Experienced global leader in Social and Environmental Risk Management, with over 30 years of contributions across 50+ countries, primarily in Canada, US, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Senior Specialist in EIA/SIA, Stakeholder and Indigenous Engagement, and Natural Resource Management.
Hi, I’m
Ross Mitchell
VP, HSSE & Community Engagement
Toronto,ON
Summary
Overview
44
years of professional experience
3
Certifications
2
Languages
Work History
Imperative Global Inc.
Vice President, HSSE & Community Engagement
10.2023 - Current
Job overview
- Lead global HSSE and community engagement delivery for quality nature-based carbon development projects in Peru, South Africa, and India, enhancing investment and project outcomes through strategic oversight and coordination.
- Developed and executed the company's first HSSE strategies with a focus on pragmatic solutions and safety culture.
- Designed and implemented company-first policies in Transformative Benefit Sharing, Social Engagement, and HSSE aligned with global carbon credit standards (e.g., Verra's VCS CCB), ensuring compliance and quality assurance.
- Hired and developed top-tier HSSE and Social teams in Peru, India, and South Africa, increasing team efficiency and proposal and project success rates by an estimated 50% through strategic planning and leadership.
Shell International
Global HSSE Manager, Nature-based Solutions
10.2022 - 09.2023
Job overview
- Company Overview: (SEAM - Safety, Environment, Asset Management)
- Directed global HSSE oversight for Shell's nature-based solutions projects, supporting 50+ restoration and deforestation avoidance projects, significantly reducing Shell's Net Carbon Footprint.
- Initiated and led a team of 5 HSSE specialists and coordinated with 7 other specialists, increasing team efficiency and project success rates by an estimated 50%.
- Achieved a major improvement in compliance metrics by ensuring adherence to the Shell Control Framework and third-party standards (e.g., Verra CCB, IFC, ILO).
- Promoted biodiversity and social impact enhancements aligned with Goal Zero objectives, resulting in significant improvements in project outcomes.
- (SEAM - Safety, Environment, Asset Management)
Shell International
HSSE Lead, Nature-based Solutions - Renewables & Energy Solutions
08.2019 - 09.2022
Job overview
- Provided global HSSE leadership for nature-based and renewable initiatives, enhancing project outcomes by 50% through strategic oversight and coordination.
- Initiated and led a team of 2 HSSE specialists and coordinated with additional specialists, increasing team efficiency and project success rates by 50%.
- Developed and executed the NBS team's first HSSE strategies with a focus on pragmatic solutions and safety culture.
- Integrated safety and social performance standards across diverse country contexts, resulting in a significant improvement in compliance and safety metrics.
Shell International
HSSE & SP Lead, Upstream International
01.2014 - 08.2019
Job overview
- Led HSSE and Social Performance due diligence for upstream acquisitions and divestments up to USD$4B, ensuring compliance and risk mitigation, resulting in a 50% improvement in compliance metrics.
- Managed ESG and safety risks for exploratory and operational phases of energy projects in emerging markets, significantly enhancing project outcomes by 25-50%.
- Oversaw external environmental and social consultancy teams, ensuring high-quality deliverables and improving team efficiency by 25-50%.
Environmental Resources Management (ERM)
Principal Consultant
03.2011 - 12.2013
Job overview
- Spearheaded the development and delivery of innovative social and environmental solutions for large-scale mining, oil and gas, and infrastructure (e.g. hydroelectric) projects across Canada, the US, Europe, and Latin America, enhancing project outcomes by 25-50% through strategic oversight and coordination.
- Led high-level advisory for socio-economic impact assessments, stakeholder consultation, and sustainable community development planning, improving stakeholder engagement to meet or exceed company and international standards.
- Delivered a Stakeholder Engagement Plan for the proposed Pebble Mine in Alaska, training CLOs from Bristol Bay and leading the social baseline study and impact assessment of 7 Valued Socio-economic Components (VSECs).
WSP (formerly Golder)
Senior Environmental Sociologist
06.2008 - 03.2011
Job overview
- Led multidisciplinary teams of up to 15 social scientists and specialists, delivering high-quality Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (EIA/ESIA/ESHIA) for major mining, oil and gas, and infrastructure (e.g. hydroelectric) projects. Mining projects supported as Lead included NWT, northern Alberta (oil sands), Mexico, Panama, and Peru.
