2026 Value of Biogas West Conference Speakers

Al Kleinschmidt, Principal Lead, Canadian Low-Emission Energy Registry (Canadian Gas Association)

Biography: Al Kleinschmidt leads the implementation of the Canadian Gas Association’s Canadian Low-Emission Energy Registry (CLEER). Al has more than 30 years of experience in the Canadian energy sector. He began his career in operations at Westcoast Energy (now part of Enbridge), later transitioning into regulatory roles. Before joining the CGA, Al developed and led the decarbonization strategy at Pacific Northern Gas, including the execution of its first biomethane purchase agreements and the establishment of a voluntary biomethane purchase program. He is registered as a Professional Engineer in the Province of British Columbia.

Alexandra Sadvari, Partner (Gowling WLG)

Biography: Alex is a lawyer and partner in Gowling WLG’s Environmental Law Group, with expertise in the areas of environmental law, renewable energy, land use planning, and development law. For the past 15 years Alex has advised corporate, municipal, and Indigenous clients. Alex delivers advice on a wide array of matters, including: environmental and energy permitting and approvals; waste and wastewater management; and environmental management and compliance. Alex is also co-head of her law firm’s BioEnergy Group, and involved in development of biogas and RNG projects. In addition, Alex is a member of the CBA Board of Directors.

Andres Pelayo, Sales Manager (Ammongas)

Biography: Andres Pelayo is Sales Manager at Ammongas for the Americas region. He works on the development of RNG projects, focusing on biogas upgrading, CO₂ capture, and optimizing project economics through amine-based upgrading systems and CO₂ liquefaction solutions. Prior to biogas, Andres worked in green hydrogen manufacturing equipment and corrosion-protection technologies for the oil and gas industry.

Antonio Saavedra, VP of Business Development (Sysadvance North America)

Biography: Antonio Saavedra is an industrial chemical engineer and business development executive with more than two decades of experience in biogas upgrading, gas purification, and clean energy technologies. As VP of Business Development for Sysadvance North America Technologies Inc., he is responsible for expanding the company's presence throughout the Americas, supporting projects that convert landfill gas, wastewater, agricultural residues, animal waste, and food waste into valuable renewable energy resources.

Aurora Marstokk, Project Manager (Navius Research)

Biography: Aurora is a Senior Project Manager at Navius Research, a leading energy-economy modeling firm in Canada. She manages climate and energy policy modeling projects to assess economic and environmental impacts for governments, research groups, and the private sector. This includes overseeing Navius’ Quarterly CFR and BC LCFS Market Outlook, and using energy-economy modeling to forecast credit compliance and credit prices for market participants. Aurora holds an MSc in Environmental Economics and Climate Change from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Boudewijn Pragt, Economics & Transition Finance Manager (Fonden Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping)

Biography: Based in Copenhagen at the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, Boudewijn is Economics & Transition Finance Manager focused on the economic impact of policies on shipping companies and marine fuel suppliers. He leads a project, which quantifies an abatement cost curve for alternative fuels to assess alternative fuel supply potential by 2030 under the IMO NZF. With a Master’s in Economics from the University of Copenhagen and a background in policy, Boudewijn works to advance policymaking that can drive innovation and accelerate the energy transition.

Brad Douville, CEO (Greenlane)

Biography: Brad joined Greenlane as President in 2017 and became CEO in 2019 when the Company commenced trading on the TSX. He led Greenlane through several rounds of capital markets financings and a period of rapid expansion. Prior to joining Greenlane, Brad had a 25-year career in the natural gas commercial vehicle industry, co-founding Vancouver-based Westport Innovations in the 1990s and the Cummins Westport Joint Venture in 2001. Brad holds an MASc degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of British Columbia and Executive Program certificate from the Stanford School of Business.

Chase Edgelow, Co-founder & CEO (EverGen)

Biography: Chase brings a hands-on approach as co-founder and CEO of EverGen, with 20 years of financial and operational experience across the energy and infrastructure sectors. He is the founding partner of Chase Capital, a private capital platform focused on investing in, advising, and growing businesses in the circular economy and energy transition. Previously, Chase spent over a decade with Macquarie Group, specializing in private energy and infrastructure investments, as well as M&A, capital raising, and corporate advisory services. He holds a degree in Engineering Physics from Queen’s University and is a CFA charter holder and Professional Engineer of Alberta (non-practicing).

