Leanne Kubiseski - Fortis
Sr. Advisor, Emerging Customer Solutions & Energy Futures Lab Fellow
Leanne has over 16 years’ experience in stakeholder relations, customer service, project management, and regulatory compliance in Alberta’s energy sector. She has held several roles in Alberta’s electricity industry on the transmission and distribution systems, including leading public engagement programs for new projects, supporting large industrial customers connected to the grid, and guiding new energy projects through the Alberta Electric System Operator’s connection process. She now focuses on customer solutions to enable emerging trends and technologies on the grid. Leanne is Vice-Chair of the Alberta Energy Efficiency Alliance, an Energy Futures Lab and previously Chaired Electricity Canada’s Key Accounts Working Group.
Todd Becker
Todd is currently the Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Innisfail and has served Innisfail in this capacity for the last six years. Todd has worked within local government for over 30 years and over this time has experienced the increasing complexity of providing services to the community because of increased responsibilities at the grassroots community level. The energy transition is one of many complexities that municipalities are learning to understand the impacts to the community and the opportunity it creates. Todd recently became a Fellow with the Energy Futures Lab and has a desire to learn more of how the energy transition is impacting communities. As a senior leader with the Town of Innisfail, Todd works with the senior leadership and Town Council to explore energy diversification through technologies and partnership opportunities.
Pamela Goertzen - SSRIA
Executive Director
Pamela Goertzen is the founding Executive Director of SSRIA. Her role encompasses the development of a robust operational structure and a suite of programs, all aligned with SSRIA's mission to advance low-carbon building solutions. With a two-decade career, Pam has spearheaded energy efficiency and social change initiatives in Alberta, including overseeing residential energy efficiency programs for Energy Efficiency Alberta and a 14-year tenure at C3 (formerly Climate Change Central). Passionate about addressing climate change, she holds a Bachelor of Management from Athabasca University and a bilingual business administration diploma with a marketing specialization from NAIT. Her dedication drives both her professional and personal commitment to sustainability.
Grand Chief Desmond Bull - Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations
Grand Chief
Desmond G. Bull has recently been appointed as Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations. He was previously the elected Chief for the Louis Bull Tribe of the Maskwacis Nation in this Treaty 6 Territory of Alberta.
Desmond completed leadership training at the Banff Art Centre in 2012, leading to his election as Chief of the Louis Bull Tribe in 2013 through to 2022. His leadership has enabled him to serve on various boards in the Maskwacis and at provincial and federal levels.
During his first term as Councillor, Desmond successfully oversaw the installation of 188 Kwh of PV systems on 8 public buildings, fully funded through grants, subsidies, and fundraising by trained tribal members, without capital investment from the Louis Bull Tribe.
Chief Desmond has collaborated with organizations like The Green Economy Network, Energy Futures Lab of Alberta, Alberta Solar Energy Society, Aboriginal Climate Action Team, and the 20/20 Catalysts program. His involvement in a report for The Alberta Energy Efficiency Advisory Panel in 2018 resulted in a $20 million injection into First Nation renewable programs in Alberta by the Dept of Alberta Indigenous Relations. Chief Desmond's vision includes co-generation MWH electrical systems, tribal utility grids, biomass waste management, electric vehicles with battery storage, food/water sovereignty programs, and capacity development, all facilitated through partnerships and collaboration using treaties, UNDRIP, and TRC principles.
Luke Pasishnik
Residential & Commercial Manager
A Graduate of the Southern Alberta Institute for Technology, Luke has brought a level of technical electrical proficiency, in both comprehensive knowledge of the trade and its requisite skill sets, honed from thorough experience in commercial electrical construction. Of crucial relevance is Luke’s previous experience in leadership in commercial electrical involved in the construction of facilities across Alberta. Luke has been an integral team member in the completion of some of CBI Solar’s milestone projects, and is now head of the Residential and Commercial division of CBI Solar.
