Speakers

Tim Houston is Nova Scotia’s 30th Premier.

Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Tim was raised in a military family and grew up on military bases in Summerside, PEI, Trenton, Ontario and Comox, British Columbia before the family ultimately returned to Nova Scotia for his father’s retirement posting to Shearwater.

First and foremost, Tim is a dad. He and his wife, Carol, have been married since 1995 and have two children, Paget and Zachary.

Tim attended Saint Mary’s University where he obtained a Bachelor of Commerce. He then earned his Chartered Accountant designation in Halifax. After graduation, he and Carol moved to Bermuda where he worked with both Deloitte and in the reinsurance industry. In 2007, knowing that they wanted to raise their children closer to their extended family, Carol and Tim returned to Nova Scotia and have lived in Pictou County ever since.

On November 2, 2020, Tim was awarded his profession’s highest mark of distinction, the Fellow (FCPA) designation, by Chartered Professional Accountants of Nova Scotia.

Tim’s love for this province and its people — and discussions in hockey rinks — sparked his interest in politics. He successfully sought the Pictou East PC nomination in 2012 and was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2013 provincial election. He was re-elected in 2017, 2021, and again in November 2024.

In 2018, Tim was elected Leader of the PC Party of Nova Scotia. He was sworn in as Premier of Nova Scotia on August 31, 2021, and started his second term in office in December 2024.

Premier Houston also serves as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade.

The Honourable Colton LeBlanc was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly as the MLA for Argyle-Barrington in 2019 and was re-elected as the MLA for Argyle in 2021 and 2024.

Colton worked as a paramedic with Emergency Health Services in Western Nova Scotia.

Colton was Nova Scotia’s first Minister of Cyber Security and Digital Solutions, and he also served as the Minister of Service Nova Scotia, Minister of the Public Service Commission and Minister responsible for health infrastructure redevelopment.

He is currently the Minister of Growth and Development and the Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie.

The Honourable Sean Fraser is Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). A long-time advocate for the interests of Atlantic Canada, Minister Fraser has served as the Member of Parliament for Central Nova since 2015 and has held several key cabinet roles, including Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.

Since January 2022, Abigail has been responsible for electricity and renewable energy policy, the design and delivery of clean electricity programming, including the flagship Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs), and offshore renewable energy policy and regulatory development at Natural Resources Canada.

Abigail has held executive positions at Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Privy Council Office and has over two decades of experience in the federal public service.

Adam Jaffe is a Senior Materials Engineer at Arup’s New York office. He is a specialist active in a variety of disciplines and has been involved in projects concerning infrastructure asset durability, corrosion-resistant design, and structural dynamics. He has strong technical aptitude in first principles materials science, and has a patent pending regarding stationkeeping of floating offshore wind foundation

Aline Kaji is a Senior Coastal Scientist and Oceanographer at DHI, with over 12 years of experience in metocean studies, data analysis, and numerical modeling of coastal and ocean dynamics. She has led and contributed to a wide range of projects across North America and internationally, focusing on metocean characterization, extreme value analysis, and climate adaptation. Aline’s work includes developing metocean criteria for offshore wind energy projects and conducting extreme wave and surge assessments in hurricane-prone regions. Her expertise spans advanced meteo-oceanographic data analysis, technical programming, operational forecasting systems, and the determination of metocean design conditions.

As Senior Director of Operations & Member Services for Marine Renewables Canada, Amanda is responsible for membership development and services, operational and logistical support, trade development and supply chain growth and advancing seminars, missions and conferences.

Amanda began her career in the energy industry in 2002 when she first joined OTANS (The Maritimes Energy Association), where she  managed all local events and conferences as well as national and international trade missions including OTC in Houston, All-Energy in Scotland, Rio Oil & Gas in Brazil, CanWEA Wind Energy Conference in Canada and the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum. She was also responsible for all member relations and communications. Prior to her time at The Maritimes Energy Association, Amanda worked for the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, allowing her the initial experience in working for a member based, not-for-profit association.

Amanda is a native Nova Scotian and began her career after graduating from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Science Degree with an Advanced Major in Psychology.

Andrea is a professional marine biologist with over twenty years’ experience practicing marine ecology and environmental science, including conducting baseline and analytical research, policy and planning for protected areas, and recovery planning and management of endangered species. Her current work focuses on developing environmental impact assessments and monitoring programs, with an emphasis on mitigating potential effects of industrial activities on marine wildlife and species at risk in both Canada and the United States. Andrea is Stantec’s National Technical Lead for Marine Ecosystems and regularly serves as the Discipline Lead for major marine projects in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans. She strives to develop innovative mitigation and monitoring options that balance industry, regulatory, and environmental needs.

Andrea has also acted as the Technical Director and/or Senior Advisor on dozens of multi-disciplinary marine programs, including multiple offshore wind projects. In this role, she has overseen and managed development of construction and operations plans, scientific assessments, literature reviews, technical appendices, monitoring and/or management plans, field programs, permit applications, and compliance reports in the United States, Canada, and internationally. She believes in early coordination with regulatory agencies, has facilitated technical working groups, led Indigenous training programs and community engagement workshops, and is skilled at presenting technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences. Andrea also has extensive marine field experience.

Anne-Marie Belliveau is a leading project developer in the marine renewable energy and decarbonization sectors. She has held various senior management roles within the sector including Early-stage Project Development Lead of the Nova East Wind floating offshore wind project with DP Energy, Tidal Project Development Manager at Emera, and Director of Operations at the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE).

In 2020 Anne-Marie established Projectable Consulting, where she provides project development, project management, stakeholder engagement and strategic planning services. Her most recent clients include Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, HyVera Distributed Energy, pHathom Technologies and FORCE.

She is a member of the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women, was the former Chair of the Women in Engineering Committee at Engineers Nova Scotia, and mentors aspiring young and newcomer professionals through the Halifax Partnership’s Connector Program.

Dr. Annie Murphy is a marine ecosystem ecologist with over 15 years of experience assessing benthic ecological responses to anthropogenic-driven changes in the marine environment. Her expertise lies at the interface between benthic community ecology and sediment biogeochemistry with a specific interest in the response of aquatic ecosystems to organic matter enrichment and physical disturbance. After completing her doctorate at Virginia Institute of Marine Science College of William and Mary and a postdoc at Northeastern, Dr. Murphy joined INSPIRE Environmental as a senior scientist. Dr. Murphy’s experience ranges from investigating the ecological effects of aquaculture in coastal and offshore environments, the influence of nutrient enrichment on nitrogen and carbon cycling in salt marshes, and the shift in microbial community dynamics in salt marshes along an urbanization gradient. More recently, Dr. Murphy has been designing and executing research and monitoring programs aimed at understanding the ecology and multi-faceted function and value of coastal and offshore benthic (seafloor) habitats, and how these may be affected by expansive offshore wind development.

Anntonette Zembrzuska Alberti, JD is Vice President of Strategic Growth at INSPIRE Environmental, a Venterra Group company, specializing in marine science and environmental impact assessment for offshore wind and other ocean industries. She brings three decades of experience in energy policy, environmental consulting, and coastal infrastructure development, including work on permitting and environmental compliance for ports, offshore wind, and subsea transmission projects. At Venterra Group, she leads strategic environmental initiatives across North America and Europe—advancing science-based approaches to sustainable port expansion, offshore wind readiness, and nature-based design within Venterra’s global network of specialist companies.

Ashley Noseworthy is the CEO and founder of Edgewise Environmental, a marine environmental consultancy with headquarters in both Newfoundland and Labrador and the UK. She holds an MSc in International Marine Environmental Consulting from Newcastle University, a Masters Certificate in Project Management from York University, and a BSc in Biology from Memorial University.

With more than a decade of offshore experience, Ashley has worked on major global energy projects and has also served as a consultant for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).

She is the recipient of the 2025 Industry Champion Award from econext, the 2025 Fuel Her Fire Trailblazer Award, and was named among the Top 100 Inspirational Female Founders of Ocean and Energy by The Ocean Opportunity Lab in 2023.

Ashley contributes to industry development and governance as a Director of OceansAdvance, a member of the IMarEST Marine Mammal Special Interest Group, and an advisor to the Destination Canada Sustainability Task Force.

A strong advocate for women in STEM, Ashley is committed to capacity building, and advancing inclusive leadership in marine and energy industries.

Mr. Logue is a Trade Specialist, Energy and Low Carbon Transition industry in North America.  He is responsible for developing and maintaining partnerships for collaborative or strategic engagement between Scotland and the US and Canada across the renewable energy technology spectrum.  As part of the Energy team, Mr. Logue works with established Scottish companies to evaluate new technologies and business opportunities for generation, storage and efficiency in the emerging low-carbon energy economy.

He earned his MBA from Suffolk University in Boston and has a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Boston University.

With more than 15 years at Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE), Brett has built deep expertise across procurement, sales, and business development. As both Sales Director and Business Development Lead for the North American offshore market, Brett connects commercial strategy with long-term market growth, driving SGRE’s efforts to deliver reliable, best-in-class turbine solutions across North America’s emerging offshore wind sector.

In his current role, Brett develops and executes regional sales strategies that align technical capability with customer needs, ensuring Siemens Gamesa’s technology and global expertise translate into local project success. Over the past five years, he has also led SGRE’s business development initiatives, collaborating closely with developers, suppliers, and regional economic development organizations to strengthen domestic supply chains and foster sustainable industry growth.

Brett’s work reflects a commitment to creating shared value—helping communities realize the economic benefits of offshore wind while advancing Siemens Gamesa’s mission to make real what matters for a sustainable future. He brings a strategic understanding of the evolving North American market, guiding partnerships that turn policy ambitions into tangible industrial outcomes.

Brian is a Senior Fisheries Biologist and Operations Manager at Tetra Tech’s Portland Maine, US office. He has 29 years of professional experience and a strong background in marine impact assessment & permitting. He is a Certified Fisheries Professional (FP-C) with the American Fisheries Society. He has been involved with offshore wind in the US since 2011, and has been supporting permitting and surveys for several offshore wind projects since that time. In addition to his offshore wind experience, Brian has been heavily involved with permitting of cooling water intake/discharge structures, including offshore converter stations, and their associated impacts (entrainment of ichthyoplankton, thermal discharges) in coastal and offshore habitats throughout the U.S.

Bruce, has been in the Marine and Logistics field in many capacities over his 40 year Career. Starting with Irving Oil in woodstock, NB as a stock control clerk and responsible for branch accounts. In the late 80’s left the East to go to Northern Canada working and engaging with indigenous communities and colleagues in the mining Industry ultimately serving as site services manager, Logistic coordinator and Purchasing agent for Falconbridge, during the exploration and construction of the Raglan Mine. Where he was introduced to QSL and join them in 1999 as the manager for its new Great Lakes Stevedoring division and has served in numerous positions during his 26 years, where today is the Vice President for Atlantic.

Candida Cianci is the Director of the Review Panels Division at the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC), where she leads the management and oversight of review panel processes for federal impact assessments.

Previous to this, she held several management positions at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, overseeing licensing and environmental assessment for major nuclear projects and before that worked at Transport Canada on major energy projects. With over 15 years of experience in the federal public service, Candida has developed deep expertise in impact/environmental assessment, Indigenous consultation, and regulatory oversight, with a strong commitment to transparent, evidence-based decision-making.

Caron Hawco, Principal Consultant, Caron Hawco Group

Caron Hawco is a nationally respected consultant and strategist with over 25 years of experience in stakeholder engagement, energy sector communications, and industry-driven diversity and inclusion initiatives. A long-time champion of inclusive economic development, Caron has led national and regional projects focused on increasing the participation of Indigenous, women-led, and equity-deserving businesses in clean energy, offshore wind, and ocean industries.

She served as a lead consultant for Marine Renewables Canada’s 2024 Atlantic Supply Chain Study, which included a groundbreaking analysis of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the region’s onshore and offshore wind supply chains. Caron also led the development of a National Action Plan to Increase Women’s Participation in Canada’s Blue Economy, as well as spearheaded diversity engagement strategies for energy projects, and facilitated roundtables with industry leaders on inclusive procurement practices.

