WHO WE ARE
The Benedek Climate Change Foundation is led by Andrew and Diana Benedek, two PhDs in engineering that dedicated their lives to creating solutions to environmental issues. They have been working together since 1992 and they managed to change the way water, wastewater and waste are treated in the world. First, at ZENON Environmental Inc by developing and commercializing immersed membranes that has become the base technology for recycling wastewater worldwide. Since 2007, Andrew and Diana focused on Climate Change Issues by founding Anaergia, a company dedicated to creating renewable fuel from waste. They are a passionate couple that through this Foundation want to continue to contribute and provide information on the right plans and solutions to solve global warming.
Diana and Andrew Benedek, Founders
Our Mission
To increase awareness of practical solutions to solve Global Warming.
Dr Andrew Benedek
Founder
Dr. Andrew Benedek, graduated from McGill, Montreal, with a Chemical Engineering Degree and from the University of Washington, Seattle with a PhD. Our chairman began his career as a professor of Environmental Engineering at McMaster University in Canada, then left academia to start Zenon as a faster way to change the world. His success in introducing water reuse technologies has indeed changed the world which has been internationally recognized and adorned him 3 Honorary PhDs and 13 Prestigious awards including the first winner of the prestigious Singapore Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize. After Zenon was acquired by GE in 2006, Dr. Benedek worked briefly at the Scripps Institute of Technology in San Diego, California, where he was inspired to start up Anaergia in 2007, to develop and commercialize technical solutions to Climate Change which has since become a world leader in transforming waste into renewable energy while recovering fertilizer, and clean water. Through this Foundation, Andrew wants to share his expertise and teach others on how every citizen, corporation and Government can and should combat climate change before it is too late for humanity.
Andrew receiving the first Singapore Water Prize from the hands of Lee Kwan Lew in 2008.
Co-Founder
Dr Diana Mourato Benedek, is a three-time McGill graduate, first with a BSc in Microbiology which she applied in wastewater and soil treatment in her Master's and PhD in Civil Engineering. She started her career at Sanexen and SNC in Montreal as a Hazardous Waste and Soil Treatment specialist. Once at ZENON, from 1992 until 2006, Diana specialized in water and wastewater treatment and became known as a pioneer in the development and commercialization of immersed membranes and membrane bioreactors. After the sale of Zenon, Diana focused her career on climate change by working as the COO of Anaergia Inc. In 2017, she resumed her work in immersed membranes by being the CEO and CTO of Fibracast Ltd.
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In addition to her work at the Foundation, Diana is a board member of Anaergia. She also devoted part of her life to helping people with food allergies after healing herself and starting 2Good2B, the first and only gluten, corn and soy-free bakery and cafe. Diana brings her knowledge of changing infrastructure and helping people to the Foundation.
Dr. Diana Mourato Benedek
Dominique LaRoche
Collaborator
Dominique LaRoche, is our videography, outreach and marketing partner. Dominique has experience as a communication and media specialist, enabling her to network, interview, organize conferences and create an expertise hub to facilitate the diffusion of knowledge.
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She has started early in the field of sustainability; on her very first employment after graduating from McGill in Industrial Relations. To work as a manager for Eden Foods, a pioneer in organic farming and food production, has brought her the knowledge and awareness for responsible farming production and healthy foods.
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Later, Dominique co-founded Ecosphere Project, a major environmental trade show that promotes sustainable practices in all domains. As an accredited Al Gore ambassador, she gave many public conferences on sustainability. She worked in the last years in the community services, as the General Manager of a major Montreal food bank.
