We are Clean Energy Canada

About Merran Smith

Merran Smith is a fellow at the Simon Fraser University Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, and the founder and executive director of Clean Energy Canada—a leading think tank advancing clean energy and climate solutions. Merran serves as co-chair of the B.C. government’s Climate Solutions Council, a member of the independent Task Force for a Resilient Recovery, and a Canadian representative of the C3E International Ambassador Corps. Her 2018 work as co-chair of Natural Resources Canada’s Generation Energy Council helped ideas from a diverse group of stakeholders coalesce into recommendations that will shape Canada's energy future. For most of her career, Merran has worked to unite industry, government, and civil society organizations to solve pressing social and ecological challenges. Her leadership in the landmark Great Bear Rainforest conservation agreement helped ensure the protection of thousands of kilometres of coastal ecosystem. Merran has received numerous leadership distinctions, including being named to Vancouver Magazine's 2020 Power 50 List, winning the 2019 SFU President’s Social Media Newsmaker Award, Clean Energy BC's 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award, the Vancouver Board of Trade's 2016 Wendy McDonald Community Catalyst award, and the Clean 16 award in 2014 for leadership in clean capitalism.

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About Mark Zacharias

With an affinity for public policy and finding solutions that improve both the economy and the environment, Mark joins Clean Energy Canada after a 25-year career with the British Columbia public service where he most recently served as deputy minister of environment and climate change strategy. Mark is responsible for our work in clean energy, including clean fuels, and shepherding the transition towards clean energy to support Canadian families, communities, and industries. Mark holds a PhD in zoology from the University of Guelph and has published extensively, including Marine Policy: An Introduction to Governance and International Law of the Oceans (2014, 2019) and Marine Conservation Ecology (2011). Mark also holds adjunct professor appointments at the Simon Fraser University School of Public Policy, the University of British Columbia Institute for Oceans and Fisheries, and the University of Victoria Department of Geography. He is based in Victoria, B.C.

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About Rachel Doran

As the director of policy and strategy, Rachel brings nearly 20 years of experience in policy, politics and law to advance clean energy solutions for Canada’s sustainable economy. Prior to joining Clean Energy Canada, Rachel served as senior special advisor to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, advisor to the prime minister, and chief of staff to Ministers of Justice and Indigenous Services. Prior to working as political staff, she was legal counsel for both the Ontario and federal governments, working in litigation, resource management and Indigenous rights. She has a background in the management of non-profit organizations and has worked extensively in Canada and in Morocco on access to justice and gender equality. She holds a law degree in civil and common law and BA from McGill University. She is based in Chelsea, Quebec.

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About Trevor Melanson

Trevor leads Clean Energy Canada's communications department and has been with the organization since 2016. He also has a decade of experience as a magazine journalist, having worked as an online editor at Canadian Business, as the associate editor of BCBusiness, and more recently as the senior editor of Vancouver magazine, where he often worked on policy-oriented feature stories. He's also the recipient of multiple national journalism awards and previously taught data journalism at Humber College. Trevor has a master’s in journalism from Western University and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of British Columbia.

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About Natasha LaRoche

Natasha provides the team with strategic organizational development and fundraising support. She has nearly 20 years of experience in fundraising, communications, and public engagement, and has helped raise millions of dollars for leading Canadian universities and not-for-profit organizations. As principal of Mindful Communications, she has helped to develop and coordinate new environmental programs at Dalhousie University and the University of Ottawa. Her interest in sustainability began with her master’s degree from the University of Leuven, Belgium, which focused on evolving environmental policies in an international context. Natasha is a 2004 alumna, and current volunteer organizer, of the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference.

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About Joanna Kyriazis

Joanna works to develop and advance policy solutions that address climate change while promoting clean growth. Based in Ottawa, she regularly connects with thought leaders, industry stakeholders, and policymakers at the federal level. Before joining Clean Energy Canada, Joanna worked as a management consultant helping businesses identify and manage climate change risks and opportunities. She also practiced as a lawyer advising governments and industry on climate change and energy law. In 2017, she was named one of the Clean50 Emerging Leaders. Joanna has a BSc in natural resources from Cornell University and a JD from the University of Toronto.

