Founder & CEO

Miguel is a multi-disciplinary systems-thinker and social entrepreneur. He addresses business opportunities through the lens of circular economy, social equity and environmental stewardship.

Miguel holds a B.A in Environmental Governance and M.A in Geography from the University of Guelph. Miguel always held a keen interest in addressing planetary challenges and creating positive environmental impacts. It wasn’t until graduate school, however, that his awareness of entrepreneurship as a lever for change emerged.

Miguel specializes in designing regenerative business models, corporate sustainability innovation, impact marketing, community engagement, and user-centred design.

Hometown: Toronto, Canada

Interests & hobbies: To name a few… snowboarding, beach volleyball, natural wine, film photography, golf, hockey, backcountry camping, fly-fishing and playing guitar.

New pursuits: Pottery, split-boarding, medium format film photography and motorcycle riding.

Most likely to: Tell a dad-joke no one laughs at.

Quirky fact: I know a freakish amount of bird species.

Favourite place: A sunset swim or surf in Praia de Santa Cruz, Portugal.

Something i’d tell my 20-year-old self: Follow your gut; time flies quicker than you think, and, for the love of god - call your parents!

Favourite part about working at Wonderflux: I get to spend time with people much smarter than me, working together to impact this amazing world in unthinkable ways. The possibilities are endless and truly inspiring!

Chief Technology Officer

Adrian Lopera-Valle has spent almost a decade applying engineering and research to innovative solutions for sustainable materials and manufacturing. He earned his M.Sc. in mechanical engineering, studying thermal spray coating technology on composite materials for wind turbines, and his Ph.D. in materials engineering, researching smart polymers for food packaging, both from the University of Alberta.

Now, Adrian is dedicated to bringing his experience, goals, and skills to the development of products and systems that fit the circular economy and sustainability models.

Hometown: Medellin, Colombia

Interests and hobbies: I love to run, share good coffee and food with friends, and read all sorts of random books

New pursuits: I am learning how to apply my skills to product development, while also trying to find more time in water!

Most likely to: Ask a nerdy question

Quirky fact: Maybe I do eat too much peanut butter

Favourite place: “La Finca” – The little farmhouse where my grandparents live

Something I’d tell my 20-year-old self: Learn to find the good in things not going as planned. Your idea of failure will continue to outperform what you see as success

Favourite part about working at Wonderflux: My colleagues, our partners and mentors, and knowing that we are all committed to developing products that can improve people’s lives and the places where we learn, work, and play

Product Manager

Julian is an engineer by nature with a keen curiosity in psychology and a core belief in high-impact sustainability innovation. He has gradually been expanding his engineering focus from traditional mechanical design disciplines into human factors, cognitive ergonomics, user experience, and designing for behaviour change.

Julian holds a B.A.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Ottawa and an M.A.Sc. in Mechanical & Industrial Engineering from the University of Toronto. Between his studies, Julian spent five years working in medical device development, gaining expertise in plastics design and manufacturing and the management of projects and people.

Hometown: Ottawa, Canada

Interests and hobbies: Too many! The adventurous – from split-boarding to thru-hiking and paragliding, and the playful – from circus acro, to board-gaming and dance.

New pursuits: New user insights research methods, lifestyle design, and dairy-free cheesecake baking.

Most likely to: Be spotted in a handstand.

Quirky fact: Know the latin names of most common dragonfly families.

Favourite place: Sleeping bag directly under the stars on a remote mountain pass with a favourable forecast.

Something I’d tell my 20-year-old self: Stop trying to plan everything to a T; get out there, talk to people, and act now.

Favourite part about working at Wonderflux: The thrill of building a dream career that serves society and oneself in tandem.