Staff

Aidan Belanger

Communications Specialist

Aidan's Bio

With close to a decade of experience in communications, Aidan has worked with businesses big and small, helping them find their voice, recalibrate their mission and engage with the public, enabling them to grow in a meaningful direction. She has written for numerous companies and publications and has advocated sustainability and environmental responsibility through both journalistic work and marketing initiatives. Above all, she hopes to be part of the solution in her role at Efficiency Canada, making a difference in Canada’s economy and environment.

Outside of work, you can find Aidan reading, writing, making fermented condiments with her husband and being the busy mom to a toddler.

Micaila Abboud

Chloé Baptiste

Communication Engagement Coordinator

Chloé's Bio

Chloé (she/her) is an Engineer-In-Training with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering.

Passionate about environmental stewardship, Chloé has always been involved in the clean sector: from proactive participation in sustainability campaigns in her hometown to working in the clean sector as part of her Co-op program.

Chloé worked with Dalhousie Office of Sustainability as a Social and Sustainable Procurement Researcher, as a Program Assistant with Clean Foundation and as a Clean Energy Jr. Policy Analyst with NS Department of Natural Resources and Renewables on the Clean Transportation team. Her areas of interest are in energy efficiency, clean mobility, and sustainable urban planning.

Outside of work, Chloé enjoys hiking, going for walks, going to the beach and playing soccer. If she is not outdoor, she will be found watching soccer with  friends and family or at the gym!

Kelsey Brasil

Kelsey Brasil

Project Management Lead

Kelsey's Bio

Kelsey Brasil is Project Management Lead at Efficiency Canada. Originally from Ontario, she fell in love with Halifax studying Sustainability and Planning at Dalhousie University, and has made a second home on the east coast. Prior to this role, Kelsey spearheaded the development of Efficiency Canada’s Career Hub a one stop shop for people to find training, networking events, mentors, and ultimately their dream job!

Kelsey’s career in energy efficiency kicked off managing Efficiency Nova Scotia’s community outreach program, Green Schools NS — connecting students to Energy efficiency behaviours they can adopt to protect our Earth. Energy efficiency quickly became a career focus once she saw the ways it empowers youth to take action, helps
Canadians save money and afford their bills,
and the solutions it brings to the climate
crisis.

In her free time, you can find Kelsey in the woods camping, rock climbing, or having a dance party with her sisters.

Corey Diamond

Executive Director

Corey's Bio

Corey has more than two decades of experience leading social change organizations focused on engaging people to take action on critical environmental and social issues.

Corey was previously the COO and Partner of global consulting firm, Realized Worth, a company focused on the design and implementation of corporate volunteering and giving programs. Managing the business development and operations, Corey worked with FORTUNE500 companies (including Apple, Deloitte, AT&T and SAP) around the world to engage their employees in critical and sustained community projects.

Corey also spent 10 years helping to lead Summerhill, a national firm focused on engaging the public on energy efficiency behaviours. Holding various positions, including President/Chief Transformer, U.S. expansion lead and Executive Director of the non-for-profit arm, Corey worked with utilities, government agencies and the private sector to drive significant energy savings across Canada.

Corey volunteers his time on a number of boards and committees. An avid reader, record collector and musician, his greatest passion is hugging trees and travelling the world with his family.

Natasha

Natasha Daniel

Communications Lead

Natasha's Bio

Natasha Daniel is a storyteller who believes in amplifying voices seldom heard. Whether through her corporate and non-profit endeavours, she has learned that the capacity to sway public opinion comes down to one thing: a captivating story.

Her commitment to arts education has enabled her to work with many brilliant students from Toronto’s Malvern & Jane-Finch to displaced communities in Medellin, Colombia, as well as Indigenous resistance movements in South India. As a writer, Natasha has been featured on VICE, the Canadian Broadcasting Company, as well as contributed to publications such as Elle Magazine and Canadian Living.

Her social justice initiatives have been recognized by the United Nations, the Art Gallery of Ontario, as well as the University of California, Berkeley. Natasha continues to expand her expertise in Communications as she navigates her new role within the Sustainable Development sector at Efficiency Canada.

