Our People | Generate Canada

Board member since 2019

Stewart Elgie is a professor of law and economics at the University of Ottawa. He is the founder and chair of the Smart Prosperity Institute, Canada’s major environment-economy think tank and research network. He is the co-founder of Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission, which generates expert reports on market-based approaches to protect the environment.

Elgie started his career as a Bay Street lawyer. He left to do a Masters at Harvard, and then took a job in Alaska with a public interest environmental law firm, including litigating over the Valdez oil spill. He returned to Canada and founded Ecojustice, now Canada’s largest non-profit environmental law organization, where he was counsel on many precedent setting cases in the 1990s, including four wins in Supreme Court of Canada. In 2003, he left a successful legal career to go back to school at Yale for a doctorate in law and economics. Since then, he has focused his research on how to how to harness economic forces to solve environmental problems.

Elgie has chaired or served on many government advisory bodies in the environment and sustainability area. In 2001, he was awarded the Law Society of Upper Canada medal for exceptional lifetime contributions to law – the youngest man to receive the profession’s highest honour. In 2015, he received Canada’s Clean 50 Award, for Thought Leadership. Since the birth of twin boys in 2012, he no longer has any hobbies.

Board member since 2022

Andrew Heintzman is a managing partner and a co-founder of InvestEco Capital. Founded in 2001, InvestEco was one of the first Canadian investment companies to focus on sustainability. InvestEco manages a number of venture capital funds that invest in companies that promote health and sustainability in the food sector. As part of his work at InvestEco, Andrew sits on a number of corporate boards, including Mara Renewables, Maple Hill Creamery, LesserEvil and Maison Le Grand. Andrew has been a director of a number of Canadian charities, including MakeWay Foundation and CanadaHelps, and is the author of The New Entrepreneurs: Building a Green Economy for the Future, published by The House of Anansi Press. Andrew has a BA and an MA from McGill University.

Board member since 2018

Marie-Hélène Labrie is a chartered board director. She has more than 25 years of broad experience in government relations, communications, marketing, and ESG. She was Senior Vice President and Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer at Cogeco from 2018 to 2024. Prior to joining Cogeco, she held the position of Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and Communications at Enerkem where she built the company’s corporate image and reputation, positioning the organization as a global leader in the field of biofuels from waste. Previously, Ms. Labrie worked with a range of companies as a communications consultant and held roles at CAE including Director, Strategic Planning and Marketing from 1997 to 2006. She began her career with the Government of Canada from 1993 to 1997, working on diverse portfolios. Ms. Labrie holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Université Laval in Québec City, where she also completed a Masters in International Business. She holds the Nature & Climate certification and designation CCB.D from Competent Boards in addition to a university certification in corporate governance (ASC, C.Dir) from the Collège des administrateurs de sociétés (Université Laval) and The McMaster University-accredited Chartered Director Program.

Board member since 2022

Nishadi Liyanage (she/her) is the Responsible Supply Chain Program Manager, Maker Well-being at lululemon. She has more than 13 years of broad experience in corporate sustainability and non-financial risk management in Sri Lanka, Australia and Canada. This includes strategy development, managing strategic projects, measuring impact, and ESG reporting in several industries, including leisure, apparel, construction and mining and metals. Nishadi holds a Master of Sustainability degree from the University of Sydney, which she completed on a full-ride Australia Awards scholarship administered by the Government of Australia. Nishadi is also a UN SDSN Fellow, and an alumna of the Global Shapers, the youth arm of the World Economic Forum.

Board member since 2020

Steve MacDonald is currently Principal at +SM Advisory Services and Director at AltaLink. Previous to that, he was Chief Executive Officer for Emissions Reduction Alberta and served as Deputy Minister for the Government of Alberta in a number of portfolios, including human services, innovation and climate change. His current work is focused on innovation, change management and the energy transition. Mr. MacDonald graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Commerce. He is also a graduate of the Canadian Securities Program and has received his ICD.D designation. Mr. MacDonald is also on the board of directors for the Canada West Foundation, Elevate Consulting, Modern West Advisory and the BC Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy Advisory Council. He is honored to be a member of the Kainai Chieftainship.