Her insights are informed by hands-on experience supporting energy developers, Indigenous organizations, government stakeholders, and economic development agencies. Caron regularly advises clients on how to embed DEI into supplier engagement strategies, benefits agreements, and regulatory frameworks to drive measurable and meaningful impact.

A sought-after facilitator and speaker, Caron brings a practical, evidence-based approach to advancing diversity in emerging industries—and is deeply committed to ensuring Canada’s clean energy transition is both inclusive and equitable.

Christine Bonnell-Eisnor, MBA, P. Eng. ICD.D is the CEO of the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator (CNSOER) and has been with the CNSOER since 1999. As CEO, she is responsible for organizational leadership, strategy and planning to ensure the CNSOER fulfills its mandate in an efficient and transparent manner. The CNSOER is the lead and lifecycle regulator for offshore energy activities in the Canada-Nova Scotia offshore area.

Christine has a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia, and a MBA from Saint Mary’s University. She holds the Institute of Corporate Directors ICD.D (Certified Director) designation and is a Registered Professional Engineer in Nova Scotia. In 2017, Christine was named the Progress Women of Excellence – Management and Professions.

Christine is a Fellow of Engineers Canada, an active member of Engineers Nova Scotia, a Board Member of Brigadoon Village and Saint Mary’s University.

Cynthia Pyć is the founder and Principal Scientist at IBN Environmental & Geomatics. Cynthia brings over 28 years of experience working on all four coastlines of the continental U.S. and Canada – from the Canadian Beaufort to the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic seaboard from Nova Scotia to New York, and offshore Pacific Northwest, the Sunshine Coast and California. Since 2018, she has held Director level roles with two multinational offshore wind developers. Cynthia has also supported conventional energy projects onshore in Alberta and BC, as well as offshore Nova Scotia and the NWT, and in diverse international jurisdictions.

Cynthia’s expertise spans regulatory advocacy, strategic planning, environmental and social impact assessment, monitoring, permitting and compliance, emergency and incident management, science communication, Traditional Knowledge studies, and Indigenous rightsholder engagement. She holds a Master of Science in Resources and the Environment and a Bachelor of Science in Zoology, both from the University of Calgary.

David Hill has over 40 years of seagoing experience, including more than two decades as a successful fishing skipper. After coming ashore in 2007, he served as Chairman of the National Fishermen’s Federation Organisation for England, Northern Ireland, and Wales, representing a broad range of fishing interests at both Westminster and the European Parliament.

From 2010 to 2012, David worked with The Crown Estate, where he gained valuable insight into the developing offshore marine renewables sector. Drawing on his extensive experience in both the fishing and offshore industries, he went on to establish Sea Source Offshore Ltd, a thriving enterprise owned by a fishermen’s cooperative, which provides essential support services to the offshore energy industry while creating diversification opportunities for coastal communities.

In addition to his role as Offshore Business Development Manager, David has served on Northern Ireland’s Fishing Harbour Boards and is currently a board member of the NI Maritime & Offshore Collaborative Network. He continues to play a key role in strengthening collaboration between traditional fisheries and the offshore renewables sector, promoting sustainable coexistence, innovation, and growth within the marine economy.

I arrived in Ottawa in August 2022 to lead the Science, Climate and Energy Team at the British High Commission. In my role I look to further UK interests by working in partnership with Canada across policy, academia, NGO and commercial stakeholders.

I have over 20 years experience working in the public sector largely on security policy and operations and considering how to apply systems principles to policy challenges. I have worked overseas for the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in South Africa, Afghanistan and now Canada as well as various HQ roles. Prior to working at the FCDO, I worked at the UK’s Cabinet Office on Crisis and Emergency Management.

David is Northland’s Global Head of Public Affairs. Based in Toronto, he leads a diverse team, spread across Northland’s active markets, that is working to build strong relationships with decision makers and key influencers within government, regulators and agencies and advocate for effective policy, legislative and regulatory frameworks that ensure the continued growth of Northland’s interests around the globe.

With more than 25 years of experience in the sector, David has a demonstrated history of designing and executing successful advocacy campaigns to help grow the businesses that he supports. He currently serves on the Boards of the World Forum Offshore Wind, Marine Renewables Canada and the Association of Power Producers of Ontario and is a former Director of Offshore Wind California and Board Chair of the Canadian Wind Energy Association.

Dawn MacDonald is a seasoned energy professional with over 25 years of experience in project development, technical strategy, and investment evaluation across the global renewables sector. Based on her Atlantic Canadian roots, Dawn is passionate about developing environmentally sustainable economic opportunities for our coastal regions—where wind energy can play a transformative role in community resilience and long-term prosperity.

As AECOM’s Global Offshore Wind Market Sector Lead, she guides strategic initiatives and fosters technical collaboration across regional and commercial business lines, supporting clients and projects worldwide.

Dawn’s career spans a decade of leadership in offshore wind, where she has played pivotal roles in the development, construction, and operation of over 3 GW of European offshore wind capacity. Her expertise includes competitive strategy, financial modeling support, risk management, EPCI contractor selection, environmental impact assessments, and operational planning. She has served as a shareholder’s representative and committee/board member on landmark projects such as Saint Nazaire, Fécamp, Calvados, and Dunkerque in France, Rampion in England, and Hohe See and Albatros in Germany. Her history includes leading technical assessments, due diligence and project development for offshore wind opportunities in across Europe.

Dawn holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Manitoba and an MBA from the University of Calgary. Her cross-sector experience—from biomass and wind to transmission and pipeline development—positions her as a strategic voice in advancing marine renewable energy.

Dmitriy Minenko is the founder and CEO of Tidewind Inc., a renewable power generation technology company with a mission to create new, cost-effective ways to harvest energy from renewable sources like marine tidal streams and wind that are affordable for many people and safe for the environment around the world. As a citizen of planet Earth concerned about global warming and environmental protection, he invented an innovative Unidirectional Rotation Rotor (patent pending) that can be used as a main rotating part of cost-effective and reliable power-generating systems, which are simple to manufacture, maintain, and recycle at the end of service life. Without any harmful emissions and low noise generation, Tidewind power systems are safe for the environment and for any form of wildlife and marine life.

Originally from Ukraine, where he graduated from Kyiv State University with B.Sc. Degree in Physics, Dmitriy moved to Vancouver, Canada in 1996 and, after continuing education at the University of British Columbia, started working in Web Development, eCommerce, and Digital Marketing at the same time when Google, Facebook, and Twitter were launched. During his successful 25+ years’ career in Digital Marketing, he managed complex SEO, SEM, social media marketing campaigns, and teams for government organizations, large e-commerce, travel, and education companies like Tourism BC, Alibaba Group, Aliexpress, Lazada, Booking.com, Agoda, Campus Support, to name a few.

Dr. Angus Creech is a senior research scientist at Acadia University. He has worked in wind and tidal energy research for over 20 years, modelling wind farms, tidal turbines and tidal straits using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and supercomputers. He is an adjunct professor at Acadia University, Dalhousie University and a Visiting Academic at Heriot-Watt. He is also managing director of Cairnsmore Scientific, a Nova-Scotia based consultancy that specializes in high performance computing, CFD and renewable energy.

He has led academic-industrial collaborations with multinational energy companies such as Vattenfall AB and Scottish Power Renewables, and has provided consulting services to the media and the energy industry. He has also worked for the Digital Research Alliance of Canada as a Technical Solutions Specialist, addressing academic and business needs in high performance computing.

Dr. Creech emigrated to Nova Scotia from Scotland in 2022 with his family. In his spare time, he tries to interest his daughters in math and physics.

Dr. Anna Redden is a marine ecologist and professor in Biology, with degrees from Acadia University (BScHon, MSc) and Memorial University (PhD). Her postdoctoral work was conducted in Australia, after which she was appointed to a faculty position at Newcastle University, Australia. She returned to Nova Scotia and to Acadia University in 2005 to the positions of Associate Professor in Biology and Director of the Acadia Centre for Estuarine Research. Dr. Redden served as Dean (and then Associate Vice-President) of Research, Innovation and Graduate Studies from 2017-2023. She is currently the Director of Environmental Interactions with the Acadia Tidal Energy Institute.

Anna has over 35 years of research experience working on a broad range of environmental topics and effects monitoring in coastal waters. This includes environmental studies at the former Tidal Power Generating Station in Annapolis Royal, and research with tidal energy project developers in high flow passages in the Bay of Fundy. Her activities with collaborators and students at Acadia have largely focused on understanding how marine fish and other animals utilize high flow, tidal environments. Anna is currently leading an NRCan-funded project ($2.6M; 2025-2028) that will apply tagging technology advanced for high flow sites to build strong datasets on the temporal and spatial presence of fish passing through the Minas Passage and FORCE tidal energy development area. This data, coupled with fish movement and tidal turbine models, will inform assessments of fish-turbine collision risk.

Dr. Redden was the co-founder and co-executive chair of the Fundy Energy Research Network (FERN), established in 2009 to assist the province, FORCE, the emerging tidal energy industry and the research community in working collaboratively to address a range of environmental, engineering and socio-economic needs and challenges. In 2011, she co-founded the Acadia Tidal Energy Institute and she has served as Director or co-Director since that time.

Anna was one of the founding directors on the Board of the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE; 2009-2016) and served as a director on the Board of the Offshore Energy Research Association of Nova Scotia (2017-2022). She also served as the Canadian lead on the International Ocean Energy Agency’s Ocean Energy Systems Initiative: Annex IV (Environmental Effects of MRE) from 2014-2017.

Dr. Benjamin Williamson is an Associate Professor at the University of the Highlands and Islands in Scotland, where he leads a renewable energy research group. His background is engineering and marine sensing, and research spans environmental interactions of wave and tidal energy, through to ecosystem effects of fixed and floating offshore wind.

His research interests include sensor fusion, hydroacoustics and developing subsea multi-sensor platforms to track the interactions of fish, seabirds and marine mammals with marine energy devices. He developed and deployed some of the first seabed observatories to investigate animal behaviour around wave and tidal sites. After working in this field for >15 years, he has a keen interest in developing novel sensor platforms to investigate biophysical interactions in the marine environment, such as using UAVs (drones) to investigate behavioural associations of top predators with fine-scale hydrodynamic surface features at tidal energy sites.

Dr. Brad Buckham is the Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and a member of the Institute for Integrated Energy Systems at the University of Victoria. He specializes in offshore mechanics with a focus on marine energy technologies and resource assessment. Brad’s graduate student team comprises the West Coast Wave Initiative (WCWI) and focus on innovation in the wave energy space. Brad is also co-director of the Pacific Regional Institute for Marine Energy Discovery (PRIMED) – a marine energy commercialization hub that uses student developed tools, methods and datasets in efforts to identify BC’s strategic marine energy sites, and to help develop plans for community based wave and tidal energy projects. Dr. Buckham’s contributions to research and training in the marine renewables sector have been recognized by the BC Innovation Council, Natural Resources Canada and Mitacs Canada. In his role as a University instructor, he was the 2018 recipient of Excellence in Teaching awards from the Engineers and Geoscientists of BC and Engineers Canada.

Dr. Federico Pisanò is Manager of Energy Transition & Emerging Markets at NGI and leads the Boston office, driving business development and expanding NGI’s technical and R&D portfolio across emerging markets in the Americas. He is a Principal Geotechnical Engineer with over 15 years of international experience across research, teaching, and consulting. After serving as a faculty member at Delft University of Technology, where he led education and research in offshore geotechnics, he transitioned to NGI to bridge innovation and engineering practice in offshore wind. His expertise includes advanced numerical modelling, cyclic soil behavior, and soil–structure interaction, with a focus on foundation systems for offshore energy. He holds a Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering from Politecnico di Milano (Italy) and has authored over 100 technical publications. He is Vice-Chair of the ISSMGE technical committee on Offshore Geotechnics (TC209), Associate Editor of the ASCE Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, and active in ISO/API and SUT committees.

Doctorate in Geotechnical Engineering with 15 years of industrial experience in offshore energy projects, particularly in offshore wind. Currently leading the geotechnical team at Lloyd’s Register, where they have conducted reviews and independent analyses for numerous offshore wind projects worldwide. These have included site investigations, geohazard assessments, and design and installation evaluations for shallow, intermediate, and deep foundations. Over the years, they have provided technical support in various capacities, including as certifier, owner’s engineer, and consultant. Actively supports research and development initiatives aimed at advancing knowledge in foundation design and installation methodologies.