Chris Perry, CEO (Perry Family Farm)

Biography: Chris Perry is an interdisciplinary thinker, soil whisperer and farmer with a green thumb and mind. In 2014, he founded GrowTEC to build circular agriculture and carbon-neutral energy on his 6,000-acre farm, recognized as PepsiCo’s inaugural Global Farm of the Year in 2025. Three years into chairing the Canadian Biogas Association, Chris has championed biogas on Parliament Hill and helped drive the United Biogas Alliance since its founding. He has shared his farmer’s perspective in Germany, at COP21 Paris and the World Economic Forum in Davos. Chris remains passionate about advancing biogas in Canada and abroad.

Clay Selsmeyer, Business Development Manager (Prodeval North America)

Biography: Clay Selsmeyer is the Business Development Manager for Prodeval North America. With more than a decade of experience in the Biogas sector across engineering, operations, and sales roles, Clay brings a strong understanding of operational challenges and the value of welldesigned, reliable systems supported after commissioning. Clay’s first experience in Biogas dates back to 2004, and he has since held positions with several companies across the industry. He joined Prodeval in early 2026.

Dana Wong, Managing Director, Canada Low Carbon Fuels (Anew Climate)

Biography: Dana is Managing Director, Canada Low Carbon Fuels at Anew Climate, where she leads the company's Canadian low carbon fuels business and is responsible for strategic growth and commercial development opportunities across low carbon fuel markets including RNG, biodiesel, hydrogen, SAF, and environmental commodities. With more than 20 years experience in renewable energy, climate policy and carbon markets, her work has included advancing RNG and hydrogen markets, establishing environmental attribute tracking frameworks, developing climate and sustainability strategies, and building strategic partnerships across industry, government, Indigenous communities, and the nonprofit sector. Dana is former Co-Chair of the CBA’s Board of Directors.

Daniel Doubilet, Managing Partner (Selkirk Advisory Group)

Biography: Dan is Managing Partner of Selkirk Advisory Group, an independent financial advisor and arranger of structured finance solutions for the alternative energy sector, specializing in project finance. Since inception, Selkirk has been mandated on more than $2.5 billion of transactions. Dan leads Selkirk's transaction execution team, as well as managing the strategic direction of the firm. Prior to Selkirk, Dan practiced law for 8 years in the Banking and Energy & Infrastructure groups of Torys LLP in Toronto. Over his career, Dan has advised investors, First Nations and other stakeholders on several billion dollars of transactions, including many biogas projects.

Fan Yang, Sr Financial Planning, Reporting, Forecast Specialist (FortisBC)

Biography: Fan Yang provides expertise in project economics, forecasting, and strategic planning for renewable natural gas initiatives at FortisBC. With over a decade of experience in energy economics, project finance, business intelligence, resource planning, and project management, he supports RNG development through commercial analysis, supply forecasting, risk assessment, and procurement strategy. Fan holds graduate and undergraduate degrees in economics and finance, along with professional certifications in risk management, financial modelling, and low-carbon fuel lifecycle assessment. He is recognized for rigorous problem-solving, collaborative relationship-building, and translating analysis into informed investment and project decisions.

Harmen Dekker, CEO (European Biogas Association)

Biography: Harmen is a passionate, strategic leader devoted to climate change mitigation with 20 years’ experience in water and RNG. Harmen joined EBA in 2020 to steer growth of the European biogas sector. Harmen also holds positions in instrumental organisations working towards climate change mitigation and energy transition. As Vice-Chair of the UN ECE Gas Expert Group, Harmen collaborates with global gas experts on sustainable development of gas. Additionally, he is also Director of the Transatlantic Climate Alliance, and was Governing Board Member of the Biomethane Industrial Partnership (BIP), involving the European Commission, EU Member States and the biomethane value chain.

James Carter, Vice President (Octaform)

Biography: James has over 20 years’ experience in Senior Leadership and consulting experience in growth and market expansion for engineered product companies in civil, structural and mechanical areas. James joined Octaform seven years ago and has led global expansion in the Water and Environmental containment business unit, including expansion to the position of the North American leader in biogas tanks.