Tseli

Aidan Djabarov 

Communications Specialist

Aidan's Bio

Aidan Djabarov is a Communications Specialist at Efficiency Canada. Her undergraduate studies were in Political Science, History, and American Studies and she completed a post-graduate certification in Public Relations/Corporate Communications at Seneca College.

Since beginning her professional career, Aidan has worked in entertainment, non-profit, and education – with these diverse experiences allowing her to develop an expansive array of skills across communications, social media, and marketing. She’s excited to apply her skillset to advocating for energy efficiency and making a real impact on Canadian communities and the world at large.

Outside of work, Aidan enjoys frequent trips to the local library to stock up on new books and studying multiple languages in her pursuit to become a polyglot.

James Gaede

Research Manager

James' Bio

For the past 10 years, James has conducted research on energy and environmental politics and public opinion in Canada through a variety of capacities, including two postdoctoral fellowships, research associate positions at York University, Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo, and as an independent consultant. He has also been a member of two cross-Canadian energy-related research networks, prepared several successful research grant applications, and served as organizational and technical consultant at multiple academic associations.

James received is PhD in Political Science from Carleton University in 2014, where he specialized in comparative politics and international relations. His doctoral dissertation focused on the politics of visualizing the future for sustainable energy, looking specifically at controversy surrounding oil supply forecasts by the International Energy Agency in the early 2000s. Some of the topics James has written and published on since include carbon capture and storage, biofuel policy, energy efficiency, and energy storage.

Emilie Grenier

Engagement Manager

Emilie's Bio

Emilie (she/her) is the Engagement Manager at Efficiency Canada.

Emilie holds a Masters of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership, as well as a B.A. in International Law and International Relations. She has spent the past five years advocating for sustainable land use planning, active transportation, and renewable energy. Above all else, Emilie hopes to help build community in the nonprofit sector.

Outside of work, Emilie spends a lot of time figuring out how to be less cold during her backcountry skiing and ice climbing adventures.

Brendan Haley

Director of Policy Research

Brendan's Bio

Brendan helped launch Efficiency Canada, where he now guides research and policy advocacy efforts. He brings a proven record in energy policy entrepreneurship and thought leadership.

Brendan has a PhD in Public Policy from Carleton University where his research used political economy and systems of innovation frameworks to understand the role of traditional natural resource sectors in Canada’s low-carbon transition. He was awarded a prestigious Banting Post-Doctoral Fellowship in 2016-2018 and holds a Master of Environmental Studies from York University and a BSc in Economics from Dalhousie University.

He is a policy fellow with the Broadbent Institute and has published public policy reports with the Smart Prosperity Institute, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, the Pembina Institute, and the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. He has taught courses and lectured in energy efficiency policy, and socio-political dimensions of environmental management, political activism, and green industrial policy. In October 2022, Brendan Haley was given the position of Adjunct Research Professor at Carleton’s School of Public Policy and Administration, giving him more opportunity to involve himself in academics.  

Brendan got his start in energy efficiency policy advocacy while working at Nova Scotia’s Ecology Action Centre, where he became the principal catalyst behind the creation of Canada’s first energy efficiency utility, Efficiency Nova Scotia.

Kelsey Brasil

Abhilash Kantamneni

Research Associate

Abhi's Bio
Abhi has a decade of experience helping communities across US and Canada use clean and efficient energy to achieve local priorities including improving housing, increasing ‘good jobs’ and reducing poverty.
 
His community-based approach to clean energy, civic engagement and capacity building has earned him wide recognition including being named a ‘40 Under 40 Energy Leader’ by the Midwest Energy News and a Canada Storyteller Award by SSHRC-CRSH. In an earlier life, he optimized power system operations (B.E, Electrical Engineering), tracked transient objects in the night sky (MS Physics), developed AI algorithms for smart microgrids (MS Computer Science), and led a network of social impact organizations in Houghton (MI) into the finals of a national community energy-efficiency competition. Currently he is completing his PhD in Geography at the University of Guelph researching the governance of building #EnergyRetrofits in Canada.
 
Outside of work, Abhi enjoys making maps to help people in his (many) hometown(s) deepen their sense of belonging with the places they call home.