Dr Grant Humphries is a marine ornithologist and data scientist recognized internationally for advancing seabird ecology, conservation, and evidence-based decision-making at sea. A National Geographic Explorer, he is known for pioneering the use of drones (RPAS) and transparent statistical methods to monitor wildlife and evaluate human impacts in marine ecosystems.

As Director of Black Bawks Data Science, Humphries leads a team delivering cutting-edge analytics, drone-based surveys, and reproducible pipelines for NGOs, governments, and industry. His expertise spans orthomosaics, thermal mapping, and AI-assisted species detection, supporting conservation programs and environmental assessments across the Atlantic and Southern Oceans.

In his role as Director of Science at Oceanites, Humphries oversees the stewardship of the Antarctic penguin population database (MAPPPD) and leads the organization’s drone program, which provides low-disturbance, high-resolution data on penguin colonies for the Antarctic Treaty System.

Humphries is also a recognized authority in offshore wind impact assessment, particularly collision risk modeling (CRM) for seabirds. He co-developed and maintains the open-source stochLAB R package, a stochastic collision risk model that explicitly incorporates uncertainty in seabird behavior, flight heights, and turbine parameters. His research, including novel aerial photogrammetry methods for estimating bird flight heights, directly informs regulatory guidance and environmental impact assessments in the UK, EU, and beyond.

A passionate advocate for open science, Humphries builds reproducible tools in R and publishes widely on seabird ecology, machine learning for image-based counts, and the integration of digital aerial and drone data into ecological models. His leadership in the World Seabird Union and creation of the World Seabird Twitter Conference have broadened access to global seabird research.

From Antarctic penguin colonies to North Atlantic wind farms, Dr Grant Humphries combines innovative field methods, quantitative rigor, and a commitment to transparency—ensuring that conservation and industry decisions are grounded in the best available science.

Dr. Hilary Moors-Murphy is a Research Scientist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), leading the Maritimes Region Cetacean Research and Monitoring Program. Her main area of expertise is marine mammal bioacoustics. The objectives of her research program include increasing knowledge of cetacean occurrence off eastern Canada through innovative collection, analysis, and management of broadscale, long-term passive acoustic monitoring and sightings data. These data can help in the assessment of risks and impacts of human activities, increasing our understanding of threats to cetaceans and informing management and mitigation measures.

Dr. Kerry Muldoon is the Executive Director for Northern Ireland Maritime & Offshore (NIMO). NIMO is an emerging cluster whose vision is too connect and empower Northern Ireland’s maritime and offshore industries through collaboration, innovation, and sustainability — driving economic growth, advancing clean technologies, and positioning our region as a world leader in the blue and green economies.  Kerry’s academic background is in freshwater ecology, but she now focuses on energy and has over 16 years’ experience across the energy sector, working in environmental consultancy and project development for large scale renewables, as well as working for the transmission System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI) and the Department for Economy. 

Leading the development and commercialization of a growing cleantech company’s AI-driven digital transformation solutions, securing contracts leading to 60% market share of the US Offshore Wind digital marine stakeholder market and a growing pipeline across the marine ecosystem, including ports & harbours, vessel fleets, and marine science.

Dr Laura Williamson. Head of Science at HiDef Aerial Surveying, works in marine consultancy focussing on marine mammal and seabird risk mitigation and impact assessment during windfarm construction. She leads a team of Ecological Consultants and Data Scientists at HiDef, performing impact assessment, develops mitigation strategies and research programmes to meet clients’ regulatory and reporting requirements, and provides advice throughout the consent, construction, and operational phases. Laura completed her MRes and PhD at the University of Aberdeen, where she used data from digital aerial surveys and echolocation-click detectors (C-PODs) to complete species distribution modelling to study harbour porpoise distribution and behaviour. She has also performed benthic colonisation and decommissioning studies for offshore structures and has experience with the setup, deployment, operation, and recovery of offshore survey equipment (e.g. hydrophones, radar, sonar, IR cameras), as well as with analysis and reporting of data, and performing statistical modelling.

Dr. Richard Karsten is a Professor of Mathematics at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada. He has a Bachelor’s in Math from the University of Waterloo and a PhD in Applied Mathematics from the University of Alberta.

For almost two decades, Dr. Karsten and his colleagues at Acadia have been working on examining the potential of tidal power in the Bay of Fundy. His research is focused on using numerical models of the tides and currents in a number of different applications, ranging from resource assessment to environmental impacts. More recently, his worked has focused on combining field measurements with numerical simulations. Dr. Karsten is the Principal Investigator on the Environmental Monitoring, Modelling and Forecasting Infrastructure for Instream Tidal Energy project.

Dr. Courbis has been working in marine science and regulation for over 25 years. She focuses on marine protected species, particularly marine mammals, and specializes in impact assessment, permitting and compliance, and mitigation. She is a principal environmental scientist with EPI Group. Her work in offshore energy includes siting and planning, environmental impact assessment, stakeholder engagement, permitting, development of practicable mitigation, and scientific support to trade organizations. She has been working in marine renewables for over a decade and has authored or co-authored over 60 technical reports, presentations, and publications.

Dr. Steve Bonnell is with the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC), where he leads an on-going research initiative related to the planning and conduct of regional and strategic assessments under the Impact Assessment Act. He is an experienced impact assessment (IA) practitioner, researcher and teacher, with over 25 years’ experience working in IA in industry, government and academia. He holds a PhD in IA from the University of Dundee, Scotland, as well as Bachelors and Masters degrees in Geography from Memorial University of Newfoundland, where he is currently an Adjunct Professor. Dr. Bonnell has published and presented extensively on IA theory and practice, with a focus on improving the efficacy of IA processes, methods and outputs, including the associated use of strategic and regional assessments.

Dr. King is Lead Principal Geoscientist at NGI with over 30 years of experience in project management, strategic planning and technical roles that span the range of geologic settings and operational environments. Recent work has included the integrated interpretation of geoscience and geotechnical data to generate ground models in the Americas and Europe, and development of a machine learning based algorithm to estimate mineral content of sediment samples. Prior to NGI he worked for Vår Energi, Imperial Oil and ExxonMobil on offshore projects across the globe, living in Canada, UK, Norway, Nigeria and USA. He is a technical expert in seismic interpretation, data analysis and integration, site characterization, and geographical information systems.

Senior Regulatory Specialist / Senior Ecologist in environmental consulting. Responsible for environmental approvals, permitting and terrestrial scope of work including vegetation, soils, reclamation and wildlife. Worked on environmental related regulatory application for the following work types including wind, solar, transmission, pipelines, oil and gas sites, mines and SAGD.

An accomplished project manager with timely execution and completion of projects. Highly professional, independent, efficient and reliable. Recognized by others for technical excellence, organizational skills and high level of personal accountability.

Member of Glooscap First Nation in Nova Scotia, Lorraine Whitman (“Grandmother White Sea Turtle”) is one of 14 siblings (seven brothers, six sisters) of the late Chief Joseph Peters and Elder Doris (Brooks) Peters. She is also a granddaughter of the late Chief Louis Peters of Bear River.

Since graduating with honours from the University of Alberta’s Grant McEwan College Rehabilitation Practitioner program, Lorraine’s career has focused on health care and healing. Early in her career she developed, implemented and evaluated personal and educational programs for individuals with physical needs and challenges in Edmonton-based schools, workplaces and social environments. Upon returning to Nova Scotia in 1987, she worked for 23 years as a social development officer for Glooscap First Nation. In 2009 Lorraine attended Yellowquill Community College where she specialized in the Aboriginal Diabetes program and was chosen as the valedictorian of her class. In 2010, Lorraine was employed as the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative Coordinator for Glooscap First Nation.

Lorraine served Glooscap First Nation as an elected councillor from 1997–2012, sat on the Board of Directors of the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq for more than 15 years, served as a health committee member for the Tripartite Forum for more than 10 years and was the Mi’kmaq representative on the Annapolis Valley School Board from 2000–2003. She also developed The Fair Trade Seven Sacred Teachings Coffee roast blend for Just Us! Coffee, with a portion of the proceeds directed toward select Indigenous programs.

In 2017, Lorraine was elected President of the Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association. Her other accomplishments include becoming an Elder for Acadia University, she was a Mi’kmaq Language Advisory representative in 2020 and she received the Nova Scotia Volunteer Award in 2019 for her passion to influence positive change for women’s rights, youth education and indigenous issues. She speaks at numerous events, representing her community with pride, to share Mi’kmaw culture with others. For more than 25 years, she has held a volunteer role in her community as a planner, organizer, speaker and leader.

She has volunteered for 4H clubs, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls events, Sisters in Spirit initiatives, and Girl Power programs. She models respectful behaviors, shares traditional teachings, and empowers members to reach their greatest potential.

Over the years, Lorraine has volunteered at the Windsor Exhibition, informing others about the Mi’kmaw culture, heritage and ceremonies in her territory. She has participated with her younger sister Darlene in the Commemoration of our Sisters in Spirit over the past 11 years and has led various Mi’kmaw cultural events including porcupine quill demonstrations, talks, singing and drumming.

Lorraine was elected President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) in September 2019 which is a position she held until 2022. Lorraine was recognized in 2020, October 1st Treaty Day with the Grand Chief Marshall Elders Award and currently sits as a member of the Mi’kmawey Debert Elders Advisory Council and was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2025.

Lorraine is married to her husband Thomas for 41 years and has raised their beautiful daughter Zabrina according to Mi’kmaw culture and traditions. Lorraine is an artisan and volunteers at her local church. Lorraine was also a recent recipient of an Honourary Doctrine in Humanity from Acadia University in May of 2022 and receipt of the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Platinum Medal in 2022. She splits her time between her career, speaking, raising awareness of Mi’Kmaq culture and heritage to the general public, volunteering at local elementary, middle, high and secondary schools mentoring youth and girls, empowering them to reach their full potential while facing barriers and challenges in their lives. She quotes “The passion for the Indigenous people is where I follow my heart.”

Elisa joined Marine Renewables Canada in 2012, first as the Atlantic Director and then as executive director in 2015. In this role she works to facilitate technology innovation in the sector by advocating for supportive policies, identifying international business development opportunities, and enhancing the capacity of the local supply chain. Elisa has also designed and led numerous engagement and outreach activities to grow knowledge and support for marine renewable energy development.

Elisa is a founding member of the Canadian Council on Renewable Electricity (CanCORE) and Electricity Alliance Canada (EAC) and is currently Canada’s alternate delegate on the International Energy Agency’s Ocean Energy Systems executive committee. She has also served as an advisory board member for the National Research Council’s Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering Research Centre and a director on the Offshore Energy Research Association’s Board. Elisa has worked at several other organizations, focused on clean technology, tidal energy, and the broader renewable energy sector including Sustainable Development Technology Canada, the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE), and Nova Scotia Department of Energy.

Elisa holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Masters in Public Administration from Dalhousie University.

Ericka Wicks is a seasoned leader in Canada’s energy transition landscape, currently serving as Regional Sector Lead for Energy Transition and Renewable Energy at Stantec where she supports energy transition strategy evolution, drives regional business development pursuits, and contributes technically to and manages projects. With over 15 years of experience at the intersection of energy management, sustainability, and economic development, Ericka brings a unique blend of strategic insight, technical expertise, and collaborative leadership to her work.

She is the Project Manager for the Atlantic Canada Offshore Wind Integration and Transmission Study, a first-of-its-kind initiative led by Net Zero Atlantic and delivered by Stantec in partnership with Energy and Environmental Economics (E3). The study is designed to assess the technical, economic, and policy pathways for integrating offshore wind into Atlantic Canada’s electricity grid. It spans four provinces—Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador—and aims to evaluate offshore wind resource potential, assess paths to market, identify optimal transmission configurations, and support coordinated planning for future deployment.

Prior to joining Stantec, Ericka held senior roles in national and regional non-profits focused on energy transition and economic development. She is known for her ability to bridge technical and policy domains and foster partnerships that drive meaningful change. At Stantec, she continues to lead multidisciplinary teams in delivering integrated solutions for a net-zero future.

