2025 Value of Biogas East Conference Speakers

Jessica Akande, Senior Program Advisor (Canadian Water Network (CWN))

Biography: Jessica Akande is a Senior Program Advisor at the Canadian Water Network (CWN). She joined CWN in November 2022, bringing her extensive expertise in climate change and conservation biology to the team.

In her role, Jessica leads and implements various initiatives supporting the Canadian Municipal Water Consortium and other CWN programs. This includes designing and facilitating workshops, meetings, and webinars on topics relevant to senior water utility leaders, with a focus on climate and communities. Jessica is passionate about facilitating conversations between municipalities and utilities to address pressing water-related challenges and believes in the power of collaboration to generate valuable insights and drive community-level changes. Currently, she is a member of the Net-Zero Water project team at Canadian Water Network.

Before joining CWN, Jessica worked as a climate science coordinator at the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), where she organized climate change symposiums and conducted policy reviews. She holds a PhD in conservation biology from the University of Alberta, and both a master’s and bachelor’s degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Tulane University in New Orleans.

Amir Akbari, CEO (Anessa)

Biography: Amir Akbari, P.Eng., is a visionary leader in the biogas and renewable natural gas (RNG) industry with over 15 years of experience in mechanical engineering and power generation. As CEO of Anessa, Amir has successfully steered the company from R&D to commercialization since 2015, establishing it as a global leader in biogas solutions. Amir’s innovative integration of AI and digital tools has positioned Anessa as a market leader locally and in regions like France and the UK, enabling biogas projects to reduce risks and operate efficiently.

Elliot Anise-Hicks, Chief Technology Officer (Oberon Fuels)

Biography: Elliot Anise-Hicks is Chief Technology Officer & Co-Founder of Oberon Fuels, where he leads development of their renewable DME production platform. Focusing on modular construction and a standardized core design, the Oberon team, led by Elliot, is deploying projects that meet the challenge of delivering low-carbon fuel for the energy transition.
Elliot’s passion for technology was reinforced early on at MIT where he raced with the Solar Electric Vehicle Team in the 1994 Tour de Sol. Elliot has been a founding member and worked in leadership positions in several emerging technology companies covering a broad range of industries, including LEDs, solar cells, online media and software consulting. As a founder of Quanlight, he worked on novel material systems for high performance red LEDs and full- spectrum solar cells. At Oberon, Elliot has led the team from bench scale proof of concept through design, deployment, and operation of a 1.5 million gallon per year renewable DME commercial plant. His team is also developing a first-of-its-kind reactor that converts renewable DME into clean hydrogen.
With a lifelong interest in resource efficiency, alternative energy, and transportation technology, Elliot has a broad understanding of the energy transition space and a passion for bringing novel solutions to market.

Jason Bridges, General Manager (Terravest Renewables)

Biography: Jason Bridges is the General Manager of Terravest Renewables, experts in designing and fabricating modular RNG upgrading systems with a focus on safety, reliability and value. Since founding Terravest Renewables in 2020, Jason focusses on supporting renewable energy growth while diversifying the industries served by TerraVest Industries’ 35+ market-leading fabrication facilities across North America.

Jason became involved in biogas as a commissioning engineer shortly after receiving a B.ASc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of British Columbia. He had boots on the ground to personally support the commissioning of the first AD facilities to successfully inject RNG into the natural gas grids in USA, Canada, and Switzerland, and some of the largest landfill gas upgrading facilities operating today. As the RNG market established a commercial support in North America, Jason took a 10-year step away to the upstream natural gas industry. While living in Fort St. John, BC he supported multiple facilities responsible for the production of 1.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas. In that time, he retrained as a Process Engineer and became a subject matter expert in the safe, efficient, and reliable gas processing. Terravest Renewables combines Jason’s career passions: supporting renewable energy development and ensuring safe facilities and reliable investment return through thorough evaluation of facility lifecycle cost-benefit analysis.

Linda Campbell, Manager of Energy Initiatives (City of Hamilton)

Biography: Linda Campbell is the Manager of Energy Initiatives for the City of Hamilton and the Vice President of Operations for Hamilton Renewable Power Inc. With over 11 years of experience at the City of Hamilton, Linda plays a key role in shaping the city's energy strategy. She works closely with her team to develop unique supply arrangements that directly impact utility costs and consumption across the city. Additionally, she leads sustainable energy projects that contribute both to the City's environmental goals and to broader community well-being.

