Andrea Orellana
Victoria,BC, Canada
Summary
Dynamic, collaborative, and solutions-driven engineer with a passion for shaping data-driven strategies to reduce environmental impact. A holistic systems thinker with over 14 years of experience in greenhouse gas emissions accounting, sustainability reporting, life cycle assessment, energy systems, climate action policy and industrial decarbonization. I enjoy bringing bright people together, solving problems creatively, driving clarity and fostering innovation through governance, all in service of environmental innovation
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Sustainability Methodologies Governance
Microsoft
Victoria, BC, Canada
10.2023 - 07.2025
- Directed governance of environmental sustainability methodologies and frameworks at Microsoft.
- Facilitated annual integration of new methodologies into corporate reporting processes.
- Cultivated cross-functional partnerships to ensure accuracy in carbon, waste, water, and ecosystems disclosures.
- Enabled innovative measurement of actionable environmental impacts through collaboration.
Director, New Sustainability Initiatives
Microsoft, CELA Environmental Sustainability
Victoria, BC, Canada
01.2023 - 10.2023
- Represented Microsoft in global sustainability initiatives to enhance understanding of ecological impacts.
- Advanced mission of Carbon Call by promoting reliable and interoperable carbon accounting.
- Partnered with business leaders, academia, and NGOs to advocate for corporate carbon accounting interoperability.
Unit Head, Emissions Mitigation
BC Government, Climate Action Secretariat
Victoria, BC, Canada
06.2019 - 01.2023
- Spearheaded design and implementation of industrial climate policy and emission reduction programs.
- Administered BC’s Carbon Offset Program, creating protocols for forest carbon offsets, organic methane management, and carbon capture and storage.
- Led technical benchmarking for the CleanBC Industrial Incentive Program, allocating over $200M in annual incentives to reduce the emission intensity of BC's industrial facilities.
- Analyzed greenhouse gas data from industrial emitters, advising decision-makers on effective long-term emissions reduction strategies.
- Planned major adaptations to climate legislation and regulations, influencing policy evolution and methodologies.
Senior Policy Analyst
BC Government, Climate Action Secretariat
Victoria, BC, Canada
11.2017 - 06.2019
- Developed and implemented strategic policies for reporting and reducing industrial greenhouse gas emissions in BC.
- Designed benchmarking approach and technical implementation for CleanBC Industrial Incentive Program targeting large industrial emitters.
- Championed creation of agile team to transform BC’s Industrial GHG reporting and analytics system, enhancing and democratizing data access.
- Led policy development and administration of BC’s Carbon Offset Program, ensuring program efficiency.
Industrial Decarbonization Engineer
Government of Alberta, Climate Change Office
Edmonton, AB, Canada
08.2016 - 11.2017
- Delivered policy and technical expertise on greenhouse gas reduction, focusing on quantification and verification of industrial carbon emissions.
- Developed technical requirements for Oil Sands Emissions Limit Legislation to enhance compliance.
- Engineered output-based allocations for energy sector, establishing carbon intensity benchmarks.
- Provided technical guidance for implementation of Alberta's Industrial Carbon Pricing System announced in 2018.
Energy and Climate Change Researcher
Canadian Energy Research Institute
Calgary, AB, Canada
11.2015 - 08.2016
- Conducted life cycle assessments and economic modeling to report on energy, environment, and climate change linkages in Canada.
- Analyzed carbon footprints of over 30 unconventional crude oils, assessing supply chain variability and correlations with oil characteristics.
- Forecasted market access challenges for Canadian energy exports, detailing potential producer netbacks for short- and long-term scenarios.
Technical Consultant
EY, Climate Change & Sustainability Services
Calgary, AB, Canada
01.2015 - 11.2015
- Delivered assurance and advisory services in sustainability, climate change, and ESG strategies.
- Developed emissions inventories and conducted greenhouse gas verifications per ISO14064 for various industrial producers.
