Board of Directors

Reflecting our values

Clean Foundation is guided by senior management and a volunteer Board of Directors with representatives from the business, academic, government and public sectors. This leadership helps Clean remain an effective, high-profile institution with a broad mandate to improve our environment.

Executive
		Chair: Jeff Traver From a young age Jeff developed a love for the outdoors and an understanding of our natural environment. After completing an undergraduate degree in environmental policy and geography, he has spent the past 20 years of his career in the waste management industry, specializing in landfill waste reduction with a commitment to sustainable development. Currently the District Manager of Miller Waste Systems for Eastern Canada, his responsibilities include both the composting and recycling facilities, residential and commercial collection operations, while guiding the division down a sustainable and ethically responsible path.
		Vice-Chair: John Gunn Relocated back to Nova Scotia from Vancouver, John is eager to support Clean as an organization that is committed to cultivating a sustainable society. After having been a long time partner and staff member of Grant Thornton LLP and CEO of the Chartered Accountant School of Business in B.C., he recently retired from CPA Canada, where he led the development of their national education program for professional accounting certification. He also offers considerable not-for-profit experience having held active leadership roles on other Boards in the sectors of education and mental health. He has been known to pedal a bicycle around in summer, ski down hills in winter, and pick away at a guitar occasionally year-round
		Treasurer: Mike Marshall Mike is inspired to contribute to ensuring a sustainable and responsible stewardship of our natural resources. A graduate of Acadia University, he achieved his Chartered Professional Accountant designation in 1994 and currently works at the Halifax office of the chartered accounting firm, Collins Barrow. He has worked as an auditor and advisor to not-for-profit organizations for many years. He has also volunteered as a literacy tutor with the Dartmouth Learning Network.

Directors
		Helen Browne Helen has over 15 years experience working in the wind energy industry and has developed more than twelve, now operating, projects throughout Nova Scotia, Ontario and the UK. In 2013, she established a consultancy practice, LandConnect, specializing in wind energy development and land acquisition. In her former role as a CEO of Wind Prospect Inc., she established and built a team who developed portfolios of distribution sized wind projects in Ontario and Nova Scotia, many of which are now operating. She has a broad understanding of the energy markets in Canada, having worked in the two Provinces above as well in British Columbia. Prior to moving to Canada she was the lead developer for 7 wind energy projects in the UK that are all now successfully operating. Her current work is focused in the Maritimes and she has an ongoing contract with Nova Scotia Power to negotiate and secure land for their distribution capital upgrade projects. In addition she has been working in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick on wind energy projects for various developers.
		Lisa Emery Lisa is currently manager of the CFTA radio station. She was formerly a Town Councillor for the Town of Amherst, and has served on two provincial committees including the Nova Scotia Community College Board of Governors (2005-2006) and the Nova Scotia Association of Police Boards executive of which she is still a member. In addition to her other responsibilities, she runs a small home based business regarding sustainability and environmental education. Lisa is also involved in the Cumberland Food Action Network which focuses on food security and sustainability in Cumberland County and is the environment leader for the Double D 4-H Club.
		Hugh Fraser Hugh has worked as a communications and public affairs consultant in Halifax for a decade, bringing a professional focus on sustainability, energy efficiency, and renewables to his clients, including Efficiency Nova Scotia, Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE), and Offshore Energy Research Association (OERA). He previously worked as press secretary to Premier John Hamm and as a journalist with CBC, producing national and provincial programs on TV and radio. He volunteers as a member of the Board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Halifax, and as a longtime coach for Halifax Minor Baseball.
		Virginia Olsen Virginia’s career of over 25 years has been devoted to environmental education and action. The links between environment and economy are a strong interest of Virginia’s, as well as other triggers that motivate people towards environmentally sustainable behaviour change. She has designed and delivered many programs that build on a community’s interest in improving environmental performance. Before relocating to Nova Scotia from Ontario, she worked for one of the largest school boards in the province as the Environmental and Energy Systems Coordinator. Her accomplishments included creating an environmental incentive program that motivated teachers and students to conserve energy, recycle and reduce waste in schools. While employed with the Nova Scotia Department of Environment, Virginia worked as a Waste Strategy Coordinator, Policy Analyst, and Training Consultant. She enjoys riding her bike, gardening and travel. In addition to The Clean Foundation, Virginia also volunteers with the Immigrants Services Association of Nova Scotia and the Halifax Public Library. Virginia has a Bachelor Degree in Environmental Science from Trent University, a Certificate in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University and a Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language from Saint Mary’s University.
		Mark Raymond Mark has a PhD in Natural Resource and Environmental Economics from the University of Guelph. As a full-time faculty member at Saint Mary’s University, Mark has spent the last 16 years teaching Resource and Environmental Economics to students. In the past he has volunteered in his community Church and was involved in 4H Club activities. Mark was approached to be a member of the Clean Board, and he hopes that he might be able to contribute to the board in a positive way.
		Julie-Ann Vincent Julie-Ann is passionate about environmental causes and her community, focusing her career and much of her personal life in these two areas. She is a Senior Consultant with Dunsky Energy Consulting, an energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable transportation-based consulting company. In her work, Julie-Ann works with governments, utilities, and other organizations across North America in assessing, designing, and evaluating their energy efficiency programs, policies, and potential. Prior to her role at Dunsky, she was the Manager of Regulatory Affairs at EfficiencyOne, which runs Efficiency Nova Scotia’s energy efficiency programs. Julie-Ann is an avid volunteer, having served on the Boards of United Way of Halifax, Row Nova Scotia, and the Ecology Action Centre. She also volunteers as a nationally accredited rowing umpire in between her time training and racing on the water. She holds an MBA from Saint Mary’s University and Master’s degrees in Professional Writing (University of Waterloo) and English (Western University).