Kevin Lockhart

Research Manager

Kevin's Bio

Kevin’s interest in energy efficiency began while working as a carpenter and Advanced Housing Instructor at Algonquin College. His passion for improving our built environment and a desire to promote efficient building practices led Kevin to Carleton University where he completed his Master’s in Sustainable Energy Policy.

This combined practical and theoretical experience has helped Kevin deliver successful projects ranging from rural energy efficiency programming to national awareness campaigns advocating for greater efficiency in the electricity sector. More recently, Kevin’s strong public policy acumen and keen understanding of stakeholder interests has helped him support advocacy, communications, and public policy campaigns for several industry and trade associations in complex environments and regulated sectors.

Kevin is an active community member and volunteers his time supporting youth cycling programs. Kevin’s favourite pastimes are hiking and canoeing with his family throughout Ontario.

Natasha

Carol Mass

Policy Research Associate

Carol's Bio

Carol’s interest in energy efficiency began during her Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and Society when a professor reworked his course to explore Canada becoming a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol. Since then, whether in consulting, R&D, applications engineering or non-profit work, Carol has always sought out mission-driven projects with interesting problems to solve.

Carol’s career began in the water innovation sector, motivated by a deep love of Ontario’s lakes. After completing a Master’s degree in modelling a novel wastewater treatment process, she pivoted to researching and advocating for water efficiency. She authored the first report in Canada quantifying the significance of the water-energy nexus, influenced provincial legislation and was later appointed to the board of an Ontario environmental technology accelerator.

In recent years, Carol could often be found lending a hand with a local organization or campaign by building a database, creating a community program or flooding an ice rink. Recently, her work with an HVAC contractor both led to exuberantly sharing about heat pumps with friends and to joining Efficiency Canada. She values family, camping, forest walks with friends and a good laugh.

Tseli

Hannah McLean 

Operations Coordinator

Hannah's Bio

Hannah has been working in the health non-profit sector since 2014 in program coordination. She has previously worked at the Heart and Stroke and Ontario Medical Association. Hannah completed a BA in Politics and Governance from Toronto Metropolitan University and a Spanish language certificate from University of Toronto. She looks forward to merging her professional experience to cater to Efficiency Canada’s operation needs. She is thrilled to join the Efficiency Canada team and to work for an organization that supports an energy efficient economy. 

In her free time, Hannah enjoys travelling, reading, and learning Spanish.

Kristy Mortham

Director of Operations

Kristy's Bio

Kristy is a dedicated non-profit professional with more than 12 years of experience in finance and administration roles. Her passion lies in creating the connective tissue between business operations and the people who deliver the results.

A graduate of the University of Florida’s – Bachelor of Arts, Kristy’s educational background also includes a Post-Degree Certificate in Human Resources Management from York University, as well as a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies from St. Petersburg College. Kristy served on several boards and committees, including the Headwaters Chapter of Trout Unlimited & the Antrim County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board both located in Michigan.

Kristy shares extensive theoretical and hands-on, progressive experience in successfully delivering on large-scale and highly complex operational initiatives in support of the development and implementation of financial controls and systems, administrative management, stakeholder and client relations, and service and people management in the non-profit sector.

Before joining Efficiency Canada, Kristy was a Senior Management Consultant at the Canadian Urban Institute, where she led a project delivery team in the development of My Main Street’s fund administration, policy and procedures, budgeting, and financial reporting tools for a $23.25-milion investment Community Activator grant program. My Main Street’s program helped drive business and restore vibrancy to local communities across southern Ontario in the aftermath of COVID-19. Before that, she served as Finance and Administration Manager at the Water Technology Acceleration Project and as Executive Director at Antrim Conservation District. As the Executive Director at Antrim Conservation District, she led Antrim County’s Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics Recycling Program.

Kristy volunteers her time supporting advocacy and research that promotes the right to housing for all. She is an urban gardener, avid camper, and outdoor enthusiast. She loves traveling and enjoys spending time with her two dogs.

Tseli

Allison Mostowich

Director of Engagement

Allison's Bio

Allison Mostowich is an experienced engagement and outreach professional in the areas of energy efficiency, conventional resources, regulatory environments and small business startups. She has led collaborative, supportive teams and managed programs at the Energy Resources Conservation Board, Alberta Energy Regulator, Energy Efficiency Alberta and Emissions Reduction Alberta. 

