NICOLE MCDONALD
Oxford Station,ON
Summary
Dedicated executive who creates strategic alliances with organization leaders to effectively align with and support key business initiatives. Committed to developing cultures that enable mission critical results. Over 17years' experience analyzing and mitigating oil and gas environmental issues including authoring sections of environmental impact assessments as well as providing strategic direction and performance monitoring for the delivery of clean technology research and development. Has extensive knowledge and experience working with a variety of stakeholders, with diverse and conflicting interests and ability to effectively communicate scientific technical information to non-technical audiences.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Analytics
Energy And Natural Resources Canada
05.2022 - Current
- Responsible for providing energy and resources systems analysis for all provinces and territories regional tables, including regionally focused supply chain, geospatial, macro and financial modelling and integrated systems analysis to support the development of labour market plans and a regional economic placed based strategy
- In addition, working across government to implement an energy and resource list of regional significant projects with evaluation framework.
Director, Special Projects
Natural Resources Canada
07.2020 - 05.2022
- Responsible for the design and delivery of the ($675M) Emissions Reduction Fund- Onshore Program aimed at reducing methane emissions in the conventional oil and gas sector
- Collaborated with Alberta Government to align methane program design, timing, and implementation to maximize results and streamline process for companies
- Resulted in over 5 MT of emissions reduced with very low costs per ton
- Over 90% of projects were incremental to the current methane regulations
- ERF data and learnings informed strengthened methane and VOC regulations
- Improved emissions inventories through third-party verification through continuous metering and reporting
Director, Research and Development
Natural Resources Canada
09.2016 - 08.2020
- Science and Technology (EX-01) / Office of Energy Research and Development, Natural Resources Canada, Responsible for strategic alignment and delivery of clean tech investments through various programs (Program for Energy Research and Development; Energy Innovation Program, OIl and Gas Clean Technology Program, Clean Growth Program, Breakthrough Energy Program) in core research, applied research and demonstrations to support the Government of Canada clean energy transition
- Additionally provided oversight to the Clean Air Energy Research Team responsible for emissions measurement, speciation and mitigation in Canada and Globally
- Technical and policy leadership for oil and gas and CCUS programs including 20+ FTE located in Ottawa; Budget 500+M
- Collaborating across sectors designed and developed the cross-sectoral (forestry, mining and energy) Clean Growth Program
- Designed and implemented Natural Resources Canada's trusted partnerships MOUs with other program delivery agents across Canada to leverage expertise and funding and provide a streamlined experience for applicants
- Working collaboratively across sectors, implemented first of kind integrated IT CRM solution for intake and managing client and project information and evaluation
- Hosted several domestic and international workshops to develop a strategic approach to emission reduction in the oil and gas sector.
Acting Director General
Natural Resources Canada
04.2015 - 04.2016
- General (EX-03, Provide leadership for the Devon-based components of the Innovation and Energy Technology sector within Natural Resources Canada
- This includes the provision of national leadership, planning, direction and delivery for the research and development and commercialization of technologies, which contribute to sustainable energy development and use
- Work with and through, a broad network of partners and stakeholders, to achieve measurable environmental economic and social impacts
- Technical leadership in Fossil Fuels Portfolio for 120 FTE located in CE-Devon; Budget 19+M
- Successful development and approvals of the Fossil Fuel National Programs Strategic Plan and execution of Portfolio Budget Allocation (2015) Resulting in of $40M of projects in 5 Portfolio areas
- Despite low oil prices was able to attract of $7M netted vote revenue (NVR) of project work to leverage government funds
- Launched a transformative culture change initiative increasing staff morale and engagement
- Spearheaded the development of a new step program for engineering technologist groups that allows automatic promotion when core competencies and skill proficiencies of the various levels are met
- Created new revenue streams through the development and negotiation of MOU and implementing agreements of national oil sands programs with Alberta provincial innovation agency
Senior Director
Natural Resources Canada
04.2010 - 04.2015
- Accountable for the planning, conception and leadership of all operational activities necessary for the efficient and effective delivery of CanmetENERGY Devon's national science and technology programs in oil and gas including: ensuring capacity, safety, security and quality of S&T facilities to meet client/stakeholder expectations on scientific outputs; leading the research program and service delivery functions of pilot plants and standard analytical services for major Oil and Gas companies, technology developers and government R&D programs; directing work of 65+ senior and junior engineering, scientific, technical, professional, IT and administration staff and a budget of ($19M+)
- Federal executive Champion for the Alberta-Canada Oil Sands Collaboratory Steering Committee helping drive results for better coordination/collaboration of resources/projects between the two Governments to achieve common public sector goals in oil sands development
- Implemented two new pilot plant facilities; the novel Japanese JGC-JOGMEC supercritical water partial upgrading technology and a wave tank for research on spill response of dilbit and other products in a marine setting
- Increased revenue contracts with industry 18.25% from previous FY to address funding pressures and increased industry collaborations
- Developed new business processes tools that allowed for more efficient capacity planning of pilot plant, analytical and human resources to meet increasing demand for R&D services
- Implemented a major reorganization of CanmetENERGY-Devon for maximum efficiency and effectiveness to align with transformative research and development changes.
