Our Team

Our Staff

Sarah Chiasson

  • Prior to joining HCi3, Sarah held various roles at EfficiencyOne, where she served most recently as Senior Director, Service Delivery with overall responsibility for energy efficiency and demand response programs. Sarah’s collaborative work style and strong relationships with stakeholders in the energy efficiency industry support HCi3 in being a strong and impactful partner moving Halifax towards its net-zero goals.

    Sarah has a background working at investment banks in Calgary and Halifax and brings exceptional financial acumen and program delivery expertise to HCi3. She holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Saint Mary’s University and a Bachelor of Science Advanced Double Major in Chemistry and Biology from Dalhousie University. Sarah is a Certified Energy Manager and Certified Measurement and Verification Professional.

Leitha Haysom

  • With a strong foundation in municipal governance and a passion for advancing sustainable policy, Leitha has championed innovative environmental initiatives throughout her career. Building consensus across diverse stakeholders, Leitha’s work contributed to the adoption of landmark municipal policies around coastal protection, progressive GHG reduction standards, and the acceleration of investment in electric vehicle infrastructure - efforts that helped shape more sustainable municipal policies.

    Before joining HCi3, Leitha served as Executive Lead at a clean‑tech startup, cultivating stakeholder partnerships and spearheading multi‑pronged projects with a focus on clean, sustainable global solutions for recycling and manufacturing.

    Combining experience in government policy, clean‑tech innovation, and small business growth, Leitha brings strategic vision and collaborative leadership to advancing equity‑centred climate solutions. An active community volunteer, Leitha currently serves as Board Chair for Second Story Women’s Centre. 

Ibiene Naomi Ibiama

  • Naomi is committed to fostering community development and promoting equity. Before joining HCi3, she worked at Chrysalis Human Rights Agency Inc as a Research Associate creating statements, workshops, and policies on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) to make workplaces more inclusive.

    Naomi holds a BA in Anthropology and Sociology from Mount Saint Vincent University, where she also volunteered with the Black Student Support Centre, and co-founded the Baobab Project podcast to highlight Black student voices and experiences. 

    Naomi brings to HCi3 a wealth of experience in community building, equity advocacy, and strategic communication. As an African proverb wisely states, "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." Naomi firmly believes in the power of collaboration and community in driving meaningful change.

Lawrence Jordan

  • Lawrence is an aspiring educator and communicator passionate about advancing technology equity and digital literacy. He is driven by a commitment to addressing the geographic, economic, and social barriers that limit people’s access to digital tools and opportunities.

    At HCi3, Lawrence performs business analysis and market research to support HCi3's investments in innovative low-carbon solutions owned by Halifax/Kjipuktuk's local climate leaders. His work contributes to building Nova Scotia's network of climate innovators and a growing green economy.

    He holds a Bachelor of Applied Computer Science from Dalhousie University and plans to continue his studies next year. Lawrence’s long-term goal is to create an accessible digital platform that promotes equal access to technology and empowers communities to thrive in an increasingly connected world.

Kevin Mullen

  • Kevin Mullen is the HCi3 Investment Manager, driving our impact investing initiatives. With over 20 years of experience as a finance executive, Kevin specializes in building strategic partnerships, originating deals, and developing innovative financial strategies. He has a proven track record in structuring, negotiating, and securing funding, employing a critical path project management (CCPM) approach. Kevin's extensive network spans municipal, provincial, federal, and First Nations leadership, where he has actively contributed to policy design. As a founder of a clean energy company, Kevin brings hands-on expertise in advancing sustainable solutions, furthering his commitment to a low-carbon future.

Julia Sable

  • Julia brings a diverse array of experience in non-profit management, sustainability, communications and community engagement to HCi3. Julia worked for the Province of Nova Scotia designing sustainable transportation programs, where she prioritized building networks within and between communities across the province. She previously worked for several sustainability non-profits, including Ceres, where she managed and developed programs to build environmental, social and governance (ESG) competence for corporate board directors. Julia has extensive experience in multi-stakeholder management and coalition building in diverse cultural contexts in both the private and non-profit sectors. She holds a Master’s Degree in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School (Tufts University), a Graduate Diploma in Social Innovation from the University of Waterloo, and BA in English Literature (High Honors) from Swarthmore College.

