Meet the team

• View Michael’s profile page

Adeola is a program operations professional who enjoys working with teams to streamline workflows and deliver projects efficiently. She has experience in both the private and non-profit sectors.

During her six years with Save the Children International in Nigeria, Adeola supported a variety of development and humanitarian programs, strengthening the country program’s operations. At Save the Children Canada, she provided operations support to the senior leadership team. Most recently, as a senior operations associate at the SecDev Foundation, she led initiatives to make operations more efficient, oversaw compliance across projects, and developed operational policies and procedures.

Outside of work, Adeola enjoys painting, photography, and listening to music. She holds a Master of Science in Business Administration from Babcock University and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Bowen University.

Vinuki is a Research Associate focused on policy analysis and low-carbon technologies for large residential buildings. Before joining Clean Prosperity, Vinuki helped property developers and general contractors identify pathways to reduce emissions across residential, commercial, and industrial projects using building energy simulations. 

Vinuki holds a Master of Science in Sustainable Energy Development from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Engineering from Heriot-Watt University, U.K. Her MSc research focused on the intersection of technology, policy, and economics in accelerating the transition to low-carbon buildings. Originally from Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates, she now lives in Calgary. In her free time, Vinuki enjoys volunteering for local organizations and exploring the outdoors and new cuisines.

Benjamin Dachis is Clean Prosperity’s Vice President of Research and Outreach. His career in public policy research, practice, and leadership spans nearly two decades. Trained as an economist, Benjamin has worked across a broad range of Canadian policy sectors.

Prior to joining Clean Prosperity, Benjamin spent 15 years with the C.D. Howe Institute in a number of policy research and leadership roles, ultimately serving as the Institute’s Associate Vice President, Public Affairs. His research and publications have covered a wide range of topics, including transportation, infrastructure, energy, regulatory, labour, and housing policy. He is the author of a book on Canadian municipal policy.

From 2018 to 2019, he stepped away from the C.D. Howe Institute to work as the Director of Policy, Budget and Fiscal Planning for the Premier of Ontario. He was part of the Ontario government’s leadership team in developing a number of policies, including the Housing Supply Action Plan, the 2018 Fall Economic Statement, and the 2019 Budget. He is also currently a part-time lecturer at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Benjamin has BA and MA degrees in Economics from the University of Toronto, and an MSc in Regional Science (the application of economics to regions) from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Benjamin was born and raised in Calgary. When he is not talking about how accounting policies are secretly the most important part of Canadian public policy, he tries to go scuba diving if he’s somewhere warm or curling if he’s somewhere cold. He spends the rest of his time hoping the Blue Jays win the World Series or dreaming of being on the beach with his wife and young daughter.

Jeff has a diverse background that spans journalism, entrepreneurship, and political consulting. As a journalist he reported from Ottawa’s Parliamentary Press Gallery. His work has appeared in the National Post, The Globe and Mail, The StarPhoenix, The Canadian Press, and other publications across Canada and internationally.

Jeff spent several years working for Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs, both in Ottawa and Washington, D.C. His deep knowledge of Canadian foreign affairs, political trends, and international relations has been shaped by working and traveling in over 65 countries.

Jeff is also a tech entrepreneur and investor, and has experience in sales and management. He won an Entrepreneur of the Year award for a social enterprise he founded that employs skilled leatherworkers in Kenya.

Jeff lives in Saskatoon with his wife and young daughter. Jeff has volunteered extensively with Rotary International, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and Junior Achievement’s youth entrepreneurship programs. He holds degrees in journalism and political science from Carleton University.

Emma is a public policy professional serving as Manager of Western Canada Research and Outreach. Prior to joining Clean Prosperity, Emma worked in both the public and non-profit sectors to better the experiences of people living in her home province, Alberta.

Her experience spans a range of policy domains, including energy and climate policy, economic and fiscal policy, and immigration and housing policy. She is passionate about creating communities, cities, and environments where people can thrive.

Emma holds a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Science degree in Plant Biology, also from the University of Calgary.

She lives in Calgary with her partner and her best pal, Goose, a rescue pup. When not in the office, you can find her trying to convince others to trek up the Rocky Mountains at 3 AM.

Neil works at the intersection of public policy, the low-carbon economy, and climate strategy. He has held roles in government, the private sector, and in nonprofits. Neil spent several years working for the B.C. government. Neil led and coordinated the development of the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 — the provincial government’s climate and clean energy strategy. He also led the economics and analysis functions in the Climate Action Secretariat.

After leaving government, Neil joined Hydrogen Naturally, a bio-hydrogen and carbon capture start-up, leading the sustainability, carbon markets, and government relations files. 

Earlier in his career, Neil worked for FortisBC, Foresight Canada, and Elevate Consulting. He also spent a decade working in the sports industry, and started his career in finance. 

Outside of work, Neil is married, and has a teenage son who shares his dad’s love of sport, a step-daughter, and two Labradoodles. When not spending time with his family, he enjoys cycling, skiing, hiking, paddling the amazing coastlines around Victoria, and learning (slowly!) to play the drums. Neil holds an economics and business management degree from Newcastle University. 

Brendan leads Clean Prosperity’s policy development and analysis, integrating career experience spanning think tanks, academia, market research, and Alberta’s oil and gas sector. A frequent commentator on climate policy and clean tech, he has written extensively on numerous topics including carbon markets, disruptive technologies, and political polarization. Before joining Clean Prosperity, Brendan held roles with Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission and the Institute for Science, Society and Policy, among others.

Brendan holds a Bachelor of Science from Queen’s University and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Calgary. Outside of work, you can find him enjoying music, trying a new recipe, or wrangling his toddlers. Brendan has roots in Alberta and Ontario and currently lives in Ottawa.

Chloe is a Research Manager focused on policy design for strong and effective Canadian carbon markets. Before joining Clean Prosperity, she worked with large emitters that are regulated under industrial carbon pricing programs, supporting their understanding and implementation of carbon policies.

She holds a Master of Science in sustainability management from the University of Toronto and a B.Sc. in environmental science with a major in environmental economics and policy from the University of Guelph. Chloe lives in Toronto and enjoys good food, live music, and family visits on Lake Erie to enjoy the beach and sun.

Richard has deep experience in government, public affairs, and politics. He joins Clean Prosperity from the Ontario government, where his roles included director of communications and director of issues management and legislative affairs for the Ministry of Natural Resources. He also served in several roles with Ontario’s Treasury Board Secretariat, helping to navigate complex issues and coordinate government priorities.

Richard also worked in the private sector, including at Impact Public Affairs as a consultant for national professional associations and international corporations. His political engagement includes volunteering on federal and provincial campaigns, notably as a campaign manager during the 2019 federal election. Earlier in his career, he held research and communications roles on Parliament Hill.

Richard holds a degree in communication and political science from the University of Ottawa.

Adam is Clean Prosperity’s Manager of Alberta Government Relations. His career began with the Government of Saskatchewan, where he served in seven different ministries over nearly a decade. He then moved to Medicine Hat to serve as the chief of staff to the City’s Mayor and Council, leading the organization’s government relations efforts. Most recently, he was a part of Petronas Canada’s external affairs team in Calgary. 

With a deep interest in politics and public policy since before he could vote, Adam has been actively involved in politics and political campaigns at all levels of government for nearly twenty years. He is passionate about issues ranging from energy and the environment to fiscal responsibility and economic competitiveness.

Adam holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Regina and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Calgary School of Public Policy. He lives in Calgary with his partner and is a diehard Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Blue Jays fan.

As VP of Central Canada, Etienne oversees Clean Prosperity’s policy and advocacy work federally and in Ontario. Prior to joining the organization, he headed research advocacy for Universities Canada, an industry association representing universities to the federal government. Before that he advised clients in their government relations approaches as a Senior Consultant at Earnscliffe Strategies. Etienne began his career in Ottawa as a political staffer to Canada’s minister of public safety.

Etienne hails from Fort McMurray, Alberta, and holds a Master’s in Political Management from Carleton University and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science from the University of Alberta.

Emily is a government relations professional based in Ottawa, specializing in federal advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and policy development. Previously, she worked at a public relations firm advising clients on federal government relations and engagement strategies, and at Engineers Canada.

Emily has served as a board member at The Endometriosis Network Canada, and is a passionate advocate for health policy and increasing awareness of endometriosis across Canada. She currently volunteers with the policy arm of the organization, called EndoAct.

Emily holds a Master’s in Political Management from Carleton University, a B.Ed. from the University of Ottawa, and a B.A. in Political Studies from Queen’s University.

Delaney Ross Burtnack is Vice President of Operations at Clean Prosperity. She brings 15 years of not-for-profit experience to the role, having led teams and operations in both the agriculture and agri-business sectors. She has a unique blend of business operations, leadership, communications, and agronomy experience, shaped by her past work as Executive Director of the Manitoba Canola Growers Association, President and CEO of the Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers, and through several years spent in trade publishing and marketing. 

Delaney is an appointed member of the Provincial Council of Agrologists Manitoba and serves as secretary of her local golf and country club.

Delaney holds a Master of Science in Agronomy from the University of Manitoba. She lives in Manitoba, where you’ll usually find her with dirt under her nails in the garden, with a line in the water, or at the hockey rink, cheering with her family.

Marie is a development professional with more than a decade of experience advancing philanthropic initiatives across the academic, cultural, and healthcare sectors. Before joining Clean Prosperity, she held fundraising roles at Concordia University, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, and the CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation, where she specialized in major gifts and donor engagement.

A bilingual fundraiser based in Greater Montreal, Marie has developed and stewarded high-impact relationships with philanthropists and foundations, securing support for institutional growth and innovation. 

Marie holds a BA in International Studies and Philosophy from York University’s Glendon College and a postgraduate diploma in Management from HEC Montreal. 

Outside of work, Marie embraces an active outdoor lifestyle with her family and their two energetic young boys, who keep her exceptionally well trained in multitasking and endurance.

 

Adam joined Clean Prosperity from the Government of Alberta, where he helped establish Canada’s first ESG Secretariat as its Executive Director, ESG Coordination and Integration. Prior to this, Adam led the Government Relations team at the University of Alberta and held various roles with local economic development, consulting, and business organizations, and also led a local strategic advisory firm focused on helping private and non-profit organizations develop and implement new growth strategies rooted in the concepts of shared value creation.

Adam returned home to Alberta in 2013 following many years in Ottawa working on Parliament Hill, including in Canada’s Environment Minister’s Office in 2011-13. Prior to that, Adam spent time in Canada’s Embassy in Washington, D.C., and served nearly two years on the ground in Afghanistan deployed with the Canadian Government.

A fervent believer in the power of people to create positive change in their communities, Adam is a former Canadian Army Reservist and very active national, provincial, and local volunteer, currently serving on the Concordia University of Edmonton’s Business Advisory Council, Alberta Law Foundation Board of Directors, and as a local minor soccer coach.

Born and raised in rural Alberta, Adam and his unstoppable wife Katherine spend all their free time outdoors exploring Edmonton and hiking the Rocky Mountains with their young son and their two Nova Scotia Duck Tollers.