Board member since 2019

Velma McColl blends her deep understanding of business, government and policy to create opportunities for her clients. As a Managing Principal in Ottawa, Velma works on a range of economic and social issues including M&A, innovation, energy, environment and emerging technologies. She has been a driving force in the growth and diversification of Earnscliffe’s business.

Prior to joining Earnscliffe in 2004, Velma advised Federal Cabinet Ministers on political strategy, policy and communications. She has also worked provincially in British Columbia and Alberta. She has worked to find creative solutions across federal/provincial/territorial, North American and international boundaries. Her career includes success as an entrepreneur and experience working collaboratively with business, academia, think tanks, not-for-profit organizations and the public sector.

A proud mother and Westerner with twenty years’ experience in Ottawa, Velma studied at the University of British Columbia and the Banff School of Management. She is a co-founder of the Canadian Clean Technology Coalition and Women in GR. She has taken leadership roles with several organizations including Smart Prosperity, the Ryan’s Well Foundation and Ecotrust Canada.

I’m pleased to extend my longtime admiration for and association with Generate Canada and its work to wrestle big challenges by establishing common ground and energizing action among partners.

Kevin Groh is a corporate affairs and communications executive, responsible for high-profile initiatives including large corporate brand building, trust and crisis management, transformation and corporate culture for the nation’s largest workforces, M&A and capital markets communications, and governance of a range of sustainability and social impact programs. He has been an executive leader in consulting and at leading corporations in the retail industry: Walmart Canada, Loblaw Companies Limited, and currently Canadian Tire. He has been central to broad stakeholder relationships with media, government, complex workforces, boards of directors, NGOs, and industry alliances.

While new to the board in 2025, Kevin was a partner and executive contributor to the founding of various Generate Canada innovations, including the Circular Economy Leadership Canada, the Canadian Plastics Pact, and the Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agri-Food. He is a board director and co-chair of the strategy committee for Second Harvest, the nation’s largest food recovery organization. He has served on the boards of two of Canada’s largest corporate charities, PC Children’s Charity and Shoppers Drug Mart Women’s Health Foundation, and advises Jumpstart.

Generate Canada’s bold vision for inclusive innovation and its commitment to shaping a sustainable future deeply inspired me—joining the board is an opportunity to help drive that impact forward.

Marie-Chantal Lamothe has been BDC’s Chief Human Resources Officer since 2019. She is recognized for her expertise in human resources management and her interest in business adaptation and evolution. She has implemented major technological and organizational transformation initiatives throughout her career.

With over 30 years’ experience, Marie-Chantal has held a variety of roles in human resources, including change management, organizational development and talent acquisition. She has worked for the Jean Coutu Group, Laurentian Bank, Bombardier Aerospace and Deloitte.

Marie-Chantal holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from HEC Montréal and a master’s degree in human resources management from Université de Sherbrooke. She is also a certified administrator with the ICD.A designation, awarded by the Institute of Corporate Directors. An active member of the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés (CRHA) and a Fellow since 2025, she is a recognized author and speaker.

Joining Generate Canada’s Board offers an opportunity to apply my expertise in strategic finance, growth management, and circular economy to advancing its mission of developing innovative, sustainable solutions.

