Amit Saxena

Michael's Bio

Michael leads a team that enables Cenovus’ upstream and downstream hydrocarbon business in Western Canada with up-front project approvals as well as after approval environmental monitoring and special issue support. Michael has an MSc. in Agroforestry (1999) as well as a BSc. in Forestry (1992) and is a Registered Professional Forester in Alberta.

Michael has 30 years of experience spanning the forest industry, applied science and consulting, as well as the energy industry in BC and Alberta. Michael pioneered the first forest habitat restoration trials in oilsands and led the establishment of the Cenovus Caribou Habitat Restoration Project, which is believed to be the largest and most comprehensive project of its kind in the world. Michael is a co-author on ~ 8 restoration-related publications, which support evidence-based continual improvement of restoration outcomes for carbon and caribou in the boreal.

Cenovus Energy

Alix's Bio

Alix is focused on supporting the development of the new SFI Urban and Community Forestry Sustainability Standard. As part of SFI’s urban and community forestry team, Alix works to increase the resiliency and sustainability of communities, both large and small. She is passionate about urban forestry and creating sustainable standards for the forest sector.

Before joining SFI, she worked as a tree specialist at a nursery, a landscape technician for the City of Edmonton, and was part of the environmental team at the District of North Vancouver. Alix holds a Bachelor of Urban Forestry from the University of British Columbia and is pursuing an Environmental Management Certificate from the University of Calgary.

Sarah's Bio

Sarah Nason’s family comes from a European settler background. Sarah has lived on Treaty 6 in Edmonton most of her life. She grew up loving nature, animals, horse-riding, and wandering around the city’s river valley trying to take good photos of ducks with my grainy camcorder.

After a Bachelors and Masters in Biology, Sarah wanted to reincorporate her artistic side. She now specializes in science communication: helping to bring research to a wider audience through creative means like drawing, illustration, infographics, storytelling, social media, and videos. At the Northern Forestry Centre Sarah is working to incorporate Indigenous Knowledge alongside science to help achieve a more holistic understanding of Canada’s forests.

Northern Forestry Centre

Bri's Bio

Bri Huot is the dynamic Communications and Engagement Specialist at the Alberta Emerald Foundation, a registered charity that accelerates environmental excellence by recognizing Alberta’s leaders and driving the adoption of best practices through educational storytelling. With a Bachelor of Commerce, Bri specializes in digital marketing, content creation, and public outreach.

In addition to spearheading the AEF’s social media and website management, Bri manages the Foundation’s four programs, including the What On EARTH Can We Do? Podcast. With over eight episodes per season, she engages in impactful conversations with environmental leaders to explore actionable solutions against climate change and environmental challenges.

Alberta Emerald Foundation