Jamie Jongsma, Chief Financial Officer (Convertus Group)

Biography: Jamie Jongsma is Chief Financial Officer of Convertus Group, one of Canada’s leading organics processing companies. He oversees the company’s finance function and plays a key role in its growth strategy and M&A activities. Most recently, Jamie led the financing of Convertus’ York Biofuel Facility, the company’s first large-scale project financing and a flagship organics and renewable natural gas development. Jamie is a CPA and Ivey Business School graduate, and brings a practical CFO and owner-operator perspective to financing and developing sustainable infrastructure.

Jan Hagen Andersen, Business Development – Regional Decarbonization Director (DNV Maritime)

Biography: Jan has 30+ years of experience in the maritime and shipping industry. He graduated with M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington. After working for a marine engineering company in Seattle, he joined DNV in 2005 and is currently a Business Development Director for DNV Maritime, Region Americas. In this role, Jan focuses on decarbonization, alternative fuels, environmental compliance, energy efficiency, digital and novel technologies. Jan is a member of the SNAME M-16 Panel on Propulsion Shafting and is on the North America Environmental Protection Association (NAMEPA) Board of Directors.

Jeremy Moorhouse, Lead (Clean Energy Build-Out Project)

Biography: Jeremy Moorhouse is a senior energy analyst with two decades of experience spanning the International Energy Agency, Canadian Climate Institute, Clean Energy Canada and Pembina Institute, working at the intersection of energy markets, policy and clean-energy deployment. From 2021 to 2025, Jeremy led the transport section of the IEA’s flagship Renewables market report, overseeing global forecasts for biofuels, biogas, biomethane and other renewable fuels. He has advised governments and industry across North America, Europe and major emerging economies, and contributed to G7, G20 and COP processes. He now leads the Clean Energy Build-Out project, documenting clean energy investment and deployment across Canada.

Manuela Kayath, Chairperson (MDC Energia)

Biography: Manuela is Chairperson of MDC Energia, a leading RNG producer in Brazil, and serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of ABiogás, Brazil´s biogas/biomethane association. As an active contributor to growth of the biofuels sector, Manuela is very involved in designing policies to develop the market. Manuela holds a degree in Business Administration from Fundação Getúlio Vargas and a diploma from Harvard Business School's Owner/President Management Program (OPM). She spent nearly 15 years in the financial market, and in 2015 became a board member of ERB, and later of MDC Energia. In 2020, she became President of MDC.

Marcel Goncalves, Vice President, Decarbonization (Carnival Corporation)

Biography: Marcel Goncalves is Vice President of Decarbonization at Carnival Corporation, where he leads the company's global strategy to reduce GHG and advance net-zero operations. In this role, Marcel oversees evaluation and deployment of emerging technologies, alternative fuels, energy-efficiency initiatives, and regulatory compliance strategies across the world's largest cruise company. Over a career spanning more than two decades with Carnival, Marcel has held leadership roles across revenue management, operational analytics, product development, shipbuilding, fleet retrofits, and maritime operations. Marcel is recognized for translating complex technical and regulatory challenges into practical strategies that help accelerate progress toward a lower-carbon maritime future.

Monique Nobert, VP, Carbon Solutions (MDM Carbon Advisor).

Biography: Monique is a co-founder of MDM Carbon Advisors, Inc., supporting companies that want to participate successfully in the Clean Fuel regulation by advancing renewable natural gas as a clean fuel alternative. She has extensive commercial expertise in both Canadian regulatory and voluntary carbon markets and experience interpreting regulations and translating regulatory requirements into practical, implementable solutions. Monique holds an M.B.A. from Queen’s University, completed executive management studies at Harvard Business School, and is a registered chemical engineer who earned her degree from the University of Alberta.

Patrick Serfass, Executive Director (American Biogas Council)

Biography: Patrick Serfass is Executive Director of the American Biogas Council, the voice of the US biogas industry. Patrick has led the American Biogas Council since he helped create it in 2010. The American Biogas Council now represents more than 400 organizations and 6,000 professionals dedicated to maximizing carbon reduction and economic growth using biogas systems. Beyond biogas, Patrick has more than 25 years’ experience growing clean energy industries, like solar, hydrogen, biochar, and woody biomass. In Patrick’s early career, he was a physical oceanographer, architectural engineer and designed unmanned, deep ocean vehicles. Patrick holds a Bachelor of Arts in Engineering Sciences from Dartmouth College.