Throughout her career, Allison has endeavoured to make the systems she works in more approachable and understandable to all the stakeholders that are part of it, so that they can fully participate. Her experience working with multiple levels of government, multiple leadership levels in organizations and businesses throughout the province has built Allison’s strong focus on inclusive and practical decision-making and implementation. 

Allison holds a Bachelor of Management from the University of Lethbridge and a Master of Science in Behavioral Science from the London School of Economics. Allison has a strong interest in ESG and ESG reporting to enable better, sustainable decisions for companies.

Allison proudly supports Inside Education as a Director, an environmental education focused non-profit supporting teachers and students through experiential learning. She is a keen hiker, camper, and backcountry camper who is working through her fear of grizzly bear encounters. She loves travel and horseback riding, and spends as much time with family as possible.

Kelsey Brasil

Alyssa Nippard

Research Associate

Alyssa's Bio

Alyssa is a Research Associate at Efficiency Canada and is passionate about sustainability. Prior to her academic and professional pursuits, Alyssa was on a path of self-driven research aimed at implementing solutions to lessen her environmental impact. Now, as a member of our Policy Team, she employs this same curiosity in examining energy efficiency efforts across provinces.

Prior to joining Efficiency Canada, Alyssa worked in commercial and industrial energy management where she supported clients through climate action planning, emissions quantification and energy conservation goals.

Energy efficiency became a key interest while attending the University of Regina where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and developed an interdisciplinary perspective on current ecological issues.

 
Outside of work you might find Alyssa trying a new baking recipe (with varying degrees of success), volunteering for the local cat rescue, or on a trip somewhere meandering through a market.
Tseli

Sarah Riddell

Policy Research Associate, Clean Heat

Sarah's Bio

Sarah is the Policy Research Associate, Clean Heat at Efficiency Canada. Prior to joining Efficiency Canada, she worked in commercial energy management, working to decarbonize federal buildings in British Columbia and the Yukon.

Sarah has a BSc. in Agricultural and Environmental Economics from McGill University, with a particular interest in the economics of climate change.

Sarah is LEED AP Operations and Maintenance accredited and is currently completing courses towards BCIT’s Sustainable Energy Management Advanced Certificate.

Outside of work, Sarah enjoys baking gluten-free sourdough, going for long walks in nature and checking out different zero-waste stores.

Sharane Simon 

Research Associate

Sharane's Bio

Sharane has extensive research experience, including foraminiferal and geoscientific studies, wind farm development, and teleworking. With a BSc in Petroleum Geoscience from the University of the West Indies and a Ph.D. in Earth Sciences (Sedimentology) from Dalhousie University, she has honed the skill of asking difficult questions, observing patterns, and drawing meaningful conclusions.

Driven by a strong desire to solve a ‘today problem‘, Sharane pivoted into the field of building science through a MASc in Building Engineering with a concentration in Building Performance from Carleton University. With the looming effects of climate change, she intends to champion
data-supported, humancentric solutions that ensure that our buildings and communities are climate-resilient. Using her training in Lean Six Sigma, she enjoys streamlining processes by removing waste while increasing the ease of delivery of services and products.

Sharane is a staunch advocate for work-life balance. Her core value is to prioritize people and experiences over material things. She enjoys exploring small towns, the soothing effect of waterfalls, and unplanned trips.

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Valerie Thouin

Finance Officer

Valerie's Bio

Valerie is an Accounting and Administrative professional with over fifteen years of experience in financial accounting and business management. Having lived in more than a few provinces, Valerie settled in Ottawa, studying Business Administration, Accounting, and Finance. With a demonstrated commitment to working within the non-profit sector, she has worked with youth organizations, community health centers, Women’s centers, AIDS service organizations, and in the health research sector. She brings a passion for collaborative teamwork, creating organizational efficiencies, and streamlining financial management.

Valerie is committed to global justice, social change, women’s rights, and gender equality. She brings her feminist principles to both the workplace and in her role as a community organizer and advocate. In her spare time, you can find Valerie helping to create and amplify Ottawa’s queer spaces. She is a proud Mother to four children, and currently spends most of her time trying to wrangle toddler ‘twiblings’.