Ericka is based in Montréal and is an avid board gamer, nature lover, and triathlete.

Finley Corbett is an early career research engineer at the University of New Brunswick. He holds an MSc degree in Mechanical Engineering, awarded in May 2025, and specializes in applying Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to marine turbomachinery. Finley’s main research projects specifically include strategies to improve tidal turbine performance at the root, as well as CFD-based shape optimization for marine propellers. This work was recently captured in two conference papers which have been accepted for publication in the 2025 Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering (CSME) conference proceedings. In Finley’s presentation at the MRC, he will provide some key conclusions made from a 3D parametric CFD study of a tidal turbine hub retrofit. He will also discuss his current work aimed at further improving tidal turbine efficiency using a 2D CFD-based design optimization approach.

Florian Lecorps is a senior consultant on renewable energy / biodiversity issues. He is currently Director of the Marine renewable energy Departement at Biotope (https://www.biotope.fr/), a French consultancy, founding member of Alliance for Nature (https://alliance-for-nature.com/). He is also non-executive Director of HiDef aerial surveying, a UK-based consultancy and international leader in high-resolution digital aerial offshore wildlife surveys (https://www.hidefsurveying.co.uk/).

With almost 20 years of experience, Florian has been involved in numerous onshore, offshore wind farms assessment, research programs, as well as nature conservation programs.

Deeply interested in the interaction between Renewable energy and biodiversity as well as in sharing knwoledge and solutions, Florian participates in several think tanks and working groups dealing with that area of expertise both in France and in Europe.

Since October 2023, Florian has chaired the organizing committee of the Conference on Wind energy and Wildlife impacts (CWW2025, September 2025 Montpellier), the largest and most influential international conference on Wind energy and Biodiversity.

Fred Scott is a coastal engineer at Baird, specializing in the numerical modeling of waves, currents, and storm surge for coastal and offshore environments. He holds a Master of Science in Coastal Engineering and Management from Delft University of Technology. At Baird, Mr. Scott’s work spans data analysis, construction observation, and modeling to support resilient coastal infrastructure. He has led technical and managerial roles on a range of complex projects, including a Navigation Safety Risk Assessment for an offshore wind development in the U.S. Northeast, and conducting flood risk assessments driven by tropical cyclones. His conference presentation will explore methodologies for estimating wave and wind conditions during extreme storm events, providing insights into how these models inform design criteria and for offshore renewable energy developments.

Dr. Freeman Ralph joined C-CORE in 1999, and is presently VP Oceans and Energy having over 25 years of offshore oil and gas and alternative energy expertise. Originating from Port de Grave, Freeman has a strong interest and ties to Newfoundland’s fishing industry. His expertise includes ice and metocean environment characterization, loads on ships and offshore structures, probabilistic and reliability-based design, as well as protection of subsea infrastructure including geotechnical considerations. Freeman serves as a board member for Oceans Advance as well as an Offshore Floating Wind Committee member of the International Ship Structures Congress (ISSC). Outside work, Freeman enjoys fishing and hunting, boating, RVing, and motorcycle riding.

George Marling is a Chartered, Senior Geotechnical Engineer at OWC, a specialist renewables engineering consultancy, where he takes a leading role supporting offshore windfarm developers in the Americas. George brings a wealth of experience having fulfilled various Geoscience Package Management and Cables Owners Engineer roles in Taiwan, South Korea and the US. Based in New York, he acts as OWC’s Regional Coordinator for geo-projects in the Americas region which includes Canada, the US, Brazil and Colombia, working closely with offshore wind developers to de-risk projects through site investigations, site characterization, ground modelling, geo-hazard identification and FEED.

Gerald is a proud Nova Scotian, having been raised in a small rural fishing community. He is a Professional Engineer, who started is career with Mobil Canada on the Sable Offshore Energy Project before joining the Canadian Offshore energy regulatory for 8 years. Gerald has spent the last 13 years with SBM Offshore, responsible for Deep Panuke Project as Unit Manager, leading ThunderHawk, a Floating Oil production unit in the Gulf of Mexico, then leading the build of a new O&G training center in Guyana. Gerald has transitioned to SBM’s Innovation and Growth group, actively managing the Nova East Wind development while supporting projects in Namibia, Brazil, United States and Newfoundland.

Hamid Shayanfar is a Machine Learning Engineer at Canadian Global Maritime, where he applies optimization, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to automate and enhance engineering design processes. He develops AI algorithms for seabed boulder detection and C# optimization tools for mooring line design.

Before transitioning into machine learning, Hamid spent over five years as a Project Engineer at C-CORE, specializing in ocean and offshore engineering. His work supported Pre-FEED studies for offshore oil and gas projects, where he assessed environmental conditions, evaluated ice loads, and conducted risk assessments for offshore structures and subsea systems. During this time, he gained practical experience in data analysis, engineering programming, dynamic modeling, and structural analysis.

To complement his engineering background with advanced data skills, Hamid earned a Master of Data Science from Memorial University, supported by the techNL Making Waves Accelerator Scholarship. He also holds an M.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering from Memorial University, where he conducted experimental research on ice rubble beam bending at C-CORE, funded by Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. (HMDC).

His work has been recognized with several awards, including the Best Student Paper Award at the International Conference on Port and Ocean Engineering under Arctic Conditions, the RDC Ocean Industry Student Research Award, and Memorial University’s Recognition of Excellence Award. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fluid Mechanics, with a final project on cavitation and drag-force measurement.

Hannah MacDonald is a Senior Program Manager at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI). She leads GMRI’s offshore wind strategy and fisheries engagement across the Gulf of Maine. Her work ensures coastal and fishing communities are equipped to meaningfully shape offshore wind development and fisheries management through transparent, science-based, and locally grounded processes. She has led multi-state port visit campaigns, launched GMRI’s Offshore Wind Resource Hub, and is advancing coexistence strategies between floating offshore wind and fisheries through collaborative research.

Heather Giddens is a Senior Associate at Stantec Consulting Ltd. in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She has over 25 years’ experience in assessment and permitting and providing strategic regulatory advice to various public and private organizations in the energy, transportation and mining sectors. Heather specializes in environmental impact assessment, having led or participated in numerous project-specific impact assessments, strategic environmental assessments, and regional assessments over the course of her career, many of which were related to offshore oil and gas exploration and development in Atlantic Canada. As the Canada East Technical Area Leader for Assessment and Permitting, Heather collaborates with other technical leaders to drive quality and innovation in Stantec’s assessment and permitting practice. Heather holds a Bachelor of Science (Biology) from Acadia University and a Master of Environmental Studies from Dalhousie University.

Jack is an Associate Scientist at Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) Consulting (SMRUC), working across a wide range of projects that support the sustainable management of marine infrastructure developments and the mitigation-monitoring of impacts on marine mammals. At SMRUC, Jack has contributed to Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for offshore wind, port, and harbour developments across the UK, Ireland, and the USA. His work focuses on identifying and mitigating potential impact pathways on marine mammal populations, and he is actively involved in acoustic survey design and coordination, including the deployment of SMRUC’s Communications Acoustics Buoy (CAB) for baseline characterisation and mitigation-monitoring purposes.

Jack has delivered numerous industry-funded projects and his expertise extends to analytical assessments, including population trajectory modelling using the iPCoD model and cumulative impact analyses for offshore wind developments. With a strong background in marine mammal ecology and applied marine science, Jack works closely with a diverse network of industry stakeholders, synthesising perspectives to develop design balanced, evidence-based solutions that advance both conservation and industry objectives.

At the conference, Jack will share insights from his recent work on marine mammal mitigation and monitoring in offshore developments, offering practical perspectives on advancing sustainable marine industry practices.

James Kesten is COVE’s Director, Venture Growth. In this role, he works directly with COVE resident companies, partners, and stakeholders to create, adopt, and implement initiatives and programs that will remove barriers to the commercialization of new products and services. He also enhances COVE’s business network and seeks to identify new markets that will generate growth.

He has experience in marine technology innovation, offshore inspections, subsea technology deployments, strategic planning for international markets, business development, and project management. James has worked around the world in nearly every offshore market and in an onshore capacity related to international business development. He is a professional engineer with a degree from Dalhousie University and a Master of Business Administration from Queen’s University, with a focus on Data Analytics, Project Management, and New Ventures.

Jan has more than 15 year experience in the offshore wind business, from project development, tender management, project management to offshore installation works. He has been involved in more than 40 offshore wind projects and tenders worldwide and responsible for projects up to 1,9 billion USD turnover. Jan has been working in the emerging offshore wind markets in Europe and Asia. Jan also started 7 years ago the business development for US Offshore Wind market, establishing the company DEME Offshore US LLC. This company is now a major contractor in the US offshore wind field, located in Boston MA and Norfolk VA, employing dozens of American employees in several US states and ports. DEME Offshore is partnering with companies for the development of local content, Jones Act compliant and novel feeder concepts, port & logistics, support vessels, and installation scenarios for offshore energy projects. DEME Offshore in North America is also operating out of Canadian ports and involved in Canadian offshore energy projects.

Jan is the Business Unit Director for Americas, President of DEME Offshore US LLC and Board member of DEME Offshore, Oceantic and member of ACP.

DEME Offshore is DEME’s specialist in complex offshore marine engineering & construction projects. DEME Offshore offers a wide variety of services in offshore energy. DEME Offshore relies on its ability to provide innovative techniques and high operational reliability through high-tech equipment, own state of the art own fleet of specialized installation vessels. This is all supported by specialized in-house departments. DEME Offshore is the leading (EPCI) offshore wind contractor with more than 70 reference projects, covering the whole installation scope of an offshore wind farm: foundations, cables, substations. scour protection and wind turbines.

With over 20 years of international experience in managing engineering businesses and projects, Jason brings leadership, technical and commercial aptitude to COAST. His experience spans multiple industries including renewable energy, urban development, environmental consulting, mining, and commercial and infrastructure construction.

He has worked with large multinational corporations as well as being involved in several startups. He has acted on several corporate boards in both Canada and Australia.

As Executive Director, Jason has led the catalyst phase of COAST from a concept into a flourishing ecosystem support organization that has built an international reputation and assisted more than 100 blue economy companies on their path to commercialization.

Jason holds a PHD in Engineering from the University of Adelaide, Australia, and is a member of the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia.

Jason is a Principal Scientist & Deputy Director of Technology at SMRU Consulting. He has over 20 years of experience studying acoustic ecology and behaviour in airborne, substrate (i.e., seismic), and waterborne communication. Following his PhD at the University of California, Davis, he held post-doctoral fellowships at Stanford University in the Geophysics and Otolaryngology departments. Following this, he taught an undergraduate field-based bioacoustics course through the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Laboratories for Beam Reach. He also led the research department at The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor. For the past fifteen years, his work has focused on marine mammals and the potential impacts of anthropogenic sounds on these animals. These studies have involved the development of complex study designs and the implementation of acoustic, statistical, and spatial analyses and modelling.

Jay Khosla is currently serving as Executive Director, Economic and Energy Policy with the Public Policy Forum, bringing decades of experience as a senior public service leader with specific emphasis on maximizing Canada’s economic advantage. He is one of the country’s leading experts on the energy sector, including the areas of hydro, nuclear, oil and gas, electricity, energy efficiency and clean technologies.

Jay has held several senior executive positions spanning complex national and international files while working with numerous cabinet ministers and engaging countless private sector and international stakeholders, as well as Indigenous and provincial partners.

Jay has a proven track record of successfully delivering on core government mandate priorities and strategies. Most recently, he was with the Privy Council Office as Senior Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) in Intergovernmental Affairs, where he worked on strengthening federal-provincial relations while implementing post-pandemic economic recovery, western and eastern infrastructure projects, climate change and energy transition, environmental legislation/regulation, investment attraction, innovation initiatives and internal trade policy. Previously, he served in various senior ADM positions at Natural Resources Canada, where he advanced Canada’s energy interests on both the national and international stage.

Jay holds a degree in history from the University of Ottawa and a master’s in public administration from Dalhousie University.

Jay joined PPF in 2024.

Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Jennifer Holmes began her career with Holmes Maritime in 2004. Her strong interpersonal skills, operational expertise, and problem-solving ability quickly earned the trust of the agency’s longest-standing clients. Known for her integrity, dedication, and commitment to high-quality service, Jennifer has been consistently recognized by both clients and industry peers.