Linda’s career began in accounting, but over the course of 30 years, she transitioned into the energy sector, holding various roles with energy-focused firms in the private sector. She is certified in Commodities Fundamentals and holds the Facilities Management Professional (FMP) designation, underscoring her expertise in both energy management and facilities operations.

Linda's career reflects her dedication to driving innovative, sustainable solutions in the energy field, and her leadership continues to have a significant impact on both the City of Hamilton and the environment.

Jess Cassidy, Director of Clean Energy and Life Cycle Assessment (SCV Consulting Ltd.)

Biography: Jess Cassidy is the Director of Clean Energy and Life Cycle Assessment at SCV Consulting Ltd. and a well-known expert on the CFR. Driven by a passion for alternative energy and helping clients maximize financial incentives, Jess is a trusted advisor in strategic consulting, carbon intensity modeling, regulatory reporting, and accredited verification services. Jess provides support to clients across oil and gas, biogas/RNG, low-carbon fuels, EV charging, hydrogen, and project aggregation, helping them navigate complex regulations and optimize clean energy initiatives. With a proven track record, Jess aims to empower businesses of all sizes to achieve sustainability and compliance success.

Danielle Connell, Business Development Manager (ResearchNB)

Biography: Danielle has been working in the local research and business development ecosystem for 16 years. When she's not busy being a commercial sheep farmer and abattoir operator, she’s managing ResearchNB’s provincially funded Anaerobic Digester Concierge program (BiogasNB). Her agricultural background and understanding of how rural communities function is helping ResearchNB make an impact in all corners of the New Brunswick and the Atlantic region. Danielle is passionate about addressing Canada's food security issues and solving the farm income crisis by supporting and organizing grassroots community efforts and cross-sector collaborations.

Amir Ghasdi, RNG Lead for Americas (GHD)

Biography: Amir Ghasdi is a subject matter expert in renewable fuels, specializing in biogas utilization and Renewable Natural Gas (RNG). As RNG Lead for Americas at GHD, he drives market strategy, business growth, and technical support for RNG projects.
Amir holds advanced degrees in Chemical Engineering (Ph.D.) and Business Administration (MBA), equipping him with both technical expertise and strategic insight. With over 20 years of experience in process development, design, procurement, and commissioning, he has played a key role in advancing renewable gas solutions. As part of GHD’s Future Energy initiative, he is committed to accelerating the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon future.

Laura Gibson, Director of Development (Generate Upcycle)

Biography: Laura Gibson is a Director of Development at Generate Upcycle, where she works on developing new infrastructure to convert organic waste into renewable energy and fertilizer. Since joining Upcycle (formerly StormFisher) in early 2019, Laura has been focused on development and execution of both greenfield opportunities and potential acquisitions, including the development and expansion of Upcycle’s Drumbo and London facilities.
After obtaining a B.Eng. in Chemical Engineering from McGill University, Laura spent the early years of her career as a process engineer in the oil & gas industry before returning to school to pursue an M.Eng. in Environmental Engineering at the University of Melbourne, Australia. Laura enjoys spending her free time coaching youth soccer and staying active through running and cycling.

Matt Lensink, CEO (CEM Engineering)

Biography: Matt serves as the CEO of CEM Engineering, where he helps clients achieve their decarbonization goals by leading the firm with a blend of humility, passion and over 15 years of expertise in power generation, CHP, biogas and low carbon projects. As an entrepreneur, he leads his team in serving clients by delivering high-quality services and pioneering projects that substantially reduce energy costs and CO2 emissions. His tenure at CEM Engineering is distinguished by his involvement in the full lifecycle of numerous low-carbon projects, emphasizing sustainable solutions for clients using a wide variety of technologies. Matt's leadership style is characterized by a commitment to continuous learning and innovation, driving both his company and the broader energy sector forward.
Matt started his career in the Canadian biogas industry over 15 years ago and, over the last 4 - 5 years, has worked to build CEM Engineering's current practice in biogas and RNG. When referring to the biogas industry, Matt can often be caught saying "you never forget your first love!" Matt is interested in bringing his experience & expertise in the biogas industry to the CBA board to support the continued growth of the Canadian biogas industry. Matt believes that the continued growth of the biogas & RNG industry in Canada will build a cleaner & more functional world for generations to come.

