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Elizabeth Sheehan
President
Elizabeth co-founded Climate Smart in 2007 and is our President today. You could say that her blood, sweat, and tears are in our foundation and you wouldn’t be wrong. She’s no stranger to hard work and philanthropy; she’s spent over two decades working with private sector, charitable, and government partners to scale up innovative business-focused programs with economic and environmental impact. She leads our team with equal parts grit and passion. And was deservedly nominated in 2013 for the YMCA Women of Distinction Award for the Environment. She doesn’t settle for anything less than progress, and we’re sure that’s why a low-carbon economy is no longer a dream, it’s a reality that we’re on the cusp of.Credentials and other proof that Elizabeth has chops:
- MRP, Cornell University
- BSc, University of California, Berkeley
- Basics of Greenhouse Gas Accounting, Greenhouse Gas Management Institute (GHGMI)
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Christine VanDerwill
Partnerships and Communications Manager
Almost every host partner that works with Climate Smart also works with Christine, and they’re lucky for it. She supports our host partners with sublime listening skills and impressive business acumen. She thrives on bringing Climate Smart into new markets and engaging business networks in new and innovative ways. Most importantly, climate action isn’t just something Christine partakes in at work; it courses through her veins. She passionately believes the private sector is key to building the low-carbon future that we all aspire to. So we’re pretty sure she’ll never tire of sharing the stories of Climate Smart businesses.Credentials and other proof that Christine has chops:
- MA, Environmental Policy in International Studies, Simon Fraser University
- Basics of Greenhouse Gas Accounting, Greenhouse Gas Management Institute (GHGMI)
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Marianne Pemberton
Client Advisor and Training Manager
We sing Marianne’s praises a lot around here. And deservedly so. She manages Climate Smart’s advising and training team and does so with dynamism like you’ve never seen. She is a fan-favourite trainer and facilitator whom businesses and host partners are quick to laud (and deservedly so). Marianne is deeply passionate about embedding sustainability in the private and non-profit sectors. She combines this passion with her incomparable professional drive, keen focus, and big picture thinking to make it near impossible for businesses not to get excited about learning about emissions reduction.Credentials and other proof that Marianne has chops:
- M.A., International Studies, University of Guelph
- Basics of Greenhouse Gas Accounting, Greenhouse Gas Management Institute (GHGMI).
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Taspia Raka
Client Advisor and Data Analyst
Taspia is a woman who thrives in the face of challenge. She is a Client Advisor and Data Analyst who supports businesses in their GHG inventory set-up. When they hit bumps in the road (and most businesses do), that’s when Taspia’s superpowers kick in. With her suite of engineering skills and experience, she can both hone in on the details and zoom out to see the bigger picture. She also works tirelessly to support and champion small businesses to achieve their carbon reduction goals. Taspia doesn’t ascribe to the philosophy of “can’t”. She is unshakeable in her dedication to the business case and consistently does everything in her power to reduce barriers and inspire action.Credentials and other proof that Taspia has chops:
- BA, Environmental Engineering, University of British Columbia (UBC)
- Basics of Greenhouse Gas Accounting, Greenhouse Gas Management Institute (GHGMI)
- Former Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS) scholar
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Elly Pattison
Data Analyst and Client Advisor
Elly is a Data Analyst and Client Advisor. She supports a diverse portfolio of clients through the Climate Smart certification process, and also leads on producing Climate Smart’s growing suite of data products. So it may come as no surprise that Elly can recite our emission reduction statistics like kindergartners recite their ABCs. She knows her carbon reduction data. Inside, out, and backwards too. Elly does everything with intention. She takes the initiative to nurture and develop her expertise in GHG inventories, environmental impact assessments, renewable energy, community engagement, net zero emissions modelling, data analysis, and more. She seeks to understand each client’s key drivers deeply so that the service she provides them is positively impactful. She puts in 110% and we’d expect nothing less.Credentials and other proof that Elly has chops:
- MA, Environment and Planning, RMIT University
- Basics of Greenhouse Gas Accounting, Greenhouse Gas Management Institute (GHGMI)
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Steve Vogel
Senior Data Analyst and Client Advisor
Steve speaks two languages fluently: data and sustainability. He’s an Excel sheet master, a left-brain data processor, and a right-brained creative. Which means that Steve is also a natural fit to support Climate Smart’s data knowledge systems and training program. And in his role as a Client Advisor, Steve’s breadth of experience, engineering skills, and unwavering commitment to accuracy and consistency means he’s well-equipped to impressively pinpoint the deepest, quickest ways for businesses to achieve reductions. He can always find the diamond in the rough, and is ever excited to help small and medium-sized businesses realize their potential for carbon reduction.Credentials and other proof that Steve has chops:
- Master of Engineering, Leadership in Clean Energy Engineering, University of British Columbia
- Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering
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Christopher Hakes
Business Development Lead
Christopher leads business development for our Business Energy and Emission Profiles (BEEPs) and data services. With 20 years of work and activism in climate change and conservation under his belt, he’s an endless resource for everything you could ever want to know about the latest policy and trends in sustainability. If there was a Jeopardy category for this, he’d ace it every time. Christopher isn’t only whip smart in all things carbon-related, he’s also an astute problem solver, an engaging leader, and a team player.Credentials and other proof that has chops:
- MSc, International Development and Climate Change, University of East Anglia
- Basics of Greenhouse Gas Accounting course offered by the Greenhouse Gas Management Institute (GHGMI)
- Active in: Earth Rangers’, CSA Technical Committee on Climate Change, and the Oiled Wildlife Society of British Columbia
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Mark Cannon
Training Manager & Client Advisor
Mark leads up Climate Smart's training and advising team. With years of environmental management and reporting in the private and public sectors under his belt, Mark is passionate about sharing his knowledge to help businesses navigate their carbon reduction journey. Mark is all about clarity when delivering training as he wants to get businesses on the right path for successful certification. When it comes to the nitty-gritty of carbon footprinting, Mark puts away his performance side, engaging his deep well of knowledge and data rational self to coach his clients to excellent outcomes. Mark is an occasional Improviser and frequent photographer, which helps him adapt to each client’s circumstances and have a sharp eye for detail. Saying ‘yes, and’ is second nature to Mark.Credentials and other proof that Mark has chops:
- Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Decision Making, Open University, UK.
- ISO 14064-1: Greenhouse Gas Inventories and Measuring Carbon Footprint. Canadian Standards Association.
Climate Smart’s Network of Trainers
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Maureen Cureton
Training Consultant
If anyone was destined to be a Climate Smart trainer, it’s Maureen. She started her long, diverse, and impressive career in the environmental sector in organic recycling technology. Then she got her feet wet in tech start-up, natural capitalism, and sustainable development solutions, too. She’s also a published co-author of Green Development: Integrating Ecology and Real Estate Development and Toward Sustainable Communities. What we’re trying to say is: Maureen knows her stuff. And then some. She’s also incredibly charming and exuberant, an exclamation mark of a woman who makes teaches, trains, and facilitates with ease and grace, and a dollop of sunshine, too.Credentials and other proof that Maureen has chops:
- Associate Faculty, Royal Roads University
- Master of Business Administration, Simon Fraser University
- BA, Natural Resource and Environmental Management, University of Western Ontario