Sarah Riley is the Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at R&G Strategic. This women-founded-and-led agency is known globally for seamlessly blending a creative communications practice and a sustainability consultancy into one unique offering. Sarah’s work and R&G’s mission focus on helping purpose-led organizations activate their impact strategies and lead transformative change. She's known as an early mover in eco-communications, pioneering the use of storytelling to shift cultural narratives and engage communities to co-develop and contextualize solutions for environmental and social good. She's also a recipient of a UN Global Compact award for her contribution toward the SDGs (Goal 17), a member of the Nova Scotia Minister's Round Table for the Environment and Sustainable Prosperity, and one of Canada's Clean50 for 2024.  

Bill Hahn has over 18 years of experience in financial leadership, capital markets, financial accounting, and performance management. Bill is a fractional CFO specializing in supporting growth initiatives for small and medium sized businesses. Previously, Bill has held senior and executive financial positions within several public companies across multiple sectors. Bill is a CPA, CA, and holds Masters of Professional Accounting and Bachelor of Commerce degrees.  

Graeme Hiebert  is originally from Salmon Arm, British Columbia. He attended Simon Fraser University, obtaining his Bachelor of Arts and a Certificate in Legal Studies. Afterwards, he worked in a variety of jobs – first related to legal work, but then worked for a time in the manufacturing industry making woodwind instruments in a small shop in Burnaby, BC. Graeme went to UNB Law School in 2019, and graduated in 2022. He articled and was hired as an associate at Stewart McKelvey in Halifax, where he maintains a general litigation practice. Some of his focus areas include construction litigation, commercial/contractual disputes, and environmental and regulatory matters. Graeme is currently on a secondment from his practice at Stewart McKelvey, working at the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal. He will be returning to his regular practice in June 2024. Graeme's spare time is spent with his wife, Katherine, and his son, Salter, ideally eating too many oysters on a beach somewhere.  

With an extensive background in international relations, mentorship, politics, and program management, Mizel Cluett is the Founder and Executive Director of Indigenous Futures Canada. Their role involves forging and maintaining relationships with diverse partners, stakeholders, and allies across the globe. They serve as the primary liaison between Indigenous Future, potential funding bodies, and international groups that offer development opportunities. Navigating these complex networks, they aim to create avenues for future leaders to excel and gain invaluable experiences. 

They also oversee the implementation of various organizational initiatives, from hosting cross-sector development discussions to managing fundraising campaigns and ensuring the smooth operation of our media and information platform.  Mizel’s guiding principles are transparency, honesty, and solidarity. While embracing technological advancements like AI to enhance our efficiency, they remain grounded in the importance of deep creativity, design thinking, and above all, the relationships we nurture.  

Edmundo Fausto has been focused on tackling energy use and climate change for +10 years. He has worked with local, national, and international teams and experts to deliver energy and climate action strategic plans and projects. His experience includes energy efficiency and decarbonization projects, climate change risk assessments, as well as the development and implementation of corporate and municipal plans for climate change mitigation and adaptation. 

Vanessa Hartley is a 8th generation Black Loyalist descendant, born and raised in Shelburne, Nova Scotia. Vanessa is passionate about environmental justice, inclusive education and youth empowerment. She is a speaker, community leader, entrepreneur and facilitator.
 

Vanessa serves on the Black Loyalist Heritage Society Board, secretary for the African Nova Scotian Road to Economic Prosperity Youth Council, Atlantic Director for the Sierra Club Foundation Board of Directors, and was the Youth Delegate for the 2022 National Black Canadian Summit. Vanessa speaks nationally about environmental racism and injustice through education and awareness. Her goal is to continue to have challenging and progressive conversations that can change the narrative around environmental racism in Nova Scotia and beyond. 

Mike Proud is an energy professional with over 40 years experience working in the sector.  While specializing in energy efficiency, Mike has worked on projects in traditional and emerging energy sectors, including renewable and alternative energy, natural gas and large and small-scale renewables. Mike has represented PEI on national and international committees and working groups and has co-chaired several Federal/Provincial/Territorial energy committees.  

Mike led the establishment of efficiencyPEI, a national award-winning efficiency organization during his 35 years working with the Province of PEI. After retiring from efficiencyPEI, Mike joined the Clean Foundation as their Manager of PEI Programs.  

Mike has a Diploma in Energy Systems Technology from Holland College and a Bachelor of Integrated Studies (Environmental Studies) from UPEI. Mike specialized in training in several energy efficiency disciplines including R-2000 and House as a System. 

In his spare time, Mike enjoys spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and playing and listening to music. 

Amy Schwartz is an impact-funding strategist dedicated to community-led efforts to stop climate change. She excels in navigating complex challenges, starting innovative projects and crafting progressive policies. 

Amy is currently the Green Municipal Fund Lead for Transportation at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Formerly, in her role as Manager of Climate Change Investments and Strategic Initiatives for the Province of Nova Scotia, she developed the funding structure to flow more than $500 million in shared provincial/federal/municipal funding for clean energy and green infrastructure projects. Prior to that, as a Senior Strategist for Sustainable Energy and Renewable Energy, she advised on pivotal environmental and public health issues while advocating for active transportation. 

Throughout her career, spanning roles from Executive Director to consultant, she has led organizations and programs in diverse fields including adventure tourism, placemaking, and experiential education. Recognized as a trailblazer, she leads by example, spearheading inclusive projects and earning accolades such as the Halifax Chamber of Commerce Agent of Change and recognition as a Top 50 Emerging Leader in Atlantic Canada. 

Amelia Warren has over 15 years of strategic marketing experience across a wide variety of industries and sectors. Before joining Arrivals + Departures, Amelia spent 10 years leading marketing, sales and customer service strategies for EfficiencyOne, a leading non-profit advancing Canada’s climate goals. She has also worked in advocacy, government and health care research, and has served as a Director on numerous voluntary Boards.