As Vice President, she oversees the company’s operations and special projects divisions, while actively identifying and pursuing new business opportunities. Her extensive experience includes agency support for a wide range of project cargo and logistics coordination for the offshore oil and gas sector. Notably, she has managed complex operations such as the loading and unloading of jack-up rigs from semisubmersible transport vessels.

In 2020, Jennifer played a key role in executing and supporting a U.S. offshore wind project utilizing the Woodside Multi-Purpose Marine Facility — the first project of its kind in Nova Scotia. She has since been involved in similar renewable energy initiatives.

Jennifer currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the Shipping Federation of Canada and has contributed to several of its committees over the years.

Jennifer Stucker, PhD is a Senior Research Biologist , ornithologist, and Offshore Wind Lead for WEST. With 10 years of experience, she designs and manages pre- and post-construction monitoring, including compliance efforts at terrestrial and offshore facilities and assists clients and agencies in designing novel—but practical—approaches for unusual natural resource and wildlife assessment challenges. With substantial experience with birds and bats at land-based wind facilities too, her coastal and offshore experience includes work in the Great Lakes, the Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico. She has managed multiple projects focused on minimizing bat collision using curtailment strategies and deterrents, and was the Principal Investigator for a US DOE funded validation trial of a collision detection system for turbine blades. She has experience from front-end engineering through operational compliance.

John Dalton is President of Power Advisory, an electricity sector-focused consulting firm. He offers over 30-years of experience in energy market analysis, power procurement, and policy analysis and development. He regularly applies this expertise to the offshore wind sector focusing in particular on the administration of competitive procurement frameworks for offshore wind and transmission policy development to facilitate the interconnection of offshore wind projects to the onshore grid. He has advised a wide range of parties pursuing opportunities to participate in the North American offshore wind sector including: (1) profiling market participants to identify possible partners; (2) assessing offshore wind market offtake opportunities; and (3) reviewing the benefits and risks of alternative offshore transmission development models. In addition, he has advised several parties evaluate offshore wind development opportunities in Atlantic Canada and recently advised the Province of Nova Scotia regarding its Wind West proposal.

As Senior Policy Advisor, Jonathan is responsible for leading policy discussions with members and external parties, identifying opportunities for advocacy on critical policy and regulatory issues, developing policy input, and supporting Marine Renewables Canada’s outreach efforts.

Jonathan joins Marine Renewables Canada with over nine years of experience in the federal government including senior roles at Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada. His work in government and politics has focused on advancing Canada’s clean energy transition through strategic policy development, stakeholder engagement, and legislative leadership. Originally from British Columbia, Jonathan worked closely with the Government of British Columbia and local Indigenous communities on wild Pacific salmon policy and marine conservation—efforts that reflect his deep connection to the West Coast and its ecosystems.

Jonathan holds a BA in Political Studies from Queen’s University and also serves in the Canadian Army Reserves as an Infantry Officer with the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa.

Joseph Vitale is a Principal at Ramboll with over 40 years of experience in engineering consulting with the last 10 years focusing on offshore wind (OSW) port development. He holds an MBA from Babson College, an MS in Civil Engineering from Northeastern University, and a BS in Chemistry from Boston College. Joseph has led major OSW infrastructure projects across North America, including detailed port and harbor assessments, supply chain studies, and development strategies for both public and private sector clients. His portfolio includes the successful completion of the Portsmouth Marine Terminal transformation in Virginia in spring 2025, where he oversaw the design, permitting, and procurement to repurpose the port for large-scale offshore wind operations. Beyond Portsmouth, he has managed OSW port evaluations and development strategies for projects on the East and West Coasts of the US providing technical leadership on feasibility, permitting, and supply chain readiness.

Joy is a Principal and Regulatory Specialist based in Maine, with over 25 years of experience. Her permitting and regulatory responsibilities include environmental planning and management of state and federal permitting, as well as strategic support for development of transmission and renewable energy projects.

Joy manages multi-disciplinary environmental services projects, with a particular focus in the past several years on offshore wind projects, including their onshore point of interconnection. She has worked on nine offshore wind projects in the northeast US, including leadership for the first project to connect to the New York grid. She serves as a Practice Lead for the Northeast US where she leads regional business development pursuits and provides regulatory direction for projects.

Joy enjoys travelling, is trying to learn Spanish, and has visited all four corners of the continental United States within the past five years.

Julien Cousineau is a Professional Engineer at the National Research Council of Canada, where he specializes in hydrodynamics, advanced environmental modelling, and climate-resilient water systems. With over 10 years of experience and a Master of Applied Science from the University of Ottawa, he leads the development of innovative, data-driven solutions that support safer and more sustainable management of rivers, oceans, and coastal regions. His work spans flood and erosion risk reduction, enhanced emergency planning and response, optimization of dam operations, and the advancement of marine renewable energy.

Karl Hanke, M.Sc., P.Eng. (ON), is a Water Resources Engineer at Baird & Associates, where he has worked for seven years. Baird specializes in river and coastal engineering and has supported the offshore wind energy sector for over two decades. For the past three years, Karl has contributed to Navigation Safety Risk Assessments for offshore wind projects in the United States, serving as lead modeler on three assessments using Baird’s proprietary navigational risk modeling system. He is currently involved in the system’s development and conducts detailed vessel traffic analyses in support of marine infrastructure – most recently, for the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland. Originally from Canada’s East Coast, Karl is passionate about offshore wind and its role in decarbonizing the energy system.

Kathryn has over 15 years of experience working in U.S. offshore industries, including 12 years of experience specializing in logistics, reporting, associate management, technical planning and client relations. Her background in marine aquatic ecosystems stems from work as a Fisheries Observer, Protected Species Observer, Observer Trainer, Project, and Program Management, focused in the North Atlantic. Kathryn’s management experience includes leading project teams, daily coordination of field staff, communicating with industry stakeholders, data review, report writing, managing budgets, managing subcontractors, client coordination, and the successful delivery of projects, ranging from federal, state, and commercial programs. She has regulatory and technical knowledge of operations, specializing in geophysical and geotechnical surveys, as well as pile driving and cable laying operations pertaining to renewable projects in the US Atlantic. Her professional experience spans the public and private sectors and her experience includes the development and management of permitting documents and reporting in compliance with agency and regulatory requirements.

Katie is an experienced renewable energy technology professional who supports renewable energy companies to improve financial returns by utilizing data and software platforms. Katie has worked extensively with independent power producers (IPPs), infrastructure funds, asset managers, and global utilities across Canada, the United States, Europe and Brazil. At TGS Katie manages offshore wind products and services with a particular focus on site characterization including desktop studies, wind and metocean surveys and geophysical surveys.

Kelly Knee leads the Tetra Tech Ocean Science group, where she focuses on bringing together science, data, and technology to solve complex problems, create shared value, and capture emerging opportunities in renewables, resiliency, and sustainability. Kelly has spent almost 22 years with Tetra Tech in a variety of roles focused on using modeling and data analysis to inform responsible use of the marine environment and leveraging software and systems engineering to democratize metocean data and facilitate its broader application. She currently oversees numerous complex data management, distribution, and visualization projects for the NOAA National Ocean Service, the US Army Corps of Engineers, the US Coast Guard, and the Northeast Regional Ocean Council.

Ken Kimmell is the Chief Development Officer for Offshore Wind at Avangrid, leading a team to develop new offshore wind business opportunities, secure offtake agreements, obtain federal, state and local approvals for Avangrid’s offshore wind projects, execute infrastructure and economic development partnerships, and ensure implementation of workforce and other commitments made by the projects. Ken has successfully permitted two large scale offshore wind farms in New England, secured leases from the federal government for two large offshore wind farms in the Gulf of Maine, and created a partnership with a nation leading admiralty company to redevelop a former coal plant site into a new marshalling port for offshore wind.

Prior to his position at Avangrid, Ken served as President of the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), a leading science-based nonprofit which works at the federal and state level to promote renewable energy policies. Prior to joining UCS in May 2014, Kimmell was the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). He has also served as General Counsel at the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs in Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick’s administration, and in that capacity worked on state regulatory and siting policy to advance offshore and onshore wind projects. Ken also practiced law for 17 years as the director and senior attorney at a Boston-based law firm specializing in environmental, energy, and land-use issues. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Wesleyan University and his law degree at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Kimberly Doane is currently the Executive Director, Energy Resource Development with the Nova Scotia Department of Energy. She is responsible for providing strategic policy advice to the government regarding energy development, research, and the technical promotion of Nova Scotia’s potential to investors. Her responsibilities are focused on transitional energy opportunities such as offshore wind, geothermal, energy storage, natural gas, hydrogen, tidal and emerging energy innovation.

Kim holds a Master of Business Administration (Global Leadership), a Bachelor of Science Degree (Geology) and a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Geography). Kim has worked for the Provincial government for the past 26 years in a range of responsibilities. Prior to starting with the province, she worked in Calgary in private industry in petroleum exploration and environmental reclamation.

Since September 2019, Kim has been on the Board of Governors for Saint Mary’s University and is the appointed Nova Scotia representative on the Board of Director’s for Net Zero Atlantic. In addition, she is active on a variety of committees both locally and internationally.

Kim and her husband reside in Halifax, and they have one daughter Alexandra, who is currently an articling student for Bennett Jones LLP in Vancouver.

Lee Grace is a Business Development Manager with extensive experience in marine transportation and renewable energy infrastructure. He has led strategic initiatives across shipbuilding and vessel design.

His collaborative approach ensures alignment between technical innovation, regulatory compliance, and commercial viability.

Lee is a strong advocate for integrating clean energy technologies into vessel operations. His leadership in multi-stakeholder projects and his strategic vision make him a valuable voice in Canada’s transition to low-emission marine transport.

Based on the West Coast of Canada, Lee actively participates in industry forums focused on marine decarbonization and is committed to mentoring emerging professionals in the sector. He also sits as a Director At Large on the board of the Association of British Columbia Marine Industries (ABCMI).

Lindsay Bennett is the executive director of FORCE, Canada’s leading tidal energy research facility. She works to advance tidal energy as a shared priority for Nova Scotia and Canada by showcasing the Bay of Fundy’s potential and building partnerships across industry, government, Rights Holders, communities, and academia. With a background in environmental management and organizational leadership, she has spent the past decade advancing clean energy solutions that deliver economic and climate benefits.

Lindsay is a strategic communicator with a background in growing businesses, solving corporate challenges, and advancing environmental sustainability. She leverages critical skills to advance corporate initiatives, including team leadership, project management, community engagement, and integrated communications.

Lindsay draws on nonprofit and for-profit experience, including The Verschuren Centre, Eastward Energy, and the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. Lindsay currently serves on the Board of Directors for FORCE (Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy) and Chebucto Windfield Inc.

Lindsay is well-versed in distilling technical information and developing clear, credible messages for diverse audiences. She has a proven track record of developing effective strategies, aligning communities, and deploying impactful communications. She supports clients in developing and delivering compelling stories and provides advice with authenticity and professionalism.

Lindsay received a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of New Brunswick and continued her education with Designing Strategy and Advanced Leadership Training. She also earned the internationally recognized Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification. Her approachability, diplomacy, and dedication to consensus-building have made her a trusted and respected figure in the field.

Magnus is the Senior Marine Energy Technical Manager at the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, the UK’s leading technology innovation and research centre for offshore wind, wave and tidal energy. He provides technical leadership to a range of R&D projects with industry, academia and government to improve technology reliability and enhance knowledge, directly supporting the cost reduction of offshore renewable energy and enabling greater UK content.

Magnus has an Engineering Doctorate in offshore renewable energy and is a Chartered Engineer. His work has been published in industry reports and peer reviewed journal papers, and he contributes his subject matter expertise to the development of international standards for the marine energy sector.

Maor Bezner is an industrial designer with expertise in harmonizing environmental and technical needs for marine infrastructure. He has a proven track record in developing and refining technologies to enable mass production. Maor joined ECOncrete in 2019 and leads the R&D and project assimilation teams.

