Shafak Sajid

Natalie's Bio

Natalie Darrah is a project assistant in the Climate Change and Global Health research group in the University of Alberta’s School of Public Health. In this role, she facilitates events, community outreach, and advocacy for climate-health action.

She also works to expand the Climate Change and Health Hub, newly launched at the University of Alberta to advance research to address the health challenges of climate change. With a bachelors degree in environmental studies, she has an interdisciplinary background in ecology, economics, and public policy.

She is concurrently an academic visitor in the School of Urban and Regional Planning’s Climate Adaptation and Resilience Lab, where she supports research on localized climate change adaptation in British Columbia.

Climate Change & Global Health Research Group

Jennifer's Bio

Jennifer Chen serves as the GHG Impact Quantification Lead at Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA). ERA’s mandate is to invest in technologies that reduce GHG emissions and grow Alberta’s economy by accelerating the development and adoption of innovative technology solutions. In her role, Jennifer leads the evaluation of GHG quantification of project proposals and supports ERA’s emission reporting.

As a registered Professional Engineer in Alberta, Jennifer’s background includes process engineering design and operations in the oil and gas sectors, and polymer application and research. She graduated from the University of Waterloo with a BASc in Environmental Engineering, MASc in Chemical Engineering, and an MSc in Sustainable Energy Development with the University of Calgary. Jennifer is also a self-proclaimed “foodie”, who loves to eat and experiment on different recipes.

Emissions Reduction Alberta

Gillian's Bio

With a diverse background as a leader in the energy industry, consulting firms, and non-profit organizations, Gillian is a dynamic force known for forging connections, fostering collaboration, and driving social change.

Gillian is the Director, People and Community at Enhance Energy where she leads Indigenous Engagement, Community Engagement, Community Investment, and HR and is dedicated to shaping a future where CCUS solutions integrate seamlessly with social equity, effecting positive impact for people and communities.

Holder of an MBA, along with a certificate of Social Impact, from Queens University and a CPHR designation, Gillian serves on the Board of the Calgary Public Library, the Calgary Library Foundation, and Ask Her YYC. She is a Fellow with the Energy Futures Lab and coaches emerging leaders to have a seat at the boardroom table through Fora’s Rise on Boards program.

Gillian is a recipient of the Young Women in Energy Award and the Daily Oil Bulletin Rising Star Award, for her focus on social impact in energy. Through all of this, she balances her role as a mom of two young children, spouse of a Calgary Firefighter, is self-appointed foodie, avid world traveller and loves a hot cup of matcha.

Enhance Energy

Nicholas's Bio

Nick Ayre is the Team Lead of Business Development Geosciences at Strathcona Resources Ltd., a rapidly growing Calgary-based company specializing in oil and gas resource development in Western Canada. In his capacity of Team Lead, Nick oversees all Geoscience contributions with acquisition appraisals, regional evaluations, sustainability initiatives such as carbon capture, and Petrophysics.

Before working at Strathcona, Nick has been employed in both large and small Calgary based energy companies establishing multi-year exploration and development drilling programs, mentoring staff, acquisition appraisals, and divestment program.

In addition to his role at Strathcona, Nick has been actively involved with the Canadian Energy Geoscience Association (CEGA) where he served as the Conference Director overseeing all society conferences between 2021-2023, and co-chaired/advised CEGA’s annual Core Conference between 2020-2024. Nick’s roles at CEGA underscore his belief that organizing geoscientific events are critical for the promotion of geosciences to the general public, professional networking, and career development within the energy and geoscience communities.

Strathcona Resources Ltd.