RPIC Speaker Series

Speaker: John Kononiuk, Executive Manager of Facilities, John Paul II Catholic Secondary School, London District Catholic School Board

John Kononiuk is currently responsible for all aspects of the 53 educational facilities within the London District Catholic School Board. With over 34 years of leadership in School Board facility management, John is responsible for the development of new school construction, major school additions and renovations, energy conservation management programs as well as the procurement of all energy related commodities. John has managed $200 million in new school construction and $21 million in Energy Performance Contracts with the sole objective to reduce the Board’s energy related budget costs.

Speaker: Jim Fonger, Vice President – Asset and Advanced Technology Development, Ameresco Canada

As VP of Asset and Advanced Technology Development at Ameresco Canada, Jim Fonger is responsible for all Distributed Energy Resource (DER) and other asset development and deployment in Canada. With over 30 years of business leadership, Jim brings unique experience to this post at Ameresco having led the development of many energy service and smart city projects in the municipal sector. More recently he developed two ground-breaking DER projects; a LDC grid connected 5MW – 16MWh energy storage system that is an Ontario electricity market participant, and the John Paul II Catholic Secondary School carbon free microgrid project.

Speaker: Peyvand Melati, CEO, QEA Tech

Peyvand Melati is a highly accomplished entrepreneur who has successfully launched multiple businesses. His expertise includes in-depth knowledge of major vertical industries, with a focus on Clean Tech and renewable energy.

Speaker: Thierry Lemieux, Senior Energy Engineer, Public Services and Procurement Canada

Thierry Lemieux is a mechanical engineer with over 20 years of experience in the real property sector. Thierry recently joined the Real Property Services Branch at PSPC to help advance the implementation of the Government of Canada’s (GoC) Greening Government Strategy.

Speaker: Martine Lalande, Environmental Specialist, Public Services and Procurement Canada

Martine Lalande, Environmental Specialist, has been with PUblic Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) for over 10 years, and she is currently coordinating nationally the PSPC Expert Support initiatives from Ottawa (ON). PSPC, under its Expert Support role in the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan program, is responsible to analyze and communicate federal contaminated sites demand forecasts for services with industry service providers.

Speaker: Jeffrey Yakimchuk, Policy Analyst, Northern Contaminated Sites Program Branch, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

Jeffrey Yakimchuk, Policy Analyst for the Northern Contaminated Sites Program Branch within Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. His educational background is in public policy and public administration from Concordia University in Montreal.

Speaker: Alyssa Dunbar, Physical Science Officer, Environment and Climate Change Canada

Alyssa Dunbar is a Physical Science Officer for the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan Secretariat at Environment and Climate Change Canada. Currently she is responsible for coordinating expert support activities under the program, ensuring national consistency in program, policy, and scientific advice. Her educational background is in environmental science from McMaster University and the University of Ottawa.

Speaker: Natalie Leclerc, MA-Lead, ITIL, PMP, Senior Director, Workplace Solutions, Real Property Services, Public Services and Procurement Canada

Natalie has been with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) since October 2016, leading impactful projects and initiatives such as the recent Government of Canada Real Property Services (RPS) Common Service Provider Guidance for Easing of Restrictions for safe return to workplaces. She was previously with the Security Branch, ensuring the delivery of the mobile security access application for the GCWorkplace pilots. She also led the Corporate Services Sector for the Parliamentary Precinct Branch, and leading the RPS Service Catalogue, as well as the Demand Management and Capacity Planning functions in support of RPS’ Service Management and Delivery realignment.

Prior to PSPC, Natalie spent three years with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), leading the deployment of the SAP module for the CBSA Accounting Revenue and Management function and leading national training delivery as the Senior Director of the CBSA College.

Previously, she spent over 7 years with the RCMP in HR, IM/IT and Program roles. Before joining the Federal Public Service, she spent several years in the private sector as a senior management consultant specializing in Strategic Project Delivery and Change Management. Before that, she spent over 15 years in Telecom, her last years as a senior executive.

Natalie holds a Masters in Leadership, an Honours undergrad in Economics and Sociology, as well as certifications in Project Management (PMP) and Service Management (ITIL).

Speaker: Jill Kurth, Western Regional Practice Leader, AECOM Strategy+

Jill has been with AECOM Strategy+ since December 2016, leading projects at the intersection of strategy, communications, and business planning. Jill collaborates with government, corporate and academic clients to enhance their institutional and business performance by integrating their strategic mission with capital and operational investments. Jill is skillful at creating and maintaining trusted relationships that deliver tangible impact and measurable outcomes. An expert in strategic planning, capital planning, change management and digital transformation projects, Jill is adept at using engaging strategies to ensure collaboration and transparency across diverse partners and stakeholders.

Recent collaborations include Canada’s National Research Council and the development of strategic guidelines and methodology for measurement and alignment of R&D business requirements with asset efficiency; Queens University (Kingston) and creation of a phase by phase strategy and implementation plan for the consolidation of the Departments of Physics, Chemistry and the School of Computing; Ryerson University (Toronto) and the creation of an academic business model to integrate multiple departments and facilities under a new vision, mission and operational framework for learning and research.

Jill has over 15 years’ experience in strategy and design consulting with public and private sectors across North America and Asia. Jill holds a Masters in Urban Planning and Honours in undergrad Economics and Spanish, as well as a certified PROSCI change practitioner. Jill is on the Advisory Board of the Bay Area Council Economic Institute.

Speaker: Bernard Gaudreault, MIAM, CEO, Planifika

Bernard Gaudreault is one of the founding members of the Canadian chapter of the Institute of Asset Management (IAM) from which he also holds a certification. His expertise is recognized across Canada namely due to his acquired technical depth, practical experience and methodical approach. Bernard Gaudreault launched Planifika in 2005, a company that has grown into a multidisciplinary consulting firm specialized in asset management and that includes a large client base from the public sector.

Speaker: Mathieu Gauthier, ing. MBA, Manager - Infrastructure, St. Lawrence Seaway

Mathieu Gauthier is a Senior engineer, who obtained a B.Ing. from Université de Sherbrooke and MBA from HEC / Université de Montréal. He joined the St. Lawrence Seaway in 2014 after nearly 10 years in industry. He presently manages the planning, budgeting, coordination of engineering work and infrastructures, as well as the implementation of health, safety and environmental standards. He also provides leadership and supervision to engineering and technical staff.