Canada Electricity Advisory Council membership

Pete Bothwell (AB)

Pete Bothwell, Vice President, Energy Transition & Industry Relations at ATCO Electric, is responsible for major transmission and distribution initiatives within ATCO Electric’s regulated electric utilities, and is leading several energy transition projects and Indigenous partnerships across the company’s service territory. Pete has played a key role in all of ATCO Electric’s recent major transmission construction projects, including the Fort McMurray West 500-kV project—Canada’s longest 500-kV AC transmission line. He is also providing senior oversight of ATCO Electric’s off-diesel initiatives throughout the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, where the company is partnering with several Indigenous communities to support the development of community-scale, clean power generation. Pete is also actively involved in the energy transition in New South Wales, Australia, where ATCO Electric is participating in opportunities to support the transmission development of Renewable Energy Zones and energy storage.

Jason Dion (ON)

Jason Dion, Senior Research Director at the Canadian Climate Institute, oversees the mitigation research team, the Institute’s Indigenous partnerships group, and the 440 Megatonnes project, which provides an independent assessment of progress toward Canada’s climate targets. Jason’s research focuses on net zero, climate change mitigation policy, electricity systems, and energy transition. Prior to joining the Institute in 2019, Jason was the Lead Researcher with Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission and a project manager and economist at the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). He has published extensively on electrification, carbon pricing, environmental risk and financial assurance, sustainable infrastructure, and environmental fiscal reform. Jason serves on the board of the Canadian Association of Professionals in Climate Change (CAPCC).

Tim Eckel (SK)

Tim Eckel currently serves as Senior Business Advisor, Energy Transition and Asset Management at SaskPower, after previously serving as Vice-President of Energy Transition and Asset Management and Vice-President, Asset Management, Planning & Sustainability. He has over 39 years of experience in numerous areas within SaskPower, including Distribution, Transmission and Customer Services.

He holds a Diploma in Electrical Engineering Technology from Saskatchewan Polytechnic, a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Regina. He is a professional engineer and member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan. Mr. Eckel recently received the ICD.D Designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Mr. Eckel is also a member of many Boards and advisory councils including the Saskatchewan Electricity Reliability Authority, Electricity Canada's Generation Council, and the Senior Leaders Advisory Committee for the Centre of Excellence Advanced Technological Innovation.

Robert (Bob) Elton (BC)

Bob Elton is a Corporate Director whose past and current roles include serving as a partner with PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and executive roles including CEO of BC Hydro as well as CFO of Eldorado Gold Corp and Chief Risk Officer of Vancity Savings Credit Union.

He has served on Boards for organisations including Ritchie Brothers, Corix Utilities, BCI and Simon Fraser University, and on Advisory Boards including the Pembina Institute and Aisle, as well as being an Adjunct Professor at the Sauder School of Business at UBC.

He was a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on the New Energy Architecture, and serves on CPA Canada’s Advisory Board on Sustainable Business. His extensive work on diversity and inclusion includes acting as a Director of the Minerva Foundation for BC Women.

Judith Ferguson (NS)

Judith Ferguson has been with Nova Scotia Power since 2014, and currently serves as Executive Vice President, Regulatory, Legal and Government Relations. She was previously the Vice President, Corporate Affairs. Judith oversees all legal and regulatory aspects of Nova Scotia Power's business and works with all levels of government on the various ways Nova Scotia Power can contribute to the social and economic vitality of the province.

In 2014 Judith retired from the Province of Nova Scotia where she was Deputy Minister of Justice. Prior to this, Judith served as a Deputy Minister in two other departments. She began her career in government as a legal advisor for the Nova Scotia Department of Justice. She holds a Bachelor of Law degree from Dalhousie University Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of King’s College.

Judith previously Chaired the Board of Governors of the Nova Scotia Community College and is a past member of the Board of Directors of Phoenix House and the Board of the Children’s Aid Society of Halifax.

Gerry Forrest (MB)

Gerald (Gerry) Forrest is a professional public administrator who has been involved in the Canadian Federal, Provincial and Municipal Public policy and Energy Regulatory arena for more than four decades. Gerry’s career path includes roles as Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs, Urban Affairs and Rural Development and former Chair and CEO of the Public Utilities Board of Manitoba. In addition, he has been a past chair/president and member of many intergovernmental, pensions, national, provincial, municipal (city) and regulatory associations.

