Geographic Analysis alumnus, James Temple, receives Alumni Award of Distinction
The Alumni Achievement Awards, initiated in 1998, celebrate and recognize the contributions of Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) alumni. Presented at an annual award ceremony, recipients are inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame on campus. This year, James Temple, a 2007 Geographic Analysis alumnus, has received the Alumni Award of Distinction for outstanding professional achievements impacting his communities.
President and Vice-Chancellor Mohamed Lachemi (left) and Alumni Award of Distinction recipient, James Temple (right). Photo by Jae Yang Photography.
Temple is the Chief Sustainability Officer and Leader of Philanthropic Advisory Services at PwC Canada. As a thought leader, Temple has received numerous honours, including the Government of Canada Volunteer Award. Climate Insider recognized Temple as one of the world's Top 20 Chief Sustainability Officers to Know and one of Sustainability Magazine's Top 100 Global Sustainability Leaders.
At PwC Canada, Temple’s key principles and projects include PwC Canada’s Trust roadmap, which outlines what trust means for the company and states key metrics to measure progress. Temple works behind the scenes, known for guiding corporate boards and teams in integrating environmental, social, and governance principles into their purpose, values, and operations, enhancing stakeholder transparency and accountability.
Temple officially received his award at the ceremony on November 14, 2024, alongside other recognized TMU alumni. The ceremony welcomed previous award recipients, other alumni, and notable stakeholders to celebrate the achievements of TMU graduates at an evening of networking and reconnecting.
Accepting the award, Temple shared, “For many of us, to hold space, and to hold space in a way in which you can advocate and share the contribution of others in a meaningful way, especially around some of the most difficult issues we are facing today: political dismissiveness, the climate crisis, war, there are many things which are uncomfortable to talk about,” Temple said, “Bringing people together and working in a field like Environmental Social Governance that has come under fire recently, given political wins worldwide, I am extremely proud to be in the middle of that. My grandmother told me that you have to listen to understand, not listen to respond. We need more of that.”
This year, the Geographic Analysis program is celebrating its 50th anniversary —making it the perfect time to recognize Temple’s outstanding contributions and the lasting impact of his work on the field and encourage future Geographic Analysis students to follow their passions and utilize their skills in spatial data science and geographic information systems to solve pressing challenges.
Watch James Temple’s video on bringing sustainability to the corporate world. (external link)
Discover more about James Temple and the other 2024 recipients.