Board member since 2024

Marianne Lépinoit is a seasoned finance professional with experience in strategic planning, risk management, fundraising, and mergers and acquisitions. As CFO at Polystyvert, she raised several financing rounds in equity and non-dilutive capital, contributing to the company’s growth as a leading innovator in plastic recycling technologies.
Before joining Polystyvert, Marianne held senior roles in global organizations, including CFO at BCA Research and Ned Davis Research, where she led the acquisition of Ned Davis Research. She also served as Corporate Controller at Pollock NationaLease, playing a key role in its successful divestiture. Marianne began her career at EY as a Senior Auditor, building her expertise in financial reporting and compliance.
An advocate for entrepreneurship, Marianne also coaches teams building business cases at the HEC/McGill EMBA program. She was recognized in Canada’s Clean50 for her contributions to sustainable business.
Marianne holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance from the Institut Commercial Supérieur Bégué in Paris, along with a Diplôme d’Études Comptables et Financières (D.E.C.F.). She is a certified public accountant in Quebec and Ontario and serves as Treasurer on the Board of Alliance Française de Montréal. Outside of work, she is passionate about environmental causes, including beekeeping and permaculture.

I love Generate Canada’s emphasis on collaboration and bottom-up practical solutions to our environmental challenges. I don’t see how we solve these difficult problems without an honest effort to engage every community and every sector of the economy, and that’s what Generate Canada aims to do.

Board member since 2024

Monte was raised in Drumheller, Alberta and Rosetown, Saskatchewan, and grew up hunting, fishing, hiking, and exploring the badlands and prairies. He has a lifelong interest in nature and conservation.

Monte started his career as General Manager of CHUM Radio Alberta before becoming the Member of Parliament for Medicine Hat, a position he held for 15 years. In 2006 Prime Minister Harper appointed him to cabinet as Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. He later served as Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. He retired from politics in 2008.

Previous to joining the board of Generate Canada Monte served as the Chair of Canada’s International Development Research Centre. He also served on the board of the Canadian Museum of Nature Foundation. He is also the founder and CEO of Calgary-based, New West Public Affairs.

Today Monte spends his spare time exploring the Alberta badlands and backroads, writing about nature and climate, indulging his golden retriever, Buddy, and entertaining his grandchildren. He and his wife Deb spend much of their time at their home on the banks of the Red Deer River.

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Meet the Generate Canada Management Team

Generating solutions to the complex challenges at the heart of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution gives me a strong sense of purpose which I hope will benefit future generations.

David Hughes has served as the President and CEO of Generate Canada (formerly The Natural Step Canada) since 2016. Since then the organization has expanded its research and public policy expertise through a partnership with the Smart Prosperity Institute, and increased its scale, scope and influence through the development of a number of innovation-focused multi-stakeholder “Solution Spaces”. These now include the Canada Plastics Pact, the Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agri-food (CANZA), the Energy Futures Lab, the Nature Investment Hub, and Circular Construction Canada. Collectively these initiatives are enabling and incentivizing climate-smart and nature-positive systems change.

David previously led Habitat for Humanity Canada and Pathways to Education Canada during periods of unprecedented growth and impact. Prior to that he spent 10 years in senior positions at SOS Children’s Villages International which included postings to Africa, Asia, Europe, USA and the United Nations (New York and Vienna). Other management roles have included serving as Senior Vice President of YMCA Canada and President of AIESEC Canada. He also founded and operated The Impact Group, a management consultancy which provided strategic counsel to companies and not-for-profit organizations that were working to “bridge the gap between commerce and compassion”.

David is a Senior Fellow of the Smart Prosperity Institute (SPI), an inaugural member of the Business for Purpose Network (B4PN), and has previously served on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Stem Cell Foundation, AIESEC Canada, and the Canadian branch of Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project.

He holds an economics degree from the University of Western Ontario, a postgraduate degree in social policy and not-for-profit management from the London School of Economics (LSE), an executive leadership certificate from Harvard University, and has been recognized as a Clean50 Honouree for “outstanding contribution to clean capitalism”.

He lives in Toronto with his wife Laura and his two children, John and Alexandra, who collectively provide the inspiration and incentive to challenge the status quo and strive for a better future for Canada and our planet.

These big, messy challenges won’t be solved by a single person or organization. They require creative and collaborative responses. We’re a space to do that difficult work well, together.

