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Our Leadership Team

Guiding ECO Canada’s Mission for a Sustainable Future​

ECO Canada’s leaders are committed to advancing the environmental sector across Canada. Through expertise, vision, and collaboration, they drive initiatives that support professionals, communities, and a greener future.

CEAC
CECAB​
Kevin Nilsen

President & CEO

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Kimberley Burfoot

VP of Finance & Operations

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Aaron Wilson

VP of Marketing & Sales

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Yogendra Chaudhry

VP of Professional Services

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Claudine Vidallo

VP of Projects

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Geni Peters

Director of Research

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Elizabeth Getty

Director of Certification

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Devant Maharaj

Director of Professional Services

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Maria Aum

Director of Finance

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ECO Canada Board of Directors

Grant Trump

Chair
Former CEO, ECO Canada

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John Wiebe

Secretary & Treasurer
CEO, Globe Foundation

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Janet Blackadar M.Sc.F., EP

Associate Teaching Professor, UNB Fredericton

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Kevin Nilsen, PMP, EP®

President & CEO of ECO Canada

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Program Boards

Several of our core programs require additional oversight to maintain impartiality. As such we work very closely with the following Boards:

Canadian Environmental Certification Approvals Board​

Chair of the Board

Robert Volkman, RFT, CRSP, PMP, EP(EMSLA), EP(CEA), EP
President, JEDROC Consulting Services Ltd.
British Columbia

BOARD MEMBERS

Victor Nowicki, P.Geo., EP
President, ARC Geoback Group Inc.
New Brunswick

Jen Silverthorn, CRSP, LEED AP, CSBA, EP(EMSLA), EP
Environmental Management Leader, City of Calgary
Alberta

Scott Freiburger, A.Sc.T., LEED AP, EP(EMSLA), EP(CEA), EP
Managing Director & CEO, AET Consultants
Ontario

Eric Denman, Eng., MBA, EP, CRM
Vice President and Partner, D&G Enviro-Group Inc.
Québec

Chris Valaire, B.Sc, P.For, CET, EP
Forestry Superintendent, Tolko Industries LTD.
Alberta

Tyler Riewe, B.Sc, P.Ag., EP, HSA
Safety, Health & Environment Manager, Riversdale Resources
Alberta

Christina Wright, M.Env.Sc., EP
President and Managing Consultant, Environmental Compliance, BCX Environmental Consulting
Ontario

Jacques Benoit, EP
Senior VP, Business Development, AGAT Laboratories & President, Benoit Management Consulting Ltd.
British Columbia

Canadian Environmental Accreditation Commission​

Chair of the Board

Paul Werbiski
Former Senior Director, HSE, Direct Energy

BOARD MEMBERS​

Dr. Jim Maclellan,
Assistant Professor and Program Director, University of Toronto Scarborough

Dr. Tony van der Vooren,
President at Vooren Air Quality Management Services Inc.

Grant Trump,
Former CEO & President of ECO Canada

Dr. Kathryn Aitken,
Environmental Educator and Program Coordinator, Yukon University

Dr. Steven Cooke,
Canada Research Professor, Carleton University

Janet Blackadar, M.Sc.F., EP,
Associate Teaching Professor, Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management, UNB Fredericton

Evan Baker, MSc, EP(CEA)
Assurance Practice Lead at SPAN Consulting

Tony Lagrasta
Global Head of Sustainability at Colliers

Kevin Nilsen

Kevin Nilsen started his career in leadership as an officer in the Norwegian Army before moving to Canada in 2000. After graduating from the University of Calgary, Kevin worked for 7 years for ECO Canada, most recently as Director of Professional Services. Kevin rejoined ECO Canada in September 2016 to commence the role of President & CEO of the organization.

During his absence from ECO Canada, Kevin managed large global offshore oil and gas projects for Aker-owned companies. His experience in the energy sector gave him great exposure to clients and stakeholders in Europe, Asia, and USA. During this time, he was first based in Norway and subsequently in Houston, Texas. As a key highlight, Kevin led the development of a cutting-edge Riser Gas Handling tool that ensures a safer and more environmentally friendly drilling process.

