Get to know F&S: Kaitlyn Myles

Kaitlyn Myles isn't just promoting sustainability; she’s inspiring students and educating the campus on the initiatives that earned U of T the title of world's most sustainable university.

Kaitlyn Myles developed an interest in sustainability from a young age, influenced by her parents’ work in sustainable agriculture.  

This early spark was fanned into a flame when she saw a presentation at school by the local waste management team. Their impact was so strong that Myles went on to complete her first university internship with the very same team. 

Fueled by this long-held passion and a desire to educate others, Myles found a perfect fit with the St. George campus Sustainability Office in November 2023.  

As sustainability coordinator, Myles works to raise awareness of the office’s initiatives and spread its message. 

A typical day for Myles involves outreach, report writing, and collaborating with the social media and communications teams to create content and brainstorm ideas to engage the community. 

“The main challenge is finding ways to get people excited about sustainability—especially those who don’t have much background in it or think it doesn’t apply to them,” says Myles. “Sustainability applies to everyone!” 

Her work also involves planning events, including last month’s first-ever St. George campus Sustainability Week, as well as ongoing reporting—such as the annual sustainability report. This publication provides the University community with a fulsome summary of the Sustainability Office’s ongoing work and outlines a roadmap for the future. 

Initiatives undertaken by the Sustainability Office undoubtedly contributed to U of T earning the title of the world’s most sustainable university last fall.  

“I was still fairly new to my role when that announcement came out,” Myles says. “Being part of a team with so many ongoing sustainability initiatives was amazing. The University’s top ranking felt like a fantastic recognition of all the hard work happening behind the scenes—and it made me even more sure I’m in the right place.” 

For Myles, one of the most fulfilling aspects of her role is connecting with the campus community. One of her recent projects involved producing a social media series with a spotlight on sustainability clubs at U of T. This allowed her to meet many passionate students.  

“Getting to actually connect with students about our work—what we’re doing, what they’re doing, how we can work together—that’s the fun and rewarding part for me,” she says. 

Outside of work, Myles loves to try new things. A few of her numerous hobbies include dance lessons, baking, and visiting different farmers’ markets around Toronto.