Alison oversees the strategic direction and operations of the Energy Futures Lab, an Alberta-based social innovation lab that convenes diverse innovators and leading organizations to accelerate Canada’s energy transition and develop solutions for a low-emission and socially equitable energy future.

With over twenty years experience working at the cross-section of energy and environment, Alison is known for forging collaborative solutions to some of our biggest challenges – whether as engineer, sustainability advisor, or social innovator. She is passionate about transforming fragmented and polarized conversations into actionable solutions and has a strong background in building relationships across diverse groups and perspectives. Alison has expertise integrating sustainability issues and systems thinking into decision-making and design, analyzing emerging sustainable business opportunities, climate strategy and carbon management, and innovation lab approaches.

In her work with the Energy Futures Lab, she supports entrepreneurs, community leaders, industry, stakeholders and Rights holders in generating opportunities to identify, test and scale new initiatives and collaborations. Her leadership and advocacy has enabled a wider recognition of the spectrum of opportunities for Alberta to lead in the energy transition and build upon the province’s many strengths.

Alison is a professional engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Alberta. She has a Masters of Science in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability from Blekinge Institute of Technology, Sweden with a focus on participatory engagement approaches to planning for strategic sustainable development.

I’m here because the work we do everyday, has real tangible impact.

Cher is one of Canada’s leaders in food system sustainability. She has dedicated her 20+ year career to enabling companies with embracing sustainability, purpose and circularity in order to create a more resilient food system. Her work has focused on many facets of circularity including circular plastics, food waste prevention, upcycling, regenerative culture and behaviour change.

Before founding Provision Coalition Inc., recently acquired by Anthesis Group, Cher’s career included time with the Guelph Food Technology Centre (now NSF International) where she established and directed the Sustainability Consulting Business Unit, and held several executive positions in environmental economics and policy with the George Morris Centre, a Canadian agri-food think tank. Cher holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Economics and Policy and is certified in both project and change management. Cher has also been the recipient of the Canadian Grocer Generation Next award for her leadership, innovation and excellence in sustainability within the food and beverage industry. Learn more at LinkedIn.

The whole is greater than the individual parts. That’s what inspires me about the power of Generate Canada… the synergies that come from connecting across our various solution spaces.

Paul Shorthouse is a distinguished business leader whose career has spanned three decades, driving sustainability-inspired innovation and impact.
Paul has held executive roles at Generate Canada, including as Managing Director of Circular Construction Canada (CCC) and Circular Economy Leadership Canada (CELC), as well as the Interim Managing Director of the Canada Plastics Pact (CPP). His experience extends to other impact-focused roles with sustainability strategy consultants (Delphi Group and GLOBE Advisors), as the Conference Director for the GLOBE Forum, and as a researcher and SCUBA dive biologist in the first half of his career.
Paul has a proven track record of providing strategic solutions and engaging with senior leaders from business and government. He has a demonstrated ability to build national-level partnerships and collaborative platforms, which he has leveraged to provide thought leadership and technical expertise for clients and partner organizations across the country.
Paul possesses a unique blend of scientific and business acumen, with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Diploma of Technology in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Paul’s career is marked by his capacity to lead and manage complex and diverse projects, inform policy, and advise both corporate and non-profit institutions through board and committee memberships.
Paul lives in Victoria, BC, with his wife and two children.

I have been a passionate advocate for sustainability for over twenty years. I have previously worked with UN Agencies, the trade union movement, academia and the federal government on issues related to natural resource governance, corporate sustainability performance and sustainable finance.

I hold an MA and PhD in Political Science from the University of British Columbia and an MA in Conflict Analysis and Management from Royal Roads University. I serve on the advisory boards of Diversity in Sustainability and the Academy for Sustainable Innovation.

I cherish my South Asian roots, am mom to an aspiring track cyclist, and have varied interests in art, travel, hiking and transformational leadership practices.

