Advisory Committee

The Advisory Committee is an independent body with the main role of informing CLIMAtlantic on the needs, trends, and emerging climate issues facing Atlantic Canadians so that CLIMAtlantic can tailor their programs and services to best assist all users and decision makers.

A group photo of eight members of the CLIMAtlantic advisory committee in front of a black background.
Chaim Anderson smiles at the camera for a headshot which is framed by a yellow circle.
Chaim Andersen

Nunatsiavut Government

Chaim Andersen is the Community Climate Change Liaison for the Nunatsiavut Government, one of the four regions in Inuit Nunangat representing and governing Labrador Inuit. Her work focuses on providing opportunities and support for Nunatsiavut communities to pursue climate change adaptation and monitoring. Born and raised in Nain, her Inuit culture and language is very important and has been crucial in understanding climate change, it’s impacts, and our ability to adapt.

Le français suit. Charles Bourque smiles at the camera for a headshot which is framed by a green circle. Charles Bourque sourit à l'appareil photo pour un cliché de tête qui est encadré par un cercle vert.
Charles Bourque

UNB

Dr. Charles P.-A. Bourque is Professor of Hydrometeorology, Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Management at the University of New Brunswick.

Erin Burbidge smiles at the camera for a headshot which is framed by a green circle.
Erin Burbidge

Clean Foundation

Erin Burbridge is the Director of Programs and Policy at Clean Foundation and oversees programs relating to coastal restoration and adaptation and low-carbon transportation.

Le français suit. John Sommerville smiles at the camera for a headshot which is framed by a yellow circle. John Sommerville sourit à l'appareil photo pour un cliché de tête qui est encadré par un cercle jaune.
John Sommerville

NRCan (in Halifax)

John Sommerville is a Policy Analyst with Natural Resources Canada’s Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Division. He is the lead analyst for Canada’s Climate Change Adaptation Platform’s Coastal Management and Mining Working Groups and supports nature-based adaptation initiatives across the Platform.

Adam Cheeseman smiles at the camera for a headshot which is framed by a yellow circle.
Adam Cheeseman

Nature NB

Adam Cheeseman lives and works in unceded Mi’kmaq territory in Sackville, NB. Adam works as Director of Conservation with Nature NB, an organization whose mandate is to celebrate, conserve, and protect New Brunswick’s natural heritage through education, networking, and collaboration. Adam manages Nature NB’s climate change adaptation projects, which focus on building capacity and expertise for nature-based adaptation approaches in Maritime Canada.

Le français suit. Joel Finnis smiles at the camera for a headshot which is framed by a blue circle. Joel Finnis sourit à l'appareil photo pour un cliché de tête qui est encadré par un cercle bleu.
Joel Finnis

MUN

Dr. Joel Finnis is an atmospheric scientist with Memorial University, Department of Geography. His research addresses climate dynamics, climate adaptation, and communication of weather/climate risk.

Vincent Leys smiles at the camera for a headshot which is framed by a green circle.
Vincent Leys

CBCL

Vincent Leys is a senior coastal engineer with the consulting firm CBCL, based in Halifax.

Le français suit. Patricia Manuel smiles at the camera for a headshot which is framed by an orange circle. Patricia Manuel sourit à l'appareil photo pour un cliché de tête qui est encadré par un cercle orange
Patricia Manuel

Dalhousie University

Dr. Patricia Manuel is Professor of Planning in the School of Planning at Dalhousie University. She teaches and conducts applied research in environmental and community planning, specifically watersheds, coasts, climate change adaptation, social vulnerability analysis, and marine spatial planning.

Le français suit. Garrett Mombourquette smiles at the camera for a headshot which is framed by a yellow circle. Garrett Mombourquette sourit à l'appareil photo pour un cliché de tête qui est encadré par un cercle jaune.
Garrett Mombourquette

Parks Canada

Garrett Mombourquette is a Climate Change Specialist in Prince Edward Island National Park, where his work focuses on building climate resilience while transitioning to net-zero carbon.

Le français suit. Kathleen Parewick smiles at the camera for a headshot which is framed by a green circle. Kathleen Parewick sourit à l'appareil photo pour un cliché de tête qui est encadré par un cercle bleu.
Kathleen Parewick

Municipalities N&L

Dr. Parewick is a community planner and facilitator who supports MNL’s extensive municipal advocacy, policy and practice-related efforts through research, content development, engagement and education activities for the organization’s 275 member communities.

Dr. Xander Wang smiles at the camera for a headshot which is framed by a green circle.
Dr. Xander Wang

UPEI

Dr. Wang is an Associate Professor in the School of Climate Change and Adaptation at the University of Prince Edward Island and he has over 10 years of research experience in high-resolution climate projection and flood modelling.

 

Emily Cumming smiles for a photo. Her face is framed by an orange circle.
Emily Cumming

CCNL

Emily Cumming is an environmental scientist with a research background in environmental biogeochemistry. She is a Conservation Manager at Conservation Corps Newfoundland and Labrador, a provincial environmental not-for-profit dedicated to youth employment and training in the environmental and cultural heritage conservation sectors, environmental education, and conservation science.

Ashley Smith smiles for a photo. Her face is framed by a yellow circle.
Ashley Smith

Fundamental Inc.

Ashley Smith is Owner and Managing Director of Fundamental Inc, an NL-headquartered climate action consulting firm.

Heather Laiskonis smiles for a photo. Their face is framed by a blue circle.
Heather Laiskonis

PEI Watershed Alliance

Heather holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Conservation and a Master’s Degree in Fisheries Resource Management from the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland. Heather has served as the Executive Director of the PEI Watershed Alliance since 2022, having worked her way through school as a wildlife technician on the South Shore of Prince Edward Island. Heather previously worked in management in the private sector in New York City and the greater Detroit Area. Her passion for animals and their habitat motivates her to spend as much time outside biking, kayaking, and hiking. She sits on many environmental committees and volunteers her free time to those causes.

Krystal Pyke smiles for a photo. Their face is framed by a green circle.
Krystal Pyke

UPEI ClimateSense

Krystal Pyke is the ClimateSense Program Manager with the School of Climate Change and Adaptation at the University of Prince Edward Island, where they support local communities and professionals in navigating climate change by providing community capacity building and adaptation training opportunities.