Meera is an environmental business leader with over 24 years of experience in oil, gas, renewables and fuels, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geological Environmental Engineering from Queen’s University. She is committed to helping transform the integrated North American energy system, through low carbon technologies and projects. Much of her career has focused on climate change and low carbon energy. She previously advised Shell’s top leadership on climate change risks associated with the company’s global business strategies. Upon returning to Canada, she developed climate change and energy policy positions for Shell Canada businesses, and was later responsible for the renewable energy portfolio and strategy, and clean tech portfolio. She also created Canada’s first hydrogen fuel retail network, and was a board member of the Alberta Clean Tech Innovation Alliance. Meera is a board member of COSIA (Canadian Oil Sands Innovation Alliance) and is the Manager of Canadian Natural’s Technology and Innovation departments. 

Mark Brostrom received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alberta in 1984 and worked in the private sector prior to joining the City of Edmonton in 1990. Since joining the City of Edmonton in 1990 Mark has worked in the area of environmental and energy policy and programs. Mark is currently leading the development of Edmonton’s Community Energy Transition Strategy that provides a framework for Edmonton to become a low carbon and energy resilient city.

In 2010, Mark received the FCM Sustainable Community Award of Excellence and in 2013 received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his long-standing commitment to advancing municipal sustainability.

David Mercer is currently a member of the Senior Management Team for Fluor Canada, responsible for Technology and Sustainability in Fluor Canada’s operations. As a member of the Senior Management Team, David is the Head of Technology. In this capacity, David leads a group of technology executives, responsible for technical oversight of Fluor Canada’s largest projects. In addition, his current responsibilities include chairing Fluor’s Sustainability efforts in Canada, establishing and executing on energy transition strategies for growing Fluor Canada’s regional business, and leading business development efforts through a technology lens.

Jeanine Vany Jeanine Vany is an APEGA registered professional geologist with a career spanning 20 years in the oil and gas and geothermal industries. Her experience ranges from reservoir characterization, drilling and operations to full field delineation strategies and acquisition. Ms. Vany has spent her career at foremost E&P companies such as EnCana, Devon, Total Energies and GLJ. Ms Vany is a co-founder of Eavor Technologies Inc (ETI) and the executive VP Geosciences. She serves on several boards; GeoConvention, holds the Energy Advocate Board seat for Geothermal Rising and is Board Chair for the Eavor Yukon subsidiary. She is an active participant in in the Geothermal community through volunteer roles such as the founder and Chair of the CSPG Geothermal division and serves as the Canadian Ambassador for Women in Geothermal (WING). Jeanine holds an Honours B.Sc degree in Geology and Environmental Studies from Saint Mary’s University and a Business Essentials Certificate from the Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary. I spent one year as a fellow where I explored avenues for a geothermal initiative at the Lab. When I applied last year we had a deep drilling project taking place in AB. We have now moved that to the US and are porting SDTC funding from Canada to that project in the US. A time will come sooner than later for a project in AB that I would like to share with the lab and look for ways to leverage some of the community building aspects of the project for a EFL success story. I have also learned so much at the lab and think that by being an ambassador I can continue to learn and also share my knowledge on key energy issues.

Bryan Helfenbaum is the Executive Director of Advanced Hydrocarbons at Alberta Innovates, responsible for programs such as Recovery Technologies, Methane Emissions Reduction, Partial Upgrading, Digital Oilfield, and Bitumen Beyond Combustion. Bryan is also a Strategic Advisor at C-FER Technologies and served as a Fellow with the Energy Futures Lab since 2018. Prior to joining AI, he spent 20 years in a variety of technical, business, and innovation roles in industry. Bryan has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Waterloo and an MBA from Calgary.

Jamie has over fifteen years of experience in researching and engaging with companies on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. At NEI he oversees the implementation of the ESG program across the NEI portfolio, including NEI’s commitment to leverage its portfolio to achieve a net-zero future. This includes a focus on conducting direct, collaborative dialogues with companies and policy makers, and participation in multi-stakeholder collaborations that are driving towards systemic solutions. The EFL has been a natural fit for Jamie and he continues to be amazed at the incredible talent and knowledge represented in the lab.

Cole works on utility regulation issues such as utility investment and the pricing of utility services. He holds a Professional Engineer designation with APEGA, a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering (Coop Program) and an MBA at the University of Alberta. Previously involved in the Energy Futures Lab as a Fellow from 2017-2018, Cole is back and keen to advance initiatives such as future-fit hydrocarbons, community energy planning, and policy reform (among others) that will advance the energy transition. Cole is passionate about energy solutions that make sense for customers and believes utilities should be enablers of the changes required of future energy systems.

Olivia is a Sustainable Business and Engagement Advisor with Modern West Advisory. Previously, she was Student Energy’s Senior Director of Programs, responsible for the oversight, development, and implementation of Student Energy’s program portfolio. At Student Energy, she co-founded the organization’s global Chapters program, co-designed and launched the organizations’ Fellowship program, and oversaw the development of the suite of programs now offered under Student Energy’s Programs Ecosystem. Olivia has a passion for leadership development and creating opportunities for youth to shape their own energy futures. Olivia was an active Fellow from 2019 – to 2021, where she worked with the team to create more intergenerational collaboration and meaningful youth inclusion within the Lab and its initiatives. Olivia holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Non-Profit Management from Mount Royal University. When she’s not working, Olivia is happiest with her hands in the dirt, working on the farm she and her partner co-founded. She’s always keen on a good conversation about the agriculture industry and its role in the sustainable energy transition over some delicious local food.

Laura has a passion for redesigning how we live in this juncture in Alberta’s history: A time when plentiful fossil fuels, the lifeblood of our economy, are creating uneasiness about our future’s health and wealth. Laura’s sense of co-responsibility draws her to tough conversations as we navigate the uncertain territory of energy transitions. As a Director of Enbridge’s Liquids Pipelines Catalyst team, Laura is a catalyst for the business unit to achieve big advances and micro-wins in efficiency and empowerment. She has over 20 years of experience in steel, construction, pipelines and IT and has lived in hubs of natural resources including Alberta, northern Ontario, and Oklahoma. She studied Environmental Resource Management, Mechanical Engineering and Engineering and Technology Management, but considers LIFE to be the ultimate teacher.

Liz is a professional geologist and a rigorous optimist with a commitment to delivering positive social and environmental outcomes in natural resource development. As a former oil and gas geologist, Liz spotted the potential and natural fit for both geothermal and lithium in Alberta as parallel industries with environmental and economic benefits. Since then, Liz has been directly involved in the development of many different natural resource projects and technologies that are essential to our desired energy future. As a VP at E3 Metals Corp, and as a consultant at many large and small energy enterprises, Liz managed geoscience portfolios and corporate affairs duties such as stakeholder engagement, government relations, fundraising and marketing. She has also worked with a variety of external stakeholders and partners across the energy system, including within the Energy Futures Lab where she worked with the Fellowship to expand Alberta’s lithium industry. As a volunteer Director of both the Battery Metals Association of Canada and Decentralized Energy Canada, Liz is working to enable industries that are vital to a thriving Canadian energy system. Liz was honoured to receive a 2017 Young Women in Energy (YWE) Award for challenging the status quo in energy, and she is excited to be earning her EMBA with a specialty in social enterprise from the University of Fredericton.