Moving Forward Together: Canada’s Evolving Environmental Sector in a Post-Pandemic World

Expert: Kevin Nilsen
CEO and President, ECO Canada

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 the 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.

Expert: Carol-Ann Brown
President, The Delphi Group

As President of The Delphi Group, Carol-Ann Brown ensures Delphi is executing its mission by aligning its expertise and services with evolving client needs and offering top-of-the-line sustainability solutions. Carol-Ann continues to lead the Innovation and Cleantech team, which works with the private and public sectors to accelerate the deployment and commercialization of clean solutions, strategic planning, as well as technology road mapping and market scenarios. The team also leverages clean technology partnerships to deliver B2B programming for the GLOBE Series, which convenes the innovators and changemakers that aim to accelerate the clean economy. From July 2019 to July 2020, Carol-Ann was the interim Managing Director of GLOBE. Carol-Ann brings over 20 years of experience in clean innovation. Her international and multidisciplinary experience focuses on the environment/energy nexus, encompassing a broad range of issues including emissions trading, policy analysis and formulation, and program development; and clean technology assessment, development and commercialization. Carol-Ann was formerly the Director of Offsets Development and Industry Relations for Climate Change Central, and a Policy Advisor in the Air Quality and Climate Change Branch of the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. She has a Ph.D. in Geography, focusing on wind power commercialization, and a Master of Science in Environmental Change & Management, from the University of Oxford. Carol-Ann is a Director for the All One Sky Foundation, a not-for-profit, charitable organization established to help vulnerable populations at the crossroads of energy and climate change. Carol-Ann is a member of Canada’s Clean50 for 2020, as well as the Clean16 for 2020 – the leader in her category. Beyond Delphi, Carol-Ann is fortunate to make the most of mountains activities in all seasons with her husband, teenage daughters and 3 dogs.

Speaker: Paul Gruner
President & CEO, Det'on Cho Management

Paul Gruner has 15 years of progressive management experience spanning several diverse industries including oil and gas, civil construction, telecommunications and manufacturing. Having held management roles within Human Resources, Operations, Business Development, Marketing, Sales and General Management he has an extensive portfolio of knowledge, skills and abilities. Paul’s career has been focused in the North and includes positions in Northern Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon, Alaska and Northwest Territories. In the past, he has served as the General Manager of Dakwakada Capital Investments, CEO of Castle Rock Enterprises and President of RAB Energy. In addition to his broad experience, Paul has a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Northern British Columbia, a Chartered Professional Accounting Designation, Project Management Professional designation from the PMI Institute and recently completed his Institute of Corporate Directors Designation.

Speaker: Garrett Taylor
Vice President Environmental Practice Lead (Canada), SNC-Lavalin

Garrett Taylor has 18 years of experience in environmental management, investigation and remediation of organic and inorganic contaminants in soil and groundwater at large industrial sites and petroleum retail, distribution and refining facilities. He also has extensive experience planning, implementing and reviewing large environmental assessments, spill responses, remedial programs, risk management plans, approval renewals and amendments. Since joining SNC-Lavalin in 2004, Garrett has served in various integral roles, including Field Supervisor, Project Manager, Territory Manager, Vice President, Environment and Geoscience – Prairies Region and Vice President, Environmental Practice Lead - Canada. In each of these roles, Garrett has shown the ability to build strong collaborative teams and high-performing businesses. In his current role, Garrett is responsible for all technical and staff-related items for the environmental team across Canada at SNC-Lavalin.