Lee Kruszewski

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Former EFL steering committee member for the Government of Alberta. Executive manager Government of Alberta and its agencies responsible for large-scale technology strategy, policy, governance and initiatives (e.g. climate change, hydrogen, CCUS); local and international research and innovation system advisory bodies; international private/public partnerships, special initiatives (e.g. technology centres – hydrogen, BBC – carbon fibre, cellular agriculture; programs, partnerships and new enterprises of significant scope), and innovation & technology guidance for large Canadian federal foreign investments. Private sector experience in information and telecommunications industries leading standards development, strategic planning, product development, systems development, new business development and intellectual property management.

Matt Beck

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Matt found his way into sustainability through a pair of skis. After dropping out of engineering school for a ski bum’s #vanlife (before hashtags were even a thing), he became increasingly aware of how our understanding and consumption of energy and resources shape our relationship with the economy and environment. Since moving to Canada to finish school, he has built a career integrating sustainability, design thinking and cross-sectoral innovation into business strategy and operations. As a Senior Director at Delphi, he advises many of Canada’s leading public and private sector organizations on sustainability and climate strategy, with a focus on the intersection of energy, technology, land and food systems.

Matt has over 17 years of experience in sustainability, working with both global 500 and SMEs in the energy, manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and tourism sectors. Prior to joining Delphi, Matt was Director of Sustainability for Imaginea Energy, leading strategy efforts associated with and the development and production of clean hydrocarbons that support a circular economy. He is recognized as one of Canada’s leading experts on energy system decarbonization and life cycle carbon intensity of energy products.

Matt holds a Master of Environmental Design degree from the University of Calgary, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Global Resource Systems from the University of British Columbia. He is also an Energy Futures Lab Ambassador, supporting the Lab’s efforts to deliver the energy system innovation that will enable Canada to compete in a net-zero world.

Wendy Ell

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Wendy’s cleantech, sustainability, and communications programs impact special interest groups regionally, nationally, internationally. She’s been working for decades with some of Canada’s most respected media and communications firms supporting her passion for agriculture, energy production, agri-food and public health. She’s launched hundreds of consumer marketing, B2B, cause marketing programs and orchestrated dozens of events, workshops and research efforts; all serving the needs of progress for both business and the societies they serve. She now leads a busy consultancy called Industries in Transition, helping businesses up and down the energy, ag and agri-food value chains better navigate the change spectrums that inherently comes with advancements in technology, sustainability and supply chain optimization. 

She’s called on regularly for advice, stakeholder relations and communications support to corporations, consortiums, tech innovators and NGOs and believes that healthy communication, mutual understanding, and purposeful storytelling are the means to guide our nation’s movement towards such things as greener buildings, sustainable food systems, cleaner electricity and renewable fuels.

Stacie Lara

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Stacie is an innovative, value-driven senior executive with extensive experience in international trade and investment, business development, business consulting and advisory, and government relations in the clean energy sector. 

As Director of Investment, Energy at Invest Alberta, Stacie leads on increasing commercial investment into Alberta’s clean energy sector, providing tailored support to investors, and serving as a connector between business and government. In 2023, she was a Fellow at the Energy Futures Lab which is working to accelerate the transition to the energy system the future requires of us. Stacie is passionate about the exciting economic opportunities from the energy transition and journey to net zero.

Previously, Stacie represented the British Government in Canada leading on investment attraction from Canada to the United Kingdom’s energy sector. Earlier in her career, Stacie worked for a non-profit economic development organization, a global business accelerator in Panama, and integrated energy company, Suncor Energy. Stacie holds a Bachelor of Commerce with Distinction and a Minor in Spanish from the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business and the Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico. She also studied intensive Spanish in Spain and Panama.

Leanne Kubiseski

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I am a solutions-oriented problem solver with over 15 years’ experience in stakeholder relations and customer service working across interdisciplinary teams to facilitate customer solutions. I have been working in utilities for over 11 years on both the transmission and distribution systems in the deregulated Alberta electricity market. My roles have spanned from working with communities across rural Alberta for new transmission projects to delivering exceptional customer service to large industrial companies. I also supported customers through the Alberta Electric System Operator connection process for new oil and gas, wind, solar, and energy storage projects.

