Co-Founder/Executive Director

Niki Cesta is a Conservation Biologist, Water-woman and Lands Coordinator. Her rigorous underwater training and work across marine conservation has guided her to forge a deep connection to our oceans and lakes where she explores with compassion and curiosity.

Niki is a trained scuba divemaster, sailor, freediver and yoga instructor. Her understanding of the waste crisis comes from a dynamic combination of academia and adventure. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Masters of Environmental Science supported by 8 years of in-field conservation research, expedition guiding and environmental program coordination. Her work has primarily spanned 4 countries including Greece, Ecuador, the Cayman Islands and Canada.

From 2015 - 2020, Niki lived mostly barefoot, out of a 50L backpack. Most notably, her role as a Marine Station Manager in the Galapagos Islands in 2018 is what planted the seed that later bloomed into The Wasteland Plan Foundation. In early March 2023, Niki began in a full-time hybrid role as a Land Code Coordinator with Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government in British Columbia where she coordinates a community-driven land management process whereby the Nation enters into an agreement with Canada to ‘regain’ self-governing authority, traditional law-making powers, and legal jurisdiction of their reserve lands.

Niki is captivated by the relationship between nature conservation and community reconnection, (specifically through wellness and recreation) and how it can create equitable, positive socio-environmental impact!

Co-Founder/Program Director

Savannah Stephen is a Permaculturist, Adventure Guide and Environmental Advocate who embodies the art of living simply with a reverence to the earth. This is observed in her calm, centered, and gentle disposition when guiding communities through TWP events and eco-exploration. Building community with a keen curiosity of the world around her, Savannah’s diverse outdoor training and skill level enrich the scope of learning for others.

Savannah began to join Niki on waste cleanups in late 2019. By early 2020 she had stepped into a founding role, and began to launch concepts that shaped our Environmental Innovation department. Savannah fosters an innovative, compassionate and equitable culture amongst all, bridging meaningful connections between humans and nature. She believes that outdoor experiences awaken our sense of responsibility to change the world for the better, as we glimpse the world at its best. Her keen awareness, curiosity, and aptitude in hazard assessment and risk management enable her to turn wilderness challenges into safe and effective learning opportunities.

Her academic qualifications in Outdoor Recreation combined with a Permaculture Design Certificate and extensive adventure travel, provides her with an interesting lens on Ontario's waste challenges. In addition to her cooking/food resourcefulness, Savannah is drawn to reimagining waste through her interests in foraging, edible gardens, and healthy, composted soils. As a black female entrepreneur, Savannah continues to reimagine more equitable and innovative solutions to combating waste across communities, with a focus on those who are marginalized.

Communications Director

Anthony Robert-Frigon is a progressive creator; videographer, producer and DJ. He has been an avid videographer since the age of 15 and is motivated by his passion to create positive change through his work. He is drawn to whatever can get his mind working and brings an empowering community together. Through the lens of @kwucreative, Anthony’s goal as Creative Director at TWP has been to grant our community an unfiltered look at what is occurring within the depths of our environment through the production of each TWP Earth Event video recap.

Anthony’s many travel journeys have emphasized to him what doing good work in this world truly takes. Upon returning from travels across South East Asia, he brought home the ritual to join change-makers on his birthday each year. For his 28th birthday month, Anthony decided to join Niki on her then solo cleanup journey. At Serena Gundy Park, Toronto on November 25th, 2018 Anthony was the second person to join Niki in her TWP efforts for Cleanup #18. Anthony’s eye for capturing the true essence of our mission today is the reason that we have strong visibility and a growing eco-community. He is consistently offering suggestions to expand community engagement, and to propel our overall mission.

Anthony continues to capture how TWP builds conservation-centric communities through our immersive offerings. His powerful video recaps always convey a strong environmental message. Spreading waste-awareness online to a wider following increases reach, which in turn increases potential for positive change. Anthony hopes that his ongoing work with TWP will continue to create a shift in how we choose to leave our mark.