Our People

Shahid is a Senior Research Associate in Resource Economics and Circular Economy Policy at Smart Prosperity Institute. He holds a Master’s in Resource Management degree from Simon Fraser University and a Master of Engineering degree from the University of Guelph.

He has a passion for energy-economy modelling and data analytics – and his research interests include the economics of energy and climate policy, sustainable renewable & low carbon fuel production, and deep decarbonization.

Prior to SPI, Shahid worked as an analyst for Clean Energy Canada, as a research associate at Navius Research and The Canadian Energy and Emissions Data Centre, and as a research assistant with the Energy and Materials Research Group.

Outside of work, Shahid is busy exploring the Canadian wilderness and trying to perfect his grandma’s recipes.

Anik Islam is a Senior Research Associate at Smart Prosperity Institute. He leads policy research and data analysis work on sustainable finance, net-zero industrial transitions and clean technology development to help Canada meet its climate objectives and achieve economic prosperity.

Prior to SPI, he worked at an international consulting firm based in Dhaka, Bangladesh and provided macro level and business case solutions in renewable energy market development, natural resource pricing & management, infrastructure/structured financing, public private partnerships and sustainable development goal implementation. Anik holds a M.A. in Economics from the University of Ottawa and a M.Sc. in Finance from Queen Mary University of London.

Grace is a research associate at Smart Prosperity Institute. She has a BSc in biomedical sciences from the University of Ottawa and a BA in psychology with a major in biology from Carleton University. Grace previously worked as a junior science officer for Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan at Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Her interest include human health and the impacts of climate change. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, singing and running.

Mykensie is a Research Associate with the Smart Prosperity Institute. Previous experiences include being a policy analyst for the Government of Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Environment and the Director of Research and Policy Development for the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.

Mykensie holds a Master of Public Administration from the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Queen’s University. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, volunteering, hiking, and cycling in the summer.

Kiana is the Program & Communications Coordinator at CELC. She has a B. Arts Sc. from McMaster University and an M.A. specializing in Environmental Sustainability at the University of Ottawa. Kiana cares deeply about sustainability which reflects in her lifestyle, studies and professional work. Her personal passion is on the circular economy in textiles, and appreciates the opportunity to work towards exploring pathways for change in this area, as well as many others, in her work at CELC.

Throughout her career, Maureen Kolla has built a comprehensive understanding of Alberta’s electricity system with deep experience in consortium building, emerging technology development, and sustainable business strategy.

Maureen joined the Energy Futures Lab in April 2023 as Project Lead for its Alberta’s Electricity Future initiative. The initiative centres on convening a cross-sectoral coalition of industry leaders and change-makers to address systemic challenges to reorienting and reorganizing the province’s unique electricity system to meet the needs of the net-zero economy of the future.

She brings to her role a diverse skill set with expertise in research, strategic planning, project and business development, technology evaluation, fostering collaborative relationships, and effective communications. Maureen has worked as both a funder and a business leader. She managed over $5 million in grant funding for projects related to geothermal energy, energy storage, smart grid, and clean technologies. She also led market entry strategies, business strategies, and carbon related ventures for various clients. In 2017, she founded the Alberta Smart Grid Consortium bringing together Alberta Distribution Facility Owners, the Alberta Minister of Energy and Alberta Innovates to collaboratively assess the impacts and opportunities presented by new grid technologies and their ability to meet the evolving needs of electricity consumers.

Maureen holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alberta, a Master of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Doctorate in Aerospace Engineering from Toronto Metropolitan University.

Quote:
“I believe we have a moral and economic imperative to ensure that Alberta’s electricity system supports our ambitions for a net-zero future. And to do that, we need broad alignment behind the value of this goal. With a challenge of this scope and scale, we will only succeed if we work together.”

Sarah resides in Windsor, ON, where she received her BA in Political Science at the University of Windsor and continued her education at Niagara College, completing a post-graduate certificate in Public Relations.

After graduation, she began her career in Agriculture where she learned the ins and outs of the vegetable greenhouse industry as PR specialist in a large greenhouse growing company.

Her passion for communications, sustainability, and policy led her to SPI where she now supports the PLACE Centre initiative as Communications Coordinator. In her role, she will assist in the development of communication materials through written and visual content, while determining the best format to make information accessible.

When she is not collaborating with the ever-growing team at SPI, you can find her cooking, reading, or tasting the newest restaurants and food trends.

Pong is a Principal of Travesia Partners and a Senior Associate with The Natural Step Canada. Pong supports businesses, communities and other organizations with integrated sustainability planning and education and delivers hundreds of workshops and presentations on the theme of sustainability, change, organizational learning and strategy.

Pong has worked with a wide range of organizations including engagements with award-winning clients such as Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Design, ISL Engineering and Land Services, the Landmark Group of Builders, and the City of Williams Lake. Other past and current clients include PCL Construction, Edmonton Airports, Endeavour Silver, Halifax International Airport Authority, Compass Canada, B.C. Hydro, Hatch Engineering, the City of Edmonton, Morguard Investments, British Columbia Institute of Technology, Halifax Regional Municipality, B.C Housing, City of Calgary, the Resort Municipality of Whistler, the Town of Canmore, Lilydale, the Nickel Institute, Alberta Urban Municipalities Association, amongst many others.