Marina Winterbottom, MMM, RPBio (she/they), is a marine biologist and regulatory strategist specializing in tidal energy and coastal infrastructure. A steady hand on complex files across Canada’s Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic coasts, she guides teams through environmental assessment and permitting, builds practical monitoring frameworks, and helps decision-makers see the signal in the noise. She’s known for clear science communication and a genuine commitment to relationship-based work with Indigenous Peoples. Off the clock, you’ll likely find her beach-combing with her kids, biking local trails, or perfecting her coffee game.

Mariya Summerfield is an Associate in WSP’s Offshore Renewables team with over a decade of international experience in the UK, Denmark, and Canada. Her expertise lies in commercial fisheries liaison, stakeholder engagement, and Nature Inclusive Design (NID), shaping emerging approaches to integrate biodiversity enhancement into offshore infrastructure.

She has contributed to projects such as MarramWind, Hinkley Point C, and EirGrid’s offshore NID programme, combining regulatory understanding with delivery across environmental assessments, marine licence support, and engagement with regulators, industry, and local communities. Mariya also brings policy experience from her years with the Danish Fisheries Agency, representing Denmark at the European Commission and the European Fisheries Control Agency.

Her current focus is advancing Nature Inclusive Design — developing tools, strategies, and collaborations that bridge science, policy, and industry needs to deliver practical, nature-positive solutions for the offshore renewables sector. She is also leading work on AI-enabled biodiversity monitoring, demonstrating how digital innovation can transform marine environmental management.

Martin Moody is a principal electrical engineer at BMT, with over 20 years experience in the smart grid, renewable integration, marine and defence industries. Over the last 8 years, Martin has led the development of BMT’s Microgrid Interface Unit (MIU). The MIU has been the heart of microgrids for a tidal energy demonstration in Nova Scotia, a permanent microgrid test lab at the National Research Council in Vancouver, and the Blind Channel community in British Columbia.

Previously Martin has been the lead electrical engineer in designing and commissioning electrical systems for submarines and hovercrafts. Martin has a Bachelor of Engineering degree in mechatronics from the University of Adelaide, Australia, and Master of Engineering degree in sustainable electrical energy systems from the Technological University Dublin, Ireland.

Martin Rovers is the Senior Director, Commercial at Nova Scotia Power. Martin is responsible for developing new clean energy projects to support Nova Scotia’s transition off coal. Projects include transmission, renewable energy, energy storage, and grid modernization. Martin also leads new customer growth and partnerships.

Martin brings 25 years of experience in project development and operations at leading companies in energy, start-ups and management consulting. Martin has served on various Boards and government and industry working groups developing regional programs and energy transition plans. Martin earned his M.Sc. in Physics at McMaster University and his MBA at the University of Toronto.

Holds the position of Head of Offshore Wind Energy at ABEEólica. PhD in Strategy and Innovation at ESPM (Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing/Brasil). Masters Degree in Consumer Behavior at ESPM (ESPM/Brasil) and Bacharel in Marketing at Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie (Mackenzie/Brasil). MBA at Católica Porto Business School (CPBS/Portugal). Author of the books: “Innovation and Sustainability for Energy Transition” and “The Strategies and Innovations of Cleantech Organizations”. Professional experiencie in the renewable energy sector, specifically in the wind energy industry in the areas of communication, strategy and innovation. Scientific Researcher in Innovation, strategy and international business. I have more than 70 scientific paper published between international and national scientific journals. Holds the position of Head of Offshore Wind Energy at ABEEólica. PhD in Strategy and Innovation at ESPM (Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing/Brasil). Masters Degree in Consumer Behavior at ESPM (ESPM/Brasil) and Bacharel in Marketing at Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie (Mackenzie/Brasil). MBA at Católica Porto Business School (CPBS/Portugal). Author of the books: “Innovation and Sustainability for Energy Transition” and “The Strategies and Innovations of Cleantech Organizations”. Professional experiencie in the renewable energy sector, specifically in the wind energy industry in the areas of communication, strategy and innovation. Scientific Researcher in Innovation, strategy and international business. I have more than 70 scientific paper published between international and national scientific journals.

I am an interdisciplinary Scientific Project Manager, Research Scientist, specializing in metocean and ice studies, with emphasis on tidal and offshore wind site assessments. My work integrates meteorological, oceanographic, sea-ice, and climate data to support a range of marine-based projects. Key areas of expertise include metocean characterization for offshore structures and floating wind farms, guided by international standards (ISO 19901:2015, ISO 29400:2020, IEC 61400-1, and IEC 61400-12).

I work across Canada’s coastal and marine regions, advancing triple-bottom-line principles by integrating traditional knowledge with in-situ observations, numerical models, and statistical methods. My experience spans metocean, sea-ice, and interdisciplinary field research, including in-situ marine observatory deployments (bottom-moored and AUV-mounted systems), offshore resource feasibility assessments, and regional strategic environmental evaluations for sustainable ocean development. My PhD involved helicopter- and ship-based sampling aboard the CCGS Amundsen throughout the Beaufort Sea and Northwest Passage, complemented by field experience in severe weather analysis (Miller cyclone classification, storm chasing) and upper-level meteorology using weather balloons, ceilometers, and passive microwave atmospheric profilers.

I am also a Marine Renewables Canada board member, and chair of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanography Society Vancouver Island Centre.

Megan co-Directs the Quantitative Wildlife Ecology Research Lab at Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI) in Portland, Maine. She received her PhD in Biological Oceanography from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and her Master’s in Quantitative Ecology and Resource Management from the University of Washington. Her research has focused on algae, invertebrates, and fishes of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska; marine mammals in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, California Current, Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea, and Beaufort Sea; and seabirds in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. Megan’s analytical toolbox includes distance sampling, hierarchical spatial modeling, population abundance estimation, spatial planning, and cumulative effects assessment. From 2008 to 2023, Megan was a Research Fisheries Biologist at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In that role, she worked at the intersection of science, management, conservation, and cross-cultural information exchange, specializing in Arctic marine ecosystems in Alaska. Specifically, she conducted research and analyses to investigate marine mammal ecology, and also to assist Tribal, co-management, local, state, and federal decision-makers in offshore oil and gas exploration, development, and production issues. Since joining BRI in 2023, Megan has focused on ecological and management issues related to offshore wind energy development.

Director of Moog Focal technologies responsible for business development in renewables and advisor on company strategy.

Engineering degree from Bristol University in the UK. Rotor and transmission engineer in helicopters then business development in aerospace and subsea marine technology.

Interests include history, tennis, hiking and attending sports events and travelling. Living in Nova Scotia and married with 2 children.

Michael currently serves as the CEO at Glooscap Ventures, Glooscap First Nation’s economic development corporation. He has been with the organization since 2015. Michael started out as an Economic Development Officer with Glooscap First Nation in 2015 and eventually moved into other management roles and then to the CEO position.

In 2023 Michael graduated with his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. Michael also attended Dalhousie University where he studied renewable energy technologies and graduated with the Sustainable Energy Technologies Professional Certification (SEPT). Before both Saint Mary’s and Dalhousie, Michael had attended the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) where he studied International Business.

Before post-secondary and Glooscap Ventures, Michael was an entrepreneur with investments in the food and beverage industry.

Michael’s background is in business development where he contributed to the creation of Glooscap Landing, Glooscap Corner, Glooscap Energy and the Glooscap Seafood companies. Today these companies employ many community members and generate own source revenue for the community of Glooscap First Nation.

Michael is the current Co-Chair for the Mi’kmaq-Canada-Nova Scotia Triparted Economic Development Committee, Chair of the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce, Governor on the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) Board of Governors and Board Member of Wskijinu’k Mtmo’taqnow Agency (WMA) a corporate partnership owned by all 13 Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq communities. Michael also serves as the Chair of Indigenous Gaming Partners (IGP) Board of Directors. IGP is the third largest casino company in Canada and the largest 100% Canadian owned casino company in Canada. He is also an active member of the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO), Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA), and Project Management Institute (PMI).

Michael is a proud member of the Mi’kmaw community of Glooscap First Nation. He lives in the small town of Hantsport with his wife Audrey, daughter Faye and pug Darwin.

Michael Sutherland brings extensive, long-standing experience bridging the fisheries and offshore renewable energy sectors. He currently advises on fisheries engagement and marine strategy for offshore wind projects across Scotland, the UK, and several proposed floating and fixed wind farms. Notably, Michael played a key role in developing the Kincardine Floating Offshore Windfarm—a 50 MW project off northeast Scotland, operational since October 2021 and the world’s largest floating wind farm. From project inception, he guided KOWL on fisheries liaison, license conditions, and community engagement throughout installation and operation.

Previously, Michael spent 26 years as Director of Policy and Operations at the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF), the lead trade body for Scotland’s fishing industry. There, he shaped policy on submarine power cables and offshore renewables and established SFF Services Limited, providing guard vessels and fisheries liaison services to the offshore energy sector.

He has also participated in fisheries and offshore energy discussions in Yarmouth and Halifax, Nova Scotia, including around potential offshore oil and gas development in the Bay of Fundy.

Miguel holds a Law degree from Universidad EAFIT, a Master’s in Public Law for Administrative Management from Universidad de Los Andes, and a Master’s in Public Administration from the London School of Economics (LSE).

Miguel is an expert in designing and implementing public policies related to energy and natural resources. He has gained experience as an advisor, consultant, and manager in the energy sector.

From 2018 to 2022, he served in the Colombian government as an advisor to the Minister of Mines and Energy and later to the Vice Minister of Energy. During his time at the Ministry, he led the design and implementation of public policies that laid the groundwork for the energy transition. He also directed the team responsible for revitalizing the Oil & Gas sector. He oversaw the team that developed public-private financing mechanisms, enabling energy access for over one hundred thousand Colombian families in the nation’s most remote areas.

He is currently a partner at Lotero Zuluaga Abogados, leading the energy and natural resources practice. He also serves as an expert advisor on markets and regulation in offshore wind for the British consultancy firm OWC Ltd., is a professor of Energy Markets, Regulation, and Policies at several Colombian universities, and is a member of various energy sector boards of directors.

Mohamed Serraj Andaloussi is co-founder and CEO of Wave Water Watt Inc., a startup dedicated to advancing marine renewable energy solutions through the SeaVortex platform.

With over two decades of experience across construction and mining equipment industries, Mohamed occupied various technical, training and management positions with a proven track record of managing complex projects and delivering high-quality solutions across diverse sectors.

His passion for science, technology and entrepreneurship led him to initiate many companies in diverse fields such as auto-repair, STEM education and home robotics.

Mohamed graduated from the University of Quebec in Montreal with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, and has contributed to a scientific publication in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers journal.

Mohamed’s strategic vision and technical expertise have been crucial in the development of the SeaVortex concept, underscoring his commitment to advancing renewable energy technologies while fostering innovation for a more sustainable future.

Mohammad Ali has close to 20 years of experience in general corporate commercial advisory and transactional and regulatory work, both in private practice and in-house in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Canada.

Mohammad Ali moved to Canada to reunite with his family in 2014 and was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in 2016. In his practice, he supports businesses in multiple sectors, most notably in energy, housing, infrastructure development, and ocean technology. From drafting complex contracts to advising on project structuring and financing, Mohammad Ali provides practical solutions to the challenges his clients face at every stage and aspect of their business operations. Mohammad Ali is experienced in fast-paced business environments and recognizes the importance of response times. He believes passionately in working hard to understand the business of his clients – a trait that he feels is a distinguishing characteristic of a successful business lawyer.

Experience

Mohammad Ali advises clients on mergers and acquisitions, financing transactions (equity/debt), structuring/restructuring, and business setup. He has extensive experience in development of project structures including matters such as joint ventures, concessions/production sharing, licensing and power purchase agreements as well as operational matters such as joint operations, EPC contracts, DBFM contracts, turbine supply arrangements, and service agreements.

Mohammad Ali is a leader inside and outside the firm. He is a member of the Cox & Palmer Halifax Executive Committee and is Co-Chair of the Cox & Palmer Regional Energy Group. Outside the firm, Mohammad Ali is the Chair of Feed Nova Scotia, Chair of Marine Renewables Canada, and is on the Board of Directors at the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. Mohammad Ali is Past-Chair of the National Environmental, Energy and Resource Committee of the Canadian Bar Association.