Nick McIntosh
Senior Materials Testing & Fabrication Specialist
Nick is a red seal journeyman carpenter with over 14 years of experience in many different aspects of home building. He started and has been operating a small family-run home-building company since 2014 as well as currently working at SAIT with the Green Building Technologies as a project coordinator. Nick is a certified Passive house tradesperson, Passive house trades course instructor, and is a big proponent of encouraging tradespeople to get educated in high performance building practices.
KIT & ANIA RICHMOND
Local Changemakers
Kit Richmond and Ania Kania-Richmond, who live in Red Deer with their children, are an active family who loves the outdoors, being active, cultural events, and travel. Wherever life takes them, they are committed to living sustainably and continuously improving how they do this – for themselves, their children and their environmental legacy. Both are professionals and business owners, and have become local champions of sustainable living, enabling their communities to adopt better ways of reducing carbon emissions and the carbon footprint of individuals, families and households. Last year, the Richmonds were selected as one of five families from across Canada to participate in Canadian Geographic’s inaugural Live Net Zero competition.
ERIN HANRAHAN & TAYLOR ENNIS - City of Red Deer
Environmental Program Specialists
Erin Hanrahan (left) is an Environmental Program Specialist with the City of Red Deer. She has worked in the environmental programming field since graduating from the University of Lethbridge in 2019. Erin enjoys working with people to help them make every day environmental improvements in their life. Since joining the City of Red Deer in 2021, Erin has been instrumental in managing and developing programs that support residents like the EnergyWise program, the rebate programs, and numerous environmental education campaigns. When Erin is not at work she enjoys walking with her dog, spending time at the barn or reading a good book.
Taylor Ennis is an Environmental Program Specialist with the City of Red Deer. Originally from Langley, BC, she moved to Red Deer in 2017 to start her career after graduating from the University of British Columbia. Since moving to Red Deer, she was the Coordinator, Legacy & Sustainability for the 2019 Canada Winter Games and was responsible for leading the 2019 Games to being the most sustainable Games at that time. Taylor has an extensive knowledge on waste management processes throughout Canada and has worked with numerous local organizations in Red Deer to collaborate on environmental initiatives. She was originally anticipating to move back to BC, but has now been in Red Deer for 6 years where she is raising her family and has no plans on moving back. When she’s not working, she spends most of her free time playing soccer for a local women’s team.
Frank Crawford - Passive House Alberta
Energy Efficiency Consultant
Frank Crawford is a Professional Civil Engineer and a Certified Passive House Designer and Tradesperson. He designed, built and now lives in one of the first Alberta homes built to the International Passive House Standard. Through his work as an Energy Efficiency Consultant, the Education Committee lead of Passive House Alberta and a Passive House Canada instructor, he help others learn how to achieve the benefits of building or renovating to a High Performance Building standard while minimizing the additional upfront costs and embodied and operational carbon.
DARREN & DARCY CRICHTON - LOCAL CHANGEMAKERS
WITH STEVE OSLANSKI - Envirotech Geothermal - VP of Sales
Darcy is a passionate and dedicated educator on a mission to make the world a better place. Having spent a lot of time outdoors helped her develop a deep appreciation for nature and a growing sense of responsibility for protecting it (which she shares with her partner, Darren).
Darren is a Professional Analytical Chemist with a focus on laboratory innovation. In his leisure time, Darren’s hobbies include woodworking, coding, fixing broken things, and a commitment to staying physically fit. He and his wife Darcy have spent much of their free time reducing their carbon footprint.
Steve Oslanski is a Partner with Envirotech Geothermal where they have been providing renewable heating and cooling solutions using geo-exchange technologies since 2006. As there are only a few qualified installers in Alberta, Envirotech is at the forefront of their industry. While navigating the educational, regulatory, and sales hurdles, the path to electrify Canada, and the importance of ground source has become very clear. Steve also holds the seat of Vice President, on the Western Canadian Geo Association, a newly formed industry organization dedicated to the responsible development of the growing geo-exchange industry.