Most recently, Pong was Program Director of the M.SC. in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability program at the Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden. The program is based in the concepts of The Natural Step Framework and develops leadership skills and product innovation. In addition to this role, Pong also led a successful year-long educational engagement for change agents in the European chemical industry. Pong currently teaches on sustainability inspired organizational change and leadership at the BC. Institute of Technology.

Pong completed his Masters of Science in Environmental Management and Policy at the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics at Lund University in Sweden and his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta.

Pong is fluent in English and Spanish. Outside the office, Pong enjoys running, reading and spending time with his family and son Liam!

Ecosystem-based watershed management, climate change alleviation, ecological-friendly agriculture practices, natural-based solutions to improve urban environment and resilience, sustainable urban water management. 

Raphael Lopoukhine is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Circular Economy Leadership Canada. With expertise in climate and circular economy policy, design research, and communications, he has led high-impact initiatives across sectors, including writing circular economy reports, advising on environmental policies, and delivering digital solutions for sustainability projects. His ability to translate complex challenges into actionable strategies drives organizational change and fosters stakeholder collaboration. Raphael’s career spans media, government, non-profits, and the private sector, with impactful work in Canada and internationally.

A graduate from the University of Lethbridge with a degree in Neuroscience, Stacy joins the EFL team with a deep passion for science, innovation, and research. Growing up in Alberta, the energy sector has always played a role in Stacy’s life and is the reason she is eager to be a part of Alberta’s net zero future.

A natural communicator with a keen eye for detail, Stacy brings her administrative skills, enthusiasm, and experience within the nonprofit sector to support the executive team in building innovative solutions that address complex challenges.

Meredith is a journalist and content producer with 20 years of experience explaining complicated topics, from clean energy to the economy to human psychology, in an easily digestible manner.

Matt holds a BComm, M.Sc. in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability and is a Doctor of Business Administration candidate (expected graduation 2024) at University of Calgary. He works in the field of corporate strategy, innovation, and organizational development and has extensive experience coordinating multi-stakeholder and multi-interest groups that are working on some of the most difficult questions of our time (e.g. transitioning Alberta’s energy system, accelerating a circular economy, accelerating the adoption of regenerative agriculture, galvanizing climate leadership and more).

Matt is a sessional instructor at Mount Royal University and University of Calgary on courses pertaining to sustainable development.

Neil originally joined The Natural Step Canada in 2011 and since then has been helping out through various roles related to online communications and IT systems. After graduating from the University of Guelph in 2007 with a business commerce degree, he starting learning the ways of the web. He now has over ten years of experience helping non-profits mainly with their websites, social media channels, newsletters and IT systems.

Aside from nature and sustainability, Neil is passionate about running, sports, music, books, and as a new father he’s soaking in the joys of Dad life.

Ashley is a strategic communications professional with over 15 years of marketing and public relations experience in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.

A graduate of Simon Fraser University’s School for the Contemporary Arts with a concentration in theatre, Ashley’s background is steeped in the art of gathering, storytelling, and meaning making, which she draws on to inform the creation of integrated communications campaigns. Her work is centred around the belief that all great communication arises from the intersection of empathy and inclusivity.

Having gained experience across many industries, including tourism, economic development, technology and the arts, she developed a passion for using her skills in writing, creative direction and community management to translate complex ideas and processes into inclusive and inspiring language and narratives. She is delighted to use those skills now to help drive greater awareness of the timely and important work being done by the Energy Futures Lab.

When she’s not working you’ll most often find her digging in the dirt at the community garden, or out exploring the wonders of nature with her dog, Goose.

As The Natural Step Canada’s Finance & Administrative Coordinator, Susan manages all aspects of our office perations, at the Ottawa office and for off-site staff. She is responsible for the finances, including A/R, A/P, financial statements, payroll and adherence to legislative requirements. Her innate organizational skills keep the office running smoothly and ensure that the Natural Step team has the resources to provide the best results possible.

She has worked in many diverse environments – municipal government, high tech, small business and self-employment. She holds a diploma in Office Administration from Algonquin College and has continued to upgrade her accounting skills through part-time classes.

Susan has recently discovered the freedom that comes after raising two children through to young adulthood. She and her husband enjoy camping, canoeing and spontaneous road trips.

Meg earned her PhD at University of British Columbia studying the tension we experience between dogmatic instruction for climate conscious choices and our embodied, lived experience in everyday life. Outside of academia, Meg continues to practice and facilitate collaborative approaches to motivate collective action in many fields including the Arts, social-serving non profits, industrial lands, cooperative housing, and economic development.

Meg has over a decade of experience supporting transformation in business for greater economic, environmental, and social sustainability. She is a skilled facilitator, systems thinker, change manager, and team leader. Meg is also an amateur textile artist, an adventurous vegetarian cook, and a lover of spontaneous dance parties.

Emma Ohirko is Project Manager for CANZA. She received her BA in Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of Guelph and later completed her master’s in Publishing Studies at the University of Stirling. She has previously worked in agricultural publishing, overseeing the publication of a monthly industry-leading magazine aimed at farmers.
Emma excels in relationship building and strategic thinking and is thoughtful and creative, with a passion for sustainable agriculture.