job was as a recreation director on playgrounds for underprivileged kids in Edmonton.
While most young people would have seen it as a fun way to make money, the job taught Seymoar the power of trusting people at the grassroots level and inspired her to work co-operatively to achieve her goal of helping children.
Today, Seymoar is President and CEO of the International Centre for Sustainable Cities and works with cities to examine issues related to urban growth and sustainability. Founded in 1993, ICSC is a non-profit organization that promotes action on urban sustainability issues around the world through practical demonstration projects, peer-learning networks, and high-profile events.
Before joining ICSC, Seymoar worked with various other think-tanks and considers her new home more as a do-tank that embodies the spirit of co-operation she learned from her days on the playground. She claims, amusedly, that she’s “still a recreation director, but on a worldwide scale, looking at the future for our children and protecting our community of communities.”
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