TREVOR HOFFART - Gary Moe Group
Sales Consultant
Trevor, a nationally recognized sales leader with nearly four years of outstanding performance at Gary Moe Hyundai within Hyundai Canada, is renowned for his exceptional customer service. Specializing in electric vehicles (EVs), Trevor's passion for sustainability and deep knowledge of EV technologies, incentives, and market trends make him a trusted authority in guiding individuals toward greener transportation choices. He has earned national awards for customer service, engaged in discussions on EV consumer adoption with industry leaders, and provided personalized guidance to numerous clients, solidifying his role in shaping the future of eco-friendly mobility through both sales excellence and expertise in EVs.
DEAN BYE - Red Deer Polytechnic
Electrical Alternative Lab Technician
Dean Bye began his electrical career in Red Deer in 2002. While working towards his Journeyperson Electrician certificate at Red Deer Polytechnic, Dean was employed in the residential and commercial sector. Dean earned his Alberta Master Electrician Certificate from RDP in 2011 and continued his career as an Industrial Electrician. His passion for working in the renewable energy led him to join RDP as the Electrical and Energy Innovation Lab Technician in 2018.
Dean Bye has continued his education in renewable energy, particularly in solar PV energy and is now recognized as a PV Associate by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
MARK CHIDWICK - Enermetrics
Chief Technology Officer
Mark founded eDecisions (Enermetrics), a software firm that has developed tools and methodologies focused on accelerating the adoption of clean technologies. eDecisions provides Investment Grade Energy and Carbon Strategies that help decision-makers by providing all the materials they need to have confidence in investing in clean energy projects. Mark has applied these methodologies in a number of market sectors including commercial real-estate, multi-family residential, industrial, municipal and institutional facilities.
Brad Nickel - Equs
Business Opportunity Specialist & Energy Futures Lab Fellow
Brad Nickel is engineer with a knack and a passion for technology and people. He specializes in combining innovative technology with business strategy to advance the energy transition and improve quality of life and sustainability. With over 15 years of industry experience specializing in electricity and energy, Brad approaches his work with fresh ideas, an open mind, and a wealth of experience. Brad is also an active member in the Energy Futures Lab a social innovation lab dedicated to de polarizing the energy transition.
Keith Hirsche - Renewell energy solutions
Founder
Keith Hirsche is fourth generation Albertan, second generation in the oil and gas industry and originally from Taber. In 1977, he began a geoscience career which quickly focused on researching methods to improve recovery from oil and gas fields in Alberta and internationally. In 2003, while visiting extended family in Denmark, he was introduced to renewable energy technology. Shortly afterwards, Keith founded Elemental Energy (2003 AB) Inc to explore how conventional and renewable energy systems can be combined for a more sustainable future. Since early 2016, Keith has worked extensively with key stakeholders to realize the potential of using Alberta’s extensive inventory of abandoned oil and gas sites as a foundation for solar energy development
Jim Jorgensen - City of Red Deer
Utilities Manager
Jim brings over 25 years of project management, general management, and leadership experience in the manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, and public utility sectors to The City of Red Deer. Since 2011, he has lead The City’s Electric Light & Power operations, and in 2020, the role was expanded to include responsibility for the Water, Wastewater, and Waste Management teams to focus on the interdependencies and opportunities in each of these rapidly evolving industries.
GLENN HARASYM- The ITT Project
Environmental Scientist
Glenn is an environmental scientist with over a decade of experience studying and advising on environmental impacts and solutions. He has worked on a myriad of projects that involve renewable energy, housing, mining, and municipal development. Glenn currently is most involved in advising the Alberta government on energy projects and in his off time he runs a small sustainable marketing and consulting company.
CALVIN LECHELT - Alberta Municipalities
Program Manager
Calvin joined the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre and Alberta Municipalities in 2017 and currently leads the Action Centre’s renewable energy, energy efficiency, and electric vehicle-related rebate programs for municipalities across Alberta to reduce energy use and emissions. Calvin has an Alternative Energy Technology diploma and a Bachelor of Technology.