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About Ollie Sheldrick

Ollie is a Program Manager at Clean Energy Canada where he works to develop and advance policies that reduce industrial emissions while promoting clean growth. Before joining Clean Energy Canada, Ollie worked as a research consultant focused on human capital and the innovation economy with an environmental and sustainability lens. Prior to his move to Canada, Ollie worked in policy and research for think tanks and non-profits in the U.K. He holds an MSc in Urban Studies from University College London, and a BSc in Human and Physical Geography from the University of Reading.

About Stefan Pauer

Stefan ensures that Clean Energy Canada’s research, analysis, policy perspectives, and communications are accurate, credible, and defensible. Before joining Clean Energy Canada, Stefan carried out interdisciplinary research on climate policies in California and Europe at the University of British Columbia. Previously, Stefan worked as a Policy Officer at the European Commission, where he helped develop and implement the European Union’s carbon market. Stefan holds a PhD in law from the University of British Columbia and a master’s in international law from the University of Bern. He is the recipient of numerous research grants, scholarships, and awards from organizations that include the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, Economics and Environmental Policy Research Network, Centre for International Governance Innovation, and University of British Columbia.

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About Evan Pivnick

Evan is a Senior Policy Advisor with Clean Energy Canada, where he works to bring climate action and innovation together to build stronger economies. Before joining Clean Energy Canada, Evan served as the Chief of Staff for the BC Green Caucus during the 2017-2020 minority government. He was deeply involved in the creation of CleanBC, British Columbia’s climate strategy. Evan holds an undergraduate in political science with a minor in Human Dimensions of Climate Change. He holds a Certificate in Leadership, Organizing and Action: Leading Change from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Executive Program.

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About Felix Whitton

Felix is a senior policy advisor at Clean Energy Canada where he works to advance policies that reduce industrial emissions. He previously worked at the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario and the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, where he provided analysis and recommendations on provincial climate, energy efficiency and land use planning initiatives. Prior to joining the public sector Felix spent six years in environmental philanthropy and public engagement in Ontario and the U.K. He holds an MSc in ecology, evolution and conservation from Imperial College London, and recently gained a professional certification in sustainable investment from Concordia University.

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About Keri McNamara

Keri is Clean Energy Canada’s communications specialist. Before starting at Clean Energy Canada, she worked in the U.K. as a freelance science communicator. Keri has a background in research, which includes a master’s degree in geology and a PhD in physical volcanology from the University of Bristol. Along with researching Ethiopian and Chilean volcanoes, Keri worked as a writer for several research organizations and magazines, often covering issues related to climate science.

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About Kim Old

Kim is Clean Energy Canada’s graphic designer. She brings over 10 years of experience in the design industry and has worked with a diverse collection of clients, projects, and mediums—from non-profit and educational marketing to custom illustration and branding. She has a passion for everything design and enjoys using her creativity to help translate complex ideas into accessible information that helps inform, educate, and engage audiences.

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About Deb Thomson

Deb develops and manages Clean Energy Canada’s organizational systems and tools and supports the management of the team’s human resources. From Deb’s background in educational and non-profit leadership, program design, and project management, she brings a service-oriented approach to supporting creative problem-solvers, and a commitment to social and environmental justice. Deb holds a master's degree in educational counselling.

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About Lyndsey Easton

Lyndsey provides the team with administrative and communications support. She began her career in government and has 11 years of communications and fundraising experience. Before joining Clean Energy Canada, Lyndsey worked for a wide range of organizations and publications focused on climate change, the energy transition, generational equity, and government transparency. Lyndsey’s passionate about social justice, and volunteers helping non-profits use technology to run campaigns and tell their stories. She holds an honours diploma in journalism from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, and a communications degree from Royal Roads University.

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