Ashleigh is a strategist, problem-solver, and systems thinker who thrives in dynamic and evolving environments. With over 15 years of experience in finance and operations, she has worked across sectors ranging from humanitarian NGOs to student journalism and high-growth startups. Her expertise lies in financial planning, data analytics, and operational strategy, helping organizations build sustainable, scalable systems that drive long-term impact.

She brings a data-driven approach to decision-making, leveraging clarity and transparency to build meaningful narratives in support of collaborative solutions. Whether developing financial KPIs, implementing new accounting systems, or optimizing funding models, she is committed to creating structures that support organizational success.

Ashleigh is passionate about learning, engagement, and tackling complex challenges from multiple perspectives. Originally from Muskoka, Ontario, she has since had the privilege of making her home in cities across Canada and around the world—experiences that shaped her appreciation for diverse cultures, systems, and ideas.

Outside of work, Ashleigh is an avid reader, writer, poet, and songwriter. She enjoys skiing, hiking, and camping with her husband and their merry band of five teenagers, who keep her active and humble in equal measure.

Ashley is a strategic collaborator with over 20 years of experience in the agriculture and agri-food sector. Passionate about sustainability and building strong relationships, she excels in managing initiatives that address key industry needs. With a focus on partnerships and impactful solutions, Ashley brings an entrepreneurial spirit, backed by expertise in sustainability, association management, and industry connections.
She has held leadership positions with the Agri-food Management Institute, Poultry Industry Council, and the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association. Ashley holds a master’s degree in Capacity Development and Extension from the University of Guelph, lives outside of Guelph, Ontario and farms with her husband in Grey County.

(she/her)
Kaleigh is a dynamic leader and strategic communicator with over ten years of experience spanning the non-profit, public and private sectors. Through the development of accessible communications strategies, she works with purpose-led organizations to tell their stories, engage community members, and drive long-term positive change.

A storyteller at heart, Kaleigh holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia and is a life-long believer in the transformative impact that well-told narratives can have on individuals, their communities and society at large.

When she’s not story-telling at work, you can probably find her story-reading at home with her young family.

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Meet the Generate Canada Team

Ismahan is a Toronto-based professional with a background in research, web development, and operations. She has supported startups and nonprofits by improving their digital presence, organizing workflows, and providing bookkeeping support to help teams stay on top of their finances and day-to-day operations. More recently she contributed to a research project that studied how doctoral students work, learn, and collaborate. Ismahan enjoys exploring new cafes in Toronto, rewatching Downton Abbey and attending concerts!

Fueled by a desire to create order from chaos, Cheryl thrives as the connective tissue in cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment and cohesion across an organization. She excels at seeing the big picture while also diving deep into the details, to support all the facets of implementing strategic initiatives. Cheryl loves working at the intersection of different teams, bringing together diverse perspectives to ensure that everyone is moving toward shared goals.
Known for her dedication to continuous learning and personal growth, she lives by the motto, “I want to look back and say I’ve done great things.” Her work is grounded in integrity, transparency, and a strong commitment to collaborative teamwork.
With a background in engineering, Cheryl spent 12 years as a Development Engineer in Calgary’s energy sector and 4 years in Calgary’s thriving tech ecosystem, where she served as Head of Finance and Operations for a growing EdTech company.
Outside of work, Cheryl can be found either immersed in a book or camping out west with her two kids and dog, Timber. A seasoned traveler, she has explored 36 countries across six continents and has come to deeply appreciate the privilege of drinking clean water straight from the tap.

Emily has always been fascinated by the natural world. Growing up on a small island off the west coast of British Columbia, she learned early in life of the important connection between healthy communities, economies, and the environment. She is passionate about working collaboratively across sectors to support the implementation of sustainable environmental practices.

Emily is a recent graduate of the Master of Environmental Management program at the University of New Brunswick, and holds an undergraduate degree in Geography from the University of Calgary.