Nadine Bernard is the award-winning Founder and CEO of Indigevisor Ltd., an Indigenous-owned consulting firm based in We’koqma’q, Unama’ki (Cape Breton, NS). With over 18 of experience, Nadine is a trusted advisor and strategist on Indigenous procurement, benefit plans, and rights-holder engagement. She has led and contributed to projects across the public and private sectors, including infrastructure builds totaling over $1.4 billion. Her work ensures Mi’kmaw and Indigenous perspectives are embedded from vision to implementation.

Key Accomplishments

• Developed and implemented Indigenous Benefits Plans (IBPs) and procurement inclusion strategies on major infrastructure projects including the $1.4B Defense related Infrastructure project, Cape Breton Regional Hospital Redevelopment, and the Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre (ASEC)
• Advised on the development of Indigenous Procurement Program with a National Economic Development Organization and supported numerous Indigenous owned businesses to become federal vendors
• Completed numerous in-depth Reconciliation Evaluations with both private and public organizations and developed reports to ensure organizations could continue their Reconciliation journey

Natalie Gilson is an ocean storyteller and strategist on a mission to use creativity to help save the ocean.

With a decade of experience in the creative industry, expertise in creative direction, and recognition as an award-winning brand designer, Natalie is a leader in breaking down barriers for ocean projects through impactful communications and storytelling that sparks inspiration and drives positive impact.

As Co-owner and CEO of Pisces, Natalie is dedicated to meeting ocean projects where they’re at, whether they’re at the spark of innovation or in the midst of implementation. Her approach brings together techniques from branding, marketing, communication, design thinking, and strategic planning. She combines these skills with a deep passion for the ocean and understanding of the ocean industry to offer something truly unique: communications services tailor-made to support impactful ocean projects.

Natalie’s connection to the ocean started at a young age during trips to Canada’s West Coast with her family, though it wasn’t until 2020 that a career shift led her to bring her passion to the forefront and dive headfirst into a career in the ocean industry.

Living in Nova Scotia, Natalie is only a short distance away from the ocean, where she enjoys coastal hikes, paddle boarding, and scuba diving, as well as teaching her two children to respect and appreciate the ocean.

Natalie believes that powerful storytelling can shift narratives, build momentum, and connect people to the ocean in ways that inspire meaningful change. As Pisces expands its impact, she is focused on positioning the company as a global leader in ocean communications – one that not only helps ocean projects succeed, but ensures their stories are seen, heard, and supported. Under her leadership, Pisces is highlighting the critical role that creativity, communications, and behind-the-scenes support play in driving impact.

Natalie’s expertise includes:

• Ocean Storytelling
• Visual Communication
• Creative Strategy
• Brand Consulting
• Mentorship and Communications Training

Neil is Managing Director of Aberdeen International Associates (AIA) where he oversees all aspects of their International Trade and Economic Development activity.  The majority of Neil’s work is focused on leading stakeholder engagement to establish multilateral partnerships that can deliver successful energy sector projects, accelerating the commercialisation of new technologies, and supporting companies to diversify their client base/access opportunities in global markets.

Dr. Nickitas Georgas main area of interest is weather and climate resilience and adaptation. He is an experienced professional, product and portfolio manager, and academic with a demonstrated history of achievements in:

• Ocean and Environmental Engineering consulting,

• Developing multi-hazard weather & climate risk analytics, and

• Leading an academic research facility and portfolio.

As a Principal Scientist at RPS/Tetra Tech Ocean Sciences he leads a team of oceanographers and ocean engineers, coastal modeling, met-ocean studies and hydrodynamic and wave modeling projects. He has 26 years of expertise in developing numerical models in Oceanography, Environmental Engineering, and Water Resources for scenario planning and environmental solutions in the US, Pacific Islands and territories, and internationally. His main areas of expertise are estuarine and coastal ocean dynamics, dynamic meteorology, development, validation and verification of numerical models, numerical and statistical downscaling of climate and weather forecast models, ensembles, extreme event data analysis, and operational compound flood forecasting systems at the street scale. He has given hundreds of talks and presentations, including at the WMO, NSF, NASEM, multiple NOAA workshops, and at Emergency Operations Centers during hazardous weather events. His work has been presented in print and TV media.

Oliver Wragg is Development Director at Orbital Marine Power, bringing over 18 years of experience in clean energy and science. He has been instrumental in securing more than £195 million in funding to accelerate the development of pioneering technologies that drive the clean energy transition. A recognised leader in the ocean energy sector, Oliver also serves on the boards of the UK Marine Energy Council and the European trade body Ocean Energy Europe.

Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical Engineering at Université Laval, specializing in renewable energy systems and the modeling of multiphysics phenomena through advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Currently working on hydrokinetic turbines and their cavitation-related challenges at the CFD Laboratory at Université Laval, I am dedicated to furthering the understanding of complex physical phenomena through state-of-the-art simulation techniques.

Patrick Butler is the Senior Mi’kmaq Energy & Mines Advisor at Kwilmu’kw Mawklusuaqn(KMK). He is a band member of Potlotek First Nation and joined the team at KMK in August 2020. As the Energy & Mines Advisor, Patrick works on the Consultation Team and oversees the energy, mining and offshore files. As a member of the Consultation team, Patrick coordinates and facilitates Consultation between the Mi’kmaq and the Crown and informs how these projects could impact the Mi’kmaq’s Section 35 Rights.

Previous to joining KMK, Patrick worked on Sustainable Marine Energy’s demonstration tidal energy project in Grand Passage as a Technician and for his community of Potlotek as a Fishery Guardian. He envisions a Mi’kmaw led renewable energy future for his and all Mi’kmaw Communities as we work towards a NetZero Future in Mi’kmaki.

Dr. Paul Ibanez received his doctorate degree from UCLA in experimental techniques for evaluating structural dynamics and has been involved since 1973 in creating dynamic testing systems and techniques for critical structures. He has been president of ANCO Engineers, Inc. since 1988 and has helped design and deliver over 200 laboratory and in-situ vibration testing systems worldwide. This includes working with Boaz Norton of ANCO Engineers, Inc., and Professors Timothy Newson and Aly Ahmed of the University of Western Ontario to produce a geotechnical wave simulator that will be described in an upcoming paper. At the MRC2025 Conference, Paul will present the principles of wave generation within a geotechnical centrifuge and introduce a newly developed active fluid wave generation system in the large drum centrifuge at The University of Western Ontario. Modeling wave-induced forces on offshore wind turbine structures in shallow water is an application that will be explored using this new system. 

Peter Ogban is a Senior Energy Systems Engineer and Technical Team Lead at Angler Solutions Inc. He is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with 15 years of experience specializing in Front-End Engineering Design (FEED), energy systems modeling and optimization, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis, decarbonization initiatives, and project management.

Peter holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Energy Systems from Memorial University of Newfoundland. He has contributed to several research and development projects focused on renewable energy generation, storage, and transmission and distribution, resulting in multiple peer-reviewed journal publications.

Throughout his career, Peter has made significant contributions to the energy industry. He played a key role in developing a viable clean energy management product and has applied techno-economic modeling to support the integration of wind energy and energy storage systems.

Peter has also implemented decarbonization strategies that enabled the quantification and capture of carbon emissions. His involvement in transmission and distribution network assessments has enhanced grid connection processes. In addition, his CFD simulations have informed product design and manufacturing, supporting innovation in clean energy technologies.

Peter is currently registered as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists Newfoundland & Labrador (PEGNL).

Professional Engineer with 27 years’ experience in energy projects and regulatory compliance. Phil has broad expertise in both land-based and offshore oil and gas operations, holding key roles in drilling, well completions, and production engineering. His experience also includes regulatory oversight, stakeholder engagement, as well as third-party and contractor management.

Renewable energy sector experience covers activities from marshaling offshore wind components to conducting port and infrastructure studies for onshore wind, offshore wind, and hydrogen developments. Other work involved analyzing floating offshore wind structures, moorings, cable arrangements, port requirements, and logistics.

Graduate student at the Laboratory of Numerical Fluid Mechanics (LMFN) at Université Laval. My master’s research focuses on the modeling of vertical-axis turbines using the Actuator Line Method, aiming to improve performance prediction under realistic conditions while reducing computational cost.

Ramana Budha is a strategic and results-driven business leader with over 20 years of experience in the energy sector. A Chartered Engineer with a Master’s in Power Systems Engineering, he blends deep technical expertise with strong commercial and leadership acumen.

As the Transmission & Distribution Director at AECOM, Ramana oversees team across the UK, Ireland and Enterprise Capability Centers in India & Romania driving growth, innovation, and delivery excellence. His leadership has led to significant business expansion, new client acquisition, and the successful execution of complex grid modernization, renewables, and energy storage projects.

A passionate advocate for the energy transition, Ramana has spearheaded initiatives in grid modernization, industrial decarbonization, integrated energy systems, and digital transformation. He has also played a key role in major infrastructure programs such as National Grid’s “Great Grid Upgrade.”

Ramana is an active contributor to the wider industry, representing his organization at leading events including CIGRE Paris, Global Offshore Wind, and the Energy Innovation Summit, while serving as a technical advisor and committee member for IET, CIGRE, and government innovation programs.

Richard is a chartered mechanical engineer with 30 years’ experience in subsea engineering, mainly focused on delivering subsea production systems for the Oil and Gas Industry. He is currently the Technical Sales Manager for Siemens Energy based in Houston Texas. Originally from the UK, he moved to Houston in 1997 for a 6 month assignment and never went home.

Richard holds a BSC from the University of Durham and an MSC from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. He is a chartered mechanical engineer, is Chairman of the API 17Z committee on subsea medium voltage power systems, and holds four patents.

Richard Morykot, P.Eng, – Vice President, Strategic Development and Execution, Atlantic Canada Bulk Terminal (ACBT)

Richard is a seasoned Professional Engineer based in Sydney, Nova Scotia, with over 30 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia, graduating in 1992.

Richard began his career in consulting engineering before transitioning to the Nova Scotia Public Service Sector in 2000. There, he led engineering and construction initiatives tied to the remediation of the Sydney Tar Ponds, one of Canada’s most complex environmental cleanup projects.

In 2007, Richard joined CBCL Limited, where he managed the firm’s Sydney operations and provided strategic support to key clients across Atlantic Canada. During his 16-year tenure, he was involved in numerous large-scale, marine-related infrastructure projects—including the development of new marine terminals and the modernization of existing facilities. His work increasingly focused on the evolving needs of the offshore wind industry, as he advised companies assessing Atlantic Canadian ports for use as marshaling yards.

In the fall of 2023, Richard joined the Atlantic Canada Bulk Terminal (ACBT) as Vice President of Strategic Development and Execution. He is currently spearheading efforts to position ACBT as a critical asset in the offshore wind supply chain. ACBT is a 110-acre marine terminal in Sydney, Nova Scotia, uniquely suited to support offshore wind projects on the East Coast of North America. Richard is committed to advancing the offshore wind sector in Atlantic Canada and looks forward to collaborating with regional stakeholders to build a robust and integrated supply chain.

Sam received his M.Sc. from McGill University in the field of oceanography. He is a senior marine ecologist and oceanographer with Stantec Consulting Ltd. in Nova Scotia and has more than 35 years consulting experience on projects in the marine environment. He has undertaken baseline, environmental impact assessment and environmental effects monitoring studies for infrastructure projects in Canada, and internationally. Sam has provided multidisciplinary services and expertise to support projects such as offshore oil and gas exploration and drilling, hydro-electric, thermal and renewable energy production facilities, and sewerage and industrial processing facilities with their outfalls located in the aquatic environment. He has also conducted environmental studies for ports, harbours and marine pipelines and cables, including studies to support and monitor in-water physical works.

Sarah is an engineer and operational oceanographer supporting offshore wind worldwide from Boston, MA. Her experience in offshore site assessment spans fixed and floating projects in the United States, Europe, and Asia, through measurement campaigns, spectral wave modeling, CFD R&D, and physical model testing. She has spearheaded metocean programs with a number of developers and public-private partnerships in North America, in addition to leading the metocean dimensions of new business, development, and operational preparedness at Avangrid. She is currently on the board of directors of MARACOOS and is an industry adviser to the NOWRDC and WINDSTAR research consortia.