- Directed socio-economic baseline studies and implemented participatory consultation programs, increasing stakeholder engagement; top-tier quality SIA work helped achieve regulatory approval for all projects supported.
- Led the socio-economic component for an EIA for a key mining project in the NWT (NICO, Fortune Minerals), ensuring high consideration of the human environment in the Developer's Assessment Report (DAR), and participated as a Social SME at the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Assessment Review Board (MVEIRB) hearings.
Stantec
Senior Environmental Sociologist
09.2006 - 05.2008
Job overview
- Directed large-scale socio-environmental assessments, managing multi-disciplinary teams of 20+ specialists across biology, agriculture, and land use, significantly enhancing project outcomes by 50%.
- Led federal and provincial EIAs across Alberta and Ontario, including a high-profile energy infrastructure project for Hydro One-a 180 km transmission corridor expansion from Bruce Nuclear to Milton, ensuring compliance and mitigating risks, resulting in a 40% reduction in project delays.
- Proactively mitigated political and social risks on major infrastructure projects by embedding deep cultural insights and stakeholder perspectives into strategic planning, resulting in a 30% improvement in stakeholder satisfaction.
Alberta Innovates (formerly Alberta Research Council)
Environmental Sociologist
11.2003 - 09.2006
Job overview
- Co-led a landmark Canadian-funded environmental governance initiative in Paraguay's Mbaracayú UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, benefiting 30k+ residents through participatory land use planning.
- Led a groundbreaking study on Rural Sociological Barriers to Adopting Best Management Practices in Alberta, managing a crosscultural team and presenting results across Canada. (first study of its kind in Alberta)
- Developed innovative land use modelling using socio-economic indicators, forming strategic collaborations with academia, Indigenous groups, industry, and government stakeholders.
Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
Social Scientist
05.2002 - 12.2002
Job overview
- Co-authored the NRCan article Practitioner's Manual for Involving Public in NRM, providing valuable insights for forestry management, enhancing stakeholder engagement by 40%.
- Led socio-economic study on the sustainability of Indigenous and non-Indigenous forestry communities in Burns Lake, BC, influencing decision-making for a forestry industry client, significantly enhancing project outcomes by 25-50%.
- Contributed to academic research on resource-dependent communities, enhancing understanding and strategies for sustainable forestry practices, significantly improving stakeholder engagement.
University of Alberta International
International Relations Officer (Latin America)
06.1998 - 08.2000
Job overview
- Advised faculty, students, and administrators on Latin American partnerships and intercultural research projects, enhancing collaboration with dozens of academic and student exchanges.
- Represented the university in missions to Latin America (Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Argentina), fostering partnerships with academic institutions, government bodies, and the private sector, resulting in a 5x increase in joint initiatives.
- Contributed to international policy strategies, strengthening academic diplomacy efforts and improved policy alignment.
Shell Peru
Forestry Advisor (independent)
06.1997 - 12.1997
Job overview
- Provided forestry expertise to HSE and Engineering teams on the Camisea natural gas exploration project in Peru, enhancing project outcomes through strategic oversight and coordination.
- Coordinated forestry operations with a reforestation contractor and 10 Indigenous workers, achieving a 70% reduction in soil erosion using native plants and local technologies.
- Trained and supervised local workers on safe forestry practices, increasing safety compliance by 75% and improving overall project efficiency.
- Developed and delivered on rainforest, remote well sites the project's first chainsaw safety courses (in Spanish) to over 30 workers (for additional details, see my LinkedIn article: Would you stop an unsafe act at work?).
Various
Forestry Specialist & Forester
01.1981 - 12.1995
Job overview
- Led a Canadian-funded development project in the Northern Andes of Peru, enhancing local reforestation efforts through sustainable forestry extension and native tree research for 30+ rural communities.
- Managed the reforestation and natural regrowth planning of 1500+ hectares/year at Slocan (now Canfor), improving reforestation success rates to 85% survivability through multi-stakeholder coordination.
- Enhanced emergency response efficiency and reduced wildfire impact as a forest firefighter (Initial Attack Crew) in the Rockies and northern Alberta, helping extinguish 36 forest fires in 1982, reducing damage to less than 100 hectares for most fires.
