Eco Fun Fair Lead

Marc van Beusekom has lived in the Pocket since 1995. He was for many years a contributing writer to The Pocket newsletter, as well as serving as its editor for two years. He managed a car share organization, Options for Cars, from 2010 to 2017, which had two cars stationed in the Pocket and a small fleet of additional vehicles across the GTA. He has worked for a number of not-for-profit organizations, including solar energy co-operatives, a non-profit housing developer, as well as several local, sustainable food businesses. He is married with three grown children.

The Pocket Retrofit Coach

A co-founder of Pocket Change, Paul Dowsett, principal architect at Sustainable, has been central to the mainstreaming of sustainable architecture in Canada, while practicing deep community engagement with equity-seeking groups. Paul’s work consistently demonstrates the value of building-science-led design solutions for new construction and retrofits. He is a key advisor to governments and other stakeholders in the space of residential retrofits in Canada, and the founder of the Ontario Net-Zero Architects Network. Paul's home was one of the first deep energy retrofits in The Pocket; the early work he did on his house reduced its energy use to 48% less than that required for a typical Canadian home. His firm achieved the first ever LEED For Homes Platinum certification for a residential renovation in Canada. Paul's home now has a cold climate heat pump and induction appliances - he is proud to be one of our "100% electric" Changemakers.

Chair, Pocket Change Project and Retrofit Group

Julia Morgan has lived in The Pocket since 2005. She served as editor of The Pocket newsletter for 10 years and was also part of a group that worked to establish the Pocket Community Association. Julia has a long history of climate action in Toronto. She has also engaged extensively on the City of Toronto’s net-zero strategy, TransformTO, and is a 2023 alumni of the C40 Cities Women4Climate Toronto Program. She works for a GTA charity with a strong equity focus, and prior to that, she ran a communications and fundraising business specializing in the charitable sector for 16 years. In film she has worked on a number of documentaries, including Undeniably Young, an award-winning short about former Pocket cyclist Nora Young. She has just begun a journey to go "100% electric" with her home.

Changemakers Program Retrofit Coordinator

Michael O'Neill has lived in The Pocket since 2014. He studied at Ryerson (now TMU) and York, majoring in business. After holding various positions in government, he advanced his career in the corporate sector, eventually becoming vice-president at a government relations firm. He is now retired from his most recent role as a global manager for Armstrong Fluid Technology, an engineering and manufacturing company that supplies sustainable heating and cooling systems to institutional and corporate clients worldwide. Michael’s lifelong commitment to community service has revolved around communications, event management and fundraising. Organizations that have benefitted from his volunteer work include United Way, Distress Centres of Greater Toronto, Canadian Blood Services, political organizations at all levels, and the Pocket Community Association and Pocket Change. Michael is a Pocket Changemaker who loves to share his knowledge about how people can reduce their homes' greenhouse gas emissions.

Changemakers Program Retrofit Coordinator

Paul Woodman is an electronic engineering technician, who has extensive experience with instrumentation, telecommunications, information technology, and account management. He currently works in the home improvement sector. Paul also served previously on the Pocket Community Association, as PCA web-master and administrator and as part of the PCA Executive. Paul is a Pocket proud Changemaker, and has done extensive work to decarbonize his home's carbon footprint. 

David Langille is political economist by training with a strong background in community development and social activism. After years of work on peace and Indigenous issues, David retired from activism to teach public policy and advocacy at York and the University of Toronto. He also moved into the neighbourhood, where he played an instrumental role in naming The Pocket, organizing street parties, helping with a community newspaper, incorporating the Pocket Community Association, and founding (with Paul Dowsett) the Pocket Change Project in 2017 and helping it to grow and thrive. David is a Pocket Changemaker with a 100% electric home. In 2025, David was named Director Emeritus by Pocket Change, in recognition of his outstanding leadership and contributions to our organization. He continues to serve Pocket Change as a consultant and advisor.