- Advised large organizations on sustainability reporting and decarbonization strategies aligned with GHG Protocol.
- Executed verification of sustainability reports according to Global Reporting Initiative standards.
Researcher, LCA of New Technologies Group
University of Calgary, Schulich School of Engineering
Calgary, AB, Canada
11.2012 - 11.2015
- Conducted analysis on variability and uncertainty of Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) for greenhouse gas emissions from unconventional energy resources across supply chains.
- Developed LCAs of carbon intensity for unconventional oil, utilizing engineering-based integrated models.
- Performed Monte Carlo simulations to evaluate range and distribution of variability in life cycle emission intensities of crude oil products.
- Collaborated with Stanford University researchers and California Air Resources Board to enhance Canadian crude model for California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
- Served as university delegate at 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany.
Process Engineer
PDVSA Petróleos de Venezuela S.A.
Orinoco Oil Belt, Venezuela
01.2011 - 08.2012
- Conducted process simulation, technical research, and engineering design for Venezuela’s oil corporation.
- Researched the anaerobic biodegradation of oil by microorganisms for in-situ heavy oil upgrading.
- Engineered design and planning for two major oil pipeline projects exceeding 100 kilometers.
- Completed rotation as trainee across upstream, midstream, and downstream operations in Orinoco oil belt.
Research & Developement Engineer
Empresas Polar
Caracas, Venezuela
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Monitored and optimized manufacturing processes at Polar Technology Center for a leading brewery in Venezuela to ensure operational excellence.
- Executed biotechnology assays for allergen detection in food products, ensuring compliance with safety standards.
- Conducted sensory analysis and statistical assessment of beer's quality, along with the company's brewmasters
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Intern
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
Barcelona , Spain
01.2009 - 08.2009
- Implemented Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Exergy Analysis as tools for evaluating the environmental impact of industrial thermodynamic processes
- Contributed to the software development of the CICLOPE v3.0 tool for life cycle assessment of products
- Established a methodology for analyzing and improving the efficiency of chemical and thermal processes
Education
Master of Science - Chemical Eng. - Energy & Environmental Systems
University of Calgary
Calgary, AB, Canada11-2015
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
Universidad Simón Bolívar
Caracas, Venezuela02-2010
Skills
- Systems-thinking
- Cross-functional leadership without authority
- Strategic planning
- Communications & Stakeholder Management
- Creativity & Innovation
- Governance & Compliance
- Financial & Business Acumen
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
References
- Melanie Nakagawa - Chief Sustainability Officer, Microsoft
- Natalia Carvajal-Vanegas - GM Commitments & Operations, Microsoft's CELA Environmental Sustainability
- Ally Wilson - Sr. Director Sustainability Operations, Microsoft's CELA Environmental Sustainability (Retired)
Timeline
Director, Sustainability Methodologies Governance
Microsoft
10.2023 - 07.2025
Director, New Sustainability Initiatives
Microsoft, CELA Environmental Sustainability
01.2023 - 10.2023
Unit Head, Emissions Mitigation
BC Government, Climate Action Secretariat
06.2019 - 01.2023
Senior Policy Analyst
BC Government, Climate Action Secretariat
11.2017 - 06.2019
Industrial Decarbonization Engineer
Government of Alberta, Climate Change Office
08.2016 - 11.2017
Energy and Climate Change Researcher
Canadian Energy Research Institute
11.2015 - 08.2016
Technical Consultant
EY, Climate Change & Sustainability Services
01.2015 - 11.2015
Researcher, LCA of New Technologies Group
University of Calgary, Schulich School of Engineering
11.2012 - 11.2015
Process Engineer
PDVSA Petróleos de Venezuela S.A.
01.2011 - 08.2012
Research & Developement Engineer
Empresas Polar
01.2010 - 01.2011
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Intern
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
01.2009 - 08.2009
Master of Science - Chemical Eng. - Energy & Environmental Systems
University of Calgary
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
Universidad Simón Bolívar
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