Julie is a connector, collaborator, and coordinator working towards a sustainable, equitable, and resilient energy future. She has over 15 years of experience with innovative and complex projects in the sustainability and energy sector, working with a diverse range of players across Canada ranging from communities, utilities, system operators, regulators, technology providers, manufacturers, and renewable energy developers. Her work has included community resilience, digital innovation, smart grid and distributed energy resource adoption, renewables integration, and regulatory assessment, all while bringing various voices to the table in a collaborative way. Through her work she has built an understanding of the interconnectedness of energy systems. Today, Julie is providing coordination support to the Alberta’s Electricity Future Team with the Energy Futures Lab, where she had been a Fellow with the lab for 3 years. She is also the Chair of the Board of Directors for a women-led start-up focused on innovative ways to create an equitable, regenerative, and democratic energy system. Julie is also a Mom of two small humans, and a black lab, who are a harder team to manage, but the most fun. Julie and her family love camping in the mountains near their city of Calgary, planting a large vegetable garden, and heading home to the east coast every summer.

I am here to help our team and partners execute on the important work that keeps the right plastics in the economy and out of people, animals and nature.

Shalyn (she/her) studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan, with degree specialties in Biochemical Engineering and Communications. Prior to joining CPP, Shalyn has over 8 years of experience in the food and pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, providing project and operations management expertise at greenfield GMP manufacturing facilities. She has also worked with Métis Nation – Saskatchewan as an Environmental Program Manager, facilitating delivery of climate change, conservation, and consultation programs to Métis communities and citizens in Saskatchewan.

Andrea M. Gal is dedicated to supporting the sustainability of Canadian agriculture. She is passionate about advancing initiatives that benefit farmers, communities, and the environment. For over four years at Wilton Consulting Group, she collaborated with farm and commodity organizations on sustainable agriculture programs and research. She facilitated extensive consultations with industry representatives to develop recommendations on programming and policy updates to best meet industry needs. She is an experienced project manager, overseeing initiatives ranging from field-scale trials to national research projects. Andrea is a skilled communicator. She served as the managing editor of Farms.com, Better Farming, and Better Pork. Here, Andrea built, mentored, and led the editorial team through the expansion of Better Pork to a national publication and the launch of Better Farming Prairies. Andrea also brings a grassroots perspective to her work in the industry. Together with her family, Andrea runs a grain farm and cow-calf operation in southwestern Ontario. She serves as the Vice Chair of Farm Management Canada and as a representative on the Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s Policy Advisory Council.

Communication Specialist, CANZA

I’m here because I believe bold, coordinated action is the only way to tackle challenges as complex as plastic waste.

Holly Hendershot brings over 15 years of experience in strategic communications, public affairs, and organizational transformation. She has led communications for some of Canada’s most recognized organizations, including one of Ontario’s largest pediatric rehab centres and has overseen public affairs and investor relations for TSX- and NYSE-listed companies.

Holly specializes in aligning communications with business strategy, ensuring that organizations effectively engage stakeholders, build trust, and drive meaningful impact.

Holly has been actively involved in the social sector for over a decade, serving in leadership roles such as Board Chair for Habitat for Humanity Guelph Wellington and Chair of Fundraising for UN Women National Committee. Holly is a Certified IAF Endorsed Facilitator and Certified Adaptability and Change Practitioner.

She is passionate about helping organizations communicate with clarity, inspire action, and drive transformation.

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Meet our Strategic Advisors

I’m here to work with the problem-solvers. Yes, the challenges are big and complex. Making progress is hard AND it’s possible. Our work proves that.

Jessie is a passionate, purpose-driven senior strategic communications executive with deep expertise in sustainable finance, ESG, and climate communications.

As an SVP at Argyle/Believeco: Partners, Jessie led a talented team of corporate communications and public affairs professionals serving clients across multiple sectors and industries (finance, tech, real estate and the built environment). She established the firm’s Sustainable Value portfolio, supporting businesses, NGOs, governments, and academic experts in their work to bring climate and sustainable economy solutions to bear.

