Regional Champions

To advance the mission of energy efficiency, Efficiency Canada appreciates that local connections across Canada must be developed and nurtured. Regional Champions are volunteer leaders that facilitate these connections between sector members, local advocates, government officials, and more. Regional Champions connect every two months to share local knowledge on key concerns of our sector, celebrate wins and discuss ways to further support regional initiatives. Our combined efforts will develop a stronger network of energy efficiency advocates, from coast to coast to coast.

Our Regional Champions

Christine Gustafson

David Pickup

Alberta

David's bio

David leads the post-secondary Energy Management Diploma at Norquest College. He has nine years of experience planning, analysing, and executing clean energy initiatives, including quantifying opportunities and designing strategies for clients of Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors, leading corporate planning at Energy Efficiency Alberta, and heading up policy advocacy and analysis for the UK’s solar industry. He is excited to be developing the next generation of the industry and passionate about the power of the energy efficiency as a climate solution. Connect with David on LinkedIn or by email.

Mathieu Côte

Tanya Ratzlaff

British Columbia

Tanya's bio

Tanya is the Senior Manager of Strategic Relations at the Home Performance Stakeholder Council (HPSC). The HPSC is a non-profit that supports the residential retrofit industry in BC, working to increase the supply and demand for contractors trained with a whole-home approach to energy efficiency retrofits. In her role with the organization, Tanya specializes in strategic oversight of programs such as their flagship initiative the Home Performance Contractor Network, a database of over 500 (and growing) contracting companies that have completed accreditation and qualification criteria and are subject to ongoing quality assurance. Tanya also leads strategic collaboration with program and funding partners, as well as communications and marketing for the HPSC.

Tanya holds a Master of Science degree in Climate Change and Development from SOAS University of London, and a Bachelor of Arts in environmental Studies from Trinity Western University. Previous to joining the HPSC, Tanya worked for local government as a sustainability specialist on a variety of climate action, energy, and waste management initiatives.

Connect with Tanya at tanya@homeperformance.ca

Mathieu Côte

Amy Tuck

Manitoba

Amy's Bio

Amy leads Efficiency Manitoba’s Income-based, Indigenous, and community programs portfolio. A Crown corporation, Efficiency Manitoba, is dedicated to helping Manitobans reduce their electricity and natural gas use through energy efficiency programs. A Bachelor of Commerce graduate, she has extensive marketing, project management, and operations experience. For over 13 years, Amy has been designing and delivering energy efficiency programs for a variety of customer segments in Manitoba. With a decade at Manitoba Hydro, she gained insight into the significant role that demand side management plays for utilities and the importance of bill affordability for underserved customers.

She believes that everyone should have access to energy efficiency programs and provides the strategic direction for a number of programs aimed at reducing barriers to participation and that build capacity opportunities. Email: amy.tuck@efficiencyMB.ca

Edmundo Fausto

Jon Hudson

New Brunswick

Jon's Bio
Jon is a passionate energy efficiency professional that has been in the industry for over twelve years. His career has included positions in the public, private and non-profit sectors, all with a common theme of motivating people to adopt more energy efficient behaviours. In his current role as Vice President of Business Development for CLEAResult Canada, Jon works with utilities across the country to develop and launch energy efficiency programs.
 
Previous to CLEAResult, Jon held positions at Ecofitt and Summerhill delivering a wide-variety of programs across Atlantic Canada ranging from in-store retail programs to small business retrofits to residential energy assessments. Much of his work has focused on serving low-income, and rural and remote communities such as delivery of the Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro Remote Communities Energy Efficiency Program.
 
Jon has a Bachelor’s degree in business and environmental studies from Mount Allison University and a Master’s in resource and environmental management from Dalhousie University. Jon is a trained Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Certified Energy Manager (CEM).
 
Connect with Jon on LinkedIn or by email at jonathan.hudson@clearesult.com
Edmundo Fausto

Jennie Wadden

Newfoundland and Labrador

Jennie's Bio

Jennie is the Supervisor of Marketing for Newfoundland Power’s takeCHARGE team. takeCHARGE is a joint partnership between Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. Her role
involves spearheading the marketing components for energy conservation and electrification initiatives catering to both residential and business customers. Jennie has over 11 years of experience in project management, marketing, sponsorship, and event planning within the utility sector. She actively contributes to the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador as a member of the Board of Directors, showcasing her commitment to industry engagement beyond her primary role. Recently, Jennie shared insights on overcoming barriers to electric vehicle (EV) adoption as a panelist at Electric Mobility Canada’s Annual Conference. Her academic credentials include a Bachelor of Commerce from Mount Allison University, a Graduate Certificate in Sport and Event Marketing from George Brown College, and a Masters Certificate in
Project Management from Memorial University.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Jennie dedicates time to training for the Royal St. John’s Rowing Regatta, North America’s oldest continuing sporting event. She also enjoys spending quality time at the hockey rink with her three children.

