Brian Shifman - Executive Director
416-650-8059,

Brian Shifman is the Executive Director of Smart Commute – North Toronto, Vaughan (NTV), which was recently honoured with the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce 2009 Mayor’s Corporate Citizen Award.

Brian brings to Smart Commute an extensive background in marketing-communications, business development, strategic planning, and transportation demand management. He has spoken at various conferences and events, guest lectured at Ryerson University, and addressed councils, committees and task forces at all levels of government.

Brian is passionate about solving the GTA’s traffic challenges through increased awareness of alternatives to single occupancy vehicles, investment in transportation options, and employer-based trip reduction programs.

Prior to joining Smart Commute NTV, Brian represented travel-tourism clients while working for a leading public relations-marketing agency. Brian holds a B.A. (Honours) from Queen’s University, and Public Relations post-graduate certificate from Humber College. Brian is a member of the boards of the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce and Smart Commute NTV, an active committee member on the Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) Working Group, and a member of the Public Affairs Association of Canada, and the International Association of Business Communicators.

Adam Arnold - North Toronto, Vaughan Program Manager
416-650-8251,

Adam is the jack of all trades. In his time at Smart Commute NTV he has been an architect, a lawyer and a bike mechanic. However, his most important work is done with his partners in the North Toronto and Vaughan area. He is an extremely dedicated and knowledgable Program Manager who has sustainable commuting at the top of his list of green priorities. Coming to us all the way from England, Smart Commute NTV is happy to have him!

Adam holds a Masters of Geography degree from the University of Leeds, UK, where he focused primarily on urban and social geography, and the interactions between people and place.  His has previously worked for municipal level governments in England, where he was responsible for community planning and the involvement of local communities in municipal decision making and policy development. 

He was also involved in the development of an innovative demand-responsive transit project connecting rural areas with larger towns.  Prior to joining Smart Commute NTV, he worked for a leading conference development company, organizing conferences for both the public and private sector on a range of subjects. 

When Kalina isn’t skipping down boulevards she is working tirelessly on clearing our roadways. As someone who enjoys wide-open spaces and has a great deal of respect for Mother Nature, it is only natural that Kalina takes great pride in her role as Northeast Program Manager. Coming to us with a great deal of intellect on one of our favourite subjects, Carpooling, Kalina has wonderful insight into the wonders of avoiding single-occupancy vehicle use and is a great asset to the Smart Commute NTV team! Her primary passion is getting SOVs off the road…but she also enjoys long walks on the beach with her chocolate lab.

Keagan Gartz - Program Coordinator
416-650-8205,

Keagan is an intelligent, analytical and well spoken tree-hugger, who is not afraid to work overtime when it comes to air quality. As our Program Coordinator, Keagan is the glue that holds it all together. Keagan enjoys providing commute counselling and is dedicated to helping individuals and workplaces commute sustainably. In her free time she enjoys chasing grasshoppers and listening to good music. 

As a proud graduate of Environment and Resource Studies at the University of Waterloo, Keagan is passionate about taking action on climate change.  Her thesis focused on local conserver initiatives and their contributions to sustainable communities. Keagan also received a Minor degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, which helps her to prioritize ethics, cultural diversity and community building in her work at Smart Commute.

Her professional experience in the environmental sector has further cultivated her involvement in policy planning and decision making, grassroots marketing, and public participation.  She administers the York University Bicycle User Group, and is an advocate for active transportation.