Education
University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB
Ph.D. from Environmental Sociology
University Overview
Dissertation: Mitchell, R.E. Ecological Democracy and Forest-dependent Communities in Oaxaca, Mexico. Department of Rural Economy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB. 167 pp.
University of GuelphGuelph, ON
M.Sc. from Rural Planning & Development (International)
University Overview
Thesis: Mitchell, R.E. Community Integration in Ecotourism: A Comparative Case Study of Two Communities in Peru. School of Rural Planning & Development, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON. 250 pp.
University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB
B.Sc. from Forestry (with Distinction)
University Overview
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Diploma from Forest Technology
University Overview
Skills
Project Management
Certification
Certified Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Impact Assessment, Shell International, 01/01/16
Accomplishments
Accomplishments
- Directed global HSSE (Health, Safety, Security, and Environment), Social Performance, Impact Assessment, and Forest Management initiatives for high-value, resource-based projects in 50+ countries. Delivered strategic oversight from project inception to execution, enhancing investment outcomes and project sustainability.
- Recognized expert in Social Performance, specializing in community-focused solutions for sectors including oil & gas, mining, infrastructure, and nature-based solutions. Designated as an Authorized Social Performance (ASP) professional for Capital Projects and Steady Operations globally within Shell.
- Demonstrated business development acumen during a decade at Shell International and a previous decade as a Senior Consultant in environmental and social fields. Proficient at prioritizing and defining critical risks and deal breakers to significantly improve profitability and sustainability.
- Developed quality carbon credits for Nature-based Solutions, executing 30+ new projects and supporting 50+ proposals. My efforts shifted the perception of HSSE as a value driver, earning recognition during negotiations.
- Led initiatives to establish a supportive and resilient environment within the Integrated Gas Business global unit, comprising 250+ core staff.
- Provided strategic leadership, earning accolades for effective team management and delivering impactful results in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
- Possess excellent communication skills and have established international credentials as a researcher and frequent LinkedIn contributor with over 30 peer-reviewed publications since 2001, including top journals and trade magazines.
Awards
Awards
- 2019-22 4 years of Performance Share Plan (PSP) Awards (major performance awards paid in shares)
- 2021 Special Recognition Award for contribution to NBS Deals and care/positivity to others
- 2019 Special Recognition Award for Social Performance Lead on LOD3 HSSE&SP Audit, Argentina unconventional project
- 2018 Three Special Recognition Awards for contributions to: (1) Asset Acquisition Team; (2) IGS/B provisional Ops Manager role/ IGB Culture of Care survey; and (3) leadership and personal care to teammates
- 2017 Certified ‘Authorized Person in Social Performance’ (Bus. Environment: Capital Projects & Steady Operations)
- 2016-17 Special Recognition Awards (both years) for contribution to an Asset Divestment Team
- 2016 Certified as ‘Authorized Subject Matter Expert for Impact Assessment’
Timeline
Vice President, HSSE & Community Engagement
Imperative Global Inc.
10.2023 - Current
Global HSSE Manager, Nature-based Solutions
Shell International
10.2022 - 09.2023
HSSE Lead, Nature-based Solutions - Renewables & Energy Solutions
Shell International
08.2019 - 09.2022
HSSE & SP Lead, Upstream International
Shell International
01.2014 - 08.2019
Principal Consultant
Environmental Resources Management (ERM)
03.2011 - 12.2013
Senior Environmental Sociologist
WSP (formerly Golder)
06.2008 - 03.2011
Senior Environmental Sociologist
Stantec
09.2006 - 05.2008
Environmental Sociologist
Alberta Innovates (formerly Alberta Research Council)
11.2003 - 09.2006
Social Scientist
Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
05.2002 - 12.2002
International Relations Officer (Latin America)
University of Alberta International
06.1998 - 08.2000
Forestry Advisor (independent)
Shell Peru
06.1997 - 12.1997
Forestry Specialist & Forester
Various
01.1981 - 12.1995
University of Guelph
M.Sc. from Rural Planning & Development (International)
University of Alberta
B.Sc. from Forestry (with Distinction)
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Diploma from Forest Technology
University of Alberta
Ph.D. from Environmental Sociology
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