Rapid changes and transformations: The future of Canada’s energy transition

As Director of the Natural Resources Centre, Marla Orenstein champions the responsible development of the West’s natural resources for the benefit of all. Much of her work focuses on Canada’s energy future and how Canadian business can prosper as the world transitions to cleaner forms of energy.

In previous roles, Marla worked closely with industry and communities on the impacts of energy and resource development projects including electricity, mining, solar, wind, hydro, and oil and gas. Marla is a subject matter expert in impact assessment, and brings a comprehensive understanding of current standards and best practices of regulatory agencies, multilateral finance institutions, international agencies and industry organizations to the CWF. She is both past President and President-Elect of the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) and a Fellow of the Energy Futures Lab.

Maggie has a BSc in geology (University of Calgary 1981) and has worked as a resource explorationist in mining and oil and gas. She later worked as an innovation and technology scout for the oil sands with an emphasis on step-change and game-changing technology possibilities for reducing environmental footprint and energy intensity, and as “Future Girl” identifying technology under development for use in the post-carbon energy future. She is vice president of innovation and technology for two cleantech startups, a presenter on energy-innovation topics, passionate about energy literacy to accelerate adoption rates of new solutions for the energy transition we are currently undergoing. 

Doray’s passions include lifelong learning, building capacity within individuals and community development in rural Alberta. Born and raised in Hanna, Alberta, Doray graduated from the University of Alberta with a bachelor of arts in Recreation Administration Community Development. Over the last 28 years she’s had the opportunity and pleasure to work and volunteer in the government, private and not-for-profit sectors as a business owner, beef-cattle producer, primary-care paramedic, municipal councillor, employee and community leader. Since 2011 she has been the executive director of the Lynks-Harvest Sky Services and Supports Society. Her team-leadership style brings an innovative perspective to the successful organization that offers learning, literacy, career and employment, social-support, small business and voluntary-sector services.

Sara is an expert in energy, innovation and climate policy. Using her diverse experience across three fields – as an academic researcher in physics, as a management consultant with McKinsey and Company and as a policy researcher – she approaches questions in energy, innovation and climate systems through multiple lenses.