Kristina Verner

Kristina Verner is the Vice President, Strategic Policy & Innovation for Waterfront Toronto where she is responsible for a variety of strategic initiatives for one of the world's preeminent revitalization initiatives. 

Verner is active both nationally and internationally in the intelligent community movement and serves on the Board of Directors for the Intelligent Community Forum Foundation and ICF Canada.

Previously, she led various aspects of the Connecting Windsor-Essex Smart Community, securing significant funding to support the region's research and economic development efforts, facilitating cross-sector collaboration and innovation. 

In 2011, she led the bid that resulted in Windsor-Essex as one of Top 7 communities in the world by the Intelligent Community Forum. In 2013 and 2014, under her stewardship, Waterfront Toronto led the bid to have the City of Toronto recognized in both the Smart21 and Top 7. In 2014, Toronto was selected as the Intelligent Community of the Year.

In 2012, Verner was honoured to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her leadership and commitment to the creation of intelligent communities and collaborative ecosystems that support the transparent, connected, vibrant communities and economies that will foster national prosperity.

She has been a sessional instructor at the University of Windsor in the School of Computer Science for the past 22 years, teaching in the Applied I.T. Program.  In 2011, she was awarded the Teacher of The Year Award from the Organization of Part-Time University of Students for her dedication to creating a supportive learning environment and an exceptional student experience.

In 2020, she completed the global training program to become a Climate Reality Leader.