Prior to her time at Arygle, Jessie was the founding Communications Director and brand architect for Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission, helped launch the Smart Prosperity Leaders Initiative, and was the Head of Strategic Communications for WWF-Canada.

Jessie lives in Toronto with her two teen-aged sons, partner, and gigantic dog (Cooper). Her happy place is the muddy trail along Grenadier Pond.

Dr. Mike Moffatt is the Senior Director of Policy and Innovation at the Smart Prosperity Institute and an Assistant Professor in the Business, Economics and Public Policy group at Ivey Business School, Western University. Mike’s research at SPI focuses on the intersection of regional economic development, building child-friendly, climate-friendly housing and communities, and clean innovation. In 2017, Mike was the Chief Innovation Fellow for the Government of Canada, advising Deputy Ministers on innovation policy and emerging trends. He has also previously held the titles of Director (Interim) of the Lawrence National Centre for Policy and Management, Directory of Policy at Canada 2020, and Chief Economist for the Mowat Centre at the University of Toronto. Mike has worked with politicians and policymakers of all political stripes in several countries to craft more effective public policy. From 2013 to 2015, Mike served as an economic advisor to Liberal leader Justin Trudeau. Mike holds a Ph.D. in Management Science from Ivey Business School and an M.A. in Economics from the University of Rochester. Outside of his clean economy work at SPI, Mike is a disability-rights activist.

Dr. Ollie Kaiser is Director, Policy and Research at SPI, where they lead and advise interdisciplinary research focused on accelerating Canada’s transition to a low-carbon, circular, and inclusive economy. Dr. Kaiser works closely with decision-makers across public, private and academic sectors to inform and influence climate and economic policy. Their research focuses on advancing agile governance approaches to drive clean innovation and growth with applications in sustainable finance, cleantech, low-carbon energy systems and permitting processes. With more than a decade of experience spanning academia, applied policy and government advisory, Dr. Kaiser brings deep expertise in the design and management of complex, policy-driven research programs. They hold a PhD in Environmental and Urban Change from York University, an MSc in Environmental Policy and Regulation from the London School of Economics, and a graduate certificate in Green Business Management from Seneca College.

Dr. Geoff McCarney is Executive Director of the Smart Prosperity Institute and Director of the Institute of the Environment at the University of Ottawa, where he also serves as Associate Professor of Environment and Development in the School of International Development and Global Studies. Dr. McCarney brings more than a decade of experience leading large interdisciplinary research teams, multi-stakeholder partnerships and major grants focused on the environment-economy nexus. He specializes in policy-oriented research and knowledge mobilization in environmental, natural resource and development economics. His work has supported more than 200 research projects and mobilized findings to inform federal climate and economic policy to accelerate Canada’s transition to a low-carbon, sustainable economy. He holds a PhD in Sustainable Development (economics and climate science) from Columbia University.

Paige is an environmental scientist whose research focuses on how we account for, make decisions about, and value nature – from a personal as well as economic standpoint. At SPI Paige is leading the conservation finance initiative, examining financial mechanisms and enabling conditions to catalyze interest and investment to support ecosystem services and the natural environment. Her expertise centers around ecosystem services, nature-based solutions for climate change, ecological economics, and environmental and relational values. With a common thread of connecting people and nature, her work has spanned rural agricultural settings in Latin America and South East Asia, to advocating for change in international policy settings, to providing sustainability guidance to private sector actors. In this work and past positions at the Earth Institute in New York City and UNEP in Geneva, she enjoys working with a range of stakeholders to address conservation challenges — including local communities, NGOs, various scales of government, academia, and the private sector. Paige maintains affiliations with the CHANS (Connecting Human and Natural Systems) Lab at UBC, and the Copenhagen Business School as part of the Impact for Innovation Lab. She holds a PhD from the Institute of Resources, Environment and Sustainability at UBC and a Master’s of Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University.

