A Chilean by birth and a Canadian by choice, José Etcheverry (BA ’96) was one of the first York University students to complete an undergraduate degree in geography and environmental studies. He followed that with a master of arts and then a PhD from the University of Toronto with a focus on sustainability, research design and energy solutions.

Today, José is a professor at York’s Faculty of Environmental Studies, co-chair of the Sustainable Energy Initiative and director of the International Renewable Energy Academy, a global hub of innovative, experiential learning and research in electric mobility, storage solutions, sustainable agriculture solutions and climate change leadership strategies.

Prior to his appointment at York in 2007, José worked in a variety of international research and policy analyst roles in government, the private sector and NGOs, including the David Suzuki Foundation, the Global Environment Facility, the World Council of Renewable Energy and the Electricity Research Institute of Mexico. José speaks four languages fluently and brings to the York University Board of Governors strong problem-solving skills, international experience and the capacity to work effectively with people from different disciplines and cultural backgrounds.

A member of the board since July 2019, José is committed to establishing York as a world leader in experiential learning, innovation and practical solutions to the climate change emergency.

José received the York University President’s Sustainability Leadership Award in 2016 and the Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation Teaching Excellence Award in 2011. He was elected to the York University Senate in 2018 and currently serves as associate editor in the Journal of Energy Storage; member of the Scientific Steering Committee of The International Renewable Energy Storage Conference; board member of the Windfall Ecology Centre; and Committee of Chairpersons of the World Council for Renewable Energy