Sonia Pacin
Ottawa,ON
Summary
Sonia is an experienced and creative professional with a passion for promoting environmental sustainability and raising awareness about climate change. With her extensive knowledge of climate change impacts, greenhouse gas (GHG) quantification and carbon trading systems, Sonia is proficient at analyzing the effectiveness of various projects, policies and programs in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resilience to future climate risks. She is a detailed and action-oriented individual who enjoys new challenges and working with diverse audiences and multi-disciplinary teams.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior GHG Policy Analyst/Acting Manager
Infrastructure Canada
Ottawa, ON
04.2020 - Current
- Manage the design and operation of the Climate Lens (an assessment of the GHG emissions and climate resilience of Canadian infrastructure) for various funding programs at Infrastructure Canada.
- Manage the new Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment for the department and provide technical advice on the environmental and climate impacts of all proposals.
- Review and validate Climate Lens assessments for various large infrastructure projects across Canada and complete quality assurance of all reporting data.
- Provide specific GHG quantification advice and develop technical guidance for various departmental funding programs across various sectors.
- Provide advice on the development of Infrastructure's Climate Toolkits.
- Meet regularly with consultants and stakeholders to discuss technical GHG and resiliency requirements and best practices.
- Demonstrate leadership by making improvements to work processes and helping to train other team members.
Director
Dolesa Eco-Learning Initiative
Ottawa, ON
09.2022 - Current
- Developed a non-profit to enhance environmental education and global community-building.
- Collaborating with stakeholders to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the educational sector and current environmental science curriculum in elementary schools in Canada and Europe.
- In process of developing a business plan and applications for funding.
- In process of developing all workshop materials including presentation templates and facilitator guidance documents.
- Pilot workshop to begin Spring 2024 between schools in Ottawa, Slovakia and Bermuda.
Program Analyst
Environment Canada, ECCC
Ottawa, ON
11.2018 - 04.2020
- Reviewed applications and GHG assessments for various Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Infrastructure Canada (INFC) funding programs such as the Low Carbon Economy fund, Carbon Action Incentive Fund (CAIF), Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) and the Disaster Mitigation Adaptation Fund (DMAF).
- Analyzed and provided recommendations into various areas of INFC's Climate Lens to drive improvements in process and quality of outcomes.
- Provided policy and program advice for the Carbon Action Incentive Fund.
- Provided technical GHG advice and developed GHG quantification guidance for various GHG funding programs at Environment Canada, Infrastructure Canada and the Canadian Infrastructure Bank.
- Assisted in the development of Offset system GHG protocols.
- Participated in multi-departmental and stakeholder meetings.
Assistant Education Director
Oxford Learning Centre
Ottawa, ON
01.2018 - 06.2018
- Directed and monitored instructional methods and content of Oxford's educational tutoring program.
- Conferred with parents and staff to discuss educational activities and policies.
- Monitored individual student progress and assisted students and tutors with resolving problems.
- Tutored students from pre-school to University and with special needs and learning disabilities on a variety of subjects.
- Recruited, trained and evaluated staff and recommended personnel for programs and services.
Owner, General Contractor
PHI General Contracting
Ottawa, ON
09.2010 - 11.2017
- Designed and managed renovations, house flips, and income suite conversions.
- Completed drywall work in new home sub-divisions for Mattamy, Minto, Richcraft, Glenview, Monarch and custom-built homes.
- Managed trades, demanding timelines, strict budgets, and quality control.
- Specialized in the use of healthy home and green building materials.
- Sub-contracted for Marel Construction Inc. and RONA.
Climate Change Specialist
Marbek-ICF
Ottawa, ON
01.2009 - 03.2010
- Developed climate change plans, GHG emission inventories and waste audits.
- Provided expertise on domestic and international climate change policies and GHG emission trading systems.
- Developed technical communication material for various government departments.
- Audited energy reduction projects for Natural Resources Canada residential energy efficiency program.
International GHG Project Analyst
Natsource
Ottawa, ON
06.2008 - 01.2009
- Analyzed projects under the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol for their risk of credit delivery using Natsource's proprietary Delivery Risk Model and advised on their purchase.
- Analyzed international climate change policies and emission trading systems and provided regular updates to senior management.
- Participated in international, multi-stakeholder GHG policy meetings.
Program Officer
Environment Canada
Ottawa, ON
09.2007 - 06.2008
- Provided advice on the design and operation of Canada's GHG Offset System and Emission Trading Regulatory Program.
- Developed various program application guidance and technical offset system greenhouse gas protocols.
- Collaborated with a variety of stakeholders and experts on the parameters and delivery of the Offset System program.
Environmental Policy Analyst
Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada
Ottawa, ON
12.2006 - 09.2007
- Developed briefings for senior management on climate related impacts on agriculture.
- Researched and presented on international climate change policies.
- Assisted in the development of Memorandum to Cabinet, Treasury Board Submissions and Ministerial communications.
- Participated in multi-departmental teams in the development of Offset System Protocols related to agricultural projects and carbon sequestration.
Program Officer/Acting Manager
Environment Canada
Ottawa, ON
05.2004 - 01.2007
- Managed the operation of the Pilot Emission Removals, Reductions & Learnings Initiative (PERRL).
- Led multi-disciplinary working groups to assess GHG reduction projects with respect to specific PERRL criteria and industry standards.
- Executed and tracked progress of all contribution agreements with PERRL Applicants.
- Provided continuous evaluation of program operations as compared with established mission and set parameters and provided briefings to senior management.
- Assisted applicants and stakeholders with program applications and reporting requirements.
Education
Bachelor of Arts (Honors) - Forensic Psychology
Carleton University
Ottawa, ON04.2025
Master of Science - Environmental Studies
Carleton University
Ottawa, ON01.2006
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB01.2002
Skills
- GHG Quantification and Validation
- Technical Guidance Development
- Climate Change Education and Training
- Program Efficiency and Outcomes
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Microsoft Office 2020
Volunteer Experience
- Co-Chair, Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee, City of Ottawa (2018-2023)
- Member, Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women (2015 - present)
- Member, Shine the Light Campaign (2015 - 2017)
Publications
- Government of Canada, Infrastructure Canada. 2024. The Greenhouse Gas Guidance Modules, New Buildings v1.0.
- Government of Canada, Infrastructure Canada. 2024. The Greenhouse Gas Guidance Modules, New Mobile Fleets v1.0.
- Government of Canada, Infrastructure Canada. 2024. The Greenhouse Gas Guidance Modules, Green Retrofits v1.0.
- Government of Canada, Infrastructure Canada. 2023. The Greenhouse Gas Plus Guidance Modules, Zero Emission Buses v1.0.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Director
Dolesa Eco-Learning Initiative
09.2022 - Current
Senior GHG Policy Analyst/Acting Manager
Infrastructure Canada
04.2020 - Current
Program Analyst
Environment Canada, ECCC
11.2018 - 04.2020
Assistant Education Director
Oxford Learning Centre
01.2018 - 06.2018
Owner, General Contractor
PHI General Contracting
09.2010 - 11.2017
Climate Change Specialist
Marbek-ICF
01.2009 - 03.2010
International GHG Project Analyst
Natsource
06.2008 - 01.2009
Program Officer
Environment Canada
09.2007 - 06.2008
Environmental Policy Analyst
Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada
12.2006 - 09.2007
Program Officer/Acting Manager
Environment Canada
05.2004 - 01.2007
Bachelor of Arts (Honors) - Forensic Psychology
Carleton University
Master of Science - Environmental Studies
Carleton University
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science
University of Manitoba
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