To connect with Jennie, reach out via email or through her LinkedIn profile.

Mathieu Côte

Alex Giroux

Northwest Territories

Alex's Bio

Alex Giroux is a mechanical engineer who specializes in energy efficiency and building science. She has experience in both commercial and residential energy use as well as renewable energy, and has travelled extensively within the Northwest Territories. She has worked as a residential energy advisor and has a particular interest in residential energy use in remote communities.

Alex is a year round cyclist, an active member of the Yellowknife community, and discovered a love of canoe tripping during COVID.

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Haruka Aoyama

Nova Scotia

Haruka's Bio

Haruka Aoyama is the Clean Energy Strategist at the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (Government of Nova Scotia). After graduating from Dalhousie University with a combined Honours degree in Political Science and Environment, Sustainability and Society (ESS) programs, Haruka has worked in urban and rural municipal and provincial government in Nova Scotia.

Her past experiences include a Policy Analyst role for the Energize Bridgewater program, Infrastructure Canada’s Smart Cities Challenge awarded program that aims to lift residents out of energy poverty through deep energy retrofits.

Being a newcomer to Canada, Haruka is also active in the community volunteering to create a network that supports newcomers in Nova Scotia to get green jobs and participate in policy conversations and an inclusive economy.

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Sabrina Marsh

Ontario

Sabrina's Bio

Sabrina Marsh is an engaged and dedicated energy efficiency (EE) professional. Her interest in climate action stems from her Northern Ontarian roots, where the greatness of the Great Lakes and beautiful surrounding forests are highly valued. A degree from The School of Environment, Resources, and Sustainability at the University of Waterloo, helped her become well rounded in many environmental and climate change issues and solutions.

Beginning her career at GreenSaver in Toronto, Sabrina worked on four different EE government and privately funded programs. These programs provided home retrofits and EE appliances to low-income Ontarians, and made small businesses refrigeration equipment more efficient. She continues to advocate for EE by engaging with elected officials and volunteering. During her time in Toronto, she volunteered with LiveGreen Toronto where communication with the public about pressing climate issues flourished.

Now, she volunteers for ClimateAction Waterloo Region, writing for the Community Action Report Newsletter discussing local climate action news, and achievements. Sabrina’s experience now enhances her work at EfficiencyOne focusing on residential EE retrofits for low-income Nova Scotians. The funding of the program allows low-income homeowners to receive heat pumps along with the required insulation. She is leading the way in reporting and tracking this work, while developing processes to ensure all data can be captured and useful. Sabrina can be found running on the roads or with a book in hand during her spare time.

She can be reached through LinkedIn or by email at smarsh@efficiencyns.ca

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Abraham Wairisal

Ontario

Abraham's Bio

Abraham is an experienced Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) Registered Energy Advisor and Quality Assurance Specialist as well as a CHBA Net Zero Energy Advisor. Abraham is passionate about eradicating energy poverty, educating homeowners on energy efficiency upgrades in their homes and providing clear, detailed retrofit scope of work for builders/renovators. 

Abraham is currently the Senior Energy Consultant with the City of Toronto, providing expert advice on anything single-family residential home energy efficiency related for City of Toronto homeowners. Previous to that, Abraham was a Program Manager with Ecofitt Corporation focused on the low-income energy efficiency programs in Ontario. He worked there for a year and has helped hundreds of Ontarians save on energy. Previously, Abraham worked in Greensaver, where he was responsible for training and managing close to 100 energy advisors all over Ontario. Prior to that, Abraham spent 6 months in Lindi, Tanzania as an Environmental Advisor where he taught poultry farmers how to make compost out of chicken droppings.

Abraham has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Waterloo, a Master’s degree in Social and Sustainable Business Management from Seattle Pacific University and a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering with Building Specialization from the University of Toronto.

Connect with Abraham by email at awairisal@gmail.com or LinkedIn.

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Martin Boucher

Saskatchewan

Martin's Bio

Dr. Boucher is a Faculty Lecturer at the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Saskatchewan. He leads the online Master of Public Administration (MPA). His research focuses on Public Sector Entrepreneurship and Energy Transition Acceleration. Within this research area, he is interested in energy justice, comparative public policy, low-income energy efficacy, renewable energy cooperatives, public sector entrepreneurship, decentralized energy, and small modular reactors. Dr. Boucher also has a keen interest in the integration of skills development within post-secondary education, directing his research and teaching towards this area.

Dr. Boucher holds a Ph.D. in Environment and Sustainability from the University of Saskatchewan. His dissertation focused on socio-technical pathways to clean energy in Canada, the United States, and Sweden. He has received several scholarships and fellowships, including the SENS Nexen Energy Graduate Scholarship and a Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada grant. Dr. Boucher has an MA from Athabasca University and a BSc (honours) in Natural Science from the University of Waterloo.