Peter Keller, Chairman (SEA-LNG)

Biography: Peter Keller is Chairman of SEA/LNG, a London-based organization committed to furthering the use of LNG as an important, environmentally superior maritime fuel. Mr. Keller is also an Industry Consultant. Peter oversaw the development of the world’s first LNG powered, dual-fuel container vessels; the TOTE Maritime Marlin Class. Peter was President of Sea Star Line, Chief Operating Officer of NYK Group Americas, CEO of The CAST Group, and started his career in 1968 at Sea-Land. Mr. Keller was inducted into the International Maritime Hall of Fame in 2006, and is a Past Member of “The Box Club.”

Phillip Abrary, President & CEO (Taurus RNG)

Biography: Phillip Abrary has over 35 years of professional experience in finance, accounting, and executive management. Phillip is highly experienced in the commercialization of novel industrial technologies, having successfully implemented Ostara’s world first nutrient recovery system, in cities such as Edmonton, Chicago, Washington OR, Saskatoon, and Tel Aviv. Mr. Abrary holds a Bachelor of Science degree in MicroBiology and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.

Ricardo Hamdan, Manager Projects and Business Development (Kanadevia Inova N. America)

Biography: Ricardo Hamdan is Manager of Projects and Business Development at Kanadevia Inova North America, a leading provider of renewable gas technology solutions. With more than 17 years experience in the renewable natural gas industry, Ricardo specializes in anaerobic digestion, gas upgrading, CO₂ recovery, and methanation. Ricardo has helped deliver innovative renewable gas projects for private and municipal clients across the United States and Canada. He holds a degree in International Business from the University of South Carolina, and is a graduate of Yale’s Financing and Deploying Clean Energy Program. He received the 2023 Biogas Champion Award from the Canadian Biogas Association.

Sally Taylor, Director (EcoEngineers)

Biography: Sally Taylor is a Director with EcoEngineers a consulting, auditing, and advisory firm with an exclusive focus on the energy transition. Sally has more than two decades of experience working in the North American energy sector, and has developed a deep understanding of emerging regulations, business impacts, and the challenges of adapting to a clean energy economy.

Sarah Stadnyk, Director of Policy and Communications (Canadian Biogas Association)

Biography: Sarah leads outreach and advocacy activities at the Canadian Biogas Association that raise awareness of the Canadian biogas sector and promote the role of biogas in Canada’s energy transition. Her outreach activities raise awareness of the sector by highlighting industry developments to CBA members and stakeholders. Sarah also supports advocacy efforts on critical federal and provincial files to ensure policy tools provide opportunities for the Canadian biogas & RNG sector. Sarah has been working with the CBA since 2016, and she sees significant potential in bioenergy and waste-to-resource technologies.

Saumya Suresh, Applications Engineer (Anaergia)

Biography: Saumya Suresh is an Applications Engineer at Anaergia, focusing on anaerobic digestion and biogas treatment. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from India and a Master's in Environmental Engineering from Carleton University, Ottawa. With a strong focus on organic waste treatment, Saumya combines technical expertise with a passion for environmental conservation, actively engaging in creek restoration, invasive species management, and plastic pollution cleanup.

Soheil Khiavi, CEO (Hydron Energy)

Biography: Soheil Khiavi is the CEO and founder of Hydron Energy, bringing more than two decades of executive experience in gas separation, clean technology, and commercialization. He was founder of Svante, helping advance industrial carbon capture solutions. At Hydron, he leads the development and commercialization of the INTRUPTor™ platform, a gas separation technology that operates at ambient pressure and lowers capital and operating costs for renewable natural gas production, direct air capture, rare-gas production, and other industrial applications. His work focuses on translating advanced materials and separation processes into scalable, cost-effective systems that reduce emissions and recover valuable resources.

Steve Kehoe, Director (BMO Capital Markets)

Biography: Steve Kehoe is a Director with BMO Capital Markets focused on financing the next generation of energy infrastructure. He advises utilities, developers, technology providers, investors, and governments on capital formation and strategic partnerships across the energy transition sector, with growing emphasis on advanced nuclear and small modular reactor development. Drawing on engineering and investment banking experience, Steve helps clients evaluate the commercial, financial, and risk-allocation challenges associated with large-scale energy infrastructure; including assessment of project financing models, government support mechanisms, strategic partnerships, and private capital participation. Steve holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Western University.