Michael is a Research Associate with the Smart Prosperity Institute. Prior to joining SPI, Michael worked at Trans Canada Trail, a non-profit organization that supports the development of active transportation routes and recreational trails as fundamental to the well-being of Canadian communities. Michael has also worked at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNSCDB) in subnational and local implementation and with the Office for Disability Issues at Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Michael holds a Master of Environmental Policy from the Institut d’études politiques de Paris (Sciences Po) and his research interests are focused on the nexus between urban nature, human health, and climate change. When not at his desk, Michael can be found cycling, rock climbing or exploring the great outdoors with his growing family.

As a Senior Associate, Sarah supports businesses and other organizations with integrated sustainability visioning, strategy and implementation as well as organizational learning. Previously the lead of The Natural Step Canada’s Advisory Services Team (and a member of this organization since 2007), Sarah has worked with a wide range of partners to share her expertise on sustainability and strategy development, including a sustainability strategy and visioning program for Pratt & Whitney Canada; a comprehensive sustainability training, strategy, visioning and implementation program for The Landmark Group of Builders; and a strategic positioning and organizational change program with ISL Engineering and Land Services. Other clients include multi-national chemical company Rohm and Haas (now Dow Advanced Materials); SMART Technologies; BC Hydro; Accommodation and Real Estate Services of British Columbia; the City of Ottawa, the County of Hawaii; and many others. Sarah also provides training with international Natural Step offices.

Prior to her work here, Sarah was a natural building instructor, working to enable communities to create structure from locally available, minimally processed materials. She has worked with people from over 22 countries in this capacity.

Sarah holds a master’s degree in “Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability” from the Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden and an undergraduate degree in Geography from Mount Allison University.

Mark is President From Here to There Consulting and Associate of Tamarack – An Institute for Community Engagement. Mark’s current focus is building the practice of Developmental Evaluation integrating real-time feedback and learning in emerging, complex, and fast-moving environments.

Jean Paul (JP) Gladu is currently Principal of Mokwateh and dedicated to creating innovative partnerships and solutions to reveal equitable opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous business communities.

JP previously served as the President and CEO of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) from September 2012 until April 2020. Anishinaabe from Thunder Bay JP is a member of Sand Point First Nation located on the eastern shores of Lake Nipigon, Ontario. JP completed a forestry technician diploma in 1993, obtained an undergraduate degree in forestry from Northern Arizona University in 2000, holds an Executive MBA from Queen’s University and the ICD.D from Rotman School of Management University of Toronto. JP has over 30 years of experience in the natural resource sector. His career path includes work with Indigenous communities and organizations, environmental non- government organizations, industry and governments from across Canada.

Currently, JP serves on the board of Suncor, Institute for Corporate Directors, Broden Mining, First Nations Major Projects Coalition Advisory Centre, Chair of Canada’s Forest Trust, as well BHP’s International Forum for Corporate Responsibility committee. He previously served on the Board of Ontario Power Generation, Noront Resources and past Chair of the Mikisew Group of Companies. He is a senior fellow with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and served as the Chancellor of St. Paul’s University College Waterloo from 2017 to 2020. His previous appointments include Canadian Electricity Association Public Advisory Panel, Colleges and Institutes Canada (previously ACCC), the Northern Policy Institute, Canadian Foundation for Economic Education, advisory member to the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, a committee member to the Ontario Provincial Forest Policy Committee.

JP is a sought-after public speaker both nationally and internationally, sharing insights into the challenges and successes of Indigenous business and the growth of the Indigenous economy within Canada today. His achievements are being recognized by the Public Policy Forum as a 2024 Honouree.

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Our people and partnership team

Interested in joining a passionate and committed team?

Meet Generate Canada’s Board of Directors

Meet the Generate Canada Management Team

Meet the Generate Canada Team

Meet our Strategic Advisors

Meet the Smart Prosperity Institute Team