Mathieu Côte

Mathieu Côte

Québec

Mathieu's Bio

An experienced manager with more than 10 years of experience, I am currently Training
Director at Econoler, a Canadian consulting firm that has specialized in international and Canadian energy efficiency (EE) consulting for 40 years.

I am in charge of developing business opportunities for EE training services both nationally and internationally. I lead the Canadian Institute for Energy Training (CIET) relations with prospective clients, partners and associates. I also supervise training operations which include marketing, planning and organizing all international training events, as well as
ensuring delivery and quality assurance. Since taking this position, CIET has significantly increased revenues, as well as expanded geographic coverage and training portfolios.

I strongly believe in the significant potential benefits of EE-related technical and behavioral training activities in terms of cost-effectiveness and contribution to climate change mitigation efforts. I am thus committed to helping people learn more about EE and adequately equip them to serve as agents of change through their daily actions. I hold an MBA in International Business, have been a certified Project Management Professional since 2012 and a Certified Business Energy Professional (BEP) since 2014.

Mathieu Côte

Andrew Macmillan

Yukon

Andrew's Bio

Andrew is a research assistant at Yukon University. He works with Northern Energy Innovation, a research group that partners with Indigenous governments, communities, and local power utilities in the north to support their energy needs. In his role, Andrew works on building simulation models of community power systems to study the effects of integrating renewable energy sources into remote microgrids. He has also visited a few remote communities in Yukon and Northwest Territories to meet with community project leaders as well as to collect power system data on site.

 Andrew has a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from University of Waterloo and a Master’s in sustainable energy from Carleton University. In his Master’s, Andrew investigated streamflow prediction techniques to locate suitable regions for hydrokinetic turbines, a renewable technology that is gaining traction in Alaska and other regions. He has had a variety of internship experiences in consulting, manufacturing, and clean energy projects, including working overseas with a non-profit organization.

Shortly after completing his Master’s, Andrew relocated to Whitehorse, Yukon, to pursue opportunities with Northern Energy Innovation. In his spare time, he enjoys cross country skiing, figure skating, and exploring the great outdoors of the Yukon.

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Clara Phillips

Nunavut

Clara's Bio

Clara is an Engineer-In-Training working as the Technical Project Lead with Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation (NNC). NNC is a 100% Inuit-owned clean energy developer with the mission to lead the energy transition in Nunavut’s Qikiqtani region by partnering with communities and establishing sustainable, clean energy developments that foster social, economic and environment benefits.

After graduating from Memorial University of Newfoundland with a Bachelor of Engineering, Clara moved to Iqaluit, NU to join NNC. Her role involves managing NNC’s building-scale microgrid projects as well as being involved with community engagement and project development for NNC’s community-scale renewable energy projects. Working in the North has given Clara unique insight into the importance efficient energy solutions where affordability and reliability are paramount.

 Connect with Clara on Linkedin or by email at  cphillips@qcorp.ca

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Trudy Spooner

Prince Edward Island

Trudy's Bio

Trudy is passionate about finding innovative solutions to environmental problems. As a Project Management Professional, with a background in energy efficiency programs and IT project management, she uses the best practices of the profession to skillfully implement projects that meet or exceed objectives.  Currently, she works as the Director of Client Solutions for Summerhill. Her role is to build relationships with clients, understand their unique needs and help find programming solutions to help address those needs. She has also worked as the Senior Program Manager for retail programs, overseeing retail-based rebates on energy-efficient measures in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. She brings a wealth of experience in the overall design and implementation of energy efficiency programs. When she isn’t at work, Trudy loves to paint and is currently focusing on portraits. Trudy is located in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

Our Alumni Champions

Hammad Ahmed

Hammad Ahmed

Prince Edward Island

Mathieu Côte

Ashley Abernethy

New Brunswick

Nick Mercer

Jeff Floyd

Ontario

Hammad Ahmed

Kim Fry

Nova Scotia

Nick Mercer

William Gagnon

Northwest Territories

Mathieu Côte

Marianne Gregoire

Yukon

Christine Gustafson

Christine Gustafson

British Columbia

Mathieu Côte

Jesse Hitchcock

Nova Scotia

Mathieu Côte

Nick Mercer

Newfoundland and Labrador

Christine Gustafson

Sandra Moore

Alberta

Mathieu Côte

Jesse Row

Alberta

Amanda San Filippo

Amanda San Filippo

Manitoba

Nick Mercer

Heather Shilton

Nunavut

Nick Mercer

Chantal Daigle Verrier

New Brunswick

Mathieu Côte

Michael Ross

Yukon

Mathieu Côte

Shane Hunter

Saskatchewan

Edmundo Fausto

Edmundo Fausto

Newfoundland and Labrador

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