Scott McKay, Product Leader – Solid/Liquid Separation (Fournier Industries Inc.)

Biography: Scott McKay is a seasoned water resource recovery specialist with extensive knowledge in environmental science and decades of experience in both the private and public sectors. Holding a master’s degree in environmental science from the University of Québec in Montréal (UQAM), Scott has developed a strong expertise in wastewater and solid waste treatment systems, with a particular focus on biosolids dewatering and management.

Over a career spanning more than 35 years, Scott has gained valuable hands-on experience in designing and implementing treatment systems for wastewater and solid waste. He has worked effectively with teams in the private sector and held important roles in local and national governments, including serving as a program and policy advisor for the mayors of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.

Scott’s work has brought him into collaboration with engineers, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies worldwide. In addition to project implementation, he has shared his knowledge by leading engineering design seminars on a variety of technical and motivational topics. With a commitment to practical solutions and collaboration, Scott McKay remains a dedicated contributor to the field of environmental engineering.

Wilton McVoitte, Scientific Project Coordinator (ClearWater Farm)

Biography: Wilton is the Scientific Project Coordinator at ClearWater Farm, Georgina, ON. He was actively involved in operating and managing a small-scale 40m3 anaerobic digester and biogas upgrading system. His interest in waste-to-energy generation started with the desire to discover the waste management practices that prevent landfill fires. This interest led him to the Master of Science, Bioresource Engineering, Thesis programme at McGill University. He has presented at two biogas conferences and published a scientific paper on his anaerobic digestion research findings.

Shaz Merwat, Energy Policy Lead (RBC)

Biography: Shaz Merwat joined the RBC Climate Institute in 2024 as Energy Policy Lead. He brings over 13 years of Capital Markets Research experience within the Canadian Oil and Gas sector and as an Equity Strategist covering a broad range of fundamental macroeconomic issues and was a top ranked sustainability/ESG analyst. Prior to this, he worked for a global major oil and gas producer in the Netherlands. Mr. Merwat holds Masters degrees from Western University, the London School of Economics and Erasmus University Rotterdam, with the fortune of having lived in six countries across three continents.

Nikan Nadimi, CEO and founder (CarbonikFirm Inc.)

Biography: Nikan Nadimi, a Chemical Engineering graduate from the University of Ottawa, is the CEO and founder of CarbonikFirm Inc. Since 2025, he has leveraged over six years of experience in North American biogas and GHG accounting to optimize RNG and biogas projects, aligning them with carbon market opportunities and emission reduction goals.

Behrang Nejad, Manager of Application Engineering (SYSADVANCE North America Technologies Inc.)

Biography: Behrang is SYSADVANCE’s Manager of Application Engineering, with almost 2 decades of experience in petrochemical, biorefinery and biogas industries. He holds a Ph.D. in process systems engineering from Polytechnique Montréal. Over his career, he has gained experience in process design and modeling, techno-economic and environmental analysis, and mathematical optimization. At SYSADVANCE, Behrang oversees the technical aspects of the company’s business in North America with respect to equipment design and sourcing, technical sales support to clients, and supporting product development, project management, and site services.

Mattieu Ouellette, Process Engineer (Fournier Industries Inc.)

Biography: Mathieu Ouellette is an experienced Process Engineer at Fournier Industries Inc., with expertise in providing customized solutions for the wastewater, mining, and heavy industrial sectors. A graduate of the mechanical engineering program at ETS engineering school in Montréal, Mathieu has built a solid foundation in engineering, complemented by years of practical experience.

Throughout his career, Mathieu has been actively involved in Research & Development projects focused on transforming waste into valuable resources. Since 2010, he has played a key role in the design of digestate dewatering processes, aiming to reduce operational costs and deliver maximum value to clients.

Mathieu works closely with engineers, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies across the USA, Canada, and internationally, demonstrating a strong commitment to innovation and sustainable engineering practices. His dedication to developing efficient and forward-thinking solutions continues to make a positive impact in the industry.