Gerry’s leadership style, takes a collaborative and participative approach, has resulted in the development of a unique set of skills that enables him to successfully develop, mediate and/or negotiate mutually beneficial solutions for a broad mix of stakeholder interests ranging from local consumer groups to large businesses, to governments to regulatory bodies. In addition, he is a specialist in the provision of policy and strategic advice to governments and the private sector with further ability in energy regulatory affairs.

Gerry now acts as a management consultant to government, municipalities, utilities, and the private sector in his role as the Principal in Forkast Consulting. Since establishing his consulting practice Gerry has been involved in several projects including providing strategic and policy advice to the governments; assisting in the establishment of the framework for public review of Crown utilities rate proposals; undertaking specific reviews of Crown Corporations; assisted the government of Northwest Territories electricity review; and has aided on several individual industry, municipal and associations projects.

Wendy Franks (ON)

Wendy Frank has 20 years of leadership in business strategy, building businesses and principal investing across multiple technologies and jurisdictions within the renewable energy and infrastructure asset sectors. Wendy is a renewable power executive and was most recently Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Hydrogen at Northland Power Inc., where she was responsible for leading Northland’s corporate strategy. As CSO, Wendy worked closely with senior management and the Board of Directors to formulate the company’s corporate vision and strategy, as-well as overseeing strategic planning.

As Head of Hydrogen, Wendy built a new business vertical at Northland focused on converting renewable power into hydrogen, or ammonia, which can be shipped around the world to support low-carbon economic activity. She has a proven track record of successful business building having most recently built the battery storage business at Northland, including the Oneida 250MW battery storage project.

Prior to Northland, she was the Senior Principal, Relationship Investments at the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. In that role, Wendy served on the boards of Renew Power, one of the largest renewable power companies in India and Essential Utilities, a NYSE-listed water and natural gas utility. Prior to CPPIB, she was an Associate Principal at McKinsey & Company.

Wendy holds a PhD in Bioelectronics from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Zurich, Switzerland) as well as degrees in chemical and electrical engineering from the University of Waterloo.

Chief Sharleen Gale (BC)

Sharleen Gale is a dedicated Indigenous leader and member of the Fort Nelson First Nation, located in the unceded territories of Treaty 8. She has served as an elected Councillor since 2009 and currently holds the position of Chief. As Chief, she upholds a vision for a future where all members of her Nation work together to become strong, proud, healthy, and self-reliant.

Chief Gale has decades of experience in the oil and gas sector, the corporate world, and in leadership. She leverages this experience to help guide the vision of the Fort Nelson First Nation people both at the Council table and in her role as Chair of the Dehtai Corporation, the Nation's economic arm to prosperity. During her time as Chief, she has overseen the development of her community’s geothermal electricity project, a partnership on a major renewable energy facility, and the largest community forest tenure in British Columbia.

Chief Gale also is the Chair of the First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC), a national, First Nations led not-for-profit organization helping First Nations make informed business decisions concerning major project development. In this role she brings a balanced approach that prioritizes both economic prosperity and environmental stewardship. During her time as Chair, FNMPC has grown to over 130 First Nation members and is providing services to its members on over $40 billion of capital investment.

Lesley Gallinger (ON)

Lesley Gallinger is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO). Under her leadership, the IESO oversees the safe and reliable operation of Ontario's bulk electricity system, ensuring affordable electricity is available when and where people need it.

Throughout her career, Ms. Gallinger has focused on driving strategic change within complex organizations to deliver shareholder and stakeholder value. Prior to joining the IESO, she served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Elexicon Energy, a large municipally-owned electricity distributor in Ontario, which she led through a sizeable merger integration. She has also held senior roles in the electricity sector that include Chief Strategy and Financial Officer at the Electrical Safety Authority as well as VP, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs and Chief Financial Officer at Oakville Hydro.

Ms. Gallinger serves on numerous boards, including that of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, and is currently serving as Chair of the Ontario Energy Network and on the Executive Committee of Electricity Canada. She is also on the Member Representatives Committee of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation.

She holds a Master of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business at York University, is a Chartered Professional Accountant and a Certified Public Accountant (Illinois). She has also completed the Chartered Director and Audit Committee Certified program at the DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University.

John Gaudet (PEI)

John Gaudet served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Maritime Electric Company Limited from 2016 to 2020, having started as an Engineer-In-Training in 1981. Through his 39-year career with the Company, John held various senior management roles with a focus on risk management, strategic planning and analysis, and executive excellence.

John graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) from the Technical University of Nova Scotia. He is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of PEI and of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce.

John is Chair of the Board of Directors of The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation and past board member of Newfoundland Power, the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council and the Canadian Electricity Association. John is Past President of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce, Past Chair of the following organizations: Tree Canada Foundation of Canada, BRC Recreational Centre and St. Dunstan’s Basilica Parish Property and Finance Committee.

Bruce Lourie (ON)

Bruce is a best-selling author, policy expert, social entrepreneur, and award-winning global sustainability leader. In addition to serving as president of the Ivey Foundation, he is Scholar-in-Residence at the Faculty of Engineering, McGill University and Guest Lecturer at the Said Business School Social Finance Program, University of Oxford. He is active on many boards of directors and advisory boards including the Canadian Climate Institute and the Transition Accelerator.

Bruce is an influential leader, an expert on sustainability and has been instrumental in creating more than a dozen organizations that play critical roles in Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy, including the Canadian Climate Institute, the Institute for Sustainable Finance, Farmers for Climate Solutions, Efficiency Canada, Summerhill Group and the Transition Accelerator.

He initiated the largest climate action in North America- the phasing out of coal-fired electricity in Ontario and helped establish the Ontario Greenbelt. He is also the co-author of two books, including the international best-seller Slow Death by Rubber Duck.

Stephen MacDonald (NS)

Stephen MacDonald is the President and Chief Executive Officer of EfficiencyOne, the not-for-profit operator of Canada’s first electricity efficiency utility, Efficiency Nova Scotia, and parent organization of the Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation and Impact (HCi3) Fund. Under Steve’s leadership, EfficiencyOne has successfully helped hundreds of thousands of families, businesses, non-profits, and institutions transform the way they use energy.

Steve is a relentless champion for the development and growth of the energy efficiency industry in Nova Scotia and beyond. Nova Scotia’s innovative model has received national and international recognition for its energy savings, inclusive programs, and innovative partnerships. Steve is a recipient of Canada’s Clean50 award and has twice been recognized as one of Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 CEOs.

A Chartered Professional Accountant, prior to his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer, Steve previously served as EfficiencyOne’s Chief Operating Officer and held senior leadership positions with a Nova Scotia Crown Corporation and Grant Thornton. Steve is a member of the Board of Directors of HCi3 and is a member of the Board of Directors for the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth. He is also a member of the Advisory Committee for The ReCover Initiative, a project to develop a deep energy retrofit solution. He has been a member of the Advisory Committee of the Canadian Business for Climate Policy and the Maritimes Energy Association Nominations and Elections Committee.

Kerry O’Reilly Wilks (AB)

Kerry O’Reilly Wilks is the Executive Vice President, Growth & Energy Marketing at TransAlta where her portfolio spans legal, commercial, sustainability, government relations, regulatory, policy, stakeholder engagement, Indigenous affairs, corporate secretarial, governance and trading compliance, across the company’s operations in Canada, the United States and Australia. Kerry is also a director with the publicly traded company TransAlta Renewables Inc. and sits on the Editorial Board of Canadian Lawyer.

Prior to joining TransAlta, Kerry was Head of Legal for various portfolios within Vale S.A. globally and a partner with Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP. Kerry sits on the Board of St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation and is the Founder and Chairperson of Malachy’s Soiree in support of the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit at St. Michael’s Hospital.

Kerry has been widely recognized for her professional achievements including being named as one of the Top 40 under 40 lawyers in Canada, an Alumni of Distinction by the University of New Brunswick, a Leading Female Lawyer and Woman of Excellence in Canada, one of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada and a Top General Counsel Thought Leader in North America.

Greg Robart (NB)