At ECO Canada, Kevin was responsible for the establishment of the Canadian Centre for Environmental Education (CCEE). He was also instrumental in the launch of regional networking events across the country, the growth of EP certification, and academic partnerships.

Throughout his career, Kevin has always had an unprecedented commitment to clients. In his role as CEO, Kevin’s key focus is to ensure that ECO Canada’s products and services align well with industry, government, and academic stakeholders.

Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn.

Kimberley Burfoot

As ECO Canada’s VP of Finance and Operations since January 2022, Kimberley oversees ECO’s Employer Services program and the internal functions supporting ECO’s programming.

Kimberley studied Finance at the University of Manitoba and holds a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA) designation and a Non-profit Management
certification from Mount Royal University.

Kimberley brings 25
years of experience to her role at ECO, including 16 years as a Regional Controller with TC Transcontinental and 6 years as the Executive Director of the Alberta Motor Transport Association. Key accomplishments include building a 20,000 sq ft training facility for commercial drivers to train and test autonomous and hydrogen-fueled heavy vehicles and the integration of several large manufacturing operations after acquisition.

Kimberley’s goals as
ECO’s VP of Finance and operations include maximizing the effectiveness of internal operations, contributing to strategic objectives, and developing strategies and processes to help achieve ECO’s vision of building the world’s leading environmental workforce.

In her spare time, Kimberley studies Horticulture at the University of Saskatchewan and volunteers at various environmental and animal welfare organizations.  She also enjoys hiking and cycling with her family and
many pets.

Connect with Kimberley on LinkedIn.

Aaron Wilson

Aaron joined ECO Canada in September 2022 as the VP of Marketing & Sales. He brings a wealth of experience in many leadership roles across marketing, sales, and brand strategy in his work for The Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Yardstick Training, SAIT and Hockey Canada.

He is eager to drive awareness and expand our membership and strategic partnerships to help ECO Canada achieve its vision of building the world’s leading environmental workforce.

Connect with Aaron on LinkedIn.

Yogendra Chaudhry

Yogi oversees the development and delivery of professional services to support the rapidly growing network of the Canadian environment and sustainability workforce. He provides strategic insight and technical support for environment and sustainability programs, and works closely with a diverse range of stakeholders including government, industry and the environment & sustainability professionals.

During his more than two decades of career in Environment and Sustainability, he has worked in numerous countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America. Yogi holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and supports a number of Canadian and international academic institutions, standard-setting organizations, and industry associations in various professional capacities.

Connect with Yogi on LinkedIn.

Claudine Vidallo

Claudine Vidallo is a seasoned strategic planner, business analyst, and program manager with over 20 years of diverse experience spanning the food manufacturing, energy, education, and non-profit sectors. She is a PMP-certified professional holding a BSBA degree and has consistently delivered organizational successes and revenue growth.
As the VP of Projects, Claudine is committed to fostering project management excellence and generating workforce insights and solutions to guide business, program, and career roadmaps. Outside of her professional realm, Claudine is a proud mother of five boys, is a gym enthusiast, and has a black belt in Taekwondo.

Connect with Claudine on LinkedIn.

Geni Peters

Geni Peters is an economist with a Ph.D. in Economics from Texas A&M University. As Director of Research at ECO Canada, she is responsible for managing, executing, and delivering environmental labour market information and national occupational standards projects, working with an army of professionals comprised of staff, consultants, strategic advisors, and subject matter experts.

Before joining ECO Canada, Geni applied her knowledge and skills in a wide range of roles and industries. She worked as a lecturer for 14 years, teaching a wide range of economics courses and supervising student research projects at UC San Diego and Penn State University. More recently, she managed labour market research initiatives, including economic modelling and reporting at PetroLMI Division of Energy Safety Canada (formerly the Petroleum Human Resources Council) and conducted economic research and analysis at Brown Economic Consulting.

Connect with Geni on LinkedIn.

Elizabeth Getty

Liz is a program and project manager with nearly 15 years of experience in client and volunteer management, member engagement, and product improvement. With a focus on ensuring both emerging and senior environmental professionals have opportunities for continuous learning and thought leadership, Liz knows how important it is to offer a valuable and industry-relevant designation.