Board of Directors

Carol MacCulloch, B. Comm., M.A.

  • Carol MacCulloch has vast experience as a non-profit executive and director. Carol was one of the initial directors appointed when Efficiency NS Corporation was established, continuing to serve on the board of Efficiency One. She is a founding trustee and Chair of the NS Apprentice Award Trust having previously served as the first Board Chair of the newly established Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency. Her expertise has helped several start-up organizations, and her leadership has energized a series of quasi-governmental organizations, advisory committees, and non-profit boards. Carol has completed the Conference Board of Canada, Charter Director Program. Carol received an honorary diploma from the Nova Scotia Community College.

Martha Casey

  • Martha Casey is the Interim Chief Executive Officer of Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation, Impact Fund (HCi3) and Interim President & CEO of EfficiencyOne. Previously, Martha held an executive role with an international NGO focused on advancing sustainability in climate, resources and economies and before that was the CEO of Atlantic Canada’s largest innovation hub. Her earlier experience includes several years in leadership at Dalhousie, and different change management, operations, and administration-focused positions for the City of New York.

    Martha is currently on the Board of Directors for the IISD Experimental Lakes Area and the advisory board for the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University. She holds a Master of Public Administration from New York University, a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University Law School, and a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Bishop’s University.

Matthew Martel, M. TEI, PMP

  • Matthew James Martel is a highly accomplished business professional with a diverse background in strategic planning, project management, human resources, and executive recruitment. With a Master’s Degree in Technology, Entrepreneurship & Innovation from Saint Mary’s University and a Bachelor of Management in Entrepreneurship & Innovation from Dalhousie University, Matthew brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to any organization. Currently, Matthew is the Chief Executive Officer for the Black Business Initiative in Halifax, where he is responsible for designing and implementing business strategies, establishing policies, and overseeing daily operations. Matthew holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and serves on the boards of the Halifax International Airport Authority and Dalhousie University Faculty of Management.

Vicky Sharpe, BSc, PhD, ICD.D

  • Vicky Sharpe has served on boards for over 20 years mainly in the energy and financial arenas. She has 35 years of diverse experience in the power, energy, and natural resource sectors, has extensive investment networks, international exposure and is a seasoned director (ICD.D 2005). She is a pioneer and innovator in the cleantech commercialization and venture capital space and is the recipient of awards that recognize this commitment. As the founding President and CEO of Sustainable Development Technology Canada, she mobilized public funds and private capital of over $5 billion for project work and commercialization for Canadian cleantech companies. She is committed to clean capitalism, integrating ESG practices into businesses while improving competitiveness, and profitability.

Advisory Group

Jonah Bernstein

Gabrielle Riley Gallagher

MANAGER, CLEAN TRANSPORTATION
Department of Energy

Sheena Parris

SENIOR ANALYST, CLIMATE PLAN AND STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
NS Department of Environment and Climate Change

Erin Burbidge

VICE PRESIDENT OF POLICY AND INNOVATION
Clean Foundation

DIRECTOR, ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Halifax Regional Municipality

Shakara Russell

SOCIAL INNOVATION RESEARCHER
Entrepreneur

Maggy Burns

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Ecology Action Centre

Kaelan Keys

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER LEAD
EfficiencyOne

Investment Committee

Carol MacCulloch

HCi3 BOARD CHAIR

Denis Montpetit

FCM OBSERVER

PROJECT MANAGER, CLEAN ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE
Department of Energy

Karen Peknik

Paul Pynn

Interim Chair

Yuill Herbert

DIRECTOR
Sustainability Solutions Group

Vicky Sharpe

HCi3 BOARD DIRECTOR

Martha Casey

Interim Chief Executive Officer & Director