Board of Directors : Smart Grid Innovation Network Canada (SGIN)

Jeff Mocha

BOARD CHAIR

Jeff is the Chief Engineering & Innovation Officer at OEC―a group of companies that specializes in providing energy and infrastructure services solutions. Stakeholders include infrastructure owners within the electricity, telecommunications, gas and municipal sectors. In his role, Jeff is responsible for the Engineering Business Operations, Enterprise Innovation, and Technology Services, while also leading the delivery of cutting-edge, forward-thinking capabilities that will support the rapid evolution of digital technology and continuous transformation within the energy sector. Jeff has over 20 years of industry experience, holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, is a licensed Professional Engineer in Ontario, and an EMBA graduate from the Ivey Business School at Western University. Prior to joining OEC, Jeff worked in steel manufacturing where he delivered thought leadership for the advancement of innovative power system solutions. Jeff originally joined OEC’s engineering team where he successfully oversaw major projects and achieved significant enhancements in the field of asset management. Jeff was also instrumental in advancing the automation of a 24/7 electricity distribution control room, reducing power outages in the service territory.

Nicole Poirier

FOUNDING SEAT

Nicole Poirier is the Vice President, Operations at NB Power since July 2022. For over 100 years, NB Power has been providing New Brunswickers with a secure, reliable and competitively priced supply of electricity. The utility operates and maintains one of North America’s most diverse generating systems consisting hydro, coal, nuclear, oil, natural gas and diesel generating stations as well as a solar farm.

Nicole leads the teams responsible for safe, reliable generation (conventional), distribution and transmission of power across New Brunswick. She also oversees the teams responsible for System Operations, Project Management Office and Engineering.

During her 35 year career at NB Power, Nicole has held many roles in the company such as Executive Director of Transmission and Distribution, Director of Health and Safety and Environment and Emergency Preparedness, Director of Nuclear Business Services, Director of Supply Chain and Fleet, and Director of Regulatory Affairs.

Nicole is a member of Electricity Canada and serves as the chair of the T-Council, and is a member of D-Council. She graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1990. Nicole also obtained a Human Resource Management Certification from the University of New Brunswick in 2003. In 2012, Nicole also obtained a Lean Sigma Black Belt Certification.

Dr. David MaGee

FOUNDING SEAT

A native New Brunswicker, received his PhD in synthetic organic chemistry from UNB in 1987 under the direction of Professor Zdenek Valenta. Following a two-year NSERC post-doctoral fellowship with Professor Robert K. Boeckman, Jr. at the University of Rochester, began my tenure at UNB as an Assistant in the department of Chemistry. I was promoted to Associate Professor in 1995 and to full professor in 2000. While at UNB my administrative service included Chair of the Department of Chemistry (1999-2007), Dean of Science (2008-2017) and Vice-President Research (2017-present). In my current role as Vice-President Research I provide leadership and vision in shaping UNB’s strategic research direction and agenda. As Vice-President (Research) I serve on a number of Boards, both regionally and nationally, including but not limited to, New Digital Research Infrastructure Organization, SpringBoard Atlantic, New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, New Brunswick Health Research Foundation, BioNB, Canadian Consortium of Ocean Research Universities, Huntsman Marine Centre and AceNet. My area of research is mainly in the development of new and/or simpler ways to make biologically-interesting and structurally-challenging natural products. In recent years I have had a number of research collaborations with academic (Dalhousie, Acadia, Shahid Beheshti University Tehran) government (Canadian Forestry Services, Newfoundland Department of Natural Resources) and private (JDI-Ltd, Sylvar, Agrifor, Forest Protection Limited) organizations. Over my career I have published 47 peer-reviewed research papers in a number of prestigious national and international journals, and I have 5 patents. I have presented over 66 papers at various national and international conferences, and been an invited speaker on 17 other occasions. I have also served as an external examiner for numerous PhD theses and refereed over 170 papers for 34 different journals and 38 grant proposals for national and international granting organizations.

Rachele Levin

ADVISORY SEAT

Rachele Levin is an energy and climate change expert with provincial, federal, and international experience in policy and programming related to energy sector decarbonization. At Natural Resources Canada, Rachele leads a team in developing policy related to energy decarbonization. Rachele’s time at the Ontario Energy Board included leading the OEB’s energy transition work and developing and managing Canada’s first energy innovation sandbox. Rachele has authored the Policy Landscape chapter of REN21’s annual international renewable energy report. She is an enthusiastic thought leader in all things related to energy transition, decarbonization, innovation and energy policy.

Jason Edwards

UTILITY SEAT

Jason Edwards serves as the Vice President of Energy and Generation at Milton Hydro Services Inc., a key entity within the Milton Hydro Holdings Inc. group of companies specializing in providing innovative energy generation and infrastructure solutions. He holds an Executive MBA from the Ivey Business School at Western University, along with certifications in Sustainable Business Strategy from Harvard Business School and Project Management from the University of Waterloo and over 17 years of experience in the energy industry. Jason is at the forefront of driving excellence in Growth, Innovation, Operations, and Conservation and Demand Management services. He leads the charge in delivering cutting-edge capabilities that support the ongoing transformation of the electrification of everything.

Before joining Milton Hydro, Jason acted as the Global Business Leader for BVH Services, where he spearheaded sustainable textile manufacturing innovations for renowned brands like Nike, Coach, H&M, and Wrangler. Under his leadership, the company launched initiatives that dramatically reduced carbon and water consumption and advanced key Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) targets for brands. Notably, he established the first fully female-led leadership team at their manufacturing plant in India’s Kandla Special Economic Zone (KASEZ). These milestones earned the organization the prestigious Real Leaders Impact Award in January 2023.

Earlier in his career, Jason held pivotal roles at OEC as the Director of Business Development and the PVS Business Leader. He was instrumental in driving rapid business growth and the organization’s first expansion outside Ontario, establishing an office and net new business in Alberta. In 2018, his contributions were recognized with the David N. Watson Award as OEC’s Employee of the Year.

Jason is also a respected speaker and volunteer, actively supporting institutions such as Ivey Business School, HEC Montreal, and the EDA Conservation and Sustainability Council. His work has been featured in publications like EDA, ORCGA, CAEPLA, and Ivey Business School’s INTOUCH magazine. In 2023, Jason began sharing his expertise as a part-time faculty at Conestoga School of Business for Strategic Global Business Management programs.

Jim Ward

INDIGENOUS SEAT

Jim Ward has more than 30-years of experience in business operations, community development, consulting, project management, and industry and government relations. In his current role as General Manager for the North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council, Jim provides corporate oversight and leadership for his management team and staff of 80+ professionals in the delivery of a broad variety of programs and technical services to NSMTC Member Nations and First Nation communities throughout Atlantic Canada.

Jim is more focused than ever on guiding the NSMTC organization in response to the ever-changing needs of the NSMTC Member Nations, and views opportunities associated with the clean energy transition as a catalyst for the betterment of First Nation communities. Jim is committed to positioning First Nations at the forefront of the clean energy economy and to ensuring a sustainable future exists for the next seven generations.

Bruce Cameron

VENDOR SEAT

Bruce Cameron is owner and Principal Consultant with Envigour Policy Consulting. He has an MBA in Finance and Marketing. Since January 2016, Envigour has undertaken more than 24 different projects in the fields of energy strategies, energy supply chain development plans, policy, programs, and operations. Prior to his founding of Envigour, Mr. Cameron served as the principal energy policy leader in the Nova Scotia Department of Energy. He was a Director and Executive Director from 1999 to January 2016. He also had a seven-month term as Acting Deputy Minister. He also has extensive experience and expertise in policy implementation through programs and strategies and in the design and implementation of community and first nations consultation initiatives. He is an expert in regulatory policy as the policy leader on the drafting of legislation and regulations for Nova Scotia offshore occupational and operational health safety, Marine Renewable-energy licencing and electricity and efficiency plans and programs.

Bala Venkatesh

ACADEMIA SEAT

Dr. Bala Venkatesh is the founding academic director of the Centre for Urban Energy (CUE) at Toronto Metropolitan University (Formerly Ryerson). He is also a tenured professor in the Department of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering.

He specializes in electric power systems with interests in transmission and distribution systems, renewables, energy storage and smart grids. He works with industry partners such as Hydro One, Toronto Hydro, the Independent Electricity System Operator, Schneider Electric, Alectra Utilities and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited.

With a Ph.D. from Anna University (India), Dr. Venkatesh is a registered professional engineer in Ontario, Canada. Since 1994, he has also taught at the University of New Brunswick, Multimedia University (Malaysia) and Anna University.

Terri-Lynn (TL) Duque

POLICY SEAT

Terri-Lynn (TL) Duque is the Founder & Principal at Ignite Energy Solutions, a consulting firm helping leaders across North America build and deliver strategies that unlock the business and customer benefits of moving towards net-zero electricity. TL worked in utilities for 17 years in various roles including operations, planning and project management and is formerly the Director of Strategic Innovation at ENMAX Power in Calgary, AB. She holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan. TL has been honoured with various awards including a finalist for the International Women’s Network 2024 Women of Inspiration Award, a 2022 Women Who Spark Award, and a 2019 Young Women in Energy Award. She is a committed coach and mentor, an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, and a sought-after voice for change in the electricity sector across Canada.