Wildlife Ecologist
Golder Associates Ltd
01.2000 - 01.2005
- And lead author for several large oil sands, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) including: managing budgets, designing baseline and monitoring studies, developing teams and conducting field work, insuring health and safety of staff, liaising with other component leads for an integrated approach to mitigation measures, preparing supplemental responses and preparing for hearings
- Manager for the Aquatics group (2005); 25 senior and junior professional employees, and integrating the group (formerly RL&L; a small fisheries business) with Golder culture
- Authored the wildlife and/or biodiversity sections for the following EIA's: MEG Energy, Christina Lake; Muskeg River Mine Expansion; Suncor Energy Voyageur; Suncor Firebag; Shell Jackpine Mine; CNRL Horizon; Petro Canada Meadow Creek; Rio Alto Kirby
- Designed, developed and conducted the first Canadian toad telemetry research project on Suncor's reclaimed Tar Island Dyke (Tailings Pond 1A)
- Developed a new Canadian toad habitat suitability model based on hibernating soil preferences which was adopted and set as the industry standard for all future EIA's
- Successfully established the first remote camera monitoring program to assess wildlife corridors and pipeline crossing structures, which resulted in the confirmation of active caribou habitat and the establishment of a caribou monitoring program at Suncor's Firebag site.
Education
MBA - Natural Resources, Energy And Environment
2012
Natural Resources, Energy and Environment
Bachelor of Science - Environmental and Conservation Sciences
1997
Skills
- Systems Thinker
- Strategic Planning
- Innovative and Visionary
- Project Management
- People and Culture
- Risk and Mitigation Analysis
- Results Orientation
- Budgeting and Forecasting
- Analytical and Critical Thinker
- Teamwork and Collaboration
Accomplishments
- Program Design: Development of innovative programs using best practices and new approaches to align R&D goals with government environmental policy
- Strategic Partnerships: Increased the financial leverage and cooperation on key clean technology priorities between the Federal government and other funders through creation a collaborative Trusted Partnership MOU and implementation agreements
- Operations Management: Managed and accelerated the successful implementation and execution of several infrastructure improvement projects worth $4.5M, one year ahead of initially planned schedule
- Staff Development: Launched well-received culture mapping and change process resulting in an increase of staff morale and team work. Spearheaded the Future of Work Task Team to support hybrid work environment
- Financial Management: Proven results of balancing the budgets consistently year to year and finding efficiencies to help with departmental and sector pressures.
Languages
French
Professional Working
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Director, Analytics - Energy And Natural Resources Canada
05.2022 - Current
Director, Special Projects - Natural Resources Canada
07.2020 - 05.2022
Director, Research and Development - Natural Resources Canada
09.2016 - 08.2020
Acting Director General - Natural Resources Canada
04.2015 - 04.2016
Senior Director - Natural Resources Canada
04.2010 - 04.2015
Wildlife Ecologist - Golder Associates Ltd
01.2000 - 01.2005
University of Alberta - MBA, Natural Resources, Energy And Environment
University of Alberta - Bachelor of Science, Environmental and Conservation Sciences
Awards
(2018) Departmental Achievement Award for your outstanding contribution to the project: Clean Growth Program /Integro Team – Program Excellence
Development of CanmetENERGY renewal Value Propositions.
(2010) Recognition Award Energy Sector, Natural Resources Canada. In recognition of dedication and exceptional
Achievements in Collaboration.
(2009) Recognition Award Innovation and Energy Technology Sector, Natural Resources Canada.
In recognition of dedication and exceptional achievements Collaboration
Employee Campaign Chair of the Year, Public Sector, United Way Sprit Award Finalist. (2006)
Awards
(2018) Departmental Achievement Award for your outstanding contribution to the project: Clean Growth Program /Integro Team – Program Excellence
Development of CanmetENERGY renewal Value Propositions.
(2010) Recognition Award Energy Sector, Natural Resources Canada. In recognition of dedication and exceptional
Achievements in Collaboration.
(2009) Recognition Award Innovation and Energy Technology Sector, Natural Resources Canada.
In recognition of dedication and exceptional achievements Collaboration
Employee Campaign Chair of the Year, Public Sector, United Way Sprit Award Finalist. (2006)
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