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.

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.

Taylor Owen

  • Taylor Owen (she/her) is a creative policy developer, environmental innovator, and collaborator whose work is focused on climate change mitigation, clean transportation, and community development. Previously, she spearheaded Halifax’s ambitious climate change plan, HalifACT with the Halifax Regional Municipality and contributed to community-based clean energy initiatives at the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables. Committed to social equity, Taylor emphasizes inclusive relationships and innovative approaches in her climate work. She holds a Bachelor of Management majoring in Resource and Environmental Management from Dalhousie University.

Chiara Ferrero-Wong

  • Chiara has spent the last few years working in the energy industry, with a background in renewable energy. Prior to working with HCi3, Chiara worked as project developer in the private sector, engaging and consulting with community members on utility-scale wind and solar projects across the country. With this previous experience, Chiara is now working to grow the communications strategy and outreach efforts to ensure that local community organizations have access to the programming that HCi3 has to offer. Chiara graduated from Dalhousie in 2021 with a combined honours degree in environmental science and English.

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.

Stephen MacDonald

  • Stephen MacDonald is the President and Chief Executive Officer of EfficiencyOne, the not-for-profit operator of Canada’s first electricity efficiency utility, Efficiency Nova Scotia, and parent company of the Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation and Impact (HCi3) Fund.

    A Chartered Professional Accountant (Chartered Accountant), Steve is the CEO and a member of the Board of Directors of EfficiencyOne Services and Chairs the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth. He is also a member of the Canada Electricity Advisory Council, an expert advisory body to provide advice to the Minister of Natural Resources to accelerate investment, and promote sustainable, affordable and reliable electricity systems.

    Steve is a recipient of Canada’s Clean50 award and has twice been recognized as one of Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 CEOs.

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

DIRECTOR, CLEAN TRANSPORTATION
NS Department of Natural Resources and Renewables

Jonah Bernstein

Corey Mattie

CO-FOUNDER AND PARTNER
Indigenous Treaty Partners

Sheena Parris

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

VICE PRESIDENT OF POLICY AND INNOVATION
Clean Foundation

Erin Burbidge

Shannon Miedema

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

Stephen MacDonald

CHAIR

HCi3 Board Director and CEO

Carol MacCulloch

HCi3 BOARD CHAIR

Denis Montpetit

FCM OBSERVER

DIRECTOR, CLEAN TRANSPORTATION
NS Department of Natural Resources and Renewables

Jonah Bernstein

Paul Pynn

CEO

Rayleigh Solar Tech

Yuill Herbert

DIRECTOR

Sustainability Solutions Group

Vicky Sharpe

HCi3 BOARD DIRECTOR

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