Peter Quosai, Bioprocess Analyst (Azura)

Biography: As Bioprocess Analyst, Peter brings his expertise in anaerobic biology, fermentation, and reactor design to Azura’s anaerobic digestion and industrial wastewater projects. Peter completed his Engineering degree from the University of Guelph and followed that with a Master’s from the University of Waterloo in Ontario. No stranger to the waste-to-value mindset, his graduate research investigated acidogenic fermentation and anaerobic digestion for the production of short- and medium-chain fatty acids from food waste. Peter uses his expertise to optimize our clients’ anaerobic pretreatment and digester systems. He is also a key part of Azura’s work with high-strength and industrial wastewater systems, focusing on process debottlenecking, technical due diligence, and feasibility studies.

Josh Silverman, CEO and co-founder (Windfall Bio)

Biography: Josh Silverman, Ph.D. is the CEO and co-founder of Windfall Bio, a methane-to-value company that uses a nature-based solution to remove harmful methane from any source and transform it into valuable outputs, like fertilizer for organic farming, carbon credits, and progress toward sustainability targets and goals. Dr. Silverman has over 20 years of successful entrepreneurial experience in biotech research, innovation and commercialization and is a leading authority on methane transformation technologies. Dr. Silverman serves as an advisor for a number of climate focused biotech companies, and was formerly the CEO for Aromyx, Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Calysta, Inc. and Vice President of Drug Development at Amunix, Inc. He has B.Sc. in Molecular Biology from UC San Diego and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Stanford University.

Frederik Hyldgaard Thomsen, Commercial Advisor (Danish Consulate General)

Biography: Frederik is a Commercial Advisor at the Danish Consulate General in Houston. There, he leads the translation of Danish biogas experiences to the North American market by working with elected officials, regulators, and industry, bringing stakeholders together, often at large-scale technologically advanced plants in Denmark.

Before settling in Houston, Frederik worked to promote US-Danish relations at the US Embassy in Copenhagen, and promoted Danish green solutions across the US, UK and India based at consulates, embassies and industry organisations.

Kerry Tuyen, Director of Innovation, Technology and Alternate Delivery (Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA))

Biography: Kerry Tuyen is the Director of Innovation, Technology and Alternate Delivery at the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA). In her role at OCWA, Kerry leads the development of the Agency’s existing and future strategy of Biosolids Management, Resource Recovery, Energy Management and Innovations across the Province where OCWA operates over 800 combined water & wastewater facilities.

For over 10 years, Kerry has worked on designing and implementing water and wastewater treatment technologies in the municipal and food beverage market across North America with formerly GE Water/SUEZ WTS and now Veolia WTS. In recent years, she has managed and led construction and renovation projects at EllisDon across Ontario for Public Private Partnership (P3) contracts within EllisDon’s P3 portfolio. Her background includes working in many jurisdictions, where she collaborated with multi-stakeholder groups to execute successful small to large infrastructure projects.

Maria Wellisch, Senior Consultant (MWA Consultants)

Biography: Maria Wellisch is a Senior Consultant (MWA Consultants) working to advance the development of a sustainable bioeconomy in Canada.

She is a graduate from McGill University in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Environmental Studies, with over thirty years of experience working on the sustainable development of Canada’s natural resource sectors. The first 15 years of her career were spent working for the forest products sectors on environmental management issues. In 2002, Maria Wellisch joined the federal public service and, over a 20-year period, she held numerous positions related to the bioeconomy at Environment and Climate Change Canada, Natural Resources Canada (CANMET Energy), the National Research Council of Canada, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada involving technology development, sustainability assessment, biorefinery design and the integration of science into policy.

With respect to international work, Maria Wellisch served as Canada’s representative on International Energy Agency (IEA) Task 42 Biorefineries and Task 37 Energy from Biogas, was a member of the Canadian Advisory Committee on ISO 13065 (Sustainability Criteria for Bioenergy), an advisor for the EU PROSUITE project and an international reviewer for EU's Research Framework Programme (FP7). Most recently, she co-authored Task 37 reports on manure-based anaerobic digestion, and sustainability effects of biogas solutions.