Who We Are

We are Viridis, a passionate team of technologists and innovators pioneering a new generation of water treatment technologies to unlock water circularity.

Founded in Vancouver in 2019, we are on a mission to tackle global water challenges by developing innovative solutions that eliminate organic pollutants from water sources.

At Viridis, we believe in a future where technological innovation, community engagement, and ethical business practices converge to address critical environmental challenges.

We're not just developing water treatment solutions – we're building a sustainable approach to global water security that empowers communities and protects our planet's most vital resource.

Learn More About Our Electro-oxidation Technology

Our values act as our compass, shaping how we conduct ourselves in everything that we do.

They guide the people we hire, the partners we select, and the way we work together to further our mission and maximize our impact.

CEO AND CO-FOUNDER

Dr. Macarena Cataldo

With a PhD. in Chemical Engineering, Macarena has 15+ years experience in the application of electrochemistry to drinking and wastewater treatment using a multidisciplinary approach to tackling water quality issues.

"15 years ago, while volunteering as a science teacher for at-risk youth, I met a family living in my hometown of Valparaiso, Chile, who lacked access to water and proper sanitation. The stark reality of their situation shocked me, and I became acutely aware of the widespread global issue affecting millions of people.

This experience was a turning point that ignited my passion to dedicate my life to developing innovative water technologies. My experiences in water treatment (European Space Agency, Metropolitan Water Company of Turin and Res'eau WaterNet) have been instrumental in refining and honing the foundational ideas that now form the core principles of Viridis."

COO AND CO-FOUNDER

Ahmad Erfan

With over 15 years of expertise in the legal, retail, and technology sectors, Ahmad brings extensive experience in regulatory affairs, quality control, supply chain management, and go-to-market strategies.

"When I moved to Canada as a teenager, I was immediately struck by its wild beauty and abundance of natural assets. But my epiphany didn’t come until years later, when I took a sabbatical from work to travel to remote corners of the world with my wife and three young children.

I came back from that trip with a profound realization: nature is not a resource, but is intrinsically valuable in itself. And rather than seeking ways to exploit it in the name of human progress, we must aim to preserve and protect the natural environment for all forms of life, and for its own sake.

So it was only natural (pun intended!) that when I met Maca in early 2023 and learned about the company, I was immediately drawn in by her vision of ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water for all. I dived in head-first, and together with our team, we're building something truly special."

Board Of Directors

Doug Wiggin

Ex CEO of Switch Materials and Axonwave Software. Specialization in Operations, Strategic Planning, Product Management and Marketing.

Doug is an experienced high technology executive with a track record of success in senior positions at start-ups, privately held organizations and publicly traded companies.

Doug’s background includes executive and functional roles in operations management, product development, marketing, product management, customer service and sales, and several years of international experience in Europe, Australia, and the Far East.

Rochelle Grayson

Digital Strategy and Social Media Consultant. Founder of Mosaic Accelerator and Executive-In-Residence, New Ventures BC.

Rochelle is a Digital Strategy and Social Media Consultant. who has worked with numerous women's organizations over the last past years including the YWCA, Canadian Women in Communications and Women in Film (Vancouver and Germany).

Rochelle has been on many Boards with appointments in global non-profit organizations, national industry associations, and world-class education institutions.

Dr. Neil Branda

Executive Director of 4D LABS and Director of Technology Readiness & Prototyping at SFU Innovates.

Dr. Neil Branda is a chemist and co-founder of 4D LABS, the $75 million open-access Core Facility for new materials at SFU.

As the Executive Director, he plays a crucial role in providing vision, senior leadership, and strategic direction for the facility, focusing on enabling technology commercialization. With his expertise and position, he effectively mobilizes research outputs, intellectual property, and supports the commercialization of our technology.

He holds the position of Professor of Chemistry and serves as the Director of Technology Readiness & Prototyping at SFU Innovates, and is the recipient of 'Canada's Top 40 Under 40,' a Steacie Fellow, and a Canada Research Chair in Materials Science (emeritus)

Julia Elvidge

Chair of SheBoot Corporation. Past President and Co-founder of Chipworks. Technical Expert with specialization in IP, Strategic Planning, Sales, and Product Management.

Julia has extensive experience growing and evolving a company in the tech industry. Her strengths include real industry experience with Intellectual Property issues, Strategic Planning, Marketing, Sales, Product Management, all underpinned with solid technical knowledge.

Julia is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors and has attained the ICD.D designation. She was Chair of the Board for CybernetIQ in 2020, joined the Capital Angel Network Board on June 2020, the Hardware Catalyst Initiative Advisory Board in October 2020 and CENGN in Sept 2021. She served on the Information Technology Association of Canada’s (ITAC) and, during her tenure as President of Chipworks, Julia was part of the Board of Directors and worked closely with Chipworks’ Advisory Board.

Technical Advisors

Ignacio Bermudez Corrales, PhD.

Expertise in AI, Machine Learning, and Data Science.

Samira Siahrostami, PhD.

Expertise in computational material design for advanced catalysis applications in electrolyzers, batteries, and fuel cells.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Viridis

Our commitment to building a diverse and inclusive team is at the heart of everything we do.

It not only strengthens our company but also drives innovation and bolsters a culture of respect and collaboration. At Viridis, we foster an environment that promotes safety and allows each of us to bring our full selves to work, knowing that our contributions are valued.