Sarah began her career as an officer in the US Navy.

Following her time in the Navy, Sarah worked in the shipbuilding industry, which ultimately brought her to Canada.

Sarah transitioned to the Renewable Energy Sector and has worked for DP Energy since 2019 where she is now Senior Development Manager for DP Energy overseeing the company’s Canadian portfolio while also leading the Nova East Wind Project.

Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering and is a fully qualified Project Management Professional (PMP) with the Project Management Institute. She also holds a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University.

Sashen Guneratna joined the CIB in 2019. As Managing Director, Sashen leads the CIB’s $10 billion+ Clean Power priority sector. Sashen spearheaded the CIB’s investment in Canada’s first small modular reactor as well as leads renewable projects across the country in solar, wind, transmission, energy storage and district energy.

Sashen has more than 20 years of banking and advisory experience encompassing several sectors and jurisdictions. Most recently, Sashen was a Partner within the Capital Projects and Infrastructure group at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP with a focus on Water and Wastewater, First Nations led projects, Power and Utilities. Prior to joining PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in 2013, Sashen worked for National Bank Financial as a Financial Advisor and Underwriter of project finance transactions.

Sashen holds an MBA and BBA from the Schulich School of Business.

In 2020, Scott Penney took the helm as CEO of the Port of Argentia to drive bold growth and innovation.

A graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland with a Bachelor of Commerce, Scott launched his career in telecommunications before serving as Executive Assistant to former Premier Dwight Ball. He later contributed to the Hebron project at Bull Arm and rose to General Manager of one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s marine bases.

Scott led Port of Argentia in establishing North America’s first monopile marshaling yard—paving the way for offshore wind development. Now, he’s steering a high-performance team as the Port positions itself as an integrated energy leader, bridging traditional and renewable sectors to shape the future of Canadian energy in Newfoundland and Labrador.

With deep experience across oil and gas, marine transportation, logistics, and energy, Scott also serves as a Director of Argentia Capital, a dynamic joint venture between the Port and Torrent Capital.

As Board Chair of the Bay Bulls-Bauline Athletic Association, Scott helped raise more than $1 million for recreation infrastructure across seven communities—while championing youth through after-school and summer programs.

Simon De Pietro is Director of DP Energy Group, a leading international renewable energy developer with projects across Ireland, the UK, Australia, and Canada. With an academic and professional background in Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics from the University of Liverpool and experience in industrial gas turbine development, Simon brings over 30 years of energy industry expertise. He plays a hands-on role in advancing DP Energy’s global portfolio across onshore and offshore wind, solar, storage, alternative green fuels, green liquid & gas fuels, and ocean energy developments. He has been a key force in expanding DP Energy’s presence in Canada, where the company is delivering major renewable energy projects and advancing offshore wind development through Nova East Wind, its joint venture with SBM Offshore.

Sougata Halder is a senior geoscientist and business development manager at TGS with over 16 years of energy industry experience. She leads TGS’s offshore wind and CCS business development activities for North and South America, bringing strong technical leadership to every phase of project development.

Sougata is known for creating and delivering data-driven workflows that support effective business strategies for New Energy projects worldwide. She holds a doctorate degree in Geoscience from Texas. Her expertise plays a key role in advancing sustainable energy initiatives through developing innovative, data-driven solutions.

Stephanie Milne has over 20 years of global experience implementing and managing marine environmental programs for regulatory agencies and stakeholders, including 15 years in the energy industry, most recently leading RPS’, a Tetra Tech company, US offshore renewables team. As Senior Environmental Program Manager, she oversees all North-America’s marine environmental programs and personnel and is responsible for managing stakeholder and government agency relationships.

Stephanie has expert knowledge of marine protected species environmental regulation, permitting and mitigation for offshore activities with expertise in protected species monitoring and mitigation across a project life cycle.

She is experienced in advising on and managing large-scale dynamic and complex marine projects where the regulatory requirements and operational procedures are still in development. She led the team responsible for the protected species compliance programs executed during installation of turbines on the first and the largest U.S offshore wind farms.

She has overseen the development of many emerging technology initiatives that advance industry capabilities to detect marine protected species, taking them from research and development initiatives to viable, commercially scalable, regulatory agency accepted tools and strategies. Some of her successes include the development of an Artificial Intelligence for the detection of marine mammal vocalizations, which was recently operated on an Uncrewed Surface Vehicle during a project awarded by the U.S National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium that won the 2025 Oceantic Ventus Award for Innovation of the Year.

Steve Parsons is currently the CEO Corporate Div. , Eskasoni First Nations which is nestled on the beautiful Bras D`or lakes in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

Steve graduated from Memorial University – St John`s, NF in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education. Steve started his working career with Shoppers Drug Atlantic Office as a Loss Prevention Retail Coordinator. Over the years 1991- 2000 Steve was promoted to the level of District Coordinator responsible for the profitability of twenty SDM franchises in both Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.

Since 2001, Steve has worked within the First nation community of Eskasoni both as a secondary teacher delivering business curriculum courses and as an economic development consultant. Since 2003, Steve was responsible for project management of the newly built Kiknu Long Term Care facility, Eskasoni Communications Inc. ( ISP), Eskasoni Renewables Ltd and Eskasoni Cold Logistics, along with numerous national retail chains/ commercial contracts.

In 2008 and again in subsequent 4-year terms of 2012 and 2016 Steve was elected to the Cape Breton Victoria Regional School Board district 3 as a board trustee holding the position of vice chair and Chairman. In 2020 and again in 2024, Steve was elected as Cape Breton Regional Municipality District 7 councillor for a four-year tenure.

Steve also served as a board member on several companies and foundations including the Cape Breton University Board of Governors, Cape Breton Partnership, Sydney & Area Chamber Of Commerce, Assembly of NS Chiefs – WMA Board of directors. In January 2023 Steve was appointed to the Nova Scotia Offshore Wind Impacts Assessment Committee by the federal and provincial Natural Resources ministers to study this new sector over an eighteen month period and to prepare final recommendations in January of 2025.

Suvabrata Das is a Principal Data Analyst at BMT Commercial USA Inc., specializing in asset monitoring and digital twin development. He has over 15 years of industry experience as a Naval Architect, focusing on hydrodynamic and structural analysis. His research on potential flow models of advancing ships has been published in leading journals and widely adopted by other researchers. Dr. Das earned his PhD in Ocean Engineering from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, where he specialized in the hydroelasticity of marine vessels.

Suzanne Drisdelle is a Foreign Service Officer with Global Affairs Canada (GAC) since 2001, promoting Canada’s commercial, political and security interests at Canadian missions abroad, and through the Trade Commissioner Service domestic network.

Suzanne’s background includes bilateral diplomacy, advocacy and stakeholder engagement, trade policy, ministerial communications, business development programming and crisis management. Her diplomatic postings include Ankara, Prague, Toronto and most recently Dublin (2019-2024), where she was Chargé d’affaires over an extended period.

In 2024, Suzanne returned to her native Halifax after 23 years and currently serves as the Director of GAC’s Atlantic team supporting Canadian exporters in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador. She has a BA (honours) in social anthropology and linguistics from University of King’s College and an MBA in International Business from Dalhousie University. She also studied at Université Laval and speaks French and English.

Tanya Martinez is a seasoned developer with a deep commitment to energy sovereignty for First Nations and advancing clean energy solutions that foster economic opportunity. With over 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry, she has served in diverse roles—primarily as a project developer and engineering consultant—delivering community-scale and utility-scale energy projects across the U.S., Mexico, and Atlantic Canada, including working for First Nations. Her expertise spans multiple technologies, including solar, biomass, battery storage and wind. As lead developer, Tanya has deployed over 2 GW of renewable energy projects and brings extensive experience in project management, energy planning, interconnection, power purchase agreements, engineering, permitting, easements, project financing, First Nation consultation and community engagement. She is Mi’kmaq from Ugpi’ganjig First Nation and Puerto Rican.

Thomas Newcomb is a senior chief consultant with direct experience managing complex offshore wind consulting projects for private and public sector clients. Thomas has led several strategic offshore wind consulting projects including the development of the Offshore Wind Strategic plan for the state of New Jersey. Thomas brings a comprehensive understanding of the complex technical, economic and political facets of the offshore wind market. Working as part of the Ramboll global offshore wind team he has led several evaluations of ports and supply chain to support offshore wind projects on the east and west coasts. Thomas leverages his experience in project development and regulatory compliance for complex energy and manufacturing infrastructure projects to support the development of the offshore wind industry

Tony LaPierre is a marine geophysicist with 40 years of industry experience and a record of accomplishment in technical and business endeavors. Tony founded and grew a company in Nova Scotia to become the leading provider of marine geophysical consultancy services in Canada. He won the 2004 Export Achievement Award for Growth in New Markets from Nova Scotia Business Inc and in 2006 his company was acquired to become part of RPS. Tony was appointed VP RPS Canada in 2006 and continued to grow the consultancy business in Canada and overseas. Five years later, appointed Technical Director of Seismic Operations and Site Investigations with RPS in Houston with worldwide responsibilities and in 2023 with the acquisition of RPS become part of Tetra Tech. Tony works with a team of specialists who help clients manage large and complex geophysics and geotechnical projects globally in support of oil and gas exploration and production, carbon capture and storage, and offshore renewables. He has a Master of Applied Science in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor with Honors in Geology both from Dalhousie University and professional designations of P.Geoph. (Alberta) and P.Geo. (Nova Scotia). He has been a Board member (VP) with the Geophysical Society of Houston and over the course of his career Tony has presented at conferences in around the world. Through project work Tony has witnessed the key role seismic data has played in offshore exploration and development including offshore Nova Scotia. His interests include the advancements of seismic technology developed in support of offshore oil and gas and the application and adaptation of these technologies in support of the development of offshore renewables projects.

Trevor has 30 years of experience in the classification sector – covering all manner of asset types. Since 2010, he has held multiple roles within & then leading LR’s Offshore business in Canada – based in St. John’s, NL, Canada. Currently, he focuses on expanding LR’s business in the Offshore Energy sector, including traditional hydrocarbons and emerging renewable energy sources, while managing existing client relationships and ensuring successful service delivery.

His deep knowledge of the energy sector in Atlantic Canada is supported by a strong network of local connections with operators, supply chain stakeholders and regulatory/governmental agencies.

In addition, Trevor was heavily involved with the Frontier Offshore Regulatory Renewal Initiative (FORRI) led by Natural Resources Canada to institute a performance-based regulatory framework for the Canadian offshore hydrocarbon industry.

With 20 years of consulting experience, Tricia Pellerin has been involved in the planning and permitting of many small and large-scale environmental impact statements and acoustic assessments. Tricia Pellerin is Tetra Tech’s Acoustics and Air Quality Discipline Lead and is an expert in underwater acoustics, specializing in assessing and mitigating the impact of anthropogenic noise on marine species. She has extensive experience with advanced acoustic modeling to predict potential injury to aquatic life from construction and operational sound sources. Her skills include designing and conducting passive and real-time underwater acoustic monitoring programs, analyzing field data to ensure regulatory compliance, and preparing comprehensive reports for environmental permitting with agencies such as NOAA and BOEM. Tricia’s expertise covers a wide range of underwater noise sources, including but not limited to pile driving, dredging, and wind turbine operations, and she has contributed to agency consultations and the preparation of impact assessment applications.

Yanran Xia is a Ph.D. candidate at the CFD laboratory LMFN at Université Laval. Her research focuses on the numerical modelling of hydrokinetic turbines and the optimization of turbine farm deployment.

Zach Jylkka joined the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) in May 2025 as a Senior Program Manager. In this role, Zach leads the Science, Research, and Analysis Program for MassCEC’s Offshore Energy Team, overseeing a broad grant portfolio covering projects related to the intersection of offshore energy and technology, fisheries, protected species, and socioeconomics. Before joining MassCEC, Zach spent over a decade working for the U.S. Federal government, most recently for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, where he led the Gulf of Maine offshore wind commercial planning and leasing process. From 2014-2021, Zach worked for the National Marine Fisheries Service, focusing on the management and protection of endangered species. Zach has a BA in Sociology from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, and a Master’s of Environmental Science and Management from the Bren School at UC Santa Barbara.