Danielle Wiess - Community Energy Association
Director Transportation Initiatives - Transportation Service Area
Danielle is Director of Transportation Initiatives with the Community Energy Association (CEA). Danielle supports local, regional and Indigenous governments with envisioning and implementing low-carbon transportation solutions. Be it micro or electric mobility, encouraging active transportation, or electric vehicle charging infrastructure and networks. Danielle is currently leading implementation of two regional electric vehicle charging networks in British Columbia and is leading network design and funding applications for regions in Northern Alberta and Southern Ontario. She is co-chair of the BC Local Government Electric Vehicle Peer Network and is trained in IAP2 foundational practices for public engagement.
Claude Mindorff - PACE Canada
Renewable Energy Innovator & Consultant
Claude, a pioneer in renewable energy since 1998, has played a pivotal role in shaping development techniques in the industry. With the exponential growth of renewable energy, he now offers unmatched expertise in project development across North American electrical jurisdictions. His journey, from working with sodar equipment in Northern Ontario to community consultations in California and lobbying for renewable access to Alberta's electrical grid, has culminated in his role at PACE Canada. Here, he leverages his deep knowledge of best practices and a successful track record in large-scale projects to push the boundaries of renewable energy generation in Canada.
Jim Steil - Battery Advancement
Owner
Jim is a Red Deer native who currently operates Battery Advancement, in Calgary, AB. Jim started his first business (fixing bicycles) at age 15 and has always liked to “make things.”
Graduating from Electrical Engineering in 1984, his involvement with batteries began in earnest about 2010, when he began the conversion of his 1966 Volvo Wagon to electric. A few years later, he founded GoElectric – importing electric vehicles from California – and The EV Underground – a Makerspace for EV Conversions.
In 2020 he founded Battery Advancement Ltd, which initially targeted Lithium batteries for golf carts, and has since developed BA Labs, which serves as a platform for battery research, testing, and a few other things, mostly battery-related. BA Labs also prides itself in training young Engineers.
In his spare time he enjoys cooking, gardening, fly-fishing and reading.
AMELIE CARON - Ecosynergy
Building Scientist
Amelie is the life force behind Ecosynergy. Whether playing her saxophone, enjoying a cocktail, or sharing her wealth of knowledge with others, Amelie’s positive energy creates an open and creative environment for friends, clients, staff, and industry colleagues. Described by her team as “a spunky encyclopedia,” she has the unique ability to break down concepts and teach them at any level of understanding.
Amelie created Ecosynergy in 2009 and earned her Masters of Building Science in 2012. She loves to apply her knowledge and expertise to helping clients adapt the real world of construction to the changing environment. Regularly asked to contribute to industry and public education through speaking engagements, podcasts, and publications, Amelie is a respected voice in our community.
Amelie, building science mentor and friend, offers a strong shoulder and a reliable voice of wisdom.
RENE MICHALAK - Food Garage Project
Owner/Operator
Rene Michalak is an enterprising renewable energy electrician, permaculture designer, biomimicry professional, and open-source technology enthusiast who collaborates with leaders, cities, businesses, and agencies to identify and implement natural-systems-based solutions to human, social, and infrastructure problems. He holds fast in the belief that none of us are as smart as all of us and that inspiration is the renewable resource that will allow us to thrive together in the 21st Century.
Derek Chamberlin - Daikin
Sales Director
Derek Represents Daikin in the Canadian Prairies, The World’s No. 1 indoor comfort solutions company. He holds a certificate as an Architectural Technician and a Red Seal Sheet Metal Worker. With over 20 years of experience, he is a dedicated professional advocating energy efficiency, and heat pump adoption in cold climates. He recently completed an energy retrofit of his own home to use as a sample of what cold climate heat pumps are capable of.