In my role as Senior Advisor, Emerging Customer Solutions, I focus on emerging trends and technologies that will support customers and understand how to optimize the existing grid using non-wires solutions and demand side management. I have a B. Comm and a B.A. from Memorial University and completed certifications in public relations, conflict resolution, key account management, and public policy and governance. I also chaired Electricity Canada’s Key Accounts Working Group from 2020-2021.

Maham Aftab

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Maham is a corporate sustainability expert, passionate about the once-in-a-generation opportunity presented by the global transition to a low carbon economy- and embedded within this opportunity, the potential for long term community transformation.

Much of her work focuses on designing ESG-driven business solutions and sustainability reporting, grant writing, Indigenous rights-holder and stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning. An active community volunteer, she is currently serving on the board of JazzYYC. She has also served on the board of Solar Alberta, an Emerald award-winning non-profit dedicated to advocacy towards accelerating the energy transition in Alberta, and on the City of Calgary’s Climate Advisory Committee. She holds graduate degrees in Public Policy and Economics.

A returning Ambassador, Maham is excited to continue with the Lab’s work of building bridges and pathways within the energy system.

Kate Letizia

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Kate Letizia, a second-year Energy Futures Lab Fellow, is a seasoned leader with over a decade of experience developing plans, programs, and policies addressing complex environmental and social issues. Kate has worked in the non-profit, private and local government sectors in cities throughout British Columbia, Alberta and internationally. She recently lead the development of Nelson’s Roadmap to Net Zero by 2040 (one of the most ambitious municipal climate targets in the country). Kate is representing the Community Energy Association as their Alberta lead and the manager of the Alberta Climate Leaders Project – a comprehensive program aimed at supporting elected officials and municipal staff to accelerate local climate action, and engage in more effective regional collaboration.

Kate’s goal in the EFL is to foster a shared understanding of the critical role municipalities play in the energy transition, and in creating plans, policies, and infrastructure that can contribute to a zero-carbon and more resilient future. She comes to this work motivated to develop cross-sectoral partnerships and alignment, to create space for new voices and ideas to inform our way forward, and to ensure that the benefits of the energy transition are distributed equitably amongst ALL Albertans.

Gillian Hynes

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Gillian is a catalyst for collaboration, equity, and meaningful change. As Director of People and Community at Enhance Energy, she leads HR, Indigenous Engagement, Community Relations, and Community Investment, integrating CCUS with social equity to deliver impactful outcomes.  A dedicated Energy Futures Lab Ambassador and former Fellow, Gillian aligns policy, innovation, and societal needs to advance sustainability for equity-deserving groups. She holds an MBA from Queens University and a CPHR designation. Gillian serves on the Board of the Calgary Public Library, the Calgary Library Foundation, and Ask Her YYC, while also coaching emerging leaders to have a seat at the boardroom table through Fora’s Rise on Boards program.   Recognized for her contributions to social impact in energy, Gillian has received the Young Women in Energy Award and the Daily Oil Bulletin Rising Star Award. She balances her professional achievements with her roles as a proud mother of two and a supportive spouse of a Calgary firefighter.

David Sanguinetti

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David Sanguinetti is COO with Foresight Canada, where he is accountable for the execution of the organization’s strategic vision. He is a professional engineer with over 25 years’ experience in design, project management and executive positions. He has a particular focus on helping companies position themselves to develop and commercialize new technologies and has extensive experience both with technical scale-up and with designing the engineering and management systems to support growing companies.

He started his career designing gas processing plants, and has since worked in potable water treatment, biomass-to-energy, industrial water treatment, and metals recovery. In recent years David has focused on supporting new companies to develop and scale their technologies and systems, including facilitating technology road maps and training senior technical leaders. He has been an EFL Fellow since 2022 and is excited to join his experience with that of the other Fellows to help support Alberta in a prosperous and just energy transition.

Todd Becker

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Todd has served communities for over 30 years in local government with the last 15 years within a senior administrative role. He believes that developing community capacity and knowledge as the energy transition advances is necessary for community economic and social viability. Todd has a keen interest in the development of clean energy projects to add to community economic prosperity and the strengthening of the community social infrastructure. Todd believes the energy transition is the mechanism to create community synergies and is a test of leadership to have an open mind and a willingness to collaborate and build relationships.