Gillian Wesley

Director of Communications

Gillian's Bio

Gillian has more than a decade of experience using strategic communications to drive real-world change. She has worked with coalition groups, partners, and stakeholders, and led dynamic, highly collaborative teams to develop local, provincial and national communications products and campaigns that have secured a range of environmental protections, from more and stronger MPAs to more ambitious GHG emissions reductions targets.

During her tenure as strategic communications manager at the Ecology Action Centre, she contributed to Canada’s largest survey of environmental supporters in collaboration with 12 of the country’s most prominent environmental groups.

Gillian is passionate about helping train the next generation of science communicators. She has provided mentorship and professional development opportunities to students from universities and professional programs at various stages of their learning journey.

Gillian volunteers her time advocating for permanent, accessible, dignified and safe housing for persons experiencing homelessness. She is an avid long-distance runner and enjoys traveling with her family and experiencing different food, culture, and languages. Elle etudie le français et voudrais des opportunités pour l’améliorer.

Interns

Tyson Coulter

Communications Intern

Tyson's Bio

Tyson Coulter is a fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce student concentrating in Marketing at Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business. Driven by a passion for creating data-centred strategic marketing plans, Tyson has developed and executed successful campaigns for a variety of organizations, including the Ontario Government, a federal government consulting firm, and Giant Tiger Stores Limited.

Originally from Lucan, Ontario, Tyson has developed a deep appreciation for the role community connections play in business. As a communications intern at Efficiency Canada, he is committed to helping Canadians, particularly those in rural communities, maximize the benefits of energy efficiency to advance their economies.

Outside of work and school, Tyson enjoys spending time with friends and family, travelling, and being active. You can often find him at the cottage, biking or kayaking in the great outdoors.

Stefanie DeSousa

Engagement Intern

Stef's Bio

Stefanie (She/Her) is the Engagement Intern at Efficiency Canada. She is currently living on the traditional, unceded territory of the Anishinaabeg people, which include the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Pottawatomi Nations. Stefanie completed her undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and Biology at the University of Waterloo. She has experience in the non-profit sector advocating for animal welfare and climate change policy; Stefanie is passionate about social, economic, and environmental justice and hopes to contribute to meaningful change in all of the work she pursues. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, thrifting, playing video games, listening to vinyl on her record player, and cuddling with her cat Nimbus.

Leona Ding

Communications Intern

Leona's Bio

Leona Ding (she/her) is a communications intern at Efficiency Canada. She is pursuing a bachelors degree in Media Production and Design at Carleton University. With a background in visual art, Leona is passionate about telling, sharing, and amplifying stories across visual mediums to create change in the world.

In her free time, Leona enjoys reading in bookstores, watching literary web series, crafting, and stopping to smell the flowers.

Nora Draper

Policy Research Intern

Nora's Bio

Nora Draper is a Policy Research Intern at Efficiency Canada. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management from Carleton University.

Prior to working at Efficiency Canada, Nora worked in non-profit members-based associations reviewing internal policy and developing communications materials. She is passionate about environmental and climate change policy, and student issues. She also enjoys learning about and taking courses in law and political communication. Nora is looking forward to taking a deep dive into provincial energy policy and making a meaningful contribution toward climate change mitigation efforts.

In her free time, Nora develops programming and contributes to student advocacy efforts as a member of her student government. She also enjoys rock climbing, music, and cooking.

Drew Escano

Policy Research Intern

Drew's Bio

Drew (he/him) is a Policy Research Intern at Efficiency Canada. He is currently completing his Honours degree in Public Affairs and Policy Management at Carleton University.

Drew has a background in the non-profit sector, particularly in fields related to social and environmental policy, and philanthropy. Drew is particularly interested in and has contributed to research regarding democratic participation and its importance to society. He is passionate about equity and inclusivity, climate action advocacies, environmentalism, Indigenous Reconciliation, philanthropy, human rights, and social justice. Drew believes that change has to start within ourselves in order to make a difference.

In his free time, he loves going to parks, reading, farmer’s markets, and trying out new recipes.

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