Greg is currently the Chief Executive Officer at Smart Grid Innovation Network Canada Inc, a national organization focused on supporting implementations of a cleaner energy system that generates, moves, and uses energy in a more environmentally and socially conscious way. Through his leadership he has initiated several key initiatives including a Utility Benchmark project, Smart Energy supply chain database, international implementation knowledge and trade missions, and an electrification program that will enable utility and non-utility stakeholders to engage in upcoming electrification opportunities across Canada. Prior to his current position, Greg served as the Global Lead for Siemens' Managed Transition Offering, which assists utilities in their shift towards a cleaner, more digital operational model. He championed this type of transformation with customers in various regions, including Canada, the US, and the Middle East. Before joining Siemens, he was responsible for leading the Delivery Management/Risk Management group for the system integrator division in Bell Canada, which covered sectors such as health care, corrections, government, and communications. Additionally, he served as the director for an engineering consulting firm, where he established the buildings division and oversaw mechanical, and electrical disciplines. Greg's career began with Honeywell Ltd., where he oversaw regional engineers and union personnel, delivering energy audits, automation solutions and services in the commercial and institutional sectors, where he gained invaluable experience for his current role. Greg has also held positions in several professional organizations, including the Association of Professional Engineers of New Brunswick, and has previously served as the President of the Consulting Engineers of New Brunswick, with an ongoing passion for leadership and innovation.

Stéphanie Trudeau (QC)

Stéphanie Trudeau, Executive Vice President Québec at Énergir since January 2020, oversees gas distribution activities in Québec and plays a leading role in the strategic thinking focused on establishing how Énergir can participate in the development of a greener and more sustainable economy for its customers and for Québec society.

Stéphanie has held increasingly more senior roles at Énergir since joining in October 2012, overseeing a range of files including (but not limited to) sustainable development, public and governmental affairs, marketing, customer services and operations. Previously, Stéphanie was Vice President, Public Affairs – Québec at Labatt Brewing Company Ltd., and Director, Public Affairs at the Société des alcools du Québec.

Stéphanie chairs the Board of Énergir, chaleur et climatisation urbaines. She is a member of the Board of Directors and outgoing President of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of FitSpirit, Direxyon, the Conseil des parrains of the Junior Chamber of commerce of Montreal, ambassador for Carbone Scol’ERE and ambassador founder of La Ruche Montréal.

In 2016, Stéphanie received the Medal of the National Assembly of Québec. In 2020, Stéphanie received the Prix Femmes d’affaires du Québec in the “Cadre, dirigeante - entreprise privée” category presented by the RFAQ and the “Personnalité EnviroLys” award presented by the CETEQ. In 2021, Stephanie was the recipient of the Clean50 Sustainability Award recognizing her as one of 50 leaders who have played a leading role in advancing sustainability in Canada over the past two years.

Darlene Whalen (NL)

Darlene holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) degree and a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering and Applied Science, both from Memorial University, and is a registered professional engineer and a fellow of both Engineers Canada and the School of Graduate Studies at Memorial University.

Prior to her retirement in early 2023 Darlene was a full-time Commissioner, Chair and CEO of the Newfoundland and Labrador Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities, after serving as a full-time Commissioner and the Board’s Vice-Chair for 17 years. As the regulatory agency responsible for general supervision and oversight of the province’s two utilities, the investor-owned Newfoundland Power Inc. and the crown-owned utility Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, the Board approves and monitors capital spending and sets rates for both utilities. Before joining the Board Darlene worked in consulting, primarily in the areas of water resources/environmental engineering and transportation systems, and in engineering education as a co-operative education co-ordinator and course lecturer with the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at Memorial University.

Darlene is a past-president of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland and Labrador (PEGNL) and served as Chair of the Board of Directors for the St. John’s International Airport Authority. She has also served in various member/executive capacities with numerous other professional and community organizations. In recognition of her achievements in, and contributions to, the engineering profession and the community Darlene received PEGNL’s Award for Service in 2000 and PEGNL’s highest honour, the Award of Merit, in 2016.

Emily Whetung MacInnes (ON)

Chief Emerita Emily Whetung grew up in Curve Lake First Nation and left only long enough to pursue a higher education at Trent University and Osgoode Hall Law School. She practiced Real Estate Law in Peterborough for a decade before being elected as Chief of Curve Lake from 2019-2022. Chief Emerita Emily is passionate about the rights of First Nations people, ensuring her community has every opportunity to thrive and protecting the environment for all future generations, protection of Treaty Rights, finding ways to ensure economic advancements occur in sustainable manners, and building healthy relationships between First Nations and Canadians.

Chief Emerita Emily sits on the Anishinabek Nation Leadership Council and is currently Director of Indigenous Partnerships, Business Development at Ontario Power Generation. Recently, Chief Emerita Emily was the vice-chair to the Indigenous Advisory Council for Small Modular (Nuclear) Reactor Action Plan and a panel member for the Electrification and Energy Transition Panel in Ontario. She continues to use her expertise and knowledge to ensure that that voices of Indigenous people are heard and respected.