Our People

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.

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.

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.

David Hughes is the President and CEO of Generate Canada.

Under David’s leadership Generate Canada has experienced seven-fold growth, forged an expansive partnership base of leading public and private sector organizations, and scaled impact through a distributed network of new ‘Solution Spaces’.  These pre-competitive systems-change labs now include  CANZA (the Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agri-food, the Canada Plastics Pact, Circular Construction Canada, the Energy Futures Lab, the Nature Investment Hub, and a soon-to-be launched sustainable oceans investment platform.

David previously served as President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada and Pathways to Education Canada during periods of unprecedented growth and impact.  Prior to that he spent 10 years working for the Secretary General of the SOS Children’s Villages International which included senior postings to Africa, Asia, Europe, USA and the United Nations (New York and Vienna).  

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

Learn more at www.linkedin.com/in/dwhughes

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.

Sarah Jay is an award-winning sustainability leader with over 20 years of experience advancing circularity, ESG strategy, and systems change across the fashion, textiles, and consumer goods sectors. With a background spanning journalism, design, and environmental science, and expertise in material health and the forensic traceability of complex supply chains, she is known for creating compelling, science-based narratives, developing innovative solutions, and driving diverse stakeholder engagement.
Sarah has held international leadership roles, most notably as Executive Director of Fashion Revolution, where she worked with brands, policymakers, and civil society to advance transparency, accountability, and the adoption of more responsible material and energy systems in global apparel manufacturing. Her master’s research provides the first and only end-use market assessment of the prevalence of shark-derived squalane in cosmetics.
Her work as a journalist and producer of the Emmy-nominated documentary Toxic Beauty reflects a commitment to elevating the human stories behind toxin exposure in personal care and catalyzing meaningful change through artful, science-based communication across platforms.
Sarah joins the Canada Plastics Pact as Head of Communications, bringing a collaborative, systems-oriented approach to addressing the global plastics challenge. An avid open water swimmer, mixed-media artist, upcycler, and devoted dog mom, she is driven by the belief that circular systems are not only an environmental imperative, but a reflection of optimal design.

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.

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.

With over a decade of administrative and operational expertise, Kelly brings a unique blend of adaptability, intuition, and organizational excellence to her role as Executive Assistant at CANZA. Throughout her career, she has supported executives across diverse industries, excelling at prioritizing competing demands and fostering seamless collaboration. Her experience spans office administration, operations management, and executive support, where she has consistently driven efficiency and elevated team performance. Her approach is anchored in understanding the nuances of leadership, anticipating needs and delivering tailored solutions that enable her team to focus on achieving strategic objectives. Kelly is deeply passionate about cultivating environments where collaboration and innovation thrive. She believes that by working together to implement forward-thinking, practical solutions, we can transform the agri-food system into a model of sustainability and resilience. Guided by a shared commitment to progress, Kelly is dedicated to helping CANZA advance initiatives that pave the way for a more equitable, purpose-driven, and sustainable future.

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!

Raphael Lopoukhine is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Circular Construction 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.

Farm Enablement Lead

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.