Collaborating with colleagues, industry professionals, and strategists, Liz has led various product improvement strategies for ECO Canada’s EP designation. This included strengthening the EP Code of Ethics, redesigning ECO Canada’s in-training designation to maximize value and provide a roadmap for professional development, as well as introducing a core environmental knowledge examination.

After spending ten years in Calgary, Liz relocated back to her hometown and is based out of Kingsville, Ontario.

Connect with Elizabeth on LinkedIn.

Devant Maharaj

Devant is an alumnus of Mount Royal College and a graduate of the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Devant, has a Master of Business Administration from Anglia Ruskin University (UK) and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Trinidad and Tobago with specialization in Leadership, Entrepreneurship & Innovation.

Devant is a seasoned management professional possessing 20 years of extensive executive management experience in the public and private sectors in the Caribbean.  Devant served as the Marketing and Public Relations Manager and subsequently as the Deputy Director at the State Lottery of Trinidad and Tobago, leaving to serve as CEO of a media house in which he was critical to its formation and establishment.

In 2010 he was appointed as Chairman of the state bus company of Trinidad and Tobago in which he was instrumental in initiating the conversion of the fleet from diesel fuel to CNG. In 2011 he was appointed to the Cabinet of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago as Minister of Transport and a Member of Parliament in the Senate in the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago. In 2012 he was reassigned to the portfolio of Minister of Food Production where he instituted several conservation initiatives and greening of the agricultural sector and delivered addresses at the UN (New York) and FAO (Rome). Following his service in government Devant rejoined the private sector as a management consultant in the construction sector in project management.

Devant is a Director of The Alive House Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing proactive and diversified services to people experiencing homelessness in Canada. Devant also has presented several papers at a variety of forums on cultural and political topics within Trinidad & Tobago and author of several books as well as a regular op-ed newspaper columnist. Devant has also served in an executive capacity in a faith-based organization, Indo-Caribbean Museum, Chairman of Home for Battered Women, Chairman of Hindu Scouts, and Member Inter-Religious Organization, to name a few.

Connect with Devant on LinkedIn.

Maria Aum

Maria is a CPA with over 20 years of progressive experience in accounting, finance, and organizational leadership across nonprofit, investment, public sector, and international industrial settings. As Director of Finance, she leads financial operations, forecasting, cash flow management, compliance, and audit oversight while delivering clear financial reporting and strategic insights to senior leadership. Since joining ECO in 2022, she has advanced from senior finance roles to a key leadership position, strengthening financial governance, improving internal controls, and enhancing operational efficiency. With extensive experience in multi-entity reporting, fund accounting, and regulatory compliance, Maria brings a disciplined, solutions-driven approach to building strong financial systems. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and is an active member of CPA Alberta. 

Connect with Maria on LinkedIn.

Reconnaissance des terres

Dans un esprit de respect, de réciprocité et de vérité, nous honorons et reconnaissons Moh’kinsstis, le territoire traditionnel du Traité 7 et les pratiques orales de la confédération des Pieds-Noirs : Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, ainsi que les nations Îyâxe Nakoda et Tsuut’ina. Nous reconnaissons que ce territoire abrite la Nation métisse de l’Alberta, la région 3 au sein de la patrie historique des Métis du Nord-Ouest. Enfin, nous reconnaissons toutes les nations qui vivent, travaillent et se divertissent sur ce territoire, et qui l’honorent et le célèbrent.

Land Acknowledgment

In the spirit of respect, reciprocity, and truth, we acknowledge that we live, work, and gather on the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, including the Blackfoot Confederacy—comprising the Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani Nations—as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina Nations.

This land, known as Moh’kinsstis in the Blackfoot language and encompassing what is now Districts 5 and 6, is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3, within the historical Northwest Métis homeland.

We recognize and honour the deep connection these Nations have to the land, and we are grateful for the opportunity to share in its stewardship.

As we continue our work, we commit to learning from Indigenous knowledge systems, uplifting Indigenous voices, and fostering relationships rooted in equity, understanding, and reconciliation.

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