OUR PEOPLE

Yvonne Ekpe brings strategic vision to her role, overseeing The ReCover Initiative’s communications efforts from planning to implementation and evaluation. Her knack for aligning messaging with organizational goals and stakeholder needs ensures impactful outreach.

Yvonne is a communications professional with over 11 years of international development experience. She has successfully led communications efforts for projects funded by the US and UK governments, working with diverse teams across Africa, Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. This demonstrates her expertise in navigating complex global contexts and her ability to rally teams and drive results.

Her academic background includes a Bachelor's in Biochemistry from the University of Port Harcourt in Nigeria and a Master's in Biotechnology, Bioprocessing, and Business Management from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom. Additionally, she holds a diploma in Marketing Communications from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK.

Yvonne actively seeks opportunities to enhance her skills and believes in sharing knowledge. She is committed to positively impacting her community. When not at work, Yvonne is an avid volunteer, offering her skills and time in various capacities. She also indulges her curiosity through do-it-yourself projects, explores new recipes, and enjoys hiking and exercising. She misses her family and her dog, Buddie, in Nigeria.

Connect with Yvonne: yvonne@recoverinitiative.ca

Samantha has joined the ReCover Initiative as Program Coordinator, bringing a dynamic and diverse background in project management, customer service, and community-driven initiatives. Her expertise spans property and project management, where she has contributed to everything from construction planning to frontline case coordination. Samantha also brings specialized experience in deep retrofits, focusing on improving building performance while prioritizing resident needs and maximizing community impact.

She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Saint Mary’s University, along with a Diploma in Urban Land Economics and a Bachelor of Business in Real Estate from the University of British Columbia.

Samantha is deeply committed to fostering trust, resilience, and meaningful connections in her work. Whether collaborating with partners, supporting building owners, or ensuring seamless project execution, she approaches each task with thoughtfulness and dedication.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Samantha is actively involved in supporting youth initiatives. When she isn’t giving back to the community, you might find her engrossed in a good book—preferably outdoors on a warm, sunny day.

Connect with Samantha: samantha@recoverinitiative.ca

As the Program Development and Delivery Manager, Sebastian Green leads the Programs team in supporting building owners in Atlantic Canada through their deep retrofit journey. Sebastian joins ReCover from the tech startup ecosystem, having focused his career on developing and growing entrepreneurs and business owners throughout Atlantic Canada.

Sebastian is a passionate and dynamic individual with a diverse background in academia, science, architectural engineering, entrepreneurship, and innovation. He began his career with a construction technology (ConTech) startup, started and exited his own ConTech business, and then transitioned to the support side by starting a rural innovation incubator to help those in underserved areas access and explore entrepreneurship for the first time.

For the past several years, Sebastian has been at Dalhousie University, initially with the Faculty of Engineering before moving to a tri-faculty position within the Faculties of Dentistry, Health, and Medicine. There, he developed and taught programs focused on integrating emerging technology and innovation processes, such as AI and design thinking, into traditional sectors like construction and healthcare to catalyze local innovation.

Sebastian has been recognized by the Innovators and Entrepreneurs Foundation of Canada with the CANIE Award for Social Innovation, by Atlantic Business Magazine as one of the top innovators under thirty in Atlantic Canada, by Future of Good with the Top Recovery Project award, and by RBC with the Ecosystem Impact Catalyst Award for creating cohesion and growth in the Atlantic Canadian tech and startup communities.

Connect with Sebastian: seb@recoverinitiative.ca

With nearly 20 years of professional experience, Krista is a collaborative and results-driven leader who has held key leadership roles in some of Atlantic Canada's most prominent organizations. Krista’s extensive experience in professional services, consumer packaged goods, biotechnology, and renewable energy uniquely equips her to support rapidly scaling organizations like ReCover as they pursue their growth ambitions.

Krista is a Chartered Professional Accountant with a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Commerce from the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary's University. 

When she's not helping her clients grow their businesses, she enjoys running, biking, kayaking, paddleboarding, downhill skiing, and spending time outdoors in Shubie Park with her son and husband.

Connect with Krista: krista@recoverinitiative.ca

Chanyoung Lee is a Data Analyst at The ReCover Initiative, where she spearheads data-driven strategies to advance deep energy retrofits across Atlantic Canada. With expertise in building automated data workflows, conducting advanced analyses, and developing dynamic dashboards, she transforms complex datasets into actionable insights, empowering teams to make informed, strategic decisions.

Before relocating to Canada, Chanyoung spent over a decade in South Korea as a Project Manager and Business Analyst, leading large-scale branding, operational, and market research initiatives. Her strong foundation in business strategy complements her technical skills, allowing her to align data solutions with practical, real-world outcomes.

She holds a Diploma in IT Data Analytics from Nova Scotia Community College and a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design and Marketing from Seoul Women’s University. Passionate about using data to drive sustainability, equity, and meaningful change, she is dedicated to leveraging technology to create a more resilient future for her community.

Connect with Chanyoung: chanyoung@recoverinitiative.ca

Maria McGowan is a seasoned digital marketing and social media strategist specializing in crafting and executing results-driven campaigns for businesses in the renewable energy sector and beyond. Maria’s leadership and creative approach have been recognized through both national and international awards, underscoring her ability to deliver measurable growth and elevate brand visibility.

As the host and producer of the weekly podcast Reimagined Energy, Maria brings together academics, industry innovators, and organizational leaders to spotlight groundbreaking renewable energy initiatives.

Beyond her professional endeavours, Maria is deeply committed to community service. She served as a board member for Healthy Minds Cooperative and the Blue Nose Marathon. She has been part of the leadership team for the BMO Ride for Cancer, Atlantic Canada’s largest cycling fundraiser, helping to raise more than $1.7 million for cancer care. Since 2023, she has served as a mentor for How to Change the World, and recently joined WiRE (Women in Renewable Energy).

In her downtime, she can be found hiking, gardening, cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and attempting to complete a crossword.

Connect with Maria: maria@recoverinitiative.ca

Emma has over a decade of experience in Canada's energy sector, specializing in energy efficiency and deep energy retrofits. She is deeply passionate about the benefits deep retrofits can bring to Atlantic Canadian communities.

Emma has successfully intervened in provincial utility hearings to advocate for more ambitious demand-side management programs. She organized the Climate Jobs Roundtable, a series of events focused on job creation and transitioning the energy economy. As the Nova Scotia lead for the international project Smarter Energy Communities in Northern and Arctic Regions of Europe, Emma facilitated knowledge transfer between communities in Canada and Europe aiming to reduce their carbon footprint through smarter energy use.

Before joining ReCover full time, Emma served as the Atlantic Director with the Climate Emergency Unit, and at QUEST, a community energy planning non-profit. Prior to that, she worked on the Energy Team at the Ecology Action Centre, Nova Scotia's environmental watchdog.

When not working, Emma enjoys gardening, reading speculative fiction, cooking meals for friends, or playing fetch with her dog.

Connect with Emma: emma@recoverinitiative.ca

Nigel joins the ReCover Initiative as Senior Project Manager, bringing decades of experience in engineering, energy efficiency, and large-scale project delivery. His career began in automotive manufacturing, where he spent over 12 years in project management, leading complex initiatives—including new vehicle programs from concept to production launch.

Since transitioning to the green building and energy sector, Nigel has leveraged his technical expertise to enhance building energy efficiency and industrial energy management. His work focuses on optimizing operational performance, reducing emissions, and guiding organizations through the shift to sustainable practices.

Nigel is a Certified Passive House Consultant and holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) designation. He earned a Master of Engineering in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering from Liverpool John Moores University, UK, and an MSc in Strategic Management from the University of Derby, UK. He is currently completing an MSc in Green Building at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales, UK.

Passionate about practical climate solutions, Nigel believes in the power of collaborative, community-led change. Outside of work, he enjoys CrossFit, cycling, swimming, travel, and spending time with his family—including his three long-haired miniature dachshunds.

Connect with Nigel: nigel@recoverinitiative.ca

Dr. Henry Penn has over a decade of experience leading interdisciplinary teams dedicated to climate resilience, sustainable infrastructure, and food-energy-water (FEW) security in rural, northern, and Indigenous communities across North America. He holds a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies (Civil Engineering) from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a Master’s in Civil Engineering from Loughborough University in England, combining technical expertise with a commitment to community-centered, culturally relevant solutions.

At ReCover, Henry collaborates closely with communities to co-develop capacity-building tools and resources that provide education and training tailored to local needs. He drives initiatives that accelerate deep retrofits and manage projects aligning with both community priorities and organizational goals. His approach prioritizes collaboration, innovation, and inclusive engagement to create meaningful, lasting change.

Beyond his professional work, Henry is passionate about forging connections between people and places, spending his time in outdoor activities and community-driven sustainability initiatives.

Connect with Henry: henry@recoverinitiative.ca

Lorrie is the President and Director of Sustainability at Habit Studio and the Senior Advisor at ReCover. With twenty years of retrofit design expertise, her goal is to reduce the financial and technical limitations of custom renovation projects, one building at a time, in the face of a looming climate crisis.

As a Certified Passive House Designer and a recognized building science expert, Lorrie possesses the experience and expertise needed to develop a repeatable and systematic approach to deep retrofits specifically adapted to the Nova Scotia context.

Connect with Lorrie: lorrie@recoverinitiative.ca

Rebecca supports our team by keeping us on track and organized. With a passion for organization and a knack for problem-solving, she strives to make every day in our office efficient and enjoyable.

With years of experience in office management, Rebecca has honed her skills in handling administrative tasks, coordinating schedules, and maintaining office supplies, ensuring everything runs like a well-oiled machine. She attended NSCC and Mount Saint Vincent University, where she studied Business.

When not immersed in the world of office management, Rebecca enjoys tending to her farm, walking on the beach, or savoring a good book. She believes in maintaining a healthy work-life balance and brings positivity to everything she does, both inside and outside the office.

Connect with Rebecca: rebecca@recoverinitiative.ca

Jean-Paul (JP) Robicheau brings over 20 years of proven success in business development at local, national, and international levels, specializing in fostering private sector growth and forging impactful public sector partnerships.

JP’s success stems from his commitment and passion for ensuring positive outcomes for the organizations and clients he represents. His team approach to providing solid value propositions, supported by multiple stakeholders and partners, has garnered award-winning national and international recognition in the sectors he has worked in.

Outside the office, JP enjoys spending time with his family and volunteering in various capacities, including coaching his children's sports teams. He stays active and healthy as an avid cross-country and alpine skier, as well as a road and mountain bike cyclist. Over the years, he has competed in marathons, triathlons, and adventure races.

Connect with JP: jp@recoverinitiative.ca

Oreoluwa brings extensive experience in program coordination and administration to her role at ReCover, where she develops systems and workflows that ensure the smooth delivery of deep retrofit solutions across Atlantic Canada. Her background spans program development, stakeholder engagement, and operations coordination across government, nonprofit, and private sectors. She has contributed to initiatives at the intersection of sustainability, community needs, and organizational strategy.

Originally from Nigeria, Oreoluwa offers an international perspective to her work and holds a Master’s in Resource and Environmental Management from Dalhousie University. She is particularly passionate about driving environmental impact through structured systems, inclusive collaboration, and mission-aligned work. Her approach is rooted in clarity, efficiency, and a deep commitment to optimizing organizational operations.

Outside of work, Oreoluwa enjoys orchestrating events, spending time with loved ones, and unwinding with a good TV series—especially those with complex characters and clever writing.

Connect with Oreoluwa: oreoluwa@recoverinitiative.ca

Yash Vyas leads ReCover's efforts in creating a roadmap for deep retrofits in Atlantic Canada. His extensive experience in academia, research, education, and the private sector form the foundation of his accomplished, impact-driven career. His expertise extends to sustainable systems, decarbonization strategy, deep energy retrofitting, building envelope design, and building automation.

Beyond academia, Yash has excelled as a Building Scientist, showcasing a versatile skill set in energy modeling, retrofit analysis, decarbonization planning, and building condition assessments. He played a pivotal role in securing research projects funded by the NSERC Alliance Grant and Mitacs Accelerate, and collaborated with industry partners such as the National Research Council of Canada, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers.

In addition to his scholarly pursuits, Yash has been able to guide and inspire students through teaching virtual and in-person courses across Canada. His topics include, but are not limited to, sustainable energy systems, multidisciplinary sustainability, and building science studio focused on net-zero construction. Over the past three years, his instructional efforts have impacted approximately 600 students from Toronto Metropolitan University and 2000 students from 15 different institutions across Canada.

Yash envisions building a career in sustainable infrastructure, inspiring others to tackle multidisciplinary challenges for a clean-tech future.

Connect with Yash: yash@recoverinitiative.ca