Flipping the Switch: Modernizing Canada’s Electrical Grid for a Climate-Resilient Future

Jenny Albers is an accomplished community builder and strategic leader with expertise in the public sector and civic engagement. With over 15 years of diverse municipal experience with the City of Edmonton, she has driven public-facing programs, including waste reduction initiatives, legislated voting processes for Edmonton Elections and the City’s United Way fundraising campaign. Most recently in Traffic Operations with the City of Edmonton, she increased the vibrancy and liveability of public streets, sidewalks and alleyways through active transportation, curbside management, urban placemaking and regulatory permitting initiatives. 

As well, as the Chair of the City’s Community Service Advisory Board, she provides advice to City Council and administration on community services and funding for social services in Edmonton. Beyond her professional achievements, her passions include cycling, thrifting and enjoying local theatre. 

Chris Caputo is an Associate Professor of Chemistry and Tier II Canada Research Chair in Main-Group Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry at York University. His research focuses on developing Earth-abundant catalysts that reduce the environmental impact of chemical manufacturing and support the advancement of new technologies. Born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, Chris earned his BSc from the University of Windsor, completed his PhD at the University of Toronto, and was an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University.
 
Chris brings a unique perspective on research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, having led the R&D at the Toronto-based startup, Inkbox, which was acquired by BIC in 2022, where he continues to advance technology development. He is passionate about science policy and civic engagement, he co-founded ElectSTEM, an organization to share stories that encourage more scientists and engineers to get involved in politics. Further, he serves on the organizing committee for Science Meets Parliament, a program run by the Canadian Science Policy Centre to facilitate discussions between researchers and elected officials in Canada. 

Gigi is a public servant passionate about serving local communities and building international co-operation. In 2024, Gigi co-founded a community centre offering programs for at-risk youth. Internationally, Gigi was a researcher at the Health Systems Trust (South Africa) and developed Digital Service Standards for the Municipality of Dhangadhi (Nepal). As the Value Management Lead for the Employment Insurance on Benefits Delivery Modernization Programme, Gigi supports the government in consistently delivering secure and accessible digital services.

Gigi was a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholar at the University of Toronto, and most recently was a youth delegate to RightsCon 2025 in Taiwan.

Rizwan is an educator and public servant with a strong background in teaching, leadership, and policy. He currently serves as a Senior Policy Advisor at the Ontario Ministry of Education, where he manages a portfolio of over $45 million and supports major initiatives that impact students across the province. Rizwan has taught in both Toronto and the United Arab Emirates, designing inclusive and culturally responsive programs for diverse learners. He also serves on international school accreditation teams. Rizwan has helped organize and raise funds for local and global causes through community events. He has been honoured with several awards, including the Patrick Solomon Memorial Award in Urban Diversity and the Governor General’s Bronze Academic Medal. 

Leif Douglass is currently working as a Policy Advisor with the BC Green Caucus on issues related to climate, energy, housing, and economic development. He is also completing a Master of Public Administration at the University of Victoria, where his thesis examines the public fiscal implications of decarbonization in BC, and more broadly, on how the current moment in the province’s political economy is shaped by its identity as a resource-extracting region. He holds a Graduate Certificate in Evaluation and brings experience in policy analysis, community engagement, and utilization-focused evaluation. 

Leif serves on the board of IPAC-Victoria, leading communications and organizing programming that connects and supports public servants. He is also a member of the UVic Coastal Climate Solutions Leaders program, an NSERC-funded initiative bringing together graduate students from diverse disciplines to advance applied climate solutions.  

Leif has worked in both municipal and provincial government, including roles with the City of Victoria and the BC Ministry of Forests. Prior to graduate school, he spent seven years as a campaign organizer with the Thompson Rivers University Students’ Union, advocating for policy change across all levels of government—experience that continues to shape his pragmatic, implementation-focused approach to public policy.  

Raised outside Lillooet in British Columbia’s south interior, Leif has a strong interest in rural public policy, climate action, and how governments can better engage communities in shaping their futures. 

Wilma Shim is a Commissioner with the Alberta Human Rights Commission and a sports law instructor in the Faculties of Law and Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. She holds an LLM in Sports Law (DMU) and a Juris Doctor from the University of Calgary. Called to the Bar in 2011, she previously worked for Alberta Justice as a Prosecutor and Barrister and Solicitor for 10 years. 

Wilma is a University of Calgary Senator, a Special Olympics volunteer and coach and a Board Director with Sport Calgary, Alberta Lawyers’ Assistance Society, Association of Women Lawyers and Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (Western). Recognized for her leadership and teaching excellence, Wilma is a Lexpert Rising Star, part of Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 under 40, a University of Calgary Teaching Award recipient and was inducted to the Order of the